I hear people say things like "stay away from the occult", or "the occult is satanic". I am trying to figure out exactly how any religion can be considered to NOT be of the occult.
Primary definition of occult:
"of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies."
Supernatural powers are part of EVERY religion, hence the God or Gods.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/occult
2007-08-21 03:34:37 · 17 answers · asked by ♨UFO♨ 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Any belief system that has a metaphysically altruistic standard.
2007-08-21 03:37:37 · answer #1 · answered by Officer Uggh 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Right, it's because when people use the word "occult", they do not mean the real meaning. Most people that I have talked to when they refer to that word they mean it is satanic or brainwashing. Which I have never come across any religion as that. I know there are some, just haven't been around it. I know you will hear of some people going to live and work on farms or something like that, with a group of people, most of them are so called occults because there is one person who is charge that leads others to do things that they don't want to do, but guilt them into it because it is the betterment of the group. Whereas religion, you believe in a God and try to do what is right so you can better yourself.
2007-08-21 03:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by timzapasn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anybody with a sense of morality will know that there are good and evil in the world. Occults are driven by dark forces. God is love and light.
As to the word magic: it's not a term we as Christians use when referring to God's work, and astrology we consider nonsense.
Also: we don't see God as a power but as a person.
For me the one big difference between believers and followers of the occults is that believers are seeking truth and God, people getting involved in the occults are trying to gain supernatural powers for selfish reasons.
2007-08-21 03:40:19 · answer #3 · answered by Amelie 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Occult. Etymology suggest secret or esoteric. Occultist was defined by Evola, Blavatsky, and Fortune as someone who studies the modern revival of esoteric thought. Used critically as someone who explores designs of spiritism and theosophy. Used loosely as someone who explores the nature and history of secret societies and hermeneutics.
"Occult religions" are difficult to pinpoint because typical "occultists" would have a diverse acquaintance and personal symbol set, therefore sticking them in one "religion" would be difficult as this implies adherance to a codified belief or creed.
Modern pagan revivalists can be considered occultists who attempt to indoctrinate or systematize their beliefs. Often, leaning too far into a religious trend can compromise one's scholarly pursuit of topics occult. Eg. neopaganism's neglect of traditional forms of pagan gods. Wicca's fabricated history.
Better examples would be secret societies like the Ordo Templi Orientis and Freemasonry who, acc. to Albert Pike and Sabazius irrespectively, have a unique symbol set which could be taken religiously without need of some Abrahamic or Eastern supplement.
2007-08-21 06:37:12 · answer #4 · answered by RC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on who is saying it and why.
Many Christians view anything Satanic as Occult while others view the greatest genre of music (Heavy Metal) as occult, others view Harry Potter and Dungeons And Dragons as Occult and so on.
2007-08-21 03:38:42 · answer #5 · answered by The Return Of Sexy Thor 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The word occult has greek roots which mean "hidden knowledge". Christians, and as I'm learning today, muslims fear that which is different from their own beliefs and label it "satanic".
2007-08-21 03:40:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Those who claim the name of Christ, and yet include witchcraft within their ceremonies are the worst in mho.
First on the list is Roman Catholicism. Right in the middle of their mass, which they claim is done in Christ's name, they have a magical trick they call transubstantiation. In this ritualistic spell one must wear the proper garb, and be initiated to be able to perform it. They take ordinary bread and wine, and magically change into Christ's body and blood, to be eaten by their subjects. This caused many in the past to proclaim them cannibals!
I tell you the truth, the eating of Christ's bread and drinking His blood is a spiritual lesson, not literal. The bread is His Word, taken in through study, and His blood is His life sacrificed on the cross in the place of His elects lives. It is done during communion of the saints to remind them of these facts.
2007-08-21 03:48:14 · answer #7 · answered by my_my_now 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Occult" simply means "hidden". Any religion that has secrets that only those involved can know is occult.
2007-08-21 04:05:01 · answer #8 · answered by tempest_twilight2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes down to the 'fact' that your belief is a cult, my belief is a religion.
There are Christians who claim the pope is the anti-Christ. The pope just reiterated to all the protestants the Catholic position of "Ya bo, you're not a real church!" (in as many words)
The only thing that keeps them all unified is their common fear and loathing of atheists.
2007-08-21 03:44:52 · answer #9 · answered by Simon T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question here. All religions believe in the supernatural, therefore are occult.
atheist
2007-08-21 03:38:33 · answer #10 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋