Dangers of the Occult, New Age, and Paganism

[Ave Maria]

There are many dangers involved when a person practices the Occult, New Age, or Pagan religions. These religions are not true religions and those who practice them do not worship the true God. Instead, they worship Satan although they may not realize that is what they are doing. All Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions are to be outright condemned! Practicing these religions can lead to demonic possession, obsession, and other problems with the demonic realm.

But you don't have to be a member of one of these religions to put yourself in danger. People have encountered demonic problems simply by playing with a Ouija board which they thought was harmless. Some people think Seances are harmless as well but they most definitely are not.

If you are involved in any of these things or have been in the past, I would urge you to repent of your sins. If you are Catholic, go to Confession. If you're non-Catholic, become Catholic. If you have experienced demonic issues or other paranormal issues, contact a good orthodox Catholic priest. They can help you.

I want everyone to know that God is merciful. If you have practiced these things in the past or do so now and want to repent, God will forgive you if you sincerely repent for having offended Him. He loves you more than anything and does not want you to dabble in these demonic religions any longer. Please, come home to Christ and His Church.

 

[Eudaimonist]

There are many dangers involved when a person practices the Occult, New Age, or Pagan religions. These religions are not true religions and those who practice them do not worship the true God.

Which religions are "true religions"? Would you give a list?

Instead, they worship Satan although they may not realize that is what they are doing.

How can one "worship Satan" without realizing it?

Practicing these religions can lead to demonic possession, obsession, and other problems with the demonic realm.

What do you mean?

But you don't have to be a member of one of these religions to put yourself in danger. People have encountered demonic problems simply by playing with a Ouija board which they thought was harmless. Some people think Seances are harmless as well but they most definitely are not.

What sort of harm do you mean?

The only reason that Ouija boards "work" is that they spark something called the ideomotor phenomenon. It's just muscular movement caused by the subconscious mind instead of conscious will. Is the subconscious mind what you mean by the "demonic realm"?

The only harm caused by Ouija boards is being tricked into thinking that there are demons (or other spirits) controlling one's muscles, when it really is oneself.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Ave Maria]

Which religions are "true religions"? Would you give a list?

There is one completely true religion, Catholicism.

How can one "worship Satan" without realizing it?

I am not sure how to explain it. I do know that if a person is worshiping but they are not worshiping God such as Jews, Christians, and Muslims do then they cannot be worshiping an actual "deity" because no other "deity" exists besides God. Therefore I will have to change what I said. They're not worshiping Satan but they are deceived by him if they are practicing Occult, Pagan, or New Age religions. They most definitely are not worshiping God if they are practicing these false religions.

What do you mean?

I mean exactly what I said. The practice of Paganism, Occultism, and New Age religions can lead one to demonic possession and other demonic problems. Practicing divination is one way to become possessed although not all who practice divination do become possessed. It does, however, open the door for problems with the demonic realm. Not all who practice Paganism, Occultism, and New Age religions are practicing divination but many of them do.

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.

The above contains a list of things that one should never do because they are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. Doing such things can lead to demonic possession and other demonic problems. I don't know how it happens but it does happen sometimes.

What sort of harm do you mean?

I already mentioned it. The harm I am talking about includes demonic possession, demonic obsession, and other demonic problems.

The only reason that Ouija boards "work" is that they spark something called the ideomotor phenomenon. It's just muscular movement caused by the subconscious mind instead of conscious will. Is the subconscious mind what you mean by the "demonic realm"?

Are you trying to say that the people who use Ouija boards are unconsciously moving them with their mind? Personally I am skeptical of that. I believe that Ouija boards rely on demonic intervention.

The only harm caused by Ouija boards is being tricked into thinking that there are demons (or other spirits) controlling one's muscles, when it really is oneself.


eudaimonia,

Mark

You can believe that if you want but I will not believe that. Many priests and others have condemned the usage of Ouija boards and I trust their wisdom. You should too.

Please read the following links on Ouija boards:

Aggie Catholics: Are Ouija Boards Satanic?

Are Ouija boards harmless? | Catholic Answers

StayCatholic.com - Ouija Boards

Also, this thread is not just about Ouija boards but about all of the various different practices and beliefs of followers of the Occult, Paganism, and New Age religions.

 

[Ave Maria]

Also, here are some links on spiritual warfare which you can explore which will help you to learn more about demonic possession, obsession, and other such things as I am discussing:

Spiritual Warfare - Catholic Bible 101

Spiritual Warfare : Roman Catholic Spiritual Direction

| Spiritual Warfare

Everyday Spiritual Warfare - Featured Today - Catholic Online

Under Construction

Library : Spiritual Warfare: The Occult Has Demonic Influence - Catholic Culture

 

[awitch]

There are many dangers involved when a person practices the Occult, New Age, or Pagan religions.

One of the big ones is having total strangers who don't know anything about you, your beliefs, or your practices telling you how you're wrong/evil and will be punished for all eternity by their loving god if you don't forget your life experiences and knowledge of the natural world and suddenly just believe the same things they do.

Do you think you can tell us what it means to be a Pagan?

All Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions are to be outright condemned!

Do you mean outlawed?

Practicing these religions can lead to demonic possession, obsession, and other problems with the demonic realm.

Been practicing for more than a decade and never experienced anything like that. OK, I like cartoons a little more than the average person, but that's not the same thing.

But you don't have to be a member of one of these religions to put yourself in danger. People have encountered demonic problems simply by playing with a Ouija board which they thought was harmless.

Curse you, Hasbro, and your Ouija board patent.

 

[Gardenia]

These religions are not true religions and those who practice them do not worship the true God.

Couldn't you be saying that about any other religion besides Catholicism, since you claim that's the only true one? Why not post about their dangers, too?

If you are involved in any of these things or have been in the past, I would urge you to repent of your sins. If you are Catholic, go to Confession. If you're non-Catholic, become Catholic.

When you post something like this, do you actually bother to stop and put yourself in the shoes of your target audience? I'll help you. "Your religion and beliefs are wrong. I condemn you. You need to leave your religion and come to my religion, since it's the only right one. I'm going to support my words with sources from my religion, which you do not believe in."

Now I want to make it clear that I'm not actually trying to convert you, but only trying to make a point. If someone said those things to you, how likely would you be to drop everything you believe in and convert? Yeah, maybe if someone has just played with a Ouija board a few times they might be fine casting it aside, but you do understand that for many pagans (and new agers), they have as much faith in their beliefs as you do in yours...? You wouldn't just drop everything and convert to a pagan tradition by such an argument like you make, so why expect us to do it?

Been practicing for more than a decade and never experienced anything like that.

Same here. Same for most pagans I know. Never seem to be able to know and understand my own faith though...

 

[xDenax]

There are many dangers involved when a person practices the Occult, New Age, or Pagan religions. These religions are not true religions and those who practice them do not worship the true God. Instead, they worship Satan although they may not realize that is what they are doing. All Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions are to be outright condemned! Practicing these religions can lead to demonic possession, obsession, and other problems with the demonic realm.

I'm sorry that someone has raised you or caused you to live with so much fear.

 

[Ave Maria]

I am not going to respond to the posts of individual members because I feel to do so would just be wasting my time. People who are already Pagan are not going to accept what I am telling them anyway.

That said, I do not live a life of fear. I know that God will protect me from evil. He always has and always will. I posted this thread to warn others about the dangers involved with Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions. The practices of these religions are truly dangerous and I hope no one chooses to follow them. If you do already follow them I hope you will see the light and see that these religions are deceptions from Satan.

 

[elephunky]

One of the big ones is having total strangers who don't know anything about you, your beliefs, or your practices telling you how you're wrong/evil and will be punished for all eternity by their loving god if you don't forget your life experiences and knowledge of the natural world and suddenly just believe the same things they do.

Do you think you can tell us what it means to be a Pagan?


Been practicing for more than a decade and never experienced anything like that. OK, I like cartoons a little more than the average person, but that's not the same thing.

I second this

 

[elephunky]

I am not going to respond to the posts of individual members because I feel to do so would just be wasting my time. People who are already Pagan are not going to accept what I am telling them anyway.

That said, I do not live a life of fear. I know that God will protect me from evil. He always has and always will. I posted this thread to warn others about the dangers involved with Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions. The practices of these religions are truly dangerous and I hope no one chooses to follow them. If you do already follow them I hope you will see the light and see that these religions are deceptions from Satan.

Then why bother making the post in the first place if you do not wish to comment on or respond to their questions/responses?

 

[xDenax]

I am not going to respond to the posts of individual members because I feel to do so would just be wasting my time. People who are already Pagan are not going to accept what I am telling them anyway.

I'm not pagan. I just think you are being silly.

The practices of these religions are truly dangerous and I hope no one chooses to follow them. If you do already follow them I hope you will see the light and see that these religions are deceptions from Satan.

Living in fear...exactly what I said. You have a fear of what you do not know or understand and you are quick to blame it on an invisible evil power.

 

[PassionFruit]

I am not going to respond to the posts of individual members because I feel to do so would just be wasting my time. People who are already Pagan are not going to accept what I am telling them anyway.

That said, I do not live a life of fear. I know that God will protect me from evil. He always has and always will. I posted this thread to warn others about the dangers involved with Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions. The practices of these religions are truly dangerous and I hope no one chooses to follow them. If you do already follow them I hope you will see the light and see that these religions are deceptions from Satan.

Well I'm not Pagan, but I certainly don't accept what you're saying. Anywho, regarding the part I bolded, it's just funny when I was Christian I used to believe the same about Catholicism.

 

[awitch]

People who are already Pagan are not going to accept what I am telling them anyway.

You are correct about that, but I think it's important for you, and all Christians, to know why.

Consider what's happened. You start a thread publicly condemning personally held beliefs, yet know nothing about the Pagans here; nothing about who we are, what we value, what we believe, and how we practice. You declare us all to be duped by the embodiment of evil and declare your faith to be superior before wishing we all believe as you despite everything we've experienced and everything we've learned. Then you refuse to comment or respond to any sincere conversation, indicating you have no interest in learning who we really are because you'd rather hold onto your preconceived beliefs.

Can any Christian here honestly say they think this kind of proselytizing will endear anyone to the faith? I can tell you, if I was a seeking agnostic I would be so put off.

 

[Ave Maria]

You are correct about that, but I think it's important for you, and all Christians, to know why.

Consider what's happened. You start a thread publicly condemning personally held beliefs, yet know nothing about the Pagans here; nothing about who we are, what we value, what we believe, and how we practice. You declare us all to be duped by the embodiment of evil and declare your faith to be superior before wishing we all believe as you despite everything we've experienced and everything we've learned. Then you refuse to comment or respond to any sincere conversation, indicating you have no interest in learning who we really are because you'd rather hold onto your preconceived beliefs.

Can any Christian here honestly say they think this kind of proselytizing will endear anyone to the faith? I can tell you, if I was a seeking agnostic I would be so put off.

I know something about Paganism. I used to be a Wiccan before I became Catholic. I don't need to know the specific beliefs of every Pagan individual in here to condemn Paganism as a false religion.

 

[elephunky]

I know something about Paganism. I used to be a Wiccan before I became Catholic. I don't need to know the specific beliefs of every Pagan individual in here to condemn Paganism as a false religion.

I always have issues with people who feel the need to condemn other peoples beliefs or religions.

 

[HeathenWarrior]

There are many dangers involved when a person practices the Occult, New Age, or Pagan religions. These religions are not true religions and those who practice them do not worship the true God. Instead, they worship Satan although they may not realize that is what they are doing. All Occult, New Age, and Pagan religions are to be outright condemned! Practicing these religions can lead to demonic possession, obsession, and other problems with the demonic realm.

An extreme claim that will require extreme evidence. You provide none. And then condemn the religions, and therefore, those who practice it.

But you don't have to be a member of one of these religions to put yourself in danger. People have encountered demonic problems simply by playing with a Ouija board which they thought was harmless. Some people think Seances are harmless as well but they most definitely are not.

I do not disbelieve that people have come into contact with harmful entities, but simply by playing with a Ouija board bringing them about? I highly doubt that.

If you are involved in any of these things or have been in the past, I would urge you to repent of your sins. If you are Catholic, go to Confession. If you're non-Catholic, become Catholic. If you have experienced demonic issues or other paranormal issues, contact a good orthodox Catholic priest. They can help you.

What sin? What have they done wrong? You are essentially saying that they are "sinning" by the fact they are not of your particular belief system, and obey your personal tenets. This is called fundementalism, and is among the worst thing you can be. A breeding ground for hatred, selfishness, and cruelty.

It's also funny how the religions you condemn are the main source of practices of the Catholic church...

I want everyone to know that God is merciful. If you have practiced these things in the past or do so now and want to repent, God will forgive you if you sincerely repent for having offended Him. He loves you more than anything and does not want you to dabble in these demonic religions any longer. Please, come home to Christ and His Church.

The Creator is merciful yes. Far more than any human can comprehend. It also knows you better than you will ever know yourself. However, no mere human can put the Divine into words, because it is beyond such things. Being human cannot offend the Creator, because otherwise, it would not have enabled us to be "human". That's just common sense.

And Jesus and his "Church" was selfless love, no man-made creation like the Catholic Church. That was Paul and his ilk.

 

[awitch]

I know something about Paganism. I used to be a Wiccan before I became Catholic. I don't need to know the specific beliefs of every Pagan individual in here to condemn Paganism as a false religion.

What tradition? How long did you practice? Solitary? Pantheon? Can you tell us about your former Wiccan beliefs (just so I can compare with my own path)?

 

[Illuminaughty]

It's interesting that demons take the time to play board games with people by making their hands move on the Ouija board. They must get bored being consigned to such a job. If I were at demon I guess I would spell out insulting and inappropriate phrases just to entertain myself. Do they ever get a break from that task or is it a life long assignment?

 

[Redac]

Does it count if I do all that but with the Orthodox Church instead? Or does it have to be the Roman Catholic Church?

 

[seeking Christ]

It's interesting that demons take the time to play board games with people by making their hands move on the Ouija board. They must get bored being consigned to such a job. If I were at demon I guess I would spell out insulting and inappropriate phrases just to entertain myself. Do they ever get a break from that task or is it a life long assignment?

They call it purgatory