The Occult

[JWNEWMAN]

There are many "new" occult practices these days and it's all over tv, movies, books, comics, video games. In my opinion it's as problematic as the proliferation of porn which is almost everywhere, even on many seeming innocent programming on tv, we are literally being swamped with these things. What do we do about it? How do we, can we, turn the tide?

Why are we so accepting of these things and how is it that our tolerance levels have dropped so quickly? Does it have anything to do with high profile leaders who are less then good moral examples? Just like Israel of old when the King was immoral the nation followed? Are we the same?

 

[intricatic]

I don't think it's important to do so - trust that God is more powerful than the forces at work elsewhere in the world. We do what we can in our immediate environment, but I think extending ourselves is an exercise in futility. Only God has arms that reach from East to West.

 

[JWNEWMAN]

I don't think it's important to do so - trust that God is more powerful than the forces at work elsewhere in the world. We do what we can in our immediate environment, but I think extending ourselves is an exercise in futility. Only God has arms that reach from East to West.

I'm thinking of our children, this kind of stuff is everywhere even in schools to a lesser or greater degree. I do believe a these issue could be used to ban church's together in a concerted effort to educate our young. Because our society is in a free-fall it seems to me. The media is without a moral compass and it is a powerful influencing force.

 

[intricatic]

I'm thinking of our children, this kind of stuff is everywhere even in schools to a lesser or greater degree. I do believe a these issue could be used to ban church's together in a concerted effort to educate our young. Because our society is in a free-fall it seems to me. The media is without a moral compass and it is a powerful influencing force.

I agree. I still think God is more powerful than the media, the government, or any social organization that may exist. Society has been in free-fall since the first Christians were fed to lions in stadiums in ancient Roman antiquity.

I think problems with culture need to be taken on an individual level - in other words, God works through us, but not by schemes and devices of men. It's not our power that causes any turning in the social environment we live in, but God's.

 

[JWNEWMAN]

Yes, and we are the church. Banded together as one voice we're stronger and more influential then seperate from one another.

 

[intricatic]

Yes, and we are the church. Banded together as one voice we're stronger and more influential then seperate from one another.

What did Christ say about this, though?

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
(Matthew 10)

We can't combat evil by willfully taking the same practices that evil uses to spread itself through the world. When we're weak, then we're strong in Christ.

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12)

That's not a retreat, it's pulling out the infallible and omnipotent guns.

 

[JWNEWMAN]

What did Christ say about this, though?



We can't combat evil by willfully taking the same practices that evil uses to spread itself through the world. When we're weak, then we're strong in Christ.



That's not a retreat, it's pulling out the infallible and omnipotent guns.

I'm not following your train of thought. However, I think we're going down for the last hoorah! so it migt be a mute point.

Peace!

 

[Fuchsia]

I'm thinking of our children, this kind of stuff is everywhere even in schools to a lesser or greater degree.

I'm a public schoolteacher and I haven't seen any occult things taught in any of the schools I've been in. What exactly do you mean by that? Can you give an example?

Anyway, I do agree however that there is way too much occultic things in our society, and I think that it's because people have turned away from Christ and are trying to find spiritual meaning in their lives, but are going about it the wrong way. They try occult and new age practices because they desperately need some meaning in their lives because they don't have Christ.

 

[intricatic]

I'm not following your train of thought. However, I think we're going down for the last hoorah! so it migt be a mute point.

Peace!

My train of thought; be in the world, but not of it. Let the world do what it will, but preach the gospel to all living in it. I don't think there's much point in trying to delay or somehow alter the direction culture in general is moving because God works through us, but we can't force God to do anything. Trying to do so is futile - we should submit to His guidance and leave it at that.

 

[Blank123]

I'm thinking of our children, this kind of stuff is everywhere even in schools to a lesser or greater degree. I do believe a these issue could be used to ban church's together in a concerted effort to educate our young. Because our society is in a free-fall it seems to me. The media is without a moral compass and it is a powerful influencing force.

the only thing we can do is follow the Bible's good advice:

Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. - Proverbs 22:6

what more can you do? we aren't given a mandate to transform the world - we know from the Bible that the world is dying and thats all we can expect. We just need to live our lives in ways that will glorify Christ, reach out to the world with the gospel and raise our kids to know what truth is and how to react when faced with heresies and lies.

 

[Gwenyfur]

For myself, I dont' think we can legislate restrictions on occult materials...anymore than we can legislate Christianity...to do so would tear at the very foundation of the Constitution.

We can control our environment and that of our children.

I've removed my duaghter from public school and placed her in a christian school. She's getting a sound education, yards ahead of her public school counterparts, as well as a sound theological education. With none of the occultic teachings my older daughter endured in her high school classrooms.

For my home, we make it a haven from the 'world'. It's a place of peace and love...most of the time...every family has.... "moments". But no matter what the people in our home know they're welcome, loved and our guests often comment later in private how peaceful the atmosphere of our home is...

It's not idyllic, dont' get me wrong, hubby and I do argue on occassion...errrmmm I mean "discuss things" but in the end we work it out as to what's right and godly.

ya just don't let the 'world' through the front door!
which includes tv...and no...we don't get reception enough to watch broadcast...and I refused to pay for cable when there's only a couple of channels out of the 70 some odd...that are even worth turning on...

 

[Brieuse]

There are many "new" occult practices these days and it's all over tv, movies, books, comics, video games. In my opinion it's as problematic as the proliferation of porn which is almost everywhere, even on many seeming innocent programming on tv, we are literally being swamped with these things. What do we do about it? How do we, can we, turn the tide?

Why are we so accepting of these things and how is it that our tolerance levels have dropped so quickly? Does it have anything to do with high profile leaders who are less then good moral examples? Just like Israel of old when the King was immoral the nation followed? Are we the same?

Can you maybe share with us these things that you are referring to?

 

[intricatic]

God is stronger than the flimsy paper the constitution is printed on.

 

[Gwenyfur]

Of that I have no doubt Intricatic Parchment is after all fairly flimsy after a couple hundred years.

But seriously think of the further erosion of religious freedoms if we start legislating religion. Something our founding fathers (at least here in the US) fought so strongly against they were willing to commit high treason. Yes, taxation and other considerations were there as well.

I don't naively believe that the American Revolution was solely about religion...but it did play a role.

And while G-d is greater than any of us...or all of us...we are still responsible for building our own hedges and training our own children. It us we the parents who will answer for how we raised our children in His sight and to honor Him...not the gov't.

 

[Nadiine]

In my opinion, PRAYER is the only thing you can really actively do that will make the biggest difference (if any). This country isn't going to remove Porn or occult/new age stuff (heck, you can't even convince some CHRISTIANS that there's anything wrong w/ 1/2 this stuff! ), and now that there's the internet, it's pouring into homes everywhere & to young children.

In America & any free country, occult, new age & porn shoppes have a RIGHT to be there, so I don't think picketing or writing politicians, etc. would do any good.
About all you could do is push for tougher laws on kids getting their hands on the porn (stricter fines, punishments or parental controls... etc.)?

I agree tho, it boils down to how parents raise their kids.

 

[intricatic]

I think people pay far too much concern about politics. Politics are a flimsy excuse to turn a blind eye from our own lives - if we want to make any kind of positive change for the world, I guarantee it won't be by political channels. If it is, I can also guarantee that there will be a hoard of angry people complaining about politics.

 

[JWNEWMAN]

I'm not suggesting legislation. However, I don't agree that porn and occult material have a right to be sold in public places. Being in the world and not of the world is one thing. Sending little kids down the street to play at the neighbors house isn't such an easy decision any more because of all the trash that is so readily accessible. Porn should not be available to minors, period. Parents should be able to raise their children without this bombardment of outside influences.

Somehow our national conscience has evaporated. Things I here on cartoons today would never have reached the airways 10 years ago. If the church as a national body united and as one voice were to pray and educate itself on these issues we could raise the moral conscience of this nation and sensorship might gain a footing once again. We could send our kids to the corner store without worrying about them seeing graphic porn on the magazine rack display. That would be nice.

 

[intricatic]

Buy a house in the middle of nowhere and start a self-sustaining farm.

 

[JWNEWMAN]

I'd like that. But I'd also like to work together with family of God to raise the moral conscience of this nation.

"If my people..."

 

[JWNEWMAN]

Buy a house in the middle of nowhere and start a self-sustaining farm.

You don't think it's a problem that I can't take a 5 year old kid into the gas station because they might see graphic porn pictures?