Originally posted by Alliance
If Christianity is so "right" then studying other religions should only make Chirstianity appear all the "righter"
Exactly. They seem to lack faith in the strength their religion inspires. They seem to be worried if the layman go down amongst the nonbelievers (or differently inclined believers) that one will be corrupted and lost faster then you can say "Magic Missile!"
Originally posted by Alliance
Magic Missi.......oh.
Yes. We can't forget one of the most potent tools of the occult and Satan - responsible for more lost souls then then Buddhism and Ancient Egyptian magic combined... Dungeons & Dragons. Now in its third edition (or 3.5.), God bless its little RPG heart (and protect my level 4 Elven Psion. I have high hopes for him)
Magic Missiles try this one on!
Originally posted by debbiejo
The church has associated Satan with the occult. At one time, the occult had to do with god as spirit type force, science and communication.
Essentially everything the Church didn't have direct control over.
Bruv. There are a lot of passages in the Bible to do with the occult
True, but I see no reason why a Christian should have to take them as gospel.
Originally posted by Imperial_SamuraBecause witchcraft, sorcery, and such are clearly shown to be sin throughout both the OT and NT. Purposely sinning under the grace of God is an even worse sin than doing it without. The occult draws your mind of things of God. Joshua 1:8 says that we should mediate on the Word day and night. Paul gives sound advice to Christians "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" Phillipians 4:8
I see no reason why a Christian can't study the "occult" and still be Christian. Or whatever.
Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Essentially everything the Church didn't have direct control over.True, but I see no reason why a Christian should have to take them as gospel.
What I mean is there some passages in the Bible that are used for spells by gnostic christians. Its like some parts of the Bible are an actual spell book.
Originally posted by Nellinator
Because witchcraft, sorcery, and such are clearly shown to be sin throughout both the OT and NT. Purposely sinning under the grace of God is an even worse sin than doing it without. The occult draws your mind of things of God. Joshua 1:8 says that we should mediate on the Word day and night. Paul gives sound advice to Christians "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" Phillipians 4:8
The occult falls under none of these categories.
Prayer is a form of magic. If you analysis what a spell involves and what a prayer involves they consist of the same things. The only difference is you call up God I call up Thor and the Elves. Prayer is simply communicating with a supernatural source.
Let's not confuse God and prayer as acts of magic, God isn't a wizard, his powers are of an unearthly source and are holy, and are NOT transferable to man.
Magic is rooted in the Earth and Nature, it is "praying" to an alternate source, for various things.
Also, Prayer is very inner, the casting of spells is very outer...
Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
Yes. We can't forget one of the most potent tools of the occult and Satan - responsible for more lost souls then then Buddhism and Ancient Egyptian magic combined... Dungeons & Dragons. Now in its third edition (or 3.5.), God bless its little RPG heart (and protect my level 4 Elven Psion. I have high hopes for him)
😆
Psionic classes ROCK.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Let's not confuse God and prayer as acts of magic, God isn't a wizard, his powers are of an unearthly source and are holy, and are NOT transferable to man.
That makes no sense. God by definiton is infinite therfore he is everywhere. Therefore he is in man and his powers are transferable. Magic is proof of God's existance.
Originally posted by Grand_Moff_Gav
Also, Prayer is very inner, the casting of spells is very outer...
Surely that depends on what you want?
Originally posted by Alfheim
That makes no sense. God by definiton is infinite therfore he is everywhere. Therefore he is in man and his powers are transferable. Magic is proof of God's existance.Surely that depends on what you want?
Originally posted by Nellinator
Because witchcraft, sorcery, and such are clearly shown to be sin throughout both the OT and NT. Purposely sinning under the grace of God is an even worse sin than doing it without. The occult draws your mind of things of God. Joshua 1:8 says that we should mediate on the Word day and night. Paul gives sound advice to Christians "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" Phillipians 4:8
The occult falls under none of these categories.
It is so easy to appear righteous and unwavering when ones faith is not tested. It reminds me of [i]The Monk[/b] really. It strikes me as casting a blanket over everything that is not of the Christian faith. Is it fear that mere study of the occult is enough to kill faith in the Christian God? I dare say it would have been far better to encourage study if a person so wished - otherwise there would be those who would always have the curiosity burning in the back of their minds. Wondering about it.
It is harder to fight something you don't understand. And I am yet to see reason why the "occult"does not fall under such catagories, in terms of what "occult"" is. Especially when so much of it can be seen as efforts to understand ones self, and the world around one.
Originally posted by Imperial_Samura
It is so easy to appear righteous and unwavering when ones faith is not tested. It reminds me of [i]The Monk really. It strikes me as casting a blanket over everything that is not of the Christian faith. Is it fear that mere study of the occult is enough to kill faith in the Christian God? I dare say it would have been far better to encourage study if a person so wished - otherwise there would be those who would always have the curiosity burning in the back of their minds. Wondering about it.It is harder to fight something you don't understand. And I am yet to see reason why the "occult"does not fall under such catagories, in terms of what "occult"" is. Especially when so much of it can be seen as efforts to understand ones self, and the world around one. [/B]