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The "Occult" is the oldest known religion
to humanity. It is the secret doctrine and mysterious practice involving the
action or influence of supernatural agencies or secret knowledge thereof, which
transcend the natural senses, to seek their influence in our present or future
lives, or the lives of others.
The Bible teaches us that the Occult is of
satanic nature and strongly condemns it. Therefore, the purpose of this column
is to forewarn about the occult, not support it.
There are three types
Divination:
The attempt to "foretell or explore the future".
Such practices include that of astrology (horoscope, zodiac), Tarot card
reading, crystal ball reading, palm reading, rod and pendulum, snail shells,
coconuts, numerology, psychometry, dream reading, telepathy, and clairvoyance.
Magic:
The attempt "to control the present", our lives,
the lives of others, or events of nature, by ceremonies, charms, or spells
believed to have supernatural powers. Some call it "Magick" to
distinguish it from the "magicians" who entertain an audience with various
tricks and illusions.
Such practices include that of white magic, black magic, sorcery, witchcraft,
wicca, witch doctors, satanism,
black mass,
spells,
curses, potions, superstitions, charms, fetishes, talismans, amulets and spoils
(despojos, riegos).
Spiritism:
Spiritism, attempts "to communicate with the
dead".
Such practices include the usage of ouija boars,
satanic rituals and santeria (an ancient African practice of using Christian
Saints to masquerade satanic demons).
The use of the Occult is ever present in today's
world. In a 2003 McCall Magazine report, in the US alone, there are over 10,000
astrologers and over 40 million people consulting their horoscope every day. In
San Francisco, the Church of Satan has over 8,000 members. There are over 20,000
"santero priests" in Miami and New York. England has over 9,000 witches and
France over 60,000. In Latin America there are witches (brujos), santeros, and
mediums by the millions. What'a more, The Occult is practiced in many Eastern
and Western cults such as New Age, Yoga, Kabbala, Mormonism and Masonry.
Sources: World Religions and 101 Cults: J Dominguez
M.D., Encyclopedia Britanica, Microsoft Encarta Reference Library,
