NAVIGATION:
WE SUPPORT:
|
 
OUIJA
A board and pointer used for divination and to contact the spirit world. The name comes from the French for 'yes', Oui, and the German for 'yes', Ja.
The board, which has the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0 to 9, and the, words 'yes' and 'no' printed on it, is placed on a table. Participants rest their fmgertips lightly on the pointer, usually a heart-shaped device with three felt-tipped legs in the case of commercially produced Ouija boards, though an upturned wine glass is often used.
One person poses a question, and the pointer is then supposed to move to answer the question.
Similar board-type instruments were used for divination in ancient China and Greece. In the mid-19th Century a similar device, the Planchette, came into use in Europe.
The modern Ouija board is marketed as a game, originally called 'Ouija Talking Board', and was developed in the late 1890s by an American, William Fuld, who sold the patent to the Parker Brothers game company in 1966. Ouija boards became popular during and after World War I, when many people were desperate to communicate with loved ones killed in the fighting.
Many Para-Psychologists regard the Ouija as a means to tap into the subconscious. However other Para-Psychologists claim that it is dangerous in that users have no control over repressed material, which may lead to psychological trauma.
It should also be noted that many (though by no means all) Wiccans and Neo-Pagans utterly refuse to have anything to do with Ouija boards regarding its use as Necromancy and Black Magick, therefore a violation of the Wiccan Rede, one of the basic tenets of Wiccan belief (see WICCA).
A Biblical Perspective:
For the answer to this problem I feel we must turn to the world's greatest authority - the Word of God. Paul, writing in Ephesians 6:12 says "For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
One of the major doctrines denounced by the Bible is Demonology, and that is just what Paul refers to in Ephesians 6:12. Many scriptures refer to these unseen intelligences. As one who has been a practicing Neo-Pagan, I appreciate what Paul meant and I know this to be a fact. Within these many scriptures the Bible discusses Necromancy. 'When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices Divination or Sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead" (Deuteronomy 18:10,11).
Therefore, although I myself used Ouija boards on occassion while a practicing Neo-Pagan, as a Christian I now believe that Ouija Boards and all kinds of Spiritualism can be nothing but communion with demons, against scripture, and we must remember that God passed the Death sentence on all mediums that had familiar spirits and also upon people consulting with them. It is sternly forbidden by God as defiling.
Scripture also calls each of us to place our faith in Jesus Christ rather than the created universe. The book of Colossians reminds the individual to "see to it that no one takes you captive through vain philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of man, according to the elemental principles of the universe, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)
see also: PLANCHETTE; TABLE, RING AND DISC
PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.
Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.
Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.
- Jean-Luc
|
A God-honouring, Biblically-based, and theologically-sound Christian Search Engine - Results in a highly accurate and well-organized format. |
Copyright 2004-2005 exWitch Australia
(formerly 'Born Again Pagan Ministries')
All rights reserved.
|
