www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization Ouija boards

Believe me, they are NOT "toys", they are doorways to the demonic. Unfortunately, they are marketed as harmless "games."

I would like to add the following, The Devil is always looking for an invitation in to our homes and lives, He is like the relatives that come for a visit, but never seem in a hurry to leave. When finally they do leave everything is upside down, a mess, or destroyed, and our relationships are strained, and ill feelings dwell with us for time come.

Oujia boards, tarot cards, dungeons and dragons, "Magic" cards, and the like seem to the unaware entertainment. They actually catch the players in an obsession that draws them into the occult without them being aware. Their lives and personalities change to one of obsession, which is hard to break. This is Satan taking a hold of them. All through the guise of "innocent" fun. Remember these games are only one way, that opens the door of darkness. Another door is the current media of television. All one has to do is to look at most programs with a critical eye. Greed, lust, lies, defaming that which is holy, the list goes on.

We have become desenstized by the media, and by the new age messages that are bombarding us daily. Several years ago, I really took notice of this, and had cable service disconnected (in my area without cable you have no television). The cable company was beside themselves. Someone rejecting TV. They tried every incentive to get me to reconnect for two years.

I find that by removing some of these distractions, games, TV, etc., my spiritual life has increased dramatically. I have read and learned more in the time since than I had ever my entire time in seminary. My work developing programs for the archdiocese pulls from me creativity free from the deadening of these distractions. Prayers and study have become that were there are now a serious part of my life.

We have heard and know of the influences of the devil by these posts. It is time too examine through our fellowship, how to subtly pass the word along without seeming to be bizzare or fanatical. We know the dangers, but by screaming about it will only lead people to try it.

One suggestion is prayer before encountering the distraction. you may find that those who were intersted in the game or whatever, will become fustrated with it, quickly lose interest in it, or see it for what it truly is, an enticement to enter the world of the occult, trying to close the door that leads to Christ, His saints, and heaven.

I have said my piece, and I hope it helps.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Dear Reverend Father Anthony,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

You're so right, the media glorifies the occult. There was even a comedy about Satan, in the form of a woman (Elizabeth Hurley) trying to tempt Brendan Frazier's character.. it was called "Bedazzled." I caught the last part of it on tv, and I was appalled. The message was pretty much, "Satan's not such a bad guy (or girl)."

I love horror movies, especially those dealing with the demonic, but lately I've decided I shouldn't watch them. Why in the world should I want to be entertained by the devil?

God bless,

Karen

Yes that movie was based on a true story. The last of the Priests who participated in the exorcism, which took place in St. Louis in 1949, recently passed away.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18767-2005Mar8.html

May the Lord welcome Father Walter into His Eternal Kingdom.

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

This topic was brought up after walking at our local mall this morning. One of my friends related that their family went to a Renniassance Fair last summer and of course there was the resident Psychic and they were at another booth and the son overheard the Psychic ask her "helper" if he needed anymore pamphlets on astrology? Then the son overheard the Psychic say: "Well, if I am a psychic you don't need to answer that! But do you need pamphlets?" I'm not making the occult a joke, I was involved in it during the early 80's and it nearly destroyed me. We have to remember also that St. Seraphim when once asked what the demons look like, his reply was: "Hedious!" A demon can appear as an angel of light, I read in one of my books that a monk was visited by an "angel" the monk being wise asked the "angel" to pray with him, the monk face East and after his prayer, he turned around to find the "angel" had disappeared and realized the "angel" was "demonic." Satan is the Father of lies and there is no truth in him as our Lord said.

Hey John,

Thanks for the info!

Maybe I'm jsut weird, but whenever I saw the title of the movie "Bedazzled" I always thought "Beelzebub." The two words do share some of the same letters and have the same number of syllables.

Anywho, God bless and many happy years to those whose pasts have seen the evil of the occult.

Christos Voskres!

Appropos nothing really relevant to this thread:

Jonn's post reminds me of something that I just read recently (don't ask how I come by this stuff, it just falls onto my screen :rolleyes: . Anton Szandor LaVey, nee Howard Stanton Levey, author of "The Satanic Bible" had at least one Ukrainian grandparent - Cecile Luba Primokov-Coulton ("Coulton" Anglicized from "Koltonoff").

Father Anthony,

My mother's family came from Lowell, MA, where I now live and in which there was a small, but distinct, Belgian community early in the 20th century. Among them were the Snooks family, neighbors and friends to my grandparents, who operated "The Belgian Candy Store", at which most of my aunts worked at one time or another.

Among the treasured slips of paper that my Aunt Kay, of blessed memory, squirrelled away was the family's secret recipe for Belgian Creams, given to her by Mrs. Snooks in her later years. These were purportedly the ultimate taste treat in a store full of same. I myself have hidden this so well as to be uncertain where it is; if I find it, I'll post it for your delight.

Many years,

Neil

ThanK you Neil, I would certainly love to see it. It is truly my one weak point.

Father Anthony+

Alice,
we are definitely in accord on this one.
My mother was involved in the occult and it ruined her life.
Its definitely a no no and actually a sin against the first commandment. Certainly nothing to play with.
Stephanos I
Ab omnium malum libera nos Domine!

I agree and so often a form of the occult, i.e. astrology--- is easily bought into. Also, in my opinion, it is something which appears good and has strong drawing power, but can lead away from God and ultimately into deception.

Porter.

A good friend of mine started levitating while using a ouija board with a few friends. She became so petrified that she cried out "JESUS!" and she was placed back on the ground.

It was said before by more important people than me; ouiji boards are an invitation to demons.

Your impoverished servant,
Usque.

P.S. Saint Pius X PRAY FOR US!!!

I gave a talk on Angels and Demons for the CCD teachers in my Latin Parish. I first asked them to raise their hand if they believed in Angels (98% raised their hands) and then I asked them to keep them raised if they believed in Demons. Half of the hands dropped. My next question was, So you believe in beings who are invisible who aligned with good, yet many of you don't believe in the same thing if they are aligned with evil? That got them thinking.

After college I started dealing in the occult working in Ceremonial Magick and neo-paganism. There are things today that I still can't explain logically and I don't even try.

Using Ouija boards may be thought of as a toy or game, but the fact is, that if you read the letter of Peter, the Devil is a lion that is seeking to devour you. This is a dire warning to all Christians to, not be afraid, but be on guard of their souls.

One of the Devil's tricks is to make us believe that he doesn't exist. His next trick is to make us think of red guys in tights and a pitchfork so that our mind instantly says "Good Lord, I can't believe in something silly like that."

John Gibson