OCCULT.
The word occult is derived from the Latin word Occultus which means ‘hidden’. The occult has been defined as any activity, which is mysterious, mystical, esoteric, beyond the range of ordinary knowledge, and involving the supernatural.
Using the above definition, consider a person who joins an adult religious class at the local Church and is taught special techniques of effective prayer. These methods are unique, as they are not available to outsiders. They are a means of communicating with God (supernatural) with or without spoken word. This type of activity meets the criteria of the occult.
Also during a Catholic mass the Priest will perform a ritual which involves certain words and actions. The end result is that a wafer and wine is believed to literally be changed into the body and blood of Jesus. This is called Transubstantiation and was adopted into the Catholic Church in 1215 c.e. The Council of Trent reconfirmed this dogma in 1551.c.e. This act of magic would also meet the criteria above and therefore be considered occult. I believe that if this were a literal change (Catholic leaders say that it is so) then this would constitute cannibalism.
Many conservative and fundamental Christians believe that if a person engages in occult experiences they become demon possessed. These types of views correspond closely to 1st and 2nd century c.e. beliefs to be possessed by evil and demonic spirits. There are also many Liberal Christians today who don’t believe in demons. Don’t they believe that Jesus cast out demons? Are they saying that Jesus told tall stories?
Most Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and other mental health professionals have long abandoned the idea of demon possession. Such ideas today are confined to Roman Catholics and some conservative and fundamental Protestants. (Exorcism is still practiced by some churches today)
Evangelical and fundamental Christian authors have written many books on the occult. Some of the material for these books appears to be derived from the middle ages and other past Christian occult books. You could not believe the amount of misinformation, religious hatred and religious intolerance contained within these books, and therefore in my view they are quite unreliable.
The Wicca faith, which the church would tell you, is of the occult, is actually a reconstructed religion of the Celts. They develop a connection with their Goddess or God, perform religious rituals and observe seasonal days of celebration. In doing so they differ little from followers of other faiths including the Church.
Jim Lee.
28/7/00