| It is only fair to first say that there is a danger | | | | can also group most religions under "cult" as well |
| with dabbling in anything that you are not | | | | depending on the extremeness of the group. |
| educated about. Generally speaking there are | | | | There is danger in dabbling or practicing anything |
| three main misconceptions the general public have | | | | that impacts your life in an adverse or unhealthy |
| about the occult. The fear of mind control, the | | | | way. There is good and bad in everything, there |
| fear of devil worship and fear of the unknown, | | | | are good Christians and there are bad Christians, |
| each of which Hollywood has taken great strides | | | | there are good Pagans and there are bad Pagans. |
| to ingrain in peoples' heads. If you are looking for | | | | When you follow a certain path of spirituality you |
| answers as to whether or not there is any real | | | | should do so with your eyes open, never fall |
| fear or danger then read on. | | | | under the control of someone else. It is important |
| First we need to discuss what is meant by | | | | that you remain a person of free will, which |
| "dabbling." This can be anything from sitting with a | | | | means that you are able to make decisions on |
| psychic and having a reading done, to playing with | | | | your own. I find that it is just as unhealthy to |
| an Ouija board, to meeting with a group of people | | | | believe that you are going to be condemned to |
| to discuss beliefs and practices. It is better to call | | | | an afterlife surrounded by fire and stuck in sinking |
| this experimenting. There is a natural curiosity that | | | | mud than it is to believe that you can inflict harm |
| we all have to find out what everyone is talking | | | | on another human being and not suffer |
| about. We should also draw a very clear line to | | | | consequences. |
| distinguish the difference between occult and cult. | | | | If your intent is to do good, be a good human |
| Occult means "of, pertaining to, or dealing with | | | | being and act in harmony with the nature around |
| supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena." | | | | you then you are leading a happy and safe life. If |
| This would cover just about every religion out | | | | you are going to constantly look for ways to get |
| there that believes in a God as Gods are | | | | ahead by stepping on those around you then |
| supernatural. | | | | there is danger in your life regardless of your |
| Cult can be defined as, "followers of an exclusive | | | | beliefs. |
| system of religious beliefs and practices." -- fad: | | | | It is of the utmost importance that you educate |
| an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he | | | | yourself on what it is you say you believe in. |
| always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage | | | | Know why you feel the way you do, why you |
| that season" -- followers of an unorthodox, | | | | practice the things you practice. Do not base your |
| extremist, or false religion or sect who often live | | | | judgment off the words of a close friend or a |
| outside of conventional society under the direction | | | | person you see as a leader of your movement. |
| of a charismatic leader -- a religion or sect that is | | | | Instead read books, talk to others and form your |
| generally considered to be unorthodox, extremist, | | | | own opinion. Be strong enough to exercise your |
| or false; "it was a satanic cult" -- a system of | | | | free will and make decisions that are in line with |
| religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus | | | | being a good human being. |
| of the Blessed Virgin." Again, as you can see you | | | | |