Occult

Salvation Army Soldiers sign a ‘Soldier’s Covenant’ which includes a promise to abstain from ‘the occult and all else that could enslave the body or spirit.’

Christians recognise that having given allegiance to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, they have taken sides in a war against 'wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers of this dark age'. (Ephesians 6:12)

Definition

'The occult' refers to the study and practice of supernatural phenomena and powers, and in this context particularly those practices associated with non-Christian, evil or illicit spiritual activities. A common factor is that they all purport to provide a 'spirituality' or a means of appropriating spiritual knowledge or powers beyond or outside those promised in the New Testament to believers in Jesus. They all involve an attempt to gain ‘control’ over the spiritual realm.

Examples

Forms of occult practices encountered in contemporary New Zealand society include the ouija board, seances, channelling and other means of divination of spirits, palm reading, numerology, fortune telling, crystal ball gazing, tarot cards, astrology, black magic (not to be confused with 'sleight of hand' illusionist entertainment), witchcraft, and satanism. There is also a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices which are sometimes described as 'New Age'. Some have tenuous connections with non-Christian religions, while others are synthetic cults of western origin, sometimes masquerading as 'scientific' in their approach. These range from the seemingly harmless (but still to be avoided) to the decidedly dangerous.(1)

Dangers

Dangers associated with occult practices are that:

• They distract people from real and legitimate Christian spirituality, and
• They lead people into dealings with evil spiritual powers that are destructive physically, mentally and spiritually. Even though some forms may seem harmless, people should be aware of the dangers of opening themselves to the power of evil.

Christian behaviour

The Christian standard is to avoid becoming involved in anything associated with the realm or influence of Satan, following Scriptural example and command.(2) Salvationists' will be careful not to give unwitting support to the occult by use of charms, attributing powers to crystals, reading horoscopes or other similar practices.

The best safeguard against straying into such practices is a well-informed and active Christian spirituality within a healthy Christian community.

(1) Some children’s books, games and activities are sometimes held to be likely to mislead young people into these areas. A distinction may be drawn, however, between the above and children’s fantasy stories, about which Christians as individuals may hold differing views. Fantasy is an integral element in children’s intellectual and emotional development.

(2) '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 (New International Version)

'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.'
  — Leviticus 19:31(NIV)

'Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord, and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not enquire of the Lord…'
  —1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (NIV)

'Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practised sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly.'
  — Acts 19:18-19 (NIV)

'Outside (the holy city) are the dogs, those who practise magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practises falsehood.'
  — Revelation 22:15 (NIV)

Approved by International Headquarters
September 2005