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Line 1: + + + − An '''Occult''' thing is something that is clandestine, hidden, or secret. The word Occult comes from the Latin ''occultus'', meaning "knowledge of the hidden". Websters defines '''Occult''': To shut off from view or exposure"<ref>http://m-w.com/dictionary/occult</ref>+ − + Line 12:
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An '''Occult''' thing is something that is clandestine, hidden, or secret. The word Occult comes from the Latin ''occultus'', meaning "knowledge of the hidden". Websters defines '''Occult''': To shut off from view or exposure"<ref>http://m-w.com/dictionary/occult</ref>
In modern usage, 'occult' refers to any one of a number of supernatural practices. These may include tarot cards, ouija boards, psychic powers, charms and spells of various forms, some pagan rituals, demonology and divining for resources. This list is not exclusive.
Many of these practices are widely regarded as superstition with no functional basis, and thus ineffective - the divination rituals will provide no insight into the future, the spells have no influence and the demons will not appear. However, the occult does have fervent believers. Futher, the presence of warnings in the bible against various practices that would now be regarded as occult demonstrates there is a level of truth and real danger behind them.
Christians see the occult as being profoundly evil, criminal, destructive, life threatening, and/or Satanic.
Many Christians see the occult as being profoundly evil, criminal, destructive, life threatening, and/or Satanic. Some Christians take this further, and argue that even fictional depictions of occult practices (fantasy books) or non-supernatural recreations (illusionist performances) may be dangerous.
Concerning occult practices, the Israelites were told:
Concerning occult practices, the Israelites were told:
''"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."''<ref>''Leviticus 20:6'', KJV, although this verse refers more properly to "those who would seek special knowledge through the spirits of the dead, whether the dead in general or dead relatives in particular" (NET, Leviticus 19, note 52).</ref>
''"And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."''<ref>''Leviticus 20:6'', KJV, although this verse refers more properly to "those who would seek special knowledge through the spirits of the dead, whether the dead in general or dead relatives in particular" (NET, Leviticus 19, note 52).</ref>
Also, ''"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."'' is found in Exodus 22:18.
==Notes==
==Notes==