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In modern usage, "occult" refers to any one of a number of [[supernatural]] practices. These may include [[tarot card]]s, [[ouija board]]s, [[psychic]] powers, [[witchcraft]], [[charm]]s and [[spell]]s of various forms, [[voodoo]], some [[pagan]] rituals, [[demonology]] and [[divining]] for resources. (This list is not exhaustive.)

In modern usage, "occult" refers to any one of a number of [[supernatural]] practices. These may include [[tarot card]]s, [[ouija board]]s, [[psychic]] powers, [[witchcraft]], [[charm]]s and [[spell]]s of various forms, [[voodoo]], some [[pagan]] rituals, [[demonology]] and [[divining]] for resources. (This list is not exhaustive.)

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 [[believer]]s. Further, 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.

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 [[believer]]s. Further, 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.  

Many [[Christians]] see the occult as being profoundly [[evil]], criminal, destructive, life threatening, and/or [[Satanism|Satanic]]. Some Christians take this further, and argue that even fictional depictions of occult practices (such as [[fantasy]] books) or non-supernatural recreations ([[magician]]s' performances) may be dangerous.

Many [[Christians]] see the occult as being profoundly [[evil]], criminal, destructive, life threatening, and/or [[Satanism|Satanic]]. Some Christians take this further, and argue that even fictional depictions of occult practices (such as [[fantasy]] books) or non-supernatural recreations ([[magician]]s' performances) may be dangerous, acting as the first step on a slippery slope towards an evil obsession. Those who believe that they are using the occult for their own ends are always deluded - at best, they have no power at all, and at worst they are themsevles being used as the tools of a higher and more sinister power.

Concerning occult practices, the [[Israelites]] were told:

Concerning occult practices, the [[Israelites]] were told: