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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 believers. In 2006 the Anglican Bishop of Bolton implored retailers not to stock traditional Halloween merchandise, saying that 'occult practices should not be condoned, even if they are only being presented in a caricatured, light-hearted form.'<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr9106.html Church of England]</ref>

 

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. For example, in 2006 the [[Bishop]] of Bolton implored retailers not to stock traditional [[Halloween]] merchandise, saying that 'occult practices should not be condoned, even if they are only being presented in a caricatured, light-hearted form.'<ref>[http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/pr9106.html Church of England]</ref>

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

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