Christianity + Tarot cards.

[earl]

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I think the question of whether or not it is right to read the Tarot cards must be taken up between yourself and God in prayer.

Part of my own line of thinking about this is that it may depend on how you view the Tarot cards and the practice of reading them. Are you trying to find out the future or just work through dilemmas you are facing? Do you believe you are contacting spirit-entities who help you through the cards, or just using the symbolism and imagery of the cards to reflect in your own mind and trigger subconscious thoughts/feelings?

I would consider myself a Christian, although certainly a liberal one. I have had experiences in which I felt I communicated with spirit-entities. But I do not seek this out and I am very careful to bring my problems and decisions only to God. I am concerned with what God's will for my life is, not any other. From what I have experienced and read of others' experiences, being contacted by spirits of any sort is largely something one can't "turn off." That is, a lot of us don't ask for what we experience, it's just part of the information we pick up from our environments. Think of it this way- a person who has regular scent abilities may not mind someone wearing a lot of perfume, but a person born with highly sensitive scent abilities will be overwhelmed. Well, I've been in places in which folks that aren't sensitive to energy/spirits/whatever you call it are oblivious to what is obvious to a more sensitive person. I've been this way since I was born and I don't think it makes me less of a Christian. But what I choose to do with it could- just as what I choose to do with the rest of my abilities could separate me from God.
I have used oracle decks, mostly just to admire the paintings. I think they can be a useful psychological tool for engaging the mind in a decision, as the human mind responds well to symbolism and myth. I can't answer it for you, but for myself, I do feel that if I'm doing that for lots of my decisions or I feel I "need" to do it, it's a problem. The only thing I want to feel I "need" to do is pray and meditate, no accessories needed. The rest, just like ritual and art, is extra. Personally, I would ask myself why the Tarot decks make me feel centered and balanced as opposed to prayer or meditation. But that's me- and you are you. What is right for you and your relationship with God can only be determined in personal prayer with God.

My (slightly more than) 2 cents.

As always, path-of-one, nice balanced detailed insights. There are various ways to approach use of Tarot, (& many, many types of Tarot decks). But, I agree that their basic purpose is one of mirroring to the user aspects of their psyche. A number of Jungians have written on a Jungian approach to Tarot use-the only deck I own is "The Mythic Tarot," by Sharman-Burke and Greene, which takes an essentially Jungian approach to use/interpretation of it. Jungians have applied jungian synchronicity theory to its use, (and other means of divination), which is interesting. For those interested in a bit more background reading along these llines you could check out the 1992 book, "Wheel of Tarot." I kind of always have thought of it as a form of "Rorschach" test and means of stimulating possible intuitive revelations when used. Though like all forms of "intuitve" insights, it's not about discarding the use of own's common sense in weighing the results-thus the adage "keep an open mind but don't let your brain fall out." I do tend to believe intuitive faculties are at the heart of spirituality, but I tend to agree with you that non-divinatory approaches grounded in the calming/centering of meditation and prayer probably are much more "direct" and essential, but I see nothing about this sort of divinatory practice when used in manners such as the Jungians put forth as encouraging any kind of opening to "evil" forces. Take care, Earl

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by earl

As always, path-of-one, nice balanced detailed insights.

I must point out that though there may no harm in using such tools (to the seasoned Christian), this should not be discussed as one would a coffee table book. Younger Christians (who do not have their legs yet, so to speak), could get the wrong idea, and end up being very messed up.

If such things had a rating potential, I'd call this issue R. Not for "minors" under the age of 18. (in Christian maturity years, so to speak).

Everyone of you have acknowledged that there is power in these tools. Power is power, and does not care who wields it.

A car is not evil, but with a 10 year old behind the wheel, it can do a great deal of damage, and should the "child" lose control, even more damage can be done.

Likewise the use of tools that provide us with "othersight"...

my thoughts.

v/r

Q

[mee]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

For the most part I agree. But there are some that do things that have nothing to do for profit, nothing to do for self grandeurising, and no intention of messing with God's ideal of how things should work. However, they understand things the rest of us do not.

I don't put them in the category that you seem to place them in. So, I don't know about those types of people.

v/r

Q

yes that is true not all do things for profit, but it is more about being obedient to God and the things that he says we should not take part in because it will make us unclean in a spiritual way
(Leviticus 19:31) "‘Do not turn yourselves to the spirit mediums, and do not consult professional foretellers of events, so as to become unclean by them. I am Jehovah YOUR God.

Thus Saul died for his unfaithfulness with which he had acted faithlessly against Jehovah concerning the word of Jehovah that he had not kept and also for asking of a spirit medium to make inquiry. 1 chronicals 10 ;13 so for Gods people it is more about being faithful to God

There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, a practicer of magic or anyone who looks for omens or a sorcerer, or one who binds others with a spell or anyone who consults a spirit medium or a professional foreteller of events or anyone who inquires of the dead. For everybody doing these things is something detestable to Jehovah, and on account of these detestable things Jehovah your God is driving them away from before you. You should prove yourself faultless with Jehovah your God ... dueteronomy18;10-13

(Revelation 21:8; 22:15)

(Galatians 5:20) idolatry, practice of spiritism, enmities, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects

Youcannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah and the cup of demons; youcannot be partaking of "the table of Jehovah" and the table of demons 1 corinthians 10;21

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Friend_of_Fools

I'm a Christian, and an important part of my pre-church Sunday routine is to read my Tarot cards. I find my Tarot cards to be very insightful, offering a mirror to myself, allowing me to see issues in my life with greater clarity. This ultimately leaves me more centred and balanced.

I'm curious to find out other Christians point of view on Tarot cards. Do many other Christians also read the cards, or do you believe this is something a Christian should not dabble in?

Wow... Just found this thread, found it pretty amazing...

I'm a Jew... And before I go off to listen to the Rabbi on Sundays I like a nice big fat bacon butty............

lol...

It feels kinda self defeating your statement... Like why bother going to church if you are not going to put your faith love and trust in christ but into some "spirits" magically through cards lol instead....

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Alex P

I'm a Jew... And before I go off to listen to the Rabbi on Sundays I like a nice big fat bacon butty............

lol...

....

PMSL Is that before or after a massive lay-in?

[17th Angel]

Originally Posted by Penguin

PMSL Is that before or after a massive lay-in?

Oh how I did chortle squire! That would be after the (massive is such a heavy word, well call it; ) comfortable lay-in..

[mee]

Originally Posted by Alex P

Wow... Just found this thread, found it pretty amazing...

I'm a Jew... And before I go off to listen to the Rabbi on Sundays I like a nice big fat bacon butty............

lol...

It feels kinda self defeating your statement... Like why bother going to church if you are not going to put your faith love and trust in christ but into some "spirits" magically through cards lol instead....

Reminds me of this verse
He that is turning his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is something detestable.
proverbs
28;9


yes , it is amazing how those who call themselves christians do all sorts of things even though the bible says NO

[17th Angel]

Ah sugar nuts... Didn't see your response, One turning his ear away from law(Turning from the true ways of christianity?) his prayer is something detestable.... Elaborate?

[mee]

Originally Posted by Alex P

Ah sugar nuts... Didn't see your response, One turning his ear away from law(Turning from the true ways of christianity?) his prayer is something detestable.... Elaborate?

I was refering to the bacon butty that you mentioned , i thought it was a good illustration.

Jews dont eat pork do they ,so for christians we should listen to what the bible teaches when it comes to tarot cards.


but many do the opposite to what the bible teaches .