(October 4, 2017 at 11:31 am)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: especially for non-believers.

(October 4, 2017 at 11:31 am)Neo-Scholastic Wrote:

(October 4, 2017 at 11:12 am)Khemikal Wrote: Are we really being lectured on the clear and present demonic danger of board games? Rational christians don't honestly believe that they can cast a magic spell (intentionally or otherwise) with painted pieces of card stock and a cheap plastic lens...do they?

Because they aren't just board games. They are props surrounding the deliberate cultivation of altered states of consciousness with the intention of manifesting a supernatural result through evil spirits. Scoff if you want, but personally, I think messing with any kind of occult practice is dangerous - especially for non-believers.

(October 4, 2017 at 11:31 am)Neo-Scholastic Wrote:

(October 4, 2017 at 11:12 am)Khemikal Wrote: Are we really being lectured on the clear and present demonic danger of board games? Rational christians don't honestly believe that they can cast a magic spell (intentionally or otherwise) with painted pieces of card stock and a cheap plastic lens...do they?

Because they aren't just board games. They are props surrounding the deliberate cultivation of altered states of consciousness with the intention of manifesting a supernatural result through evil spirits. Scoff if you want, but personally, I think messing with any kind of occult practice is dangerous - especially for non-believers.

(October 4, 2017 at 9:18 am)Neo-Scholastic Wrote:

(October 3, 2017 at 10:13 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: Neo and C_L, you're kidding right? Card/particle board, paint and plastic put in the right combination is somehow disturbing to each of you?

What other superstitions do you give credence to?

The means by which people attempt to invoke demonic entities and evil spirits does not matter. Even if this is a purely psychological phenomena, why draw out the darkest parts of the self? Or to put it another way, supposing one is an open minded skeptic, allowing for the possibility that some shred of evidence for the supernatural could be attained by seances and such, why go that route if there is even the slightest chance that it just might actually work and allow such evil to manifest in your life.

(October 4, 2017 at 12:33 pm)Khemikal Wrote: So, again, juist to make sure we're on the same page.  It;s not a stereotype of imaginary christian ignorance but your actual position? You -do- think that you can cast a magic spell with a carboard box and a piece of plastic..and that..further, theres an even greater danger to this actual ability for those who do not believe?

(October 4, 2017 at 12:58 pm)mh.brewer Wrote:

(October 4, 2017 at 9:18 am)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: The means by which people attempt to invoke demonic entities and evil spirits does not matter. Even if this is a purely psychological phenomena, why draw out the darkest parts of the self? Or to put it another way, supposing one is an open minded skeptic, allowing for the possibility that some shred of evidence for the supernatural could be attained by seances and such, why go that route if there is even the slightest chance that it just might actually work and allow such evil to manifest in your life.

Hahahaha. You automatically assign demonic/evil to an inanimate object based on bias. But I guess this makes sense, you assign good to some inanimate objects also.

When it's sold, or you get instructions to make one, does it say "warning-evil abides within?". Not to my knowledge. Do most have demonic sayings or symbols? Not that I've seen. So your position that it is "evil" is unfounded and based on irrational fear. 

If there crosses and images of jesus on the board would it then be OK? Cause you know, only good things can come from a cross.

(October 4, 2017 at 12:58 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote:

(October 4, 2017 at 12:33 pm)Khemikal Wrote: So, again, juist to make sure we're on the same page.  It;s not a stereotype of imaginary christian ignorance but your actual position? You -do- think that you can cast a magic spell with a carboard box and a piece of plastic..and that..further, theres an even greater danger to this actual ability for those who do not believe?

It isn't ignorance if it turns out to be true, is it?

But otherwise, I do believe that to the extent that Christians are more than just nominal believers they do believe in malevolent spiritual forces trying to negatively affect people's lives. Such Christians also believe that occult practices allow those malevolent forces greater influence over those that engage in occult rituals however innocent or ridiculous they may seem. And yes, I do think that nonbelievers are at greater risk to the influence of malevolent spiritual forces because they are blind to them. Part of the power of demons and evil spirits is their ability to deceive which includes making people think they do not exist.

(October 4, 2017 at 1:03 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote:

(October 4, 2017 at 12:58 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: Hahahaha. You automatically assign demonic/evil to an inanimate object based on bias. But I guess this makes sense, you assign good to some inanimate objects also.

When it's sold, or you get instructions to make one, does it say "warning-evil abides within?". Not to my knowledge. Do most have demonic sayings or symbols? Not that I've seen. So your position that it is "evil" is unfounded and based on irrational fear. 

If there crosses and images of jesus on the board would it then be OK? Cause you know, only good things can come from a cross.

As Neo already explained, it's not the physical object itself, it's what people are doing when they "use" it. They are attempting to communicate with the supernatural, and that can open themselves up to demonic entities.