Christian Thoughts on Kult Tarot Cards?

Dylan: King of the Dead · July 21, 2022, 08:40:52 AM

No.

Omega · July 21, 2022, 01:28:09 PM

Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 07:34:07 AM
Are you guys are seriously worried about using bullshit Tarot cards in an elf game??

Only if the use is the real thing. Otherwise its either senseless handwringing... or edging dangerously the other direction. Religious nuttery.

That is where I draw the line. Using all aspects of Tarot reading right down to the handling procedures. Otherwise its just a prop no matter how much some might try to claim otherwise.

Stephen Tannhauser · July 21, 2022, 02:01:53 PM

Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 07:34:07 AM
Are you guys seriously worried about using bullshit Tarot cards in an elf game??

Not in the elf game, no. It's whatever propensity they may have to inspire people into using the real thing outside the game that is being discussed.

That propensity is low and the risk of encountering spiritual danger is low even if someone did, but yes, the Christian faith does teach that that risk is not zero, and that divination via occult means is illicit for both that reason and for the sin of Pride that it represents.

HappyDaze · July 21, 2022, 02:05:05 PM

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 21, 2022, 02:01:53 PM
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 07:34:07 AM
Are you guys seriously worried about using bullshit Tarot cards in an elf game??

Not in the elf game, no. It's whatever propensity they may have to inspire people into using the real thing outside the game that is being discussed.

That propensity is low and the risk of encountering spiritual danger is low even if someone did, but yes, the Christian faith does teach that that risk is not zero, and that divination via occult means is illicit for both that reason and for the sin of Pride that it represents.

This is as stupid as assuming the rolling of dice in RPGs will lead to gambling.

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:23:40 PM

Quote from: HappyDaze on July 21, 2022, 02:05:05 PM
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 21, 2022, 02:01:53 PM
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 07:34:07 AM
Are you guys seriously worried about using bullshit Tarot cards in an elf game??

Not in the elf game, no. It's whatever propensity they may have to inspire people into using the real thing outside the game that is being discussed.

That propensity is low and the risk of encountering spiritual danger is low even if someone did, but yes, the Christian faith does teach that that risk is not zero, and that divination via occult means is illicit for both that reason and for the sin of Pride that it represents.
This is as stupid as assuming the rolling of dice in RPGs will lead to gambling.

Good point...

Although, I would suspect that a fundamentalist Christian's answer would be something like, 'but dark powers are involved and therefore much more able to tempt the user into going down the route of evil'.

Of course, I don't believe in any of that mumbo jumbo. Tarot cards, astrology, and divination, etc. are pure nonsense as far as I'm concerned. But whatever floats 'yer boat.

It's deeply ironic that those silly little religious comics that prick did back in the 80s telling us rpgers that we were all going down Satan's path to ruin. LOL How the goalposts have changed.

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:26:24 PM

Quote from: Omega on July 21, 2022, 01:28:09 PM
Only if the use is the real thing.

I can't really get on board with that tbh.

Beyond the game, psychics n' shit use the real thing to take money from the gullible IMO. None of that shit works it's all fake.

Stephen Tannhauser · July 21, 2022, 02:28:08 PM

Quote from: HappyDaze on July 21, 2022, 02:05:05 PM
This is as stupid as assuming the rolling of dice in RPGs will lead to gambling.

There are plenty of non-religious people who have reported bad experiences with occult experimentation who would disagree. And I would not be surprised to hear that part of gambling addiction therapy involves abstaining from games of chance, even when money isn't on the line, so as to avoid triggering established reactions.

That said, as noted, it's a pretty remote possibility and keeping it on a purely fictional entertainment basis is spiritually harmless. But there is such a thing as excessive fantasy getting out of control in risky ways.

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:31:47 PM

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 21, 2022, 02:28:08 PM
But there is such a thing as excessive fantasy getting out of control in risky ways.

I'd agree there but it's exceedingly rare. Of course, you can apply that to most media. That said you've got to have a screw loose in the first place to be affected significantly.
I don't believe that the 'occult' has anything to do with it, or has any true power in the real world. YMMV.

thedungeondelver · July 21, 2022, 02:36:19 PM

I'm a Christian. This is as dangerous as a comic book or Hammer Horror movie (including The Devil Rides Out), The Exorcist, the phony-baloney "Necronomicon" or any number of meaningless slips of paper or celluloid entertainment. My Covenant is between God and myself and no work of human imagination intended for entertainment or titillation can interdict that.

People who look to things like this for real-world inspiration or guidance should rethink their lives and I hope they seek actual spiritual insight from the Almighty and not from some bored game designer's word processor.

Stephen Tannhauser · July 21, 2022, 02:41:23 PM

Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 02:31:47 PM
That said you've got to have a screw loose in the first place to be affected significantly.

Agreed, and most times it's pretty easy to spot vulnerable people if you look first. But it does help to think about the possibility first, however briefly.

Quote
I don't believe that the 'occult' has anything to do with it, or has any true power in the real world. YMMV.

Well, then you're definitely not the sort of person who would try it in real life in hope of getting something out of it, any more than I would. It's the people who fall between those poles who are the potential risk set -- of falling into bad habits of (literally in this case) magical thinking, if nothing else.

SHARK · July 21, 2022, 02:47:28 PM

Greetings!

Pagan Witches practice using the Tarot on a regular basis. Along with dancing, chanting, and singing praises to Pagan gods and goddesses. Spellcasting, and a host of mystical, spiritual rituals are regularly taught, embraced, and practiced.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:50:28 PM

Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on July 21, 2022, 02:41:23 PM
Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 02:31:47 PM
That said you've got to have a screw loose in the first place to be affected significantly.
who are the potential risk set -- of falling into bad habits of (literally in this case) magical thinking, if nothing else.

That's possible... Assuming they have the propensity for that sort of thing. It could take over your life like drugs, alcohol or just being obsessed with anything.

I've always been fascinated by the occult. But I never tried any of it really. Although I did try a ouija board years ago with my mum, of course, nothing happened.

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:51:58 PM

Quote from: SHARK on July 21, 2022, 02:47:28 PM
Greetings!

Pagan Witches practice using the Tarot on a regular basis. Along with dancing, chanting, and singing praises to Pagan gods and goddesses. Spellcasting, and a host of mystical, spiritual rituals are regularly taught, embraced, and practiced.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

What is the problem with that though, as long as it's all consenting adults and they don't harm anyone?

Rob Necronomicon · July 21, 2022, 02:54:17 PM

Quote from: thedungeondelver on July 21, 2022, 02:36:19 PM
My Covenant is between God and myself and no work of human imagination intended for entertainment or titillation can interdict that.
People who look to things like this for real-world inspiration or guidance should rethink their lives and I hope they seek actual spiritual insight from the Almighty and not from some bored game designer's word processor.

Hm... You do you.

But I'm going to play Kult or any other RPG I want. And if 'the almighty' has a problem with that he can come and say it to my face.

Stephen Tannhauser · July 21, 2022, 03:01:11 PM

Quote from: Rob Necronomicon on July 21, 2022, 02:51:58 PM
Quote from: SHARK on July 21, 2022, 02:47:28 PM
Pagan Witches practice using the Tarot on a regular basis. Along with dancing, chanting, and singing praises to Pagan gods and goddesses. Spellcasting, and a host of mystical, spiritual rituals are regularly taught, embraced, and practiced.

What is the problem with that though, as long as it's all consenting adults and they don't harm anyone?

Well, that's the entire question -- are they running the risk of opening themselves to dangers they incorrectly think they can handle, or incorrectly think harmless or benevolent?

If you don't believe there's any such supernatural reality, then the answer is obviously no, there's no such risk. My own thinking on that, outside my basic faith, is a variant of Pascal's wager: that would be a Hell of a bad way to find out one was wrong.