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Alexgrace927
Guest
I have a friend who believes that you can practice magick and Christianity at the same time. He also stated that since Catholics have rituals that is a form of “magick” in itself. How can I rebut this ?
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GiftofMercy
Guest
You need to speak to your priest about this.
CAF rules state regarding offering advice or soliciting advice regarding
Issues like this
All such discussions should be directed to the proper authorities: parents, guardians, therapists, parish priests, or primary care providers.
Rebutting or attempting to rebut this could push the situation into a very negative state
CAF rules state regarding offering advice or soliciting advice regarding
Issues like this
All such discussions should be directed to the proper authorities: parents, guardians, therapists, parish priests, or primary care providers.
Rebutting or attempting to rebut this could push the situation into a very negative state
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Calliope
Guest
From the perspective of someone who practices magick, lots of things in various religions look like magick.
Without understanding the specific theology it’s hard to determine the difference.
I know many people who practice witchcraft but consider themselves be Christian, though many consider Christ to be one of many incarnations of the Divine.
Without understanding the specific theology it’s hard to determine the difference.
I know many people who practice witchcraft but consider themselves be Christian, though many consider Christ to be one of many incarnations of the Divine.
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Pattylt
Guest
The question isn’t CAN I do both. The question is SHOULD I do both.
From my understanding…and correct me if I’m wrong…the difference between a religious ritual or act and manic is that in religion the force or action is coming from God and in magic the source is the magician commanding or channeling some supernatural spirit either a good one or a bad one, it doesn’t matter. The Christian would be asking God to do something and the magician is using some force at his/her command. Did that make sense?
From my understanding…and correct me if I’m wrong…the difference between a religious ritual or act and manic is that in religion the force or action is coming from God and in magic the source is the magician commanding or channeling some supernatural spirit either a good one or a bad one, it doesn’t matter. The Christian would be asking God to do something and the magician is using some force at his/her command. Did that make sense?
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Canvas
Guest
Here is what the Catechism says about magic and sorcery:
2117 All practices of magic or sorcery , by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.
2117 All practices of magic or sorcery , by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.
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GiftofMercy
Guest
FAQ,
This is really the area of the priest in the parish the person attends. We do not know the entire story, the ins and outs, the qualifications for this.
This person, rather then soliciting advice here, should seek it from her or his priest.
I could give some advice, as could you, that this person then repeats, that makes things more negative.
The best and really only answer we can give is to say hey here is what the catechism of the church says. But then again, its interpretation and explanation in this issue should be sought from the priest in charge of these soul’s well being, in his parish.
That does not make it right does it, or prudent.
And there is the issue, ‘prove a friend wrong’
Debate never gets a person far in these instances, especially when that debate is with a friend who may know the same or just a little more as us.
It doesn’t, it isn’t. Again, this should be a job given to our priests.
There are many who do both. ‘I am Christian and practice white magic’ or ‘I am Christian and have these awesome crystals to do x y or z’ The list goes on.
This is really the area of the priest in the parish the person attends. We do not know the entire story, the ins and outs, the qualifications for this.
This person, rather then soliciting advice here, should seek it from her or his priest.
I could give some advice, as could you, that this person then repeats, that makes things more negative.
The best and really only answer we can give is to say hey here is what the catechism of the church says. But then again, its interpretation and explanation in this issue should be sought from the priest in charge of these soul’s well being, in his parish.
That does not make it right does it, or prudent.
And there is the issue, ‘prove a friend wrong’
Debate never gets a person far in these instances, especially when that debate is with a friend who may know the same or just a little more as us.
It doesn’t, it isn’t. Again, this should be a job given to our priests.
There are many who do both. ‘I am Christian and practice white magic’ or ‘I am Christian and have these awesome crystals to do x y or z’ The list goes on.
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GiftofMercy
Guest
it is not a basic question because the answers we give are going to be used to prove a friend wrong as you put it. The OP puts it as
Who is better qualified to give advice? A priest who knows the best way to handle these things. Souls and belief can be a fragile thing where advice given on shaky ground or too pragmatic, militant, harsh, etc is given.
You obviously know, however the friend of this person either does not know or does not agree.
There are Catholic people saying the Church has modernised and in places where it had not, should. You know the arguments and when trying to refute why we should get annulments, not live with boyfriends, not support SSM, not go to psychics, the hardness of heart and of listening that can set in.
It is much better to support a journey and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s law to people, then to make combatants out of them.
That leads well away from the simple question of what does the catechism say about practicing magic and divination
Who is better qualified to give advice? A priest who knows the best way to handle these things. Souls and belief can be a fragile thing where advice given on shaky ground or too pragmatic, militant, harsh, etc is given.
You obviously know, however the friend of this person either does not know or does not agree.
There are Catholic people saying the Church has modernised and in places where it had not, should. You know the arguments and when trying to refute why we should get annulments, not live with boyfriends, not support SSM, not go to psychics, the hardness of heart and of listening that can set in.
It is much better to support a journey and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s law to people, then to make combatants out of them.
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GiftofMercy
Guest
This person who is soliciting this advice should be asking her or his priest how to answer this with her friend. We do not know if the friend is Catholic or even Christian. It is not stated.
This was not what was asked and is off topic.
This was not what was asked and is off topic.
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GiftofMercy
Guest
I will leave you with your views on this matter without commenting further. I have said all I really wish to say on this. No use me padding it with more comments of mine.
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thistle
Guest
For a point of clarification for me is magick just a typo or is there a difference between magick and magic?
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Fauken
Guest
You have no idea about what you’re talking about. You ought to be careful about what you present as fact and correct about Catholic beliefs and practices on a Catholic forum when you know little about them.
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Elias
Guest
There is a difference between ‘magic’
and ‘magick’
(entertainment utilizing slight-of-hand and illusions to trick or fool audiences)
(a term coined by Aleister Crowley to denote ceremonial Magic, the type of magic you see in the bible and fiction like Harry Potter, popular among occultists)
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Michael16
Guest
Here’s my take on on it, OP:
It’s straightforward: Christians don’t practice magick. Our Catholic rituals aren’t magical spells. They’re religion.
Now magick basically is what the Catechism says: Attempts to tame and use occult powers for very worldly ends and often are used to hurt people. Magick imperils souls as it draws people away from God and His Church and into relying on demons in disguise. Even “ white magick “ is demonic in nature.
I’d advise your friend what the truth of magick is, it’s dangers and to avoid it.
If your friend listens, great! If not, at least you did your part to charitably correct a sinner.
It’s straightforward: Christians don’t practice magick. Our Catholic rituals aren’t magical spells. They’re religion.
Now magick basically is what the Catechism says: Attempts to tame and use occult powers for very worldly ends and often are used to hurt people. Magick imperils souls as it draws people away from God and His Church and into relying on demons in disguise. Even “ white magick “ is demonic in nature.
I’d advise your friend what the truth of magick is, it’s dangers and to avoid it.
If your friend listens, great! If not, at least you did your part to charitably correct a sinner.
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PetraG
Guest
This same misunderstanding shows up in Acts:
A man named Simon used to practice magic in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.All of them, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him, saying, “This man is the ‘Power of God’ that is called ‘Great.’ They paid attention to him because he had astounded them by his magic for a long time, but once they began to believe Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women alike were baptized. Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized, became devoted to Philip; and when he saw the signs and mighty deeds that were occurring, he was astounded.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was conferred by the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me this power too, so that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive the holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift of God with money. You have no share or lot in this matter, for your heart is not upright before God. Repent of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your intention may be forgiven. For I see that you are filled with bitter gall and are in the bonds of iniquity. 4Simon said in reply, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” So when they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem and preached the good news to many Samaritan villages.
Acts 8:9-25
Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” When the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, tried to do this, the evil spirit said to them in reply, “Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?” The person with the evil spirit then sprang at them and subdued them all. He so overpowered them that they fled naked and wounded from that house. When this became known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus, fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in great esteem.
Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices. Moreover, a large number of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in public. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand silver pieces. Thus did the word of the Lord continue to spread with influence and power.
Acts 19:19
Practicing magic is clearly not compatible with Christianity. A plain reading of the New Testament shows this; it is associated with possession by demons, actually.
A man named Simon used to practice magic in the city and astounded the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.All of them, from the least to the greatest, paid attention to him, saying, “This man is the ‘Power of God’ that is called ‘Great.’ They paid attention to him because he had astounded them by his magic for a long time, but once they began to believe Philip as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, men and women alike were baptized. Even Simon himself believed and, after being baptized, became devoted to Philip; and when he saw the signs and mighty deeds that were occurring, he was astounded.
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was conferred by the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me this power too, so that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive the holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought that you could buy the gift of God with money. You have no share or lot in this matter, for your heart is not upright before God. Repent of this wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your intention may be forgiven. For I see that you are filled with bitter gall and are in the bonds of iniquity. 4Simon said in reply, “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.” So when they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem and preached the good news to many Samaritan villages.
Acts 8:9-25
Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” When the seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, tried to do this, the evil spirit said to them in reply, “Jesus I recognize, Paul I know, but who are you?” The person with the evil spirit then sprang at them and subdued them all. He so overpowered them that they fled naked and wounded from that house. When this became known to all the Jews and Greeks who lived in Ephesus, fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in great esteem.
Many of those who had become believers came forward and openly acknowledged their former practices. Moreover, a large number of those who had practiced magic collected their books and burned them in public. They calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand silver pieces. Thus did the word of the Lord continue to spread with influence and power.
Acts 19:19
Practicing magic is clearly not compatible with Christianity. A plain reading of the New Testament shows this; it is associated with possession by demons, actually.
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Maelstrom1
Guest
Depends on how serious one is. I keep a Harry Potter wand in the car to wave at inconsiderate drivers and say “Idioso Cockroachus”. They never turn and it relieves the stress of driving in the city. Now if I really believed I had this power then I AM in deep trouble. Is it play and make believe or real, that’s always the issue.
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Asinner
Guest
I think that is a healthier habit than the gesture I sometimes direct at drivers I think are inconsiderate. 
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ReaderT
Guest
“Magick” works by one of two means, or both in combination:
- Doing a ceremony to bring about supernatural change (e.g. I light 7 candles and say magical words, and drink a potion with certain ingredients, and then I’ll have the power to change reality).
- Invoking and asking the help of certain powers / spirits / entities to bring about a change.
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Pattylt
Guest
I think you need to be a bit more specific…
#1 Could be a description of the Eucharist
#2 Could be a description of prayer
Is the only difference if it’s done in God’s name?
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Medawlinno
Guest
The spelling “magick” or sometimes “majick” is used to differentiate between what a magician does - i.e. “stage magic” (slight of hand, etc.), and magick as it is practiced in many earth based religions.
I won’t go into it more than that as I’m not sure if it’s against forum rules as someone seemed to allude to further above.
As others mentioned - the OP would need to find out how this person defines ‘magick’ as it would be practiced in the church before opinions can be offered.
I won’t go into it more than that as I’m not sure if it’s against forum rules as someone seemed to allude to further above.
As others mentioned - the OP would need to find out how this person defines ‘magick’ as it would be practiced in the church before opinions can be offered.
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