Christianity and Judaism have a long history of hatred in regards to the occult. What if magic ever became scientificaly explainable? How would it make the judeo christian religions look?
I believe that the animosity between the Christian/Jewish faiths and the occult comes not with the concern of whether or not magic is scientifically explainable. Rather, it originates from the belief that the occult delves into the powers of the evil and forsaken, or as some Christian fanatics refer to it as, “Devil Worship.” Christianity and Judaism themselves cannot be “Proven” scientifically either. So even if you could explain scientifically the workings of magic within the occult, Christianity and Judaism would probably still maintain the same outlook on the occult.
Yours is not only a difficult but IMO a dangeerous question since if taken wrongly, a person, through innocent ignorance, can do harm to themselves. But just to show that underneath all of this, there are people that do understand that there is nothing “evil” by definition in magick, the following is an excerpt from a letter by the sister of H. P. Blavatsky. She refers to an incident around 1860.
You’re not looking at the root of the problem… The Judeo/Christian religions focus on the person being an extrovert, while everything else focuses on the person being an introvert. They hate the occult because it gives people a chance to look within themselves and find another path towards spiritual fulfillment.
Very simply, it’s politics.
Sage Sound said:"You’re not looking at the root of the problem… The Judeo/Christian religions focus on the person being an extrovert, while everything else focuses on the person being an introvert. They hate the occult because it gives people a chance to look within themselves and find another path towards spiritual fulfillment.
Very simply, it’s politics"
You might have something there, but that is merely a deviation from the religion. True christianity only promotes love as public.
It’s easy to hear “Christianity is opposed to magic” and picture them picking on folks for brewing herbal tea and wearing crystals. We have to remember that the way ‘magic’ is done in the 21st Century, in the West, is a modern invention, and the types of things early Christianity and Judaism were outspoken against were far, far different things. Think “Serpent and the Rainbow” not “Charmed”. Or, for a little perspective, look into real magical traditions that have survived for centuries, like what people are doing in New Guinea or Central Africa.
Jarronta
The classic double edged sword.
sorry I accidentally posted twice. . . 
agreed, and the “hatred” that arrises towards the occult, is based on the belief that the any workings with magic, whether consciously intended or not, are a tapping into evil powers. Many, but hardly all, Judeochristians take this belief to justify hatred or animosity towards those who practice it. This of course, goes against at least Christian teachings which would be worded something like, “Hate the sin, Love the sinner”
But again this just delvels into one belief against the other. Christians and Jews say that the use of Magic is the use of evil powers. Most members of the Occult firmly hold the position that they do not worship satan or channel evil powers. Who is right? Well that will no sooner be answered than the question pertaining the existence of God.
My outlook on it all. We will all know when we die so dont go making too many enemies and behave ethically while alive.
Myths to Religion to Philosophy.
the constant constituinting factor is science - impirical observations. Myths Religion Philosophy serves as intepretation of the observations. Religion took myths because it gives a purpose. Philosophy is so insignificant in general public because even its own society is more or less a mess.
Wow that’s a rather harsh thing to say. I take it that you have some grudge against one of the two.
My harshness isn’t born from hatred, but boredom. I’m against nothing. Peace.
Why do you think it’s harsh anyway? When I wrote it, I felt nothing like that but perfect peace. So tell me in a bit more detail: why is that a harsh thing to say?
Other than my personal beliefs about religion and philosophy, I always find it interesting when people say that religion is a combination of myth and purpose. I also thought it was ironic that you’d criticize philosophy, at a philosophy website, in a philosophical discussion. I think I’d like to have more discussion on the two topics though so I think I’ll create some new posts.
I criticise philosohpy because my philosophy is based upon critical philosophy.
Anyway, religion has this distinct property of offering a purpose, anybody who ignores it is not at all a thinker. This is highly significant, hence the religious triumph. But science is at the bottom of the heart of everyone, even Christians. A saying is not considered as trustworthy without a degree of scientific background, hence I said science has always been there. Philosophy surpasses science in the way that it questions some really fundamental stuff that science doesn’t. I criticise philosophy because I question some really fundamental stuff that the usual, general, most philosophy doesn’t.
Well…when you really analyze it, love is the ultimate enemy, it is the greatest weapon. Love dearms you and leaves you unable to defend yourself. It forces you to abandon your own thinking and follow a train of thought that leads you away from yourself.
Nietzsche knew this.
Sagesound
In my understanding, you are referring to emotional love which is a form of escapism and slavery that I agree leaves one helpless in more ways than one. However, the true religious love is of an entirely different conscious quality and truly is human strength.
When one begins to see the truth of this IMO, it opens many doors.