A Christian Defends Sensible Magick

From: Bill R. Quinalty (BillyQuinalty@webtv.net)
Story type: Channelling
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Source: Form Submission

A CHRISTIAN DEFENDS SENSIBLE MAGIC

Magic, or as it is now called, Magick and it's ken, Folk Wisdom, has been around an extremely long time--probably as old as mankind. Often in times long past it overlapped with religion and religious rituals. First I would address those Christian fundamentalist who balk at the idea of magick on Biblical grounds or think it is all an evil invention of the devil. (I am Christian, but not one of the Religious Right. I try to maintain an open mind and take all of the evidence into consideration--and yes I read the bible and pray and do my best to follow Christ's teachings and the example he left to us) I feel that the Religious Right often get into an area they dont really know enough about in order to judge it properly. There is certainly enough paranoia within their ranks as well as a certain intolerance toward religions that differ from their own. Dont get me wrong; I love them all and they are doing good in many instances. But often they just wont listen to reason over emotionalism.

If you search the Holy Bible you will find an occasional reference to Magic, which was quite prevalent in those ancient days. As far as I can tell, I have not yet found any scripture that specifically condemns Magic. (or Magick if you prefer. It does condemn sorcery and necromancy. ( sorcery has become romantised in modern times, and I cant really judge if that is good in the long run or not.

Nevertheless I will give you some of the scriptures in the Bible that I have found as relates to magic; First lets get some background details:

We are told in the Bible that Moses was educated and trained in all the ways of the Egyptians and their wisdom at the time. Surely this must have included magic, as Egypt was steeped in it in those ancient times. My definition of magic (in order not to make the subject too long) is the knowledge of the more subtle forces of nature and knowing how to use them wisely.

There was one thing that the Torah had that was used in both magic AND religion; and that was detailed rituals. This is not necessarily to say that they were one in the same but there were major similarities.

Another thing I found (and there could be a number of references I have not seen; was in the Biblical book of Daniel (first chapter I believe) The king of Babylon, Nebudchnezzer gathered around him men of wisdom and skill and of course that included magicians. What surprised me when reading further was that the wise prophet daniel was appointed "Chief of the Magicians" (YES, that is in the Holy Bible alright!

So what are we to conclude about all this. Well, first I believe that there is malevolent magic, like the Fundamentalists claim. But there were always people throughout history who abused power whether it be magic, or politics or religion. Nevertheless there was--and it magic that does good and harms no one. I do not doubt that magic- ians with conscience did use it for good purposes. I also noticed that in magic there is most often a tendency to believe In God and angels. (just as religions normally do)

In conclusion, get all your research done and your facts straight before judging something. The more knowledge you can acquire the better. But acquire and use wisdom and tolerance of others different in some ways than you. You might label the strange but perhaps they think you are even stranger than them

For wisdom knowledge and understanding Unity in Diversity enlightenment and higher aspirations. simply William