| It is only fair to first say that there is a danger with | | | | Again, as you can see you can also group most |
| dabbling in anything that you are not educated about. | | | | religions under "cult" as well depending on the |
| Generally speaking there are three main | | | | extremeness of the group. |
| misconceptions the general public have about the | | | | There is danger in dabbling or practicing anything that |
| occult. The fear of mind control, the fear of devil | | | | impacts your life in an adverse or unhealthy way. |
| worship and fear of the unknown, each of which | | | | There is good and bad in everything, there are good |
| Hollywood has taken great strides to ingrain in peoples' | | | | Christians and there are bad Christians, there are good |
| heads. If you are looking for answers as to whether or | | | | Pagans and there are bad Pagans. When you follow a |
| not there is any real fear or danger then read on. | | | | certain path of spirituality you should do so with your |
| First we need to discuss what is meant by "dabbling." | | | | eyes open, never fall under the control of someone |
| This can be anything from sitting with a psychic and | | | | else. It is important that you remain a person of free |
| having a reading done, to playing with an Ouija board, | | | | will, which means that you are able to make decisions |
| to meeting with a group of people to discuss beliefs | | | | on your own. I find that it is just as unhealthy to believe |
| and practices. It is better to call this experimenting. | | | | that you are going to be condemned to an afterlife |
| There is a natural curiosity that we all have to find out | | | | surrounded by fire and stuck in sinking mud than it is to |
| what everyone is talking about. We should also draw | | | | believe that you can inflict harm on another human |
| a very clear line to distinguish the difference between | | | | being and not suffer consequences. |
| occult and cult. Occult means "of, pertaining to, or | | | | If your intent is to do good, be a good human being |
| dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or | | | | and act in harmony with the nature around you then |
| phenomena." This would cover just about every | | | | you are leading a happy and safe life. If you are going |
| religion out there that believes in a God as Gods are | | | | to constantly look for ways to get ahead by stepping |
| supernatural. | | | | on those around you then there is danger in your life |
| Cult can be defined as, "followers of an exclusive | | | | regardless of your beliefs. |
| system of religious beliefs and practices." -- fad: an | | | | It is of the utmost importance that you educate |
| interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always | | | | yourself on what it is you say you believe in. Know |
| follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that | | | | why you feel the way you do, why you practice the |
| season" -- followers of an unorthodox, extremist, or | | | | things you practice. Do not base your judgment off the |
| false religion or sect who often live outside of | | | | words of a close friend or a person you see as a |
| conventional society under the direction of a | | | | leader of your movement. Instead read books, talk to |
| charismatic leader -- a religion or sect that is generally | | | | others and form your own opinion. Be strong enough |
| considered to be unorthodox, extremist, or false; "it | | | | to exercise your free will and make decisions that are |
| was a satanic cult" -- a system of religious beliefs and | | | | in line with being a good human being. |
| rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin." | | | | |