Whether Christianity is an occult practice is a hugely divisive topic which often leads to heated debate in various circles. On the one hand, some view Christianity as a bastion of faith, faith in one all-powerful creator, while on the other, a few discredit its power, claiming it to have hidden occult tendencies. We should attempt to understand Christianity by discussing its origins, purpose, and traditions.
Christianity is a religion whose biggest influence comes from the Bible. This book is filled with instructions that directly affect the followers. Many of these instructions involve abstaining from what the Bible believes to be extreme or deviant behavior. The Bible teaches that this behavior would lead one to sin and ultimately, to damnation. This knowledge has been seen to draw heavy influence from other religions that have been previously considered to be occult practices. These religions were based on various forms of ritualistic and spiritual practices that were used to access higher planes of existence.
These spiritual tribulations focus not just on the individual but on a group as a whole; bringing in the feeling of coming together for a noble cause. A lot of the practices which were traditionally associated with the occult now have a place in Christianity. This includes the idea of worshipping and interacting directly with the higher power or god, healing rituals, and symbolic meanings are all integral to Christian practice.
Christianity also encourages adherents to seek a personal and direct relationship with their god. This means that they would be required to connect with him spiritually and through prayer. This reliance on such intense spiritual connection is a direct link to the concept of occultism which emphasizes a bond between the worshippers and the divine. It is easy to see how the similarities between the two can lead people to view Christianity as a branch of occultism.
However, there is a clear distinction between the principle belief system of Christianity and that of pure occultism. Unlike traditional occultists , Christianity does not preach a personal deity; as its followers customarily worship God as a single deity. The practice of Christianity does not involve channeling spirits or incantations or conjuring dark energy, instead, it relies on faith, unconditional love, and personal growth. In fact, a few of the occult practices that are deemed taboo in Christianity are those practices which can lead to manipulation and deceit, rather than enlightenment.
Another significant difference between Christianity and occultism is found in the structure of each belief system. Christianity is known as an organized religion with hierarchical authority and formal rules, whereas occultism is decentralized and highly personal in its approach. The Church also rejects any form of superstition, and instead, encourages followers to pursue a spiritual journey based on prayer, faith and surrender. Overall, the difference between occultism and Christianity is much more than skin deep.
Origins of Christianity
The core foundations of the Christian faith stem from the teachings of Jesus Christ, hence the name Christ-ianity. Jesus’ mission was to spread the truth of peace and love to mankind, and thus, he was able to lead many people back to the righteousness of God. He also created a strong sense of community and belief in the people, which stemmed from the certainty of his teachings. His teachings focused on putting an end to the seclusion of the Jewish faith and teaching their teachings to all people including those who were considered “sinners”.
The heart of Christianity revolved around the idea that those struggling with sin can be saved by accepting Jesus as their saviour, thus allowing them to live a life guided by the Biblical principles of faith and charity. This was a concept that was potentially counterintuitive to many religions at the time, as it focused on forgiveness and redemption rather than condemnation. This, coupled with the fact that Christianity traveled beyond its traditional boundaries, makes it a far more progressive and tolerant belief system than those that subscribe to occult beliefs and practices.
Purpose of Christianity
The purpose of Christianity is to provide a pathway to God and eternal life. It is believed of the religion that all people can receive forgiveness of sins and be welcomed into the family of God. The scriptures also teach that God sent Jesus, who lived a sinless life, to be the ultimate sacrifice for all people’s sins. Christians are then encouraged to partake in his love and grace in order to have a relationship with Him, something that cannot be done in occultic practices.
Furthermore, Christianity places great emphasis on the importance of the church. The New Testament teaches that the church is the body of Christ and plays a major role in helping us to put faith into practice and spread the gospel message of Jesus Christ to the world. Thus, by creating a strong community centered on the belief in God, the church serves as a reminder of the sense of purpose one can gain from a life guided by their faith. Christianity ultimately aims to create a connection between individuals and their Creator, and to foster a sense of unity, purpose and charity as a consequence.
Traditions of Christianity
The traditions of Christianity are highly varied and unique. Every denomination practices their religion differently, as evidenced by their use of varying rituals and practices. This includes baptism, which is performed to welcome a new believer into the family of God and symbolically represent the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Other traditions of Christianity include communion, which is seen as the physical representation of Jesus’ body and blood and is practiced in most denominations of Christianity, as well as theliturgical year, a period of celebration that encompasses Lent, Easter and Pentecost.
In addition, there are customs that have been held as part of Christianity for hundreds of years, such as fasting and annual pilgrimages, where one would travel to a location that was sacred to the faith. All of these traditions add to the beauty and power of Christianity, helping to make it much more than just a belief system but a lifestyle.
Problems in Christianity
There are several problems that Christian ideologies face, mainly due to the influx of extreme interpretations of religion. Mutual benefit and trust has been a primary focus within the Christian religion, however, some of the figures in the faith have made decisions which undermine the trust needed among the followers. This is often perpetuated by the inconsistencies in various texts, interpretations and customs which often leads to a sense of confusion.
Most of these issues can be resolved through an increase in education and conversation. As with any faith, it is important to keep the teachings and traditions alive, with an aim to preserve and improve its standards. Enforcing unity and understanding among believers will help in times of distress, as well as breaking down the boundaries between the faithful and the unaware.
Christianity in Society
Christianity is still one of the main faiths practiced in today’s society. It is also a major influence in the culture of many countries. From the architecture of churches, to the religious holidays observed, and music written in praise of God, its influence can be seen almost everywhere. This influence has helped shape the human experience, giving a sense of hope and comfort to those who are suffering, and helping people become more accepting of different belief systems.
Despite its importance in culture and society, Christianity is still mistrusted and even blamed for various social and moral issues in some circles. This can lead to the demonization of the religion, which undermines the true teachings and intention of the faith. To combat this, it is important to educate those who don’t understand and continually engage those who do.
Is Christianity an Occult?
While there is certainly some overlap between Christianity and occultism, there is a distinct difference between the two as well. Christianity stands firmly on the principle that followers should strive for a direct relationship with their higher power, while occultism teaches that they should access the supernormal through rituals and spiritual practices. Occultism also has very little in the way of organized structure, while Christianity is a hierarchical religion. This makes it clear that the focus of Christianity is the shared and unconditional love of God, not the power and control that occultism is known for.
Overall, while occultism and Christianity may have some similarities, they remain two distinct beliefs. Christianity is based on faith, worship and a personal connection with the higher power. By following the teachings of Jesus Christ which are found in the Bible, it allows adherents to open themselves up to the love, joy and peace that only comes from the grace of God. It is ultimately this grace that allows us to be free from sin, something which occultism simply can’t achieve.
