As of late I have taken an extreme interest in the occult - not for the purpose of practicing it, but rather to expand my knowledge and to better understand the secret societies and mysticism which lies underneath our immediate paradigm. Who knows, perhaps I can use this knowledge to better understand the paranormal community and assist those who need it.

My question is: is it safe to study the occult without actually practicing it? And at what point does research bleed into practice? What are the dangers? Where should I draw my boundaries?

I'd appreciate anyone's honest feedback on this subject.

Thanks.

Hi Bryan,

As you know, I spent 14 years in a society that taught "high magic" (also known as ceremonial magic, but included study in Quabalah and blah, blah, blah.)  And as you also know, I converted to Christianity and left it behind. 

My personal opinion and personal motto is this: Know thy enemy.   

From an intellectual point of view, it is useful to study the teachings of the occult in order to better to understand what it really is.   More Christian theologians need to sit up and pay attention in class and give it more serious thought than they have in the past.  Otherwise, they are "doomed" when it comes to Christian apologetics, Christian defense of the faith, and in fact, their own spiritual defense of themselves and the faithful.  Additionally, they are prone to be more over-reactive and "superstitious" since they do not know what they are talking about.

Here are your questions and my answers.  If it seems that I am being glib, I assure you, I am not trying to be that way....it's just the limitations of text on a screen without the non-verbal communication that would be possible if we went to Starbucks and sat down over coffee to discuss it. 

Q: And at what point does research bleed into practice?

My answer:  when you put the book down and actually try the rituals and praxis  yourself.

Q:What are the dangers?

My answer:  In my opinion, the living of a Christian life is dangerous no matter what you do.  Do not fear occultists or their teachings.  Fear sin.

Q: Where should I draw my boundaries?

My answer:  Do not attempt the practices and teachings you read about.  You will not like the results and it is a sin anyway from the Christian perspective.  Your boundaries should be those of any Christian:  don't contact the dead, or try to contact other beings. Do not consult mediums, or astrologers, or fortune tellers (they are in the main, scam artists anyway.)  If the "dead"  contact you that is a different matter entirely and you already know what to do about that.

In all, I will say that the study of what others believe is always useful.  Forewarned and fully knowledgable, you will be well armed against it, as well as armed with reason.  Additionally, it is far too simple to write occultists off as deluded, or at worst "false prophets".  Realize that they too, are human beings and as such, deserve compassion and human dignity. 

As a former occultist, I can say that it is not an easy thing to admit that you have been decieved.  No one likes to humble down and admit that they

a) do not know everything including the mind of God

b) that they were wrong to do certain things

c) make amends for past mistakes.

To change away from a former life, what the Greeks call 'metanoia" is a very personal, and painful process.  It isn't helped by "Christians" who sling mud and other "unmentionables"  at "sinners".  

God bless you Bryan!

M. 

  Edited to add:

In short, study.  But pray ever so much more for it.

While I agree with Milli that you step over the boundary when you acctually begin to practice the rituals you read about I dont believe that all mediums or sensitives or whatever you want to call them are evil or that your sinning by talking to one..and while there are phony psychics out there ..there are just as many phoney preachers out there as well..

when you study and research the paranormal you are asking to speak with or have a spirit show themselves to you so in reality if that were the case wouldnt all persons who attempt to make contact with the dead be committing a sin??? I dont think so..I think we put too much emphasis on what the Bible says... The Bible in my opinion is a great book but it also leaves us with many many unanswered questions and is left open for interpretation ..while I think there are many good things we can take from the Bible I dont think that it gives us a specific outline on what we can and cant do I think you should pray about it and let God show you what you are stong enough spiritually to handle....and if you feel in your heart that studying occultism would be a benifit to you them by all means read about it...just because you read something doesnt mean you have to live it....just my two cents

Warning!

Even reading some books will lure dark spirits to you.
A more notable case is with Tom Iommi (Black Sabbath Guitarist), the name "Black Sabbath" (the song and the band name) was inspired by a case of a dark visitor that  came a'callin' the night Tommy was reading a  [certain book] "out of curiosity".
A case closer to home is a local minster sent out a newsletter that entailed some captions from a [simular book]. Even reading it for research can be dangerous.
Remember, curiosity (can) kills the cat. You can pretend to do it in the name of research but you can pay dearly for an unhealthy interest in it.

Well, this is an area that I did not anticipate as being involved with the answer to the question, but yes, I will concede this.  And this  would be a good reason why a "spiritual father" or "spiritual mother" is so important. 

For the Protestant Christians reading this thread:  While it is certainly admissable to study the enemy, it is equally important to have a spiritual mentor.  Forgive me, a sinner, for saying so, but in the Protestant tradition there does not seem to be much importance placed on this, and I can say, from general spiritual experience that it is of the utmost importance.

There are certain writings that, when read for study purposes, can in fact be dangerous and it is for that reason alone, that it is important to:

"Lean not unto your own understanding"...as the Good Book says.  Having said that, I also say that the glory of God also lies in the human mind and its capacity to reach toward God for wisdom.  Solomon, even in an antiquated time with limited access to what we would call "the scientific method" still achieved an ability of critical thinking that is still a "model" for study today.  It is a mistake to assign naivety to people of bygone eras simply because they did not have the basic knowledge of science that we now possess.  (A mistake that is called "presentism").   

Having said that, and that I support ken in his warning, I will still say that simply living a deep Christian spiritual life is dangerous in and of itself, and that in itself, will draw dark spirits to a person.  To believe that the Christian life is anything other than a life of "martyrdom" or of "hardship" or of "spiritual danger" is to deny the Power of that same Cross.  This is a more mystical approach to Christianity than is normally allowed in the Protestant and dare I say, even in the Roman Catholic world.  But that does not mean it is any less Christian.

 M.

Yesum.

This is why I tell people whom study demonology to do our sort of work, should immediately start the prayers of protection on a daily basis by default.
An Ounce of prevention after all.