Rachel Evans
Ouija boards have long been a source of fascination and fear, with many people, including Catholics, believing that they can be used to communicate with spirits. The Catholic Church has traditionally condemned Ouija boards and other forms of divination or fortune-telling as tools of evil that deny God's love. Catholic experts warn that these boards can prime users to receive dark inspirations and can lead to demonic possession, with some exorcists claiming that 90% of their worst cases of demonic activity are linked to Ouija board use. While some people regard Ouija boards as harmless fun, Catholics are generally advised to stay away from them and may even be encouraged to destroy them with holy water and fire to prevent others from using them.
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What You'll Learn
Ouija boards are tools of evil
Catholic experts warn that Ouija boards are "dangerous, dangerous, dangerous". Father Basil Cole, a professor emeritus of moral, spiritual and dogmatic theology, said that Ouija boards prime participants to be "open to receiving more dark inspirations from the evil one". He added that this process takes place "slowly, not immediately", and that Ouija boards are "introductions to further incursions of the evil one". Father Lampert, another Catholic priest, agreed, stating that many people do not understand the true nature of Ouija boards and the potential consequences of using them. He recommended that Ouija boards and other occult items should be destroyed by sprinkling them with holy water and burning them.
The Church's exorcists have testified that Ouija boards are far from harmless. Some have claimed that 90% of their worst cases involving demonic activity have been linked to the use of a Ouija board. The real-life case of possession that inspired the book and film "The Exorcist" began with the use of a Ouija board. This is supported by anecdotal evidence from Catholics who have shared their experiences with Ouija boards on online forums, with some reporting behavioural changes in their children after using them.
While some people may view Ouija boards as harmless and claim that they are just for fun, Catholic doctrine maintains that they are a form of divination and a tool of evil. The objective reality of a Ouija board exists apart from a person's perception of it. This is supported by the scientifically established phenomenon of the "ideomotor effect", which explains how the body can unconsciously create tiny involuntary physical movements based on our mental images. Therefore, even if a person does not believe in the power of a Ouija board, it can still have negative consequences and lead to demonic possession.
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Ouija boards are a form of divination
Ouija boards are considered a form of divination—a tool that enables communication with spirits. They are often regarded as harmless and have been commercialised as a game. However, the Catholic Church explicitly forbids any practice of divination, including the use of Ouija boards, as stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This is because divination involves seeking information from supernatural sources, which is considered a rejection of God and an invitation to evil spirits.
The Catholic Church's position on Ouija boards stems from its teachings on divination and the supernatural. According to Catholic doctrine, divination practices, such as Ouija boards, are associated with Satanic influences and demonic possession. Catholic experts warn that these boards can be "dangerous, dangerous tools" that deny God's love and open individuals up to negative spiritual influences. The Church's exorcists have testified that Ouija boards are not harmless, with a significant percentage of their worst cases of demonic activity linked to their use.
The Ouija board's history is filled with criticism from various Christian denominations, including Catholicism. Catholic bishops in the Chuuk State of the Federated States of Micronesia called for a ban on Ouija boards in 2005, warning congregations that using them meant communicating with demons. The Dutch Reformed Churches also advised against their use in a 1995 pastoral letter, classifying it as a practice related to the occult.
Despite the commercialisation of Ouija boards, they are not considered a harmless game by many. The act of using a Ouija board to communicate with spirits is taken seriously within the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. The Church encourages individuals to seek spiritual guidance from God rather than through divination practices, which are believed to have negative consequences.
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Exorcists say Ouija boards are dangerous
Ouija boards are considered by some Catholics to be "dangerous tools of evil" that deny God's love. Catholic experts have warned against the use of Ouija boards, citing them as a form of divination—seeking information from supernatural sources—that can lead to negative spiritual consequences.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "all forms of divination" are to be rejected, including "recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead, or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future." Ouija boards fall under this category and are thus condemned by the Church.
Catholic exorcists have testified to the dangers of Ouija boards, claiming that the majority of their worst cases involving demonic activity have been linked to the use of the board. They believe that the board primes individuals to receive "dark inspirations from evil sources" and can lead to possession and a person's life spiralling "downward and out of control."
The scientific community has also studied the Ouija board phenomenon, attributing the movement of the planchette to the "ideomotor effect." This effect describes how the body can unconsciously create tiny involuntary physical movements based on our mental images. Despite this scientific explanation, Catholic exorcists maintain that the potential for negative spiritual consequences is very real and that nothing positive can come from using a Ouija board.
As a result of these beliefs, some Catholics recommend destroying Ouija boards by sprinkling them with holy water and burning them to prevent others from using them. They also encourage individuals who have used the boards to seek guidance from a priest, as God is believed to be "always ready to extend his divine mercy."
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Ouija boards are linked to demonic activity
Catholic exorcists have testified that Ouija boards are dangerous, with 90% of their worst cases of demonic activity linked to the use of the board. The board is believed to open portals for evil spirits or demons to enter and influence individuals, leading to negative consequences, including possession. The process of priming participants to receive "dark inspirations" from evil entities is gradual, making it difficult for individuals to recognize the dangers until it is too late.
The real-life case that inspired the book and film "The Exorcist" began with the use of a Ouija board, as noted by Father Lampert. He also emphasized the importance of disposing of Ouija boards properly by sprinkling them with holy water and burning them to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.
Some individuals have shared their experiences with Ouija boards, including stories of angry spirits, negative entities, and unexpected occurrences. While some may view the board as harmless or a game, the Catholic Church warns against its use, considering it a tool in Satanic practices and a path to demonic possession.
The Church encourages individuals to seek spiritual guidance from priests and turn to God's divine mercy, recognizing that the power of God is greater than any demonic forces that may be encountered through the use of Ouija boards.
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Catholics should not try to contact the dead
The Catholic Church has long held that its followers should not attempt to contact the dead. This position is informed by the belief that Ouija boards and other forms of divination are "dangerous tools of evil" that deny God's love. Catholic experts warn that these practices can open individuals up to negative influences and even possession by evil spirits.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "all forms of divination" must be rejected. This includes "recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future". The Catechism also condemns consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens, clairvoyance, and mediums. These practices are believed to stem from a desire for power over others and history, and contradict the "honor, respect, and loving fear" that is owed to God alone.
The Church's stance is supported by the testimony of exorcists, who have linked Ouija boards to some of their worst cases of demonic activity. Exorcists have also emphasised that Ouija boards are not harmless toys, but rather dangerous tools that can lead to a person's life spiralling downward and out of control. The real-life case of possession that inspired the book and film "The Exorcist", for example, began with the use of a Ouija board.
Furthermore, the Church's position is not solely based on religious doctrine but is also informed by scientific understanding. The ideomotor effect is a scientifically established phenomenon where the body unconsciously creates tiny involuntary physical movements based on our mental images. This means that even if a person does not believe in the power of a Ouija board, their subconscious thoughts and mental images can still influence their physical movements, potentially leading to negative outcomes.
In conclusion, Catholics should refrain from attempting to contact the dead through Ouija boards or other forms of divination. These practices are not only contrary to Catholic doctrine but also pose significant spiritual and psychological risks. If Catholics encounter these objects, they are advised to destroy them by sprinkling them with holy water and burning them, or by seeking the assistance of a local parish priest.
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Frequently asked questions
Many Catholics regard Ouija boards as dangerous tools of evil that deny God's love. Catholic experts have warned that Ouija boards are far from harmless and that they can lead to demonic possession.
Catholic experts have stated that Ouija boards are "dangerous, dangerous, dangerous". Father Cole has warned that Ouija boards, tarot cards, fortune tellers, and horoscopes are all "problems". He also said that the "messages" from the board prime participants to be "open to receiving more dark inspirations from the evil one".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "all forms of divination" are to be rejected. This includes "recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future".
Father Lampert has advised that Ouija boards and other occult items should be destroyed so that they don't fall into the wrong hands. He suggests sprinkling them with holy water and burning them, or taking them to a local parish priest for disposal.
