The Rite vs. Wrong: Protecting Children from the Occult

In the Bible, the Lord often condemns any and all occult practices, including divination, which is the purpose of the Ouija board:

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord (Dt. 18:10-12, NIV).

Occult demons—those that are summoned by a person's participation in occult practices—are, according to Fr. Euteneuer, the most difficult to expel since the devil "disguises himself as an angel of light" and deceives the afflicted into thinking he is there for their good.

And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14, NAB).

It is imperative that those in possession of these boards burn them and seek help through confession and penance. Having the home blessed would also help to dispel any lingering evil.

Evil exists in the world. It is real and present in the form of the devil and it seeks to ruin the Kingdom of God. We know that the gates of heaven shall prevail, but rather than assist the devil in his fruitless quest by handing over our children through the means of a game purchased for less than $20, why not prepare them for the possibility of encountering these items in their lives by teaching them of the harm it can do them.

Then buy them a pack of UNO cards—it's fun and totally harmless—and play with them!

Mary Ellen Barrett is a home educating mother of seven children. Her column for The Long Island Catholic is "Our Domestic Church." Mary Ellen speaks at conferences about homeschooling and raising a special needs child. Mary Ellen writes about the daily life and happenings in her Catholic home on her weblog, Tales from the Bonny Blue House and about a Catholic celebration of Christmas at O Night Divine.

Lisa Mladinich is a Catholic wife and mother, freelance writer and workshop leader, and the author of the popular booklet, "Be An Amazing Catechist: Inspire the Faith of Children," available from Our Sunday Visitor. She is the founder of Catholic Writers of Long Island, www.BeAnAmazingCatechist.com and www.AmazingCatechists.com.

Mladinich's column, "Be an Amazing Catechist," is published every Wednesday on the Catholic portal. Subscribe via email or RSS.