If you follow the Bible are you following Hoodoo

by designs 30 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • designs
    designs

    Incantations form the core of many ancient religions, many of which survive to modern times. Mystical Jewish Kabala, Islam, Christianity etc.. Saying a certain Name or specific verse, or writing certain words, are said to change the outcome of events and heal or inflict tragedy. Speaking in tongues falls into this genre as well.

    The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses, used in Hoodoo and Voodoo, portray Moses as the greatest of spell weavers with magical powers to turn a cane into a snake for instance. King Solomon is said to have written Key of Solomon used in modern Hoodoo. Schemhamphoras of King Solomon has specific verses from the Psalms to write down at key events. The specific Jewish Holy Names of God with specific letter counts are said to have magical powers.

    Christian Kabala incantations persist in the use of Jesus name. The Apostle Paul states that only a true Believer can call on Jesus name and expect blessings. James makes a similar claim. Known in Hebrew as Sephriot, emanations, are said to connect the Believer to the Divine. Shouting out the name Jesus is said in scripture to ward off demons.

    The first two chapters of the Gospel of John are used by Christian Kabalists. Eastern Orthodoxy has many rituals which are said to be beyond human understanding and can only be viewed as spiritual mysticism and union with God, Transubtantiation of Bread and Wine is part of this genre. Ecstatic visions also form a part of these experiences.

    Amulets are considered powerful protectors against evil and many practicers of Hoodoo and Christianity wear specific items as part of their Faith. Crosses, both with a impaled Christ and without, are worn by millions of practicing Christians. Having ashes placed on one's forehead in the shape of a Cross is another religious rite connected to practices of many other ancient religions.

  • designs
    designs

    Ritual killings, Religious sacrifices, are another lingering connection to human's religious past. It is rare to find an ancient religion or culture that did not perform some type of animal or human sacrifice to connect one with the divine. Genesis opens up with an approved ritual sacrifice. Deuteronomy and Leviticus have specific instructions on how and when animals are to be ritually killed to appease God. The blood of Jesus is said to magically remove sin from the Believer.

    Dhabihah, in Islam, is the term for sacrificing animals during the Festival of Eid ul Adha, and sheep cows camels or goats can be used.

    Mortification of the flesh, self cutting, is practiced in Hinduism, Buddahism, Islam, Christianity, Voodoo and other religions.

  • designs
    designs

    Snakes, which have fascinated humans for thousands of years, naturally became part of world wide religious practices and were used to invoke power or to literally cause harm and death. Gaining power of such creatures would seem a given. The powerful snake in Eden changes the course of human destiny. Moses demands the israelites to 'look' at a idol of a snake to save themselves, and Moses' snake eats the snakes of the Egyptian priests. The Apostle Paul likens Jesus to Moses' life saving idol. In modern Voodoo and Hoodoo, Pentecostalism, and some back-country faith healers snake venom and snake blood are used for cures and punishments.

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    Such is the lot of man.

    We follow rituals, sometimes unwittingly.

    What did you have for breakfast and why?

    Where do you live and why?

    It all began in a Garden a long, long time ago.

    Sylvia

  • designs
    designs

    As JWs we had our fair amount of superstitions- Meeting attendence (or lack thereof) meant blessings or curses. We were taught to fear objects that may have come into contact with demons. We were taught to use 'Jehovah' as a protection from demons, rape, other physical harm.

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    Yep.

    Proverbs 18:10 "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower, into it the righteous runs and is given protection."

    Didn't have to look it up - conditioning is something else.

    Sylvia

  • designs
    designs

    Dead Raising Teams are the latest in faith healing christian groups.

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    Can't blame a body for trying.

    Sylvia

  • designs
    designs

    In Voodoo there are something like 100 spells for the Dead. Elisha raises a dead boy and also performs the famous floating ax head trick. Peter, behind closed doors, raises a dead person.

  • Comatose
    Comatose

    It did NOT begin in a garden a long time ago... Can't tell if you are serious or joking, but even a small bit of reading would reveal that humankind has been around for tens of thousands of years.

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