/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>579094

Pretty sure demons do not need the internet to do what they do (though I'm sure the internet is often a vehicle for people to sin). Are you reading these tracts with the intention of practicing the rites they describe or is it purely from intellectual curiosity? I don't think there is much harm in reading Paracelsus or Levi as long as you are strong in faith and can distinguish truth from falsehood. Alchemy is basically extended kabbalistic metaphors, similar in a way to how many occultists view astrology. Their theology/ethics/ontology are all anathema though so keep that in mind. And the rites that many describe certainly can invoke demons, so if you can't resist drawing the sigils and committing grave sin I would abstain from even reading the texts.

>>579102

I must confess I feel a strong curiosity about alchemy.

But it's not the rites that atract me. The whole thing is a never ending riddle and from that point of view, you never lack challenges or riddles so it's great to kill boredom.

What I realize a tad late maybe is that this analyses a lot of reality, both physical and spiritual, and uses metaphors for such.

Which made it even more interesting but more scary at the same time. What if this thing is some spiritual Trojan Horse.

Would be really dumb to risk salvation because I got hooked on what is apparently a few medieval chemestry puzzles.

>>579104

It's fine to have curiosity about this stuff, but it's best to see it for what it is. The gnostics had similar texts to the alchemists that had very detailed mythologies ostensibly explaining God and creation and they would take pride in possessing this exclusive knowledge. Diving too deep into it can most definitely cause you to lose sight of the simplicity of the Gospel and adopt error as truth. Irenaeus' Against Heresies has a good take on the extent that the gnostics' beliefs led to absurd conclusions. It's a great read and I highly suggest it. Also if you are looking to kill boredom, there were plenty of Church fathers writing immensely complex works that would take a lifetime to really study. Although the scholastics can be a bit dry, you may be interested in the mystical writings of some of the spanish fathers (and sisters) like St John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila

>>579109

>God's truths are not esoteric, they are blunt and honest.

well said.

How about things like researching into Gnosticism, Satanism, MK-Ultra, GATE, pizza/pedogate etc?

Obviously I'm not watching those youtube documentaries or reading those threads for any other reason than to see how the enemy operates, but sometimes I feel a pang of guilt for setting so much evil before my eyes.

>>579373

Evil gets you by sinking its tendrils into you and convincing you that only it exists. You will never know warmth if you only go outside when it's cold. That said, research is fine. It gives you the necessary tools to resist evil and gird yourself against it; but you can't allow yourself to be convinced of its totality. A place like /pol/ is no better than pornography. It gets into your head, feeds off of your base desires, and convinces you that it is ultimate truth; but the reality is that MKUltra ended in the 60s, there are really only a couple thousand true Satanists, and not every child is molested.

Research is good. Blind belief is not.

Obligatory video.

>>579094

see what >>579378 said.

I'd like to expand it a bit. Evil is not "transmitted" through reading a text. A demon gets at you, however, when you are being influenced by what you read. For example when you read a copy pasta that involves a satanic ritual and you get spooked out, the demon has easier game to make you believe the thoughts he coerces you to think. At least temporarily. Because everything that is not directly related to God and Christian teachings usually distracts you from your focus on Christ and His way. Especially when it manages to influence your emotions.

And that is the danger of it. That being said, unless you're trained in professional research and/or resisting evil (i.e. as priest/exorcist) it is better served to keep away from such matters - because chances are that it does more harm than good, even if your intention was to "learn something in order to better fight off evil".

As is written in the Gospels/Church law: Live like Christ, focus on Him, do good works, have a rich prayer life and receive the Sacraments regularly, then everything else will be provided - even (or: especially) protection from capital e Evil.

>>579373

If you notice it getting at you in, stop it. Just plain don't do it. You, as layman, don't need to know "the ways of the enemy". I mean we know it already anyway, just not the "specifics" so to speak. Bishops and exorcists appointed by them have a special authority to crush evil. It is better to leave it to them. Best you can do is pray, focus on Christ and receive the Sacraments regularly. And engage yourself in local activities of charity. To keep your surroundings "clean of evil" so to speak is the best measure you can take.

>>579107

>It's fine to have curiosity about this stuff, but it's best to see it for what it is.

No, it's not. It is especially encouraged not to be curious about potentially evil matters.

Augustine says (De Morib. Eccl. 21):

>Some there are who forsaking virtue, and ignorant of what God is, and of the majesty of that nature which ever remains the same, imagine they are doing something great, if with surpassing curiosity and keenness they explore the whole mass of this body which we call the world. So great a pride is thus begotten, that one would think they dwelt in the very heavens about which they argue." On like manner, those who study to learn something in order to sin are engaged in a sinful study, according to the saying of Jeremiah 9:5, "They have taught their tongue to speak lies, they have labored to commit iniquity.

It is borderline sin - and will most definitely lead to sin eventually.

>>579467

If you want a really good book on the whole thing, I strongly suggest "Manual for Spiritual Warfare" by Paul Thigpen.

>>579467

No, I understand that, and that's not a bad thing. I was especially referring to OP with my posts there [because alchemy is occult and occultism is satanism/gnosticism in disguise].

That being said, to spot dangers is a good thing - but you will also need to make sure to not see a demon in every shadow on the wall so to speak. Many people - especially old /b/ and /pol/ types - still have one or the other delusion that they feed off - even if only occasionally.

I'd go with what I said in the second post: Keep a Christ-like life and care about your parish and your family. Be charitable, reiceive the Sacraments (if you're Catholic or orthodox) and pray a lot.

>>579477

Sorry, not "keep it Christ-like" … that's poorly phrased. But try to make it such the best you can. You know what I mean

>>579109

>>579359

> God's truths are not esoteric, they are blunt and honest.

>esoteric

This word does not mean what you think it does.

Esoteric refers to that which is internal, as opposed to exoteric. By denying this term, you deny the ability to practice mysticism(and to intercept dismissal, I mean things such as praying the rosary or hesychasm)