CQQ #21: Ouija Board...?

A not-so-innocent pastime for ages 8 and up?

❦

Since we're in the month of "all things spooky", I figured this topic would probably be expected at some point.

Some may find it baffling that, of all places, such a controversial device is being sold in today's world by Hasbro, a company known for selling children's toy products, including popular franchises as My Little Pony, Transformers, and Power Rangers. And the recommended age to use this "toy" is 8 and up. Cue the snarky comments and jokes comparing such to the legal drinking age of 21.

So, what is an ouija board?

An ouija board (or spirit board), is a flat board with letters, numbers, some phrases like "yes", "no", "good-bye", etc. Participants ask a question, then unconsciously move a heart-shaped piece (called a planchette) on the board to spell out words to get their answer. A device historically associated with divination, the occult practice of communicating with the spirit world, the product was first commercialized by Elijah Bond in 1890 as a parlor game, until a spiritualist popularized its use during WWI, claiming the ability to contact the dead with such device.


Whenever I hear about divination, I'm first reminded of the time when King Saul sought a medium at Endor to contact the spirit of the prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 28:7-25). Saul was desperate for answers, yet he had made himself an enemy of the Lord through his continual, deliberate disobedience. Perhaps not even the medium was expecting an encounter with the spirit of Samuel; one could say that God chose to intervene in that moment to warn Saul of the doom awaiting him and his sons due to his wrong choices. Even long before that moment, we read these interesting choice of words given to Saul from when Samuel was alive:

"...For rebellion is as the sin of divination*,
    and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
    he has also rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23 ESV; see 1 Samuel 15)

*(or witchcraft)


Thing is, followers of Christ needn't put their trust in divination for wisdom; we can go directly to God through Christ Our Savior and search through scripture, seeking out wisdom without the potential misdirection from evil spirits.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5 ESV)


Whether or not you believe in the testimonies of those who've claimed to have encountered spirits through the use of said board, consider whether or not such activity would really be God-honoring in one's relationship with Christ.

❦

Curious Questions to Consider:

What are your thoughts on ouija boards? Are they evil or harmless?

Are the ouija boards in today's markets just as capable of evil as the similar devices of long ago?

Have you or someone you known ever seen, used, or heard any stories about ouija boards?

Should ouija boards be sold as an accessible toy product in our markets?

Could anything good ever come from the use of an ouija board?

Did King Saul have an actual encounter with the spirit of Samuel (see 1 Samuel 28:7-25)?

❦

Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.

Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding ouija boards or the occult. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.


God bless and thanks for sharing!

_______________________________________________________

Author's Notes:

Cover image courtesy of Darren Lewis.

(Written on October 13, 2019.)

+ + +