I practice tarot but I dont believe that it benefits me. However, for the people who do believe in it, I want to help them. Is it a sin that I practice tarot even if I dot believe in it?

Answer 1

Stephanie,

I understand the human desire to help others in their plight; however, I am not sure I understand how you expect to do that via a system/practice which you yourself do not believe. I say that with the the utmost sincerity, as generally, we provide solutions to problems or issues which we consider at the very least to be beneficial. Thus it would seem to me that on some level you must believe Tarot to be a beneficial practice and therefore must believe in the "power" of Tarot to help people.

Furthermore, I am not sure then that one can really distinguish between sinful practice from sinful belief. The Judeo-Christian Worldview makes no such distinction. To practice something is to believe in it. YHWH in Jeremiah 17:9-10 makes such a connection, and Romans 1 makes clear that incorrect belief leads to incorrect practices and deeds. In other terms, Orthodoxy (right belief) leads to Orthopraxy (right actions/deeds). Thus Both Judaism and Christianity are Creedal by there very nature: belief leads to actions.

With that said, Tarot itself is complicated and ultimately an incompatible system with Christianity. There are several strands/sects of Tarot; however, these ultimately blend into two major strands: 1) Tarot is performed/practiced by tapping into a universal spirit (generally regarded as neutral) which is both personal to the individual (thus Tarot can be a form of "self discovery") or a universal spirit shared and experienced by both the reader and the listener. 2) Tarot taps into various spirits (either good or evil) which instruct the reader about the future as well as blessings and curses. I have heard strands of these explained by Tarot readers in the French Quarter of New Orleans where I grew up. Both of these strands are incompatible with the Christian religion.

Briefly, Christianity does recognize the existence and power of spirits which exist in the Unseen/Spiritual Realm. This is perceived in various passages, but the Apostle Paul sums it up in Ephesians 6:12. Furthermore, Christianity teaches that not all spirits are good, but that many are in conflict with God and is angels. Thus Christians are commanded to "test the spirits" (1 John 4). But even more so, Christianity teaches that all of creation is controlled propelled by a singular creator God who ultimately is provident over all things. He alone is omniscient and he alone demands the worship and devotion of humanity. Tarot, by its very worldview, rejects this and from a Biblical perspective, Tarot diverts people from the true source of help and benefit--a relationship with God.

Now this answer, of course, assumes a Judeo-Christian worldview. Other religions, especially Eastern Religions, are quite compatible with Tarot reading. But, if you don't believe in Tarot, I would encourage you to ask why then is it beneficial to practice it for the sake/benefit of others? And most importantly, ask yourself what is the source of its power.

Hope this helps.

~Cameron Brock