Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible

Pastors get some of the darnedest, most interesting questions from people in their churches and people they meet. Here are a few I’ve gotten over the years and recently via email since this column started.

Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible

Pastors get some of the darndest, most interesting questions from people in their churches and people they meet. Here are a few that I’ve gotten over the years and recently via email since this column started.

Answers to your questions about life, religion and the Bible

Father Paul: I have a good friend who dabbles in the occult. He says he sees nothing wrong with this. Does the Bible say anything about the occult?

— Franklin

It sure does. It’s great that your friend is interested in supernatural/spiritual things, but the source of occult practices is Satan (The Deceiver) ... NOT the God of the Bible. Things like Ouija boards, tarot cards, casting spells from “roots,” channeling, witchcraft, black magic and the like ... things some people call “harmless fun,” are all condemned by God in the Bible which calls them, “an abomination unto the Lord,” (Deut. 18: 9 - 12). Some translations of this passage say, “detestable to the Lord.”

Dear Father Paul: This is not a Bible question, but I see in today's Atlanta paper that the death toll of American military personnel in Iraq has just gone over 2,000. I know that you have spoken well of President Bush. What do you think of him now? — Denny, Fayetteville.

Dear Father Paul: I became a Christian a little over a year ago after years and years of pretty deep sin. Drugs, booze, sex...you name it. I love my church and the leadership is asking me to take a position teaching young adults. I'd love to do it, but I feel so unworthy considering the life I've lived. What do you think? — No Name, Fayetteville.

Dear Father Paul: I have a friend who is really into astrology. Does the Bible speak about astrology? Helen, Fayetteville.