Christianity and Baby Psychic Readings

sigkap · 10-11-2008, 11:51 AM

Hi there,

For you TTC cysters, I assume you've been over to the TTC thread. I've read lots of posts about getting readings from Cheri - the baby psychic. From a christian standpoint what are your thoughts about this? I want to say straight off I am guinuinely curious and have mixed feelings about getting a reading for myself - I'm not trying to stir up trouble or judge anyone. Please take this as honestly an inquiring mind.

I keep going back and forth in my mind - it would be fun to see what she says, but I wonder if it doing it shows a lack of faith. That instead of trusting in God I turned to a pagan solution for insight that wasn't mine to have at this time...am I making sense?

I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to stop at taking the reading for fun, but would trust in it or rely on it, and I'm not sure how that works with trusting and relying on God? Part of me knows already that if I don't feel super okay with it then I should take that as my answer and not do it. But another part of me feels like just because someone got a reading certainly doesn't mean they can believe and have faith in God too. And then I come back to thinking I am over thinking this entirely - haha!

I'm curious if anyone else has thought about this and what decision they came to? Thanks in advance for sharing your insights!

juststartn · 10-12-2008, 01:00 AM

Well, the Bible specifically says that you should have nothing to do with fortune tellers and their ilk. Is that not what these women are claiming to do? Whether or not they can, well, that's beside the point. If you believe what the scriptures say about other things, are you going to pick and choose which parts of them to follow?

(I'm not just saying this as "you" specifically, but also "you" in general). Christianity is *not* a cafeteria...you cannot pick and choose what parts to follow, and what parts are "left up to you". Our Lord gives us very specific directions on this issue...

My $.02...

Rachel

Gracedmind · 10-12-2008, 01:21 AM

..And anyways what is going to happen is already destined to happen. Why not just keep it a surprise instead of knowing beforehand...

Besides the fact that in regards to Islam we are told to stay away from it I think it would also take away from the joy of finding out on your own. Its going to happen regardless if someone makes a prediction beforehand or not.

kzig · 10-12-2008, 01:24 AM

Hi! I remembered that the Bible warned against fortune tellers and the like, but couldn't remember where it said it. While Googling I ran across this site that had numerous verses that touched on this topic.
Rather than tell you what I think, I'll just let the Word speak.

http://www.openbible.info/topics/for...s_and_psychics

nellies_mommy77 · 10-12-2008, 01:33 AM

Is this any worse than the doing the "pencil" test? I have done that but I am also not taking it for "the gospel" as to what children I may or may not have. I agree with what other posters have said. The Bible does say that we should not take up with fortune tellers, etc. Hope this helps!

sigkap · 10-12-2008, 08:48 PM

Thanks for all your thoughts ladies - I appreciate them! I am settled on my decision but wondered if anyone else had any thoughts to share. Loved the link to the website too!

lovepotato · 10-14-2008, 01:44 AM

When I was pregnant with my first, I did the "pencil" test. I guess its supposed to swing one way if its a girl, the other way if its a boy, and go in a circle if you've had a miscarriage. All my aunts and my mom did it, and it was really accurate. Well, the pencil started swinging the way for a boy, but then it started doing all these weird loopies and swinging wildly. I was probably 5 months pregnant at the time. I was really freaked out because I'd felt like I was going to lose him anyway, and that test didn't make me feel any better. I ended up losing Eric 2 months later. I will never do that test again. It creeped me out big time.

MWpuravida · 10-14-2008, 12:39 PM

Hey Stephanie! I think you got some really good resources from the other ladies. When I had read one of the baby psychic posts a few weeks ago it introduced a "just for fun" thought. However when I started to look into it a little later, because I felt like the "just for fun" part, I realized 1) The catch in my heart should be a big deal and 2) People really hold onto their readings. I don't want that to control my life.
My God is bigger than that. I trust Him to give me a baby in His time, and that needs to be enough for me. Some days I falter from that complete trust... but in general I find Him a lot easier to hold onto than other things.
This has been an interesting post. Thanks!

sigkap · 10-16-2008, 12:40 AM

Molly, I am so sorry to hear of your loss - I have never lost a child so I certainly can't say I understand but the mere thought is heart breaking. 2005 seems so long ago but when it comes to your family that time feels like it's just yesterday. Thank you for sharing your story.

Monique I think you captured my thoughts much better than I explained them myself! That catch in my heart is exactly it.

Thank you ladies!!

PollySis · 10-16-2008, 10:58 AM

On the other hand you have to remember that divination is an aboriginal European thing - we had it long before other gods and religions were imported. So who's to say the more recent religions are right? Divination was forbidden largely because it was seen as a component of paganism and anything redolent of our native cultures had to be stamped out. Near where I live there's a medieval church on the site of an Anglo Saxon church deliberately built smack bang almost on top of an ancient monolith, to stop pagans from daring to practice any more. It doesn't mean it's really evil or wrong or doesn't work just because religion A of religion B says it's wrong. I'd assume if you're xian, you'll do whatever the bible says. If you're starting to question it - then take the opportunity to think long and hard and clarify your own belief system, as this can be useful. I wouldn't follow a religion then discard the bits I didn't like. On the other hand, I wouldn't believe a religion because I grew up with it or because other people use it to control me. Find yourself in all this. BTW I have a friend who is part romany and a tarot reader since childhood and she read the cards for me when I wanted my last baby and not only saw he was coming but actually physically described him - turned out very accurate. And no mean feat as he looks nothing like my other kids. Divination is accurate but then xians don't dispute that or they wouldn't be scared of it. That said there are plenty of charlatans about and a bit of divination won't make something happen - you can make it happen. But also, be very aware - don;t go to anyone who wants to take money from you for this.

Ajani · 10-16-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWpuravida

Hey Stephanie! I think you got some really good resources from the other ladies. When I had read one of the baby psychic posts a few weeks ago it introduced a "just for fun" thought. However when I started to look into it a little later, because I felt like the "just for fun" part, I realized 1) The catch in my heart should be a big deal and 2) People really hold onto their readings. I don't want that to control my life.
My God is bigger than that. I trust Him to give me a baby in His time, and that needs to be enough for me. Some days I falter from that complete trust... but in general I find Him a lot easier to hold onto than other things.
This has been an interesting post. Thanks!

Well said.

As for the above argument about "So who's to say the more recent religions are right," and so forth, I've gone around this on threads addressed specifically to Christians for some time. I'm just not going to beat my head on the same wall again.

MWpuravida · 10-17-2008, 12:03 PM

AJANI

AmelieTTC · 10-18-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWpuravida

When I had read one of the baby psychic posts a few weeks ago it introduced a "just for fun" thought. However when I started to look into it a little later, because I felt like the "just for fun" part, I realized 1) The catch in my heart should be a big deal and 2) People really hold onto their readings. I don't want that to control my life.
My God is bigger than that.

I agree with this completely.

BeckyS727 · 10-20-2008, 06:44 PM

I think I went to either that site or a similar site out of curiosity and because, well, I was bored at work. I didn't read a thing into it because it asked you all these questions about what the weather was like, what was the last animal you saw, if you closed your eyes, what color did you see first. All this crap. And then it gave me some reading about what my child would look like, how long I would be in labor, how much he or she would weigh and how long he or she would be (I can't even remember if it said boy or girl). Then I went back and put in different information and, holy cow!! It was completely different - I think one time it said that my baby would be something like 6 lb. 2 oz. and 22 1/2" long. Yeah, I don't even think that's possible.

I take what psychics say with as much truth as a fortune cookie (I've never been to one, never plan on going, but I've heard them on TV talk to the dead on commercials and other people's experiences). Which is why I would never pay to hear a reading. Do I think it's unChristian, yeah, but so is talking about your aunt that nags you, complaining about your job, getting angry with your husband, well, you get the point.

Do I think it's wrong on the basis of being a Christian, yes. Would I do it if it was some website where you put information in and it was just fun, yep.

As a side note, I think it's pretty funny that the banner right above my Quick Reply box is for a "100% ACCURATE HOROSCOPE from Professional Jenna"...... And you can even test her "skills" for free!!

Jashobeam · 10-21-2008, 09:25 PM

Isaiah 2:5-7 (New International Version)

5 Come, O house of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD.

The Day of the Lord
6 You have abandoned your people,
the house of Jacob.
They are full of superstitions from the East;
they practice divination like the Philistines
and clasp hands with pagans.

Acts 16:16-18 (New International Version)

Paul and Silas in Prison
16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.

Leviticus 19:26b
Do not practice divination or sorcery.

Deuteronomy 18:10
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,

1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Deuteronomy 18:14
[ The Prophet ] The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.

2 Kings 17:17
They sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire. They practiced divination and sorcery and sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

God has a lot to say about such things and it's always a bad thing to get involved in.