Ouija for 11-Year olds?

[Ruminator]

Since none of us actually have a 100% true understanding of reality, (although we each like to think we do for the most part) and since there is a strong value placed upon a parent being the custodian of their children's upbringing; I would never make a potentially perceived "spiritual decision" for another parents child. I don't see this issue as one of legitimacy of the board, but rather mutual respect between human adults.

Although many here are atheists, there are also people here of different spiritual beliefs including witchcraft of probably different branches and schools. I know some into magic who are into the real serious stuff, and its not always just a bunch of rainbows and unicorns.

I would like to hear from them what they think any actual spiritual potential is from a Ouija board.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Ruminator

...I would never make a potentially perceived "spiritual decision" for another parents child...

This statement made me think. And it brought about an idea of what the "heart of the matter" may be.

What is at issue is the judgment call regarding what is appropriate or not. Since it is logically impossible for each of us to cross-check our values with every other person we encounter; it is necessary for each of us to make countless of such judgment calls throughout the course of each day.

At stake here: something potentially perceived to be a spiritual matter. The known facts of the matter is that it is literally a piece of cardboard, produced and packaged by a toy manufacturer, for entertainment purposes. The judgment call is what to do when confronted with a situation where someone attaches a spiritual significance to this object.

Our tendancy towards tolerance of others and their belief systems tells us that we should respect that notion, even though we don't understand or agree with it. However, there is a larger perspective to take: how does society benefit, or not, by the behavior we passively encourage through our non-participation?

We have witnessed, throughout history, that rampant superstition is destructive to society. People kill black cats because they're afraid of witchcraft causing diseases, whereas the cats were controlling the rodent population and therefore disease runs like wildfire, bringing about a deadly pandemic. IGNORANCE IS DESTRUCTIVE.

By even entertaining the notion that a PIECE OF CARDBOARD may be a serious, supernatural phenomenon, we encourage in people those same backwards, superstitious belief systems. We are literally encouraging a destructive ignorance.

If someone holds ignorant beliefs, they need to be confronted and shamed. We all benefit when ignorance is opposed. This is not something that somebody else will do for you--it is YOUR responsibility. YOU are building the world that your children will inherit.

DO WE WANT ANOTHER "DARK AGE" OF IGNORANCE AND SUPERSTITION? . . . Don't just look the other way.