Created over 600 years ago, tarot cards have become popular in many regions worldwide for various reasons. Many believe they can tell the future and the trajectory an individual’s life is set to take.
While they are widely used and accepted globally, they have also been rejected in equal measure.
So, is tarot card reading a sin?
Christians believe that reading tarot cards is a sin. Many verses in the Bible support this belief. While there is no mention of tarot cards in the Bible, they are believed to be a form of divination which the Bible rejects. In Leviticus 19:26, the scripture infers that one should stay away from practices associated with divination and seeking omens. It reads, ‘Do not eat any meat with blood in it. You must not practice divination or seek omens.’
So, what are the purposes of tarot card reading, what is the church’s take on tarot card reading, and why should Christians keep away from them?
Read along to discover the answers to these questions and more.
What are the purposes of tarot card reading?
As mentioned, tarot cards have long been used as a means to predict the future or to foresee occurrences that individuals may encounter in the course of their lives. The practice dates back over half a century ago, but the divination aspect began a while later.
Tarot cards were made for the purpose of gaming and diversion during a time when regular cards had become very popular. They were first created in Italy in the early 1400s.
Unlike the regular deck of cards which came with 4 suits, the tarot card deck came with an extra suit. As their use increased, their purpose evolved, which is how they ended up being used for divination and looking into the future.
In many instances, individuals seeking tarot readers have questions that need to be answered, and many of them are associated with the past and how it affects the future.
Others are trying to determine whether a certain achievement, failure, accident, or related occurrence will come to pass.
Statistically, it has been proven that many tarot card readers are trying to determine whether they will find love, a promotion at work, or succeed at a project.
Does the Bible talk about tarot card reading?
The Bible does not mention tarot cards, at least not in direct terms. The Bible is believed to be at least 2 centuries old, and by the time most of it was written and compiled, tarot cards had not been developed.
However, it talks about using items and practices linked to the occult, divination, necromancy, fortune-telling, sorcery, interpretation of omens, and others. As earlier mentioned, tarot cards are linked to fortune telling, divination, necromancy, and occultism.
For this reason, the Bible strongly infers that Christians should not use tarot cards or otherwise.
Deuteronomy 18:9 – 14 reads, ‘When you come to the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer, or a medium or a necromancer or anyone who inquires of the dead, for anyone who does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations, the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.’
What is the church’s take on tarot card reading?
Even though tarot cards began as a harmless game, their use today has evolved into something much more spiritual and involving.
For this reason, the church, which comprises the entire Christian fraternity (Catholic and Protestant), takes a heavy stance against the reading of tarot cards, especially where they are used to tell the future.
For instance, the Catholic Church teaches that it is sinful to want to know what will happen to you, your family, and others in the future, as everything belongs to an all-knowing God. The church teaches Christians to practice total faith in God, who holds their future.
In addition, the church teaches that reading tarot cards creates a link between the actual world and the spiritual realm, leaving access to demons and other such beings.
While most people are usually reading tarots for fun, the church teaches that this kind of access can be harmful in the short and long run.
According to the church, such practices have led many to lukewarmness, poor faith, and even losing faith in God altogether.
Why are Christians encouraged to stay away from tarot card readings?
The main reason Christians are encouraged to stay away from tarot card readings is that they are believed to affect their spiritual life negatively. Even when there may not be any discernible effect, tarot card readings may have an irreversible impact on the psychology of Christians.
A tarot card reading may cause a person to make a life-altering decision in the wrong direction, and the said decision may adversely affect them or the persons around them.
Some readings may evoke fear and impede one’s ability to live their life fully, while others may lead to overconfidence that results in callousness.
Is tarot card reading a form of magic or divination?
Tarot card reading is believed to be a form of divination, especially because it involves consulting the dead and other spirits to reveal the subject’s future or answer certain questions. Any practice that involves spirits or consulting the dead is deemed a form of divination.
What are the dangers of tarot card reading to Christians?
One of the biggest, and possibly most dangerous, effects of tarot card reading for Christians is exposure to demons and harmful spirits.
The church teaches that divination almost always opens the door to the said beings, usually without the participants’ knowledge.
With such exposure, many people experience a steady decline in faith, and a large number become indifferent toward God and the teaching of the Bible.
According to Christian teaching, losing faith in God is one of the most grievous things that can happen to a Christian.
What can Christians do instead of tarot card reading?
When Christians wonder about their future, question the past, or worry about a loved one, dead or alive, they need to entrust themselves to God and communicate their worries to Him.
In essence, Christians are called to have absolute faith in God and to leave all their concerns to Him, especially those pertaining to the future.
Bible verses about divination
Here are a few Bible verses that talk about divination.
Leviticus 20:6 says, “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and cut him off from among his people.”
The above verse infers that God rejects both the use of divination and those who practice it.
Leviticus 20:27 reads, “A man or a woman who is a medium or necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
According to the Old Testament teachings, the sin of divination and necromancy was punishable by death.
Malachi 3:5 notes, “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker on his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.”
According to the Bible, sorcerers deserved the same punishment as oppressors and adulterers.
References
What does the Bible teach about tarot cards?
The dangers of tarot card reading for Christians.
Why shouldn’t Christians read tarot cards?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
