Spiritual Error and the Occult

There is a current of deep distrust for spirits and their communications within the major religions. Since they are not comparable to Ultimate Reality, spirits are not privy to the highest truth. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam teach that ranks of angels fell into error and sin. Buddhism even regards the creator god (the Hindu god Brahma) as one of these subordinate deities, subordinate to the Dhamma revealed by the Buddha.

Spirits are often fallible, motivated by selfish ends, and liable to mislead people who rely on them for guidance. Furthermore, the spirit world is also populated by evil spirits, demons and fallen angels, as well as intermediate spiritual beings including the jinn, spirits of the dead, and various classes of ghosts. Occult practices, such as seeking information from mediums, witches and shamans, can lead people astray through communication with spirits from the lower realms.
Father Moon has experience of this from Korea, a society where shamanism is still widespread. He also recognizes an insidious connection between occultism and the Human Fall, where Eve placed herself under the power of a spirit.

Therefore, we are advised to “test the spirits to see whether they are of God,” based on the higher authority of revealed truth. Faith, purity, adherence to revealed truth, and performance of good deeds are superior ways to insure fellowship with spiritual beings of the highest levels.