Astral projection condemned or accepted in the Bible?

[SkepticBoy]

I've heard people say that astral travel is condemned in the bible. Is this true?

[dbmathis]

Does it matter?

[SkepticBoy]

Cheez why answer if your just going to add nothing towards it!! I wanted peoples views on it OK!!!! ffs.

[dbmathis]

I shouldn't even respond to this, but I guess I will.

Are you asking just a general question or are you a Christian that's scared that you will burn in hell if you intentionally self induce an out of body experience? This would make your question valid at least.

I grew up in a catholic church and school and I don't remember very much mention of astral projection. I would occasionally hear stories of people being possessed but I never gave it much thought. I have since thrown out all belief systems in my life and take an objective approach to everything rather than taking someone else's opinion and building my life around it.

So I ask again, why does it matter what someone else thinks about the act of astral projection, unless of course you are trying to get some helpful advice?

[Steel Hawk]

I've heard people say that astral travel is condemned in the bible. Is this true?

No... it's not specifically condemned. It is considered an occult practice though. Then again, Jesus rose from the dead out of body as did ...Ezekiel? I forget.

You'd have to do more research, you may encounter spirits, etc. via astral travel which may go against something in said book.

[SkepticBoy]

K TY for that Steel Hawk yes i'll be doing more research on it.

[CFTraveler]

I've heard people say that astral travel is condemned in the bible. Is this true?

Well, depends on who you ask.  Christians say it's condemned because their church authorities tell them anything that seems like magic is prohibited, but if you look at the bible itself, you'll see it's not condemned, actually encouraged.
Here's some examples:

"1 Cor
2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
3:16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord.
12:6 And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all.
12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.
12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
12:9 to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit;
12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues:
12:11 but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.
12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.
12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, divers kinds of tongues.
12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
12:30 have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31 But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.
14:1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy."

So in 14:1 it says you should desire spiritual gifts, and don't accept man's judgement (on 2:15).

Here's more:

"2 Corinthians 12
1
I must boast; not that it is profitable, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2
I know someone in Christ who, fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows), was caught up to the third heaven.
3
And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows)
4
was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter."

Obviously talking about OBE here, and as a good thing too. "I must boast..."

But wait, there's more:
Rev 1:10 "I was in the spirit on the lords day...." and John goes on to describe his astral travel. 

So it's not that the bible condemns it, it's that modern orthodox (or fundamentalist, or strict, take your pick) don't want us to do any of what the old prophets did, because it would prove what Jesus said- that we can do what he did.  And they'd rather ignore that little factoid.

[ka0s]

Good question. Here is my answer being a Christian.

When I first started having OBE's at the age of 16 spontaneously I had some battles at first with them in terms of my religion. I had some really bad experiences when I first started having them as well as some really great ones, so I felt very neutral about them. I was hearing mixed things about it being of the occult and so I did my own research to find my own "truth" so to say in it. Through prayer and a few experiences that actually involved God, I saw past them. I saw them as possibly being a gift for me to help others in some way (which I still havnt figured out yet entirely). I started wearing my metal cross to sleep and asked God if they were not of him for them to stop occurring in my life. They continued happening and once I got to the point of inducing them at will I started accepting that there is *some* purpose in me having them so often. I have insomnia so I think it is coupled with my *reason* for having insomnia. Frankly I find protection in my beliefs. When I first exit my body the first thing I do is consciously thank God for allowing me to witness such beautiful skies, blue snow, rain, and being able to fly . Hope this helps. I know some people will think I am a bit to the extreme. Thanks CFTraveler for posting your input.

[T.L.]

Well the way it seems to me with my dealings of strictly religious people (of different denominations) they or their church fear this sort of thing because if someone/everyone can purposefully go out of the body and do what many look at as a miracle or godly thing, it might make their religion/god/beliefs irrelevent in some way. It's funny because just last night my mother called me to check and see how I am doing (routinely I tell her about my travels/obes). She told me that she was talking to some family friends of ours about what I've been doing...etc and Monica (she's a jehovah's witness) said "I wouldn't be doing that, that kind of stuff is evil!". You know because I routinely harass people while they dream, tear holes into their souls and stuff them with worms I guess (sarcasm). I told her to tell monica it is a means of not only self exploration but a means of spiritual growth. She refuses to talk to her about it anymore though because it sounded at least to her that I may not be welcome in her home anymore or whatever, like she was sincerely freaked out. In some religions/churches anything that seems out of place or hard to comprehend is evil. Look at science for instance it too was once "evil". Heh. I would simply say this to you, be more of a leader rather than a follower, be an individual.

[iNNERvOYAGER]

The twelveth commandment "Thou shall not OBE"

He he, just kidding.

I think I support CFTraveler's examples, I believe that Jesus was a great master and taught his disciples meditation and how to "experience death while still alive" (in physical form).