When people say tarot is evil ???

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 10 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

jenny	10 Sep 2003
Hi all. I would like to know how other people respond or what they say to some people who say that tarot is evil? Before I tell people that I'm into Tarot cards, I usually ask them how they feel about them first. But I would like some suggestions for what I can say to people that say that they are bad. I feel that tarot is great, it is unfortunate that some people that give tarot readings try to scam people out of money by lying to people. It's really unfair to all of the legitimate and honest readers out there. Thanks, Jenny.

dadsnook2000	10 Sep 2003
I find great personal value in Tarot just as I deeply enjoy using and exploring astrology. I believe that people just have to accept me and all of my many interests. If they bring up the subject then they have to deal with any response they get. If they object to Tarot or throw it (and me) down I merely ask them, "Why are you so scared of this that you have to react so strongly?" Are you scared of terrorists, car travel, tainted milk from the store as well? Is your own faith, whatever it is, so fragile that you feel threatened by Tarot, by books in the library, by talk shows? Would you like to talk about this? Mostly, I ignore negative responses if possible and go on to other matters. *** I also note that there are people who just exchange pleasantries and never reveal themselves and personal interests, or enter into any controversial topics. These are the people that I tend to let the talking drift onward without comment or response. Those that want to talk, no matter their views, I will engage and share to the extent feasible.

Umbrae	10 Sep 2003
Over the years, I’ve played with some wonder comeback quotes, pained over just how to deliver them… But when I’m told that Tarot is evil, it comes back to my two favourite responses. Response One – “Tarot is Evil” (said in a manner that implies that I too am evil). “Yesss” Followed by a overly large smile that shows canines and eyes widened to accentuate the effect. Response Two – “Tarot is evil” (said in a manner that ‘informs me’ of the truth about the cards – as though I was unaware). “I should hope so” or alternatively “Why of course they are…” Getting into a contest of biblical knowledge is wonderfully fun, and as satisfying as punching a brick wall. Most who decry Tarot as evil have not two brain-cells they could rub together to create thought.

Diana	10 Sep 2003
jenny: If someone thinks Tarot is evil, there is probably not much you can do to persuade them otherwise. I think the wisest thing is not to argue too much, but just insist that you would not use it if it was evil, 'cos you're not an evil person. I would explain to them that a lot of people think this only because they do not know what Tarot is all about, and that it is actually a wonderful way of getting to know oneself and how one interacts with the universe. But most people won't get it. Don't bother with them. Just smile sweetly and change the subject.

Le_Corsair	10 Sep 2003
Fix the persecutor with a beady-eyed stare; make a small, but elegant motion toward him/her with one hand, and then whisper sibilantly: "De gustibusssss non est dispuTANdum! On your head be it!" Bob :THERM

Dark_angel	10 Sep 2003
Depends on the person. Some close members of my family think it's evil, so I don't tell them I'm interested in it. It wouldn't do them any good to know, and it's not hurting anybody not to tell them. If it's a rational person wanting an informed discussion, then I'll discuss away; hopefully we'll both gain something from it. If it's a jerk, the Satanic side of me comes out. And I'm a damn good actress when I need to be! (cue evil laughter...) I also have a good trick for getting rid of annoying religious fanatics who try to invade your house and tell you you're going to hell. "You're wasting your time; I'm a Satanist. But come on in, we need a virgin to sacrifice...". Freaks them out bigtime and by the time they come up with a response, the door's closed. Result! xxx

fairyhedgehog	10 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Le_Corsair "De gustibusssss non est dispu TAN dum! On your head be it!" That is so funny }) I can just see people's faces if you did that :D

Royal Cat	10 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Dark_angel "You're wasting your time; I'm a Satanist. But come on in, we need a virgin to sacrifice...". Freaks them out bigtime and by the time they come up with a response, the door's closed. Result! xxx OMG, ROFLMAO!! :) I'll have to remember that one. Thanks for the smile Dark Angel! :) Jenny, I agree with the wise advice Diana has given you. If someone thinks Tarot is evil then it's probably not worth your time and effort to attempt to convince them otherwise. If there is someone you wish to tell then ask a few vague questions like 'have you ever seen a tarot deck?' or 'what do you think of things like tarot?' and go from there. You may be pleasantly surprised at their response. There have been some wonderful discussions on this topic in the past. You might try searching the archives for more opinions. Cat

Inana	10 Sep 2003
Im with Umbrae and Darl Angel on this one. The better is not to tell or discuss about tarot with people, unless you know they will react with an open mind or in a good way towards it. Otherwise, tell them to get their head out from the hole, or take it with a bit of sarcasm. Tarot is evil and im the Devil... })

rota	10 Sep 2003
"I would like to know how other people respond or what they say to some people who say that tarot is evil?" +++++++ Yes, we do all meet up with 'those people'. They're the ones who have had their thinking done for them, and there's very little that can be quickly done to break up a mental logjam. By me, anyway - no spiritual master am I. Changing the subject to something less thorny is about the best thing that can be done, since opening up to the idea of knowledge from a higher source is a challenge or threat for too many preconceptions at once. It just makes them uncomfortable, and that's not kind. I'm a vegetarian myself, and occasionally someone will bring up the tidbit that Hitler was a vegetarian. The statement says or proves nothing, but to them, it seems to mean that either I agree with Hitler, or that maybe Hitler had a cuddly side. So, what do you do? -- retort that Jim Jones was a Baptist preacher? That the pope sat on his hands during WWII? There's no winning this sort of verbal tennis match. Attempts at one-upmanship covert no one to another type of thinking. Count me among those who say 'change the subject'.

Indigo_lady	10 Sep 2003
I couldn't have said it better Diana ;) It's as simple as that, and I agree with her advice In any case, everything is evil around you. Darwin's evil, Opus Dei is evil, Freemasonry is evil, Pope John Paul II is evil, Muslims are evil, catholics are evil, Jews are evil, Americans are evil, Twinkies are evil, Smurfs are evil, Communism is evil, Neo Liberalism is evil, Harry Potter is evil, Mother Teresa is still evil, Atheism is evil, Religion is evil, McDonalds are evil, Microsoft is evil, missionaries are evil, your parents are evil, your kids are evil, Galileo, Copernicus and Einstein are evil, Smith is evil, Marx is evil, that bold guy in the detergent commercial is evil, BARNEY is evil (that I agree with 101%), etc... the list goes on OHHHHHHHHHHH Lets not forget of course: -drum roll please- THE AXIS OF EVIL ........ buah buah buah (lousy sound effects trying to immitate bella lugosi) See where I'm getting at ???? Anything can be considered evil at some point or another

Diana	10 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by rota [bi'm a vegetarian myself, and occasionally someone will bring up the tidbit that hitler was a vegetarian.[/b] Oh, that is so funny! He was also a great lady charmer. So watch out, all you lady charmers, 'cos you may be compared to Hitler. Indigo-Lady: You forgot to mention my name in your list of evil ones!

Indigo_lady	10 Sep 2003
Once you think about it, hell must be a pretty crowded place... hehehhee

Mr. Sluagh	10 Sep 2003
I've never run into this problem, but if I do I'll probably go with the "scream something random in Latin followed by 'so mote it be' " strategy. Otherwise, you're just engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed oponent, which really isn't fair. Cervus cenam devorat! Colunus irata est! Cervum vocat! Cervus non laeta est, AD VIA CURRIT!! So mote it be! Tee hee. :D

Tallarico	10 Sep 2003
I had quite a few decks and some runes too. I started dating this guy, pretty seriously, his family were big time born agains... I got sucked into it (kinda almost brainwashed) and GOT RID of my decks runes and new age books. Eventually, after 5 years we broke up. I have some new decks and plan on more. I WILL NEVER let that happen again. I could kick my self, but it's in the past and I have learned! From now on I will say:"De gustibusssss non est dispuTANdum! On your head be it!" Thanks for the tip!

Kiama	11 Sep 2003
Jenny, you've been given some excellent advice already. Here are some links to other threads kinda linked to this: The Bible and Fortune Telling More about the Bible and Fortune Telling Christianity and Tarot As for me, I've grown bored of trying to convince people that Tarot isn't evil. Last time somebody said that to me, I laughed at them, then sighed and said in a bored voice: "Heard it..." ;) Kiama

Marie	11 Sep 2003
I just tell them it isn't evil and then answer any questions they might have. I try to be a good person and if they know me hopefully they know what kind of person I am. If not, that really is their problem and not something I should concern myself with. Chances are I know more about tarot than they do and am in a better position to make a good judgment, but everyone is still allowed their opinion. I try to be respectful of people it bothers though, they have their reasons. I also understand that fears about tarot aren't totally unfounded, they have been used to rip off and scare a lot of people, and they do have an aura of mystery about them, which scares some people, fear of the unknown and all of that. Honestly- that is probably one of the things that first attracted me to them, that mysterious aura. Marie

AmounrA	11 Sep 2003
I would say unto them the holy matra - fook uoo ya asho followed with 333 om mani padme hungs:-) Then I would tell them in an mysterious voice to " Watch it".

MystiqueMoonlight	11 Sep 2003
It has been my experience when someone tells me Tarot are evil they are really actually challenging me by way for a reading (to "prove them wrong"). I love to have that long biblical debate which often evolves from such an uneducated and unfounded statement. Usually they discover my biblical capacity (and this does not necessarily imply just Christian either) is more well read then theirs and the whole "evil" debate is thrown out the window. "Evil is as evil does"; I tell them. A word created by man, the very parasite of Mother Gaia. Then a whole new debate arises......

Logiatrix	12 Sep 2003
Hi, jenny... Your question is a very valid issue, and for that reason, one that comes up now and then. I have been fortunate in that I haven't had any run-ins with strangers proclaiming the evils of tarot cards, but I've heard some pretty awful stories. There was one very religious lady I knew briefly who tried to hint at the evil of tarot cards, but as we continued these peaceful (and rather enjoyable) debates, I guess she gave up. Most of the religious people who know me now, also knew me Before Tarot. Most of these individuals are church-going people with whom I had (and still have) numerous discussions about God and the Bible. I know the Bible very well. Well, now I'm getting to know the tarot very well, with the same fervor I have for the Scriptures and other sacred texts. Those church-going friends who knew me Before Tarot know I still love God and the Bible. They also understand that now I love to read tarot cards. They know that I know what I'm doing, that I'm not dabbling. They see me take tarot seriously, so they take me seriously. My point being: Your greatest response is to grow stonger in your skills and knowledge, and let the work you do speak for you. Believe in your ability and hone your craft. Even disbelievers begrudgingly respect an expert. Arm yourself with Bible knowledge, if that will help your confidence in the face of these kinds of verbal challenges. However, I don't recommend partaking in religious debate unless you can trust yourself to remain completely objective. The key is to dedicate yourself to your own beliefs so solidly that you can share with interested parties, as well as debate with those who agree to disagree. Individuals who merrily attack with no desire for a solid exchange of ideas are not worthy of your time. Ignore them. I truly believe that if we do what we love extremely well, then we soar. Disagreable voices can't be heard where we soar. :)

Marion	14 Sep 2003
Hi jenny, you have gotten some wonderful replies here, and I have gotten some great tips myself, so thank you all. What I seem to run into is not that sort of direct confrontation. And frankly I think I could handle an outright aggressive stance of "Tarot cards are evil" better than people's looks. There is one hotel I stay in almost every week and the ladies know me well. One night sitting in the restaurent I was working on some Tarot stuff in a joint project with Diana. I wasn't using the cards, they were just sitting on the table while I scribbled away. The waitress nearly freaked. She practically shied away, and even after I put my papers and cards away, she gave me very worried fearful looks. She didn't say anything so what could I say? And what about the people who just write you off because of it? We have had some threads on that I know. My question is, what you do say to someone who doesn't say anything verbally but whose body language screams across the room?

SongDeva	15 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Marion And what about the people who just write you off because of it? We have had some threads on that I know. My question is, what you do say to someone who doesn't say anything verbally but whose body language screams across the room? I have compassion for this woman as you describe her. Such fear! Personally, I believe that any reaction anyone has to anything stems from something inside of them, and has nothing to do with anyone else, even if something about them triggers that reaction. You don't say anything. Just beam white healing light to them for a few seconds, and then finish your dessert. Alternatively, you could just finish your dessert. Do take a moment to recognize that their problem is not your problem.

Khatruman	15 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Indigo_lady Opus Dei is evil, (you mean, that cute little penguin?? :P... hey, I hear Breathed is bringing him back out of retirement!!!)... Twinkies are evil, (They ARE !!! anything with a shelf life of 20 years that passes itself off as food must be evil... plus, I always wondered what happened when they turned 20 years and one day old... they just become toxic waste??) Smurfs are evil (Ohh, they most certainly are!!! Papa Smurf especially... I used to perform exorcism whenever they came on my TV!!) Microsoft is evil (a die-hard Mac-addict attests that this is true!!!) missionaries are evil (Yes, there are other positions as well ;)) Marx is evil (depends on if you mean Groucho or Harpo) BARNEY is evil (that I agree with 101%), As well do I!!!!

raeanne	16 Sep 2003
Hi all, I was just wondering if anyone know if any war, anywhere, has ever been start or continued because of the tarot. I know for a fact that there have been many, many wars over various religons. It makes me wonder what some people define as 'evil'.

VGimlet	17 Sep 2003
Some really good replies here. I've only had a few people comment that my using tarot cards was leading me down a bad road. Heh heh. I have found it's better to deflect the comment than to get in a discussion because, as many have said, most of the time you aren't going to change how they feel anyway. However I am always willing to talk to someone who is honestly curious, because I always feel the more information people have, the better. (Probably comes from being in the library relm, LOL)

catlin	17 Sep 2003
If ppl tell me tarot is evil I usually ask them "Why, it's just a pack of printed paper?!" (when I am in a nice neutral mood). When I am in an evil mood I cast them a black threatening look and tell them with a silky voice "And beware, they can become more evil in my hands, uahhahaha." Makes them freak out and is nice fun for me. Luckily such folks is not too commonplace here.

Logiatrix	17 Sep 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Marion My question is, what you do say to someone who doesn't say anything verbally but whose body language screams across the room? I agree with VioletLotus: say nothing. Don't forget to surround YOURSELF with protective white light, too--you don't want to catch THOSE cooties! :D

The When people say tarot is evil ??? thread was originally posted on 10 Sep 2003 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.