To think this stance is hypocritical?

@CombatBarbie

Is that surprising? People practice astrology as a hobby, and for some people it's their full-time job.

Some forms of magic include astrological elements (not all.)

Occultism is a very different kettle of fish to scientology. For one thing, scientology is a religion. Occultism is not a religion, it is a set of multiple diverse practices and there is no moral code that all occultists are demanded to abide by. Occultists choose their moral code themselves.

@Mingou

Can you explain to me what is hypocritical about my own stance?

I do not understand what you are seeing here.

Being hypocritical would be engaging in a behaviour (or viewpoint) which I have criticised or condemned in others.

I have criticised and condemned bigotry against occultists as an entire group.

I have not displayed bigotry against any other entire group myself, though I have been critical of the viewpoints of specific individuals.

I have criticised a person's desire to cause harm to all occultists collectively.

I have not expressed a desire myself to harm any other group collectively, nor have I said it is okay to do so.

@Mingou

Produces nothing useful? I suppose that depends on how you define "useful", but I can say for one thing that meditation practice (a fundamental element of many forms of occultism) helps relax me and helps focus the mind.

There are scientific studies that show the benefits of meditation - it can improve memory, for one thing.

Mind Masters: Tibetan Yogis Have Upgraded Their Brains Through Meditation

The above article explains a study done upon Tibetan yogis and the effect that their exceptionally long time spent in meditation has had on their minds.

I also find many occult practices to be very enjoyable. (As a hedonist, for me, one of the most important things is experiencing pleasure.)

I would say that the fact that occult practices bring me pleasure is something useful (to me), as enjoyment in life is a positive thing.

@Mingou

Of course it's not. I never said it was. Again, I have never denied that some individual occultists use magic that is intended to cause some kind of harm.

If someone is bothered by that, then calling out those specific individuals is fair and reasonable. But to wish to harm all occultists is cruel and unreasonable, because many occultists are not guilty of engaging in harmful practices.

@maxslice

I appreciate the support, but I'm actually okay with them being called a hobby. I do find many of the associated practices enjoyable, and at the moment I don't earn money from occultism, so it's something I pursue in my free time (I do have a vague dream of perhaps being some kind of professional occultist in the future, but I'm not actively pursuing that right now.)

But your understanding is fully appreciated, thank you. 😊

@Mingou

Not with everyone. There are examples of people calling for the practice of occultism to be illegal. I don't know whether that is a common or mainstream position, but it definitely exists.

A professional astrologer I know of got received death threats on Twitter some years back.

@Jane143

It's not like I go around advertising it, but if I'm asked (or if the subject of religion/spirituality comes up in discussion) then I am usually open about what I am and what I do.

I believe that visibility of occultists, as well as pagan polytheists, can be helpful in combatting prejudice, as it potentially allows people to see that we are for the most part, regular folks like them, getting on with their lives. The downside is that being open and honest about who we are can get us bullied/verbally abused/discriminated against.

It's not so much about the single comment; it's general intolerant and draconian attitudes towards occultism that sometimes bother me. It's not uncommon to see calls for occultism to be made illegal. That would be a huge infringement on the human rights of me and my fellow occultists to be who we are.

@Swiftie1878

Normally I do, but it can pay to be aware of currents of prejudice, especially when I see people calling for occultism (as well as paganism) to be made illegal. I am opposed to such human rights violations and feel even more strongly about it when/if it can affect me.

@MyLimeGuide

Well, I think it's cool, obviously. And as stated, my problem is not with people disbelieving in it, thinking it's nonsense, not having a personal taste for it - my problem is when people direct hatred at occultists for choosing to be occultists.

@Jane143

This is meant to be a discussion. Not necessarily an example of 'worrying', although I do have concerns about manifestations of prejudice against innocent occultists.

And yes, I do have the time for it.

@Jane143

I never said it was okay to do permanent harm to someone.

I said that there are no fixed morals in occultism, so practitioners abide by their own morals. Some occultists cast spells that are intended to harm the target. I never said that was "okay", I'm just being honest about the fact that some people do it.

Many, if not most, occultists, do not practice harmful or baneful magic.