Anonymous wrote:I believe that spirits aren't real. But it doesn't follow from that that attempts to invoke them either don't or can't have have an effect on people, particularly the sensitive or fragile sort. Cf. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." If the Ouija Board didn't have some kind of effect, it would not have survived for so long or be such a compelling cultural referent. It manifestly touches something psychological in many people.
Maybe it is nothing more than the dangers of amateur hypnotism, but, if you play with fire, whether real or imaginary, some will be burned. Caution warranted, I'd ban the board without a second thought.
Anonymous wrote:I believe that spirits aren't real. But it doesn't follow from that that attempts to invoke them either don't or can't have have an effect on people, particularly the sensitive or fragile sort. Cf. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus." If the Ouija Board didn't have some kind of effect, it would not have survived for so long or be such a compelling cultural referent. It manifestly touches something psychological in many people.
Maybe it is nothing more than the dangers of amateur hypnotism, but, if you play with fire, whether real or imaginary, some will be burned. Caution warranted, I'd ban the board without a second thought.

Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The Oujia Board itself isn't the concern. It's just cardboard and plastic. There is nothing special about it. However, messing around with spirits can bring experiences that are unsettling to those without training. People who are open to the spirit world use techniques to protect themselves and others from negative entities. It's not like they will physically harm your daughter, OP. She just may find that by opening herself to communication, she brings forth negative energy that she isn't prepared to deal with.
If she insists on screwing around with a Oujia Board, have her learn ways to protect herself and others in the room. The techniques are very simple and very effective.
I tend to agree this. I know a certain Christian boarding school where the kids used the Oujia boards for occult stuff with some bad outcomes.
Anonymous wrote:The Oujia Board itself isn't the concern. It's just cardboard and plastic. There is nothing special about it. However, messing around with spirits can bring experiences that are unsettling to those without training. People who are open to the spirit world use techniques to protect themselves and others from negative entities. It's not like they will physically harm your daughter, OP. She just may find that by opening herself to communication, she brings forth negative energy that she isn't prepared to deal with.
If she insists on screwing around with a Oujia Board, have her learn ways to protect herself and others in the room. The techniques are very simple and very effective.
Anonymous wrote:Have them watch the original Excorcist movie and they may not want to.