What About Crystal Energy and Healing Stones?
The belief that crystals have spiritual healing powers is not based on scientific evidence and is often associated with the “New Age” movement, which is a term used to describe a broad range of spiritual practices that are not based on the teachings of traditional religions. These practices often involve the belief in a “universal energy” or “life force” that can be harnessed for personal benefit, and crystals are often seen as a way to access or channel this energy.
However, this belief is not supported by the teachings of Christianity and is considered a form of divination or magic, which are practices that are condemned in the Bible and in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In the Bible, divination is described as seeking knowledge of the future or the hidden through supernatural means, such as consulting with spirits or using magical objects. Magic, on the other hand, is described as using supernatural powers to achieve an end, such as controlling natural forces or manipulating the will of others. Both of these practices are seen as a form of idolatry, as they involve turning to something other than God for guidance or power.
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, these practices are described as “gravely contrary to the virtue of religion” and “attempts to rely on supernatural powers other than God.” The Catechism also notes that “all forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to ‘unveil’ the future.” Therefore, as a Christian, it is important to reject any belief or practice that involves seeking knowledge or power through means that are not in accordance with the teachings of the Bible and the Church.
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
Divination and magic
2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.
2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others – even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.
