Ouija boards for a long time have been thought to be by many people pure evil. A lot of people believe Ouija boards to be sacrilegious and condemned by many faiths. Let's take a look at the origins of the Ouija board.

What is a Ouija board?

A board and pointer used for divination and by some as a means to contact spirits or entities. The name comes from the French and German words for "yes," oui and ja (ja is mispronounced with a hard "j"). The board includes letters of the alphabet, numerals 0 through 9, the words "yes" and "no," and a heart-shaped pointer on three felt-tipped legs. One or two people place their fingertips on the pointer, which moves to answer questions. In most cases answers probably rise up from the subconsciousness of the users, even when "spirits" identify themselves and give messages.

Ouija boards in history:

Precursors to the Ouija date back to ancient times. In China before the birth of Confucius (c. 551 B.C.), similar instruments were used to communicate with the dead. In Greece during the time of Pythagoras (c. 540 B.C.) divination was done with a table that moved on wheels to point to signs, which were interpreted as revelations from the "unseen world." The rolling table was used through the nineteenth century. Other such devices were used by the ancient Romans as early as the third century A.D., and in the thirteenth century by the Mongols. Some Native Americans used "squdilatc boards" to find missing objects and persons, and obtain spiritual information. In 1853 the planchette came into use in Europe. It consisted of a triangular or heart-shaped platform on three legs, one of which was a pencil. The medium or user moved the device over paper to draw pictures and spell out messages.

Religious views on the Ouija board:

he Ouija board, like other forms of divination, has been used in an attempt to contact the dead (necromancy), which is clearly condemned by the Bible:

Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so (Deut. 18:10-14).

All other forms of sorcery are clearly denounced in Scripture as well. Those that refuse to listen to God regarding this command are mentioned in the follow Scripture:

But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death (Rev. 21:8).

Now that a little background information is established let's talk about how the Ouija board is used.

Here are the Ouija board steps:

1. It takes two to Ouija. Usually one person is not able to work the Ouija. Get a friend to use it with you. A male and female is usually recommended.

2. Timing. Most practitioners suggest using the board at night when, they say, less interference is in the atmosphere.

3. Create some atmosphere. The Ouija is more fun if you darken the room and light some candles. Turn off the TV and any music to minimize distractions.

4. Have a seat. The two users should sit facing each other, with knees touching if possible, with the board on their laps. Don't use a table.

5. Decide on a questioner or medium. Even though both people can ask questions -- or anyone else in the room can -- only one of the users should be the medium (the one to formally ask questions of the board).

6. Place your fingers on the planchette. You and your partner should place the fingers of both hands very lightly on the planchette, or pointer.

7. Move it. Purposely move the planchette around in a circle on the board for a moment or two to get it 'warmed up.'

8. Attitude. Don't let the board control the session. The medium should begin by announcing that the session will only allow an experience that is positive or toward a higher good and that negative energies are not welcome.

9. Begin simply. Start with a simple question, one that requires a yes or no answer.

10. Be patient. You might not begin to get answers right away. Give the board a chance to 'warm up.'

11. Be polite. When the board starts working, thank the board or entities for showing up and communicating with you.

12. Don't ask stupid questions. Avoid questions such as, 'When am I going to die?' If the board answers, 'in 6 months,' you might just worry about it needlessly.

13. Don't ask for physical signs. Many experienced users warn against asking for physical signs that the 'spirit' is real or present.

14. Don't believe everything the board tells you. Just as with any other source of information, don't accept whatever the board says to be the truth or accurate.

15. Close the board. This is an important step. When you're done with your session, slide the planchette to 'GOODBYE' and remove your hands.

Now I want to ask people this...How are some of these instructions different from a modern day paranormal investigation evp session? In a way through evp sessions and some "K2 meter" sessions, paranormal investigators are using scientific equipment the same as they would a Ouija board. And I've heard no one call satanism over that.

I to this day remain a Ouija board skeptic. I have not found any convincing evidence that Ouija boards work effectively without some form of hoaxing. I do not, however, believe that the Ouija board itself is an object of evil. It is what it's user uses it for that makes it evil.

Some people believe Ouija boards open portals that spirits can pass through. I disagree. It's the person, curious and inexperienced with the paranormal that opens these portals and allows spirits to pass through.