by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.
Question: My daughter came to me the other night in tears. She said that, at an overnight party, she had fooled around with a Ouija board. She said that someone at church told her that she had allowed the devil into her life and would now have problems unless she undergoes some sort of special prayer. What is she talking about? What can I do to help her?
There are indeed some groups within various religions who belief that Ouija boards are evil and therefore subject people to various forms of prayer, some of which can be quite traumatic. You might instead consider the following:
- Ask your daughter what, if anything, she "asked" the Ouija board since "answers" can sometimes be disturbing and frightening.
- Help her understand that Ouija board responses are not so much projections of the unconscious but more responses to a highly suggestible atmosphere. For example, to ask the board "Who will I marry?" puts pressure on the person operating within a group to come up with something.
- If your daughter is frightened, you might want to simply pray with her to help her once again feel safe.
- Finally, you may want to discourage your daughter from any further experimentation with the Ouija board.
About the Author:
Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.
Originally published 03/15/98
Revised 05/12/2009 by Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D.
Revised 05/12/2009 by Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D.
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