Heather Hogan
>From the dawn of Christianity there have been accounts of “witches” and “fortune- tellers” being stoned to death or burnt at the stake. At times churches even considered playing cards the devil’s tools and tarot card readers his disciples.
Following this week’s launch of the SoulTidings Truth Cards, tarot cards based on the Bible, all this appears set to change – though not without controversy.
Susan Marais, creator of the Truth Cards, says her cards only resemble the tarot and are meant for fun and guidance from God, not divination. Like the tarot, each card has several meanings. The tarot’s customary suits – wands, cups, swords and pentacles – have been replaced by light, doves, eagles and thorns. Each card is explained in a guide book complete with verses and explanations out of the Bible.
“Religion is supposed to be fun. These cards will bring excitement and fantasy back into religion while exploring the word of God. There are many people seeking more and this will give it to them. These cards can’t tell you the future, but they can give you advice for the here and now.”
Marais also believes her truth cards will prevent Christians from going to fortune-tellers and getting ripped off.
The guide book instructs that before laying out the cards in one of 10 specified spreads, you should say a prayer of guidance. The card read the right side up is a “blessing” while the card read the wrong side up is a “challenge”.
Marais’s efforts are supported by Dr Berni van Zijl, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church; Reverend Pieter Greyling, a minister of the Methodist Church; Father Hyacinth Ennis, a lecturer in moral theology from the Roman Catholic Church; and several churches who prefer not to publicise their approval.
“It is a rather unusual way of spreading the Good News but I have the impression that it will catch on in certain quarters, notably in places where it might not have normally prospered,” says Ennis.
Not all churches were supportive of SoulTidings. Pastoral assistant Gabi Schafer of the Baptist Church in Florida said: “All of our churches are like individuals and one cannot speak for another. I cannot see our church supporting these cards, though, as they are far too similar to tarot cards and we can never support that.”