Practices
An activity has occultic roots if it involves using "hidden"
power. Be very wary of medical claims that cannot be easily explained
in scientific terms.
Dungeons and Dragons
This is one particular roleplaying game, of which there are many. Most
roleplaying games (whether computer-based, board-games, or primarily
imagination-based) are not occultic or are only very slightly occultic.
However, Dungeons and Dragons is extrememly occultic, using spells within
its games, encouraging players to invent their own spells (complete
with required components and procedure for casting the spells), the
use of familiars and familiar spirits, encouraging worship of false
gods and demons, etc.
Homeopathy
The idea that homeopathic remedies can improve one's health not only
has no current scientific explanation, but there can be no scientific
explanation other than the placebo
effect. This is because homeopathic remedies are minute amounts
of possibly toxic substances that are diluted over and over to the point
where not a single molecule of the original substance remains. There
is no physical or scientific reason why a homeopathic remedy would work,
and studies have shown that they are no more effective than a placebo
(eg, a sugar pill). This does not deter homeopathic practitioners and
believers, who have a blind faith in the claimed power of homeopathy.
Browse through the  Quackwatch
archives for more information or their offshoot Homeowatch.
Keep an eye out for their article
that mentions the $20 million duck - one duck is killed per year by
a certain company and its liver is diluted into US$20 million worth
of products. (That's pretty dilute, by the way.)
The New Zealand Cult List is of the firm opinion there is no published
evidence to support the use of homeopathy as anything other than a placebo
but homeopathy is assigned a Danger rating here
because of the incredible amount of money wasted on it and because the
blind faith that many homeopathy believers place in it causes spiritual
blindness in other areas.
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