Catholics helping others leave cults

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debbidoobie

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I would like to find information on solid Catholic groups helping people leave cults. I don’t want to rely on an internet search because that would not tell me if the group promoted beliefs in communion with the Magisterum.

Thanks to Harry Potter as well as fantasy literature/anime, my daughter’s high school has a strong and growing Wiccan and neo-pagan influence. I would like to find cult intervention specialists that can provide me with information on how to wean her from this or, if necessary, provide counseling. Since we live in the NW, even organizations located in British Columbia would be helpful.

Thank you and God bless,

Debra
 
I’ll get some exact names, but I wouldn’t be so quick to blame it on Ms. Rowling and her characters. Harry is a little tame for the average high school student.

And what exactly do you mean by “fantasy literature”? StarTrek? Lord of the Rings? Narnia? Greek myths? Black Magician? Scott Card? Chris Paolini? Issac Asimov? Those are all considered fantasy literature. Some have a definite black side. Some are simply escapist literature or political commentary disguised as sci-fi/ fantasy (StarshipTroopers). Some are Christian or even Catholic in content. Some are good reading, and some were never made for teenagers. Some are just atrocious.

First and foremost- Are you sure she just isn’t trying to pull your chain? Too many teenagers are. My nephew pulled my sister’s, his mother’s, just for the pleasure of watching her react. Much to her regret, my daughter was never good at it. Yet, she still had to try it.

And if she’s still in high school and still under your roof, then you have the power to put your foot down if you feel she is a practicing Wiccan NOW. You do NOT have to have all the trappings, such as tarot cards, ouijia boards, pentagrams, spell books and other things in your home, period.

So- Exactly what is it, without getting into too many gory details, that has you thinking your daughter is into Wiccan?
 
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debbidoobie:
Thanks to Harry Potter as well as fantasy literature/anime, my daughter’s high school has a strong and growing Wiccan and neo-pagan influence. Debra
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I couldn’t help but respond to this, hopefully you won’t take it personally.

Have you considered that maybe she has a friend or two who are into Wicca? When I was in highschool I dabbled in Buddhism mostly to piss off my hardcore Protestant father, but also because I felt I was being pushed into Christianity by my father. He “forced” me to go to youth group on tuesdays, bible study thursdays, sunday church, etc.

If you are “forcing” your daughter to attend more church functions than Sunday mass when she doesn’t want to, then she may just be using Wicca to shock you or piss you off because she is mad.
 
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OutinChgoburbs:
I’ll get some exact names, but I wouldn’t be so quick to blame it on Ms. Rowling and her characters. Harry is a little tame for the average high school student.

And what exactly do you mean by “fantasy literature”? StarTrek? Lord of the Rings? Narnia? Greek myths? Black Magician? Scott Card? Chris Paolini? Issac Asimov? Those are all considered fantasy literature. Some have a definite black side. Some are simply escapist literature or political commentary disguised as sci-fi/ fantasy (StarshipTroopers). Some are Christian or even Catholic in content. Some are good reading, and some were never made for teenagers. Some are just atrocious.

First and foremost- Are you sure she just isn’t trying to pull your chain? Too many teenagers are. My nephew pulled my sister’s, his mother’s, just for the pleasure of watching her react. Much to her regret, my daughter was never good at it. Yet, she still had to try it.

And if she’s still in high school and still under your roof, then you have the power to put your foot down if you feel she is a practicing Wiccan NOW. You do NOT have to have all the trappings, such as tarot cards, ouijia boards, pentagrams, spell books and other things in your home, period.

So- Exactly what is it, without getting into too many gory details, that has you thinking your daughter is into Wiccan?
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I am well aware of the fantasy literature genre and so apologize that I did not take time to go into great detail about that. I specifically mentioned the subgroup that most fascinates kids today and is most marketed toward them, which is that fantasy literature that pertains/involves true occult practices and demonology. Many of the examples you mentioned are excellent literature.

I appreciate your further comments as well, and recognize that I have ministered to teens in one way or another for many years so am well aware of this 🙂 Occult beliefs are extremely strong in our part of the country and particularly smaller towns. For example, I walked into a very popular book reseller downtown and the books on his counter were occult mysticism and occult meditation. The books on the shelves in his entry way were “fantasy literature” but the demonology subgroup. Anything worthwhile was housed way in the back. Similarly, our most popular new book seller in town has an unusually high amount of kids books that are based in witchcraft and demonology (and aren’t the cute witch stories we heard growing up).

Now with the background, my original question was to obtain resources for cult interventionists, particularly wiccan but any will do, so that I may reacquaint myself with the theory, approaches, etc. This will give me tools to influence kids one-by-one and hopefully prevent them from getting pulled into this way of thinking.

By the way, Teen Witch is purported as the fastest selling magazine in this country in all venues/ages.

:>)
 
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Travesty:
I couldn’t help but respond to this, hopefully you won’t take it personally.

Have you considered that maybe she has a friend or two who are into Wicca? When I was in highschool I dabbled in Buddhism mostly to piss off my hardcore Protestant father, but also because I felt I was being pushed into Christianity by my father. He “forced” me to go to youth group on tuesdays, bible study thursdays, sunday church, etc.

If you are “forcing” your daughter to attend more church functions than Sunday mass when she doesn’t want to, then she may just be using Wicca to shock you or piss you off because she is mad.
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I appreciate your concern but can assure you that isn’t going on here. We don’t have that kind of relationship, and there are other issues at play, as widely diverse as her own brain chemistry and the culture of our community, which certainly affects the situation.

Hers is the more common path, where people of all ages get pulled into acceptance, then understanding, then eventually have their “firm religious values” pulled out from under them without even knowing it or being able to identify the causes to rectify their change (they simply feel “lost”). I am sure each reader here has known or been aware of many adults who fall into this path. It can even happen in the workplace when we are in a job for a long period of time and develop a peer group…influence changes attitudes and can, ultimately, cause weakening of value systems.

As for my daughter, she has wisened up and become more focused on the type of friends with whom she associates, but just like zillions of other people of all ages, she could easily be pulled back into relativism again. My original post was for information on cult interventionist groups so that I can become reacquainted with this area of service/battle again. It would be nice if the administrators of this site might provide some information as it seems the readers (as myself) do not have this.

Thanks again and God bless 🙂
 
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debbidoobie:
It would be nice if the administrators of this site might provide some information as it seems the readers (as myself) do not have this.
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Considering the sheer volume of posts on this forum, it is likely that the administrators have no idea of your question and need.

Have you tried posing this question in the Ask an Apologist forum? If they don’t answer you, there are ways to contact Catholic Answers directly. I am sure you will find the info you need…you might just need to dig a bit deeper.

Malia
 
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