The problem of Witchcraft/Paganism

[Tyuiop411]

Okay this has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that so many teenagers are flocking onto Witchcraft(Wicca especially) and Paganism? Im in my last year in High School and i as far as i can tell theres no sign of it letting up, I even lost my closest friend to it for a while. So in conclusion what can we do whether were in High School or not to reverse this trend or at least bring it to a halt?

 

[AdrianP]

The problem resides in lack of religious education. Also TV programs like Harry Potter pushes young people there. TV, Media are means of communication and if for centuries Church was the master of communication and education, most books were printed by Church, media now Media is out of control with bad consequences.

 

[Publisher]

I think many young people are seeking to “find their own way”. I think they see a lack of…“integrity” or “integration” of established belief systems and daily life…many young people see religion as something their elders do one day a week…they see religious beliefs “separate” from “real life” that really make no real change in the practitioners daily life.

I think many young people are attracted to Neo-paganism as it affords them the opportunity to explore spiritual traditions their parents never considered. I think Neo-paganism gives some young people a sense of empowerment over their lives that established faith traditons don’t offer OR that while offering a sense of empowerment, it really isn’t something taught.

Many young people are indiviualistic…and no longer feel a “connection” to their parents religious beliefs.

Many Birthright Friends face similar things “cradle Catholics” face…namely a sense that the family religious beliefs really make no difference…someone said “A little religion is like getting a flu shot…it keeps you from getting the real thing.” Young people are looking for the “Real thing”…and Neopaganism is offering them the tools to find it…real or imagined.

Young people are growing up in a “pluralistic” society and are looking to “belong”…Neo-paganism gives them an “identity”.

 

[Tyuiop411]

I think many young people are seeking to “find their own way”. I think they see a lack of…“integrity” or “integration” of established belief systems and daily life…many young people see religion as something their elders do one day a week…they see religious beliefs “separate” from “real life” that really make no real change in the practitioners daily life.

I think many young people are attracted to Neo-paganism as it affords them the opportunity to explore spiritual traditions their parents never considered. I think Neo-paganism gives some young people a sense of empowerment over their lives that established faith traditons don’t offer OR that while offering a sense of empowerment, it really isn’t something taught.

Many young people are indiviualistic…and no longer feel a “connection” to their parents religious beliefs.

Many Birthright Friends face similar things “cradle Catholics” face…namely a sense that the family religious beliefs really make no difference…someone said “A little religion is like getting a flu shot…it keeps you from getting the real thing.” Young people are looking for the “Real thing”…and Neopaganism is offering them the tools to find it…real or imagined.

Young people are growing up in a “pluralistic” society and are looking to “belong”…Neo-paganism gives them an “identity”.

I was thinking along the same lines as you here. The best i’ve been able to do is to keep my close friends out of it (i actually got one of them to enroll in RCIA the same time i did)

 

[TheosisM]

I did dabble in Wicca and Neo-paganism in general in high school. I also knew a former Episcopalian that turned to Wicca in high school as well. I think that there are a number of attractions of Witchcraft to teenagers. First is the magic! With magic/witchcraft, the power rests within yourself, and you can cause changes in reality, instead of relying on God through prayer. Wiccans and other neo-pagans do pray, however many will also do magic, and although they may believe that the power comes from the God and Goddess, it’s still the individual that wields it to cause various changes. This is attractive to adolescents, who want to be individuals and special and unique (oh, you worship the Trinity? Everyone does that. I worship the Goddess!). This is also related to the attraction to more serious forms of occult, such as ceremonial magic, where you believe that you can actually summon demons, angels, and sometimes gods. This is all very attractive to teens, who want to do things for themselves, and not rely on others.

I do believe that, like in any religion, there are many that fervently believe in Wicca, and aren’t just dabbling. However, witchcraft does have various attractions that play (unintentionally) on the goals and ideas of many teenagers.

It’s also fun when people try to combine Christianity (usually Catholicism) with Wicca. Christian Wicca. I’m sure many of these people began as Christians and are now conflicted.

 

[NoWings]

It’s also fun when people try to combine Christianity (usually Catholicism) with Wicca. Christian Wicca. I’m sure many of these people began as Christians and are now conflicted.

There is absolutely no reason to ever combine the two. Christianity already has parallels to pretty much anything paganism has, with volumes of commentary from Church Fathers, Church Doctors, Theologians, and so forth.

Wicca is nothing but Catholicism with no clergy and a different view of the divine which focuses on natural cycles.

 

[jpk1313]

I was into the pagan stuff amd much much worse for 13 years and it was all about power. The occult will cause you to end up either insane a drug addict or dead or all three. it poisens the soul and destroys the heart turning you into a sociopath who feels no compasion for others (i speak from experience). pusuing power over others whether for good or ill will drive you to dominate and possess others it all starts small but if you do it long enough it will drive you into the darkest of sins. there is a reason god called it an abomination he was not just making rules for rules sake. if jesus did not come into my life when he did I would be either in jail (again) in a mental hospital, down in the gutter with a heroin addiction (probably-when jesus came to me I was serously considering taking it) or dead. Look at the most influental occultst of the past century alister crowly he died poor, addicted to both heroin and cocain and complety insane. The only way to reach these kids getting into this stuff is to show them a better way. the church needs a revival of the old school mystical way like what st. john of the cross or teresa of avila or the spiritual exersises of st ignatus of loyola those guys helped save me from drifting back into the occult.

 

[enfantdelune]

I love these questions.

I am an ex-Pagan/ex-Wiccan and I figured I’d throw in my two cents as to why it attracts young (mostly female) people.

1. Power. Young girls (and boys) often feel that they have no control over anything in their life. Their parents make decisions for them, their teachers make decisions for them, and their church makes decisions for them. They are longing to be able to make decisions for themselves and Paganism/Wicca offers a promise of being able to control your life through “spellcrafting” and worshipping the Goddess.
2. Singularity. Many high school aged folk don’t want to worship in a congregation because they prefer to be alone. All the time. Paganism/Wicca affords them the ability to sit in their room and worship on their own terms, without anyone telling them what to say and when. Writing your own prayers/spells is actually preferred.
3. The “Old Ways.” Here is the kicker - Paganism/Wicca is evangelized (YES, I said it - though every Wiccan will affirm that they don’t seek out new members… they ‘advertise’ in other ways…) to young people by claiming that their beliefs/practices pre-date Christianity and organized church religions so they MUST be the RIGHT ways. Young folk are longing for a foundation… even though Wicca was ACTUALLY founded in the 1950’s by Gerald Gardner.

So… the real problem here is that these young folks are falling into Witchcraft/Paganism and not doing their homework. Trust me - I was one of them. It took me years to get out. It all starts innocently. They’ll read Llewellyn books, Cunningham books, etc. Books with titles in pink glitter claiming they’re full of “Spells for the Teen Witch.” Need more allowance money? Want that cool boy to like you? Here’s how!

So then, these teen “witches” get older. Now Paganism/Witchcraft becomes something else. Why? Because at 20, 21, 22 years old - you don’t care about whether or not the captain of the football team asks you out. You’re looking for peace. So, the new draw of Paganism is that it’s a “Nature Religion” attuned with the cycles of the earth. You can meditate on ancient Goddesses and Gods, do ‘cleansing’ rituals, and make mead. All good stuff, right? Well, just like the teen ‘witches,’ these young-adult ‘witches’ are ALSO not doing their homework. Trust me - I was one of them.

At some point… most people that are in this black hole of ‘faith’ decide they really MUST figure out what this religion is ACTUALLY all about. So maybe they pick up The Gardinerian Book of Shadows. They’re still confused. They read Crowley. Margaret Murray. Frazier’s Golden Bough. They will reach and reach and reach for some actual link to “the Old Ways.” But… it’s not there. It doesn’t exist. It’s a fabrication.

In fact… from experience. When you dig into all of these more and more bizarre texts on the occult… something funny happens. The deeper you dig and the further down the road you go, you start to find something. You find… Freemasonry. You find Rosicrucianism. You find the Knights Templar. You find the Priory of Sion. Then you find… the Catholic Church. And allllll of these heretical texts teach you one thing: they all stem from those who fell away from God and the Catholic Church. That’s right: Fell Away From God and the Catholic Church. These young Pagans/Wiccans will come to realize… their religion is not founded on God. It’s founded on anti-God. And there is the real relevation.

So - what IS THE FOUNDATION that we’re all looking for at the bottom of the pile, holding up all of humanity? That’s right - the Catholic Church.

It took me years of searching and reading and learning to find it. And I came home.

So, my suggestion then, and sorry to ramble a little, is to encourage them to actually dig into what they call their faith. Ask questions - and don’t take fluffy answers. If they tell you they’re following the Old Gods - ask them for proof. Tell them to read - A LOT. Bring them the texts. Tell them that if they want to follow this path - they should at least understand it. Because to fully understand is to fully believe.

You’ll find, they’ll find, and I found that following this path all the way to the truth leads you where all paths in LIFE should lead you: Home. All roads truly do lead to Rome.

Here’s a good place to start to send them looking for answers… but be patient… it may take a while: sacred-texts.com/index.htm

 

[Maria65]

Enfantdelune, thank you, that was a very well-thought-out and informative post!

Just one request: that green font is a little hard to read. Some of us don’t have young eyes anymore.

Welcome to CAF!

 

[enfantdelune]

I know! I actually tried to switch the font back to black… and it didn’t work. Sorry! (Oops)

 

[Loveday220]

The problem resides in lack of religious education. Also TV programs like Harry Potter pushes young people there. TV, Media are means of communication and if for centuries Church was the master of communication and education, most books were printed by Church, media now Media is out of control with bad consequences.

I know a lot of young people who absolutely adore the Harry Potter series, and not one of them became Wiccan/Pagan because of it. In fact, almost all of them are firm, faithful Catholics. Blaming the current interest in Wicca on Harry Potter is inaccurate–Wicca has been growing by leaps and bounds for at least twenty years now, it all started growing long before HP came onto the scene. In fact, most Wiccans would probably laugh at the assertion that Harry Potter has caused their ranks to grow.

Enfantdelune said:

I am an ex-Pagan/ex-Wiccan and I figured I’d throw in my two cents as to why it attracts young (mostly female) people…

Your entire post was fantastic, Enfant! Very informative. You clearly know from whence you speak.

 

[Publisher]

I think there is “pop-Wicca” just like there is “pop-Christianity”.

I am very good friends with a Wiccan couple…they have been involved in Wicca for longer than I have been a Friend…I’m almost 55 and I joined my first Meeting at 19.

We’ve discussed “religious experience” many long nights over dinner, drinks, a crackling fire, soft music and lots of laughter.

My male friend became interested in “the Craft” when he was in his late teens. His fundamentalist family’s religion didn’t “speak to his condition”. He was searching for “something”…he just didn’t know what he was searching for. He visited an occult bookstore and picked up a few books on Satanism by Anton LaVey…they left him “dead and dry inside”. He searched and one day met a young lady who called herself a “witch” and belonged to a coven. He studied for the traditional “year and a day” and also joined…they eventually were “handfasted” and now have four great children…all grown except for the youngest who just entered college…and who all practice “the Craft”.

In their early days they “bought into” the whole “ancient, burning times, pre-date Christianity” myth propagated in the 60’ & 70’s. They both learned much about the origin of modern Wicca and neither they nor their coven…nor any of their associates embrace the myth of Wicca being a “continuation” of an ancient undergroud established religion.

They consider themselves more “Reconstructionist”…modern Wicca has it’s roots in the works of Gerald Gardner and Alex Sanders. For my friends, modern Christianity has left them cold with no anchor to give stability and strength for their lives. Wicca does. To them Wicca/Paganism has it’s roots that go back to the oldest of times…they draw upon the Celtic myths and stories and seek to “reconstruct” a faith that offers meaning to their lives. Modern Wicca isn’t as concerned with “ancient lines and lineages” nor in claiming they have any witch version of “apostolic succession”.

It is a nature religion…they seek to “connect” to the rhythm of the Earth and feel the ebbs and tides of nature’s cycles. While some Wiccans believe the Gods and Goddesses are actual beings…not all Wiccans do. My friends believe the Gods are human manifestations of a Great Oneness that seeks to express Itself in creation…those beings humans call “Gods” take their forms and myth from the human psyche as this Great Oneness uses…manifests Itself in the consciousness of humanity…the “Gods” are both “constructs” and “Beings” beyond comprehension and imagination…but that “part” we understand…communicate with…perceive are in the form of our various Gods and Goddesses…even the “Christian God”.

The Wiccans who are serious about their faith don’t really prostyletize…but they are always looking for those who are seeking to be “set on the Path”. Wicca has no dogma…but uses “psycho drama” in the form of rituals, thought forms and “spells”…to promote change in their individual lives and seek “oneness” with their natural world…and they use the ancient myths and beliefs…as best they can “reconstruct” to find their Way.

They are facinated by my Quaker beliefs…we employ no rituals or ordinances…we have no chants or liturgical prayers…we have no clergy nor “ordained” priesthood to seek guidence from…but seek the Divine Presence and discern His will in community…imperfectly to be sure…it is at this point my friends and I have “connected”…I recognize “that of God” within them…The Light Within seeks to manifiest a life of love and peace in them and uses whatever belief system…no matter how imperfect…to bring them to Himself…perhaps that is why I do not see “witches and warlocks” in them…but souls seeking to find that Divine Center we all seek.

 

[redhen]

To them Wicca/Paganism has it’s roots that go back to the oldest of times…they draw upon the Celtic myths and stories and seek to “reconstruct” a faith that offers meaning to their lives.

I think this is a big part of the draw of neo-Paganism, the fact that no one knows for sure how the ancients practiced their religions means everyone is free to interpret or reconstruct them however they please.

Another point that seems to be missed is the attraction of neo-Paganism to white racialists. There is a strong ethnic component in some of the Astaru type religions.

 

[Publisher]

I think this is a big part of the draw of neo-Paganism, the fact that no one knows for sure how the ancients practiced their religions means everyone is free to interpret or reconstruct them however they please.

Another point that seems to be missed is the attraction of neo-Paganism to white racialists. There is a strong ethnic component in some of the Astaru type religions.

A friend of mine, who I have been close with for over 20 years, is a prison psychologist and deals with many mental health issues of some of the prison population. He has remarked that some of the “skin-head” type inmates do use the symbology of the the Asatru groups especially the tattoos they decorate themselves with.

However the Neo-pagan population of the prison have little to do with them. There are Neo-pagan “chaplains”, one Wiccan and one Asatru that helps the inmates organize and conduct their rituals. These “chaplains” have held discussion groups of interested Pagan inmates…invariably there are “neo-nazi” types who try to dominate the group by talks of racial purity…they are not well received by the Neo-pagan population…no more than those of the “KKK” are well regarded by the Christian groups.

 

[mangy_dog]

I did dabble in Wicca and Neo-paganism in general in high school. I also knew a former Episcopalian that turned to Wicca in high school as well. I think that there are a number of attractions of Witchcraft to teenagers. First is the magic! With magic/witchcraft, the power rests within yourself, and you can cause changes in reality, instead of relying on God through prayer. Wiccans and other neo-pagans do pray, however many will also do magic, and although they may believe that the power comes from the God and Goddess, it’s still the individual that wields it to cause various changes. This is attractive to adolescents, who want to be individuals and special and unique (oh, you worship the Trinity? Everyone does that. I worship the Goddess!). This is also related to the attraction to more serious forms of occult, such as ceremonial magic, where you believe that you can actually summon demons, angels, and sometimes gods. This is all very attractive to teens, who want to do things for themselves, and not rely on others.

I do believe that, like in any religion, there are many that fervently believe in Wicca, and aren’t just dabbling. However, witchcraft does have various attractions that play (unintentionally) on the goals and ideas of many teenagers.

It’s also fun when people try to combine Christianity (usually Catholicism) with Wicca. Christian Wicca. I’m sure many of these people began as Christians and are now conflicted.

All this wicca paganism has one source and one source only - Lucifer and the demons.

There is no “magic”, “magick” or magique’ that doesn’t have the one and same source - it is thru the demons of hell.

The fancy philosophy draws the attention away from the nefarious fact that it is all of the devil.

There is no power within you except the life-sustaining gift of Jesus Christ…His word alone sustains us in existence.

It is a delusion to believe the seduction of power and control inherent in all diabolical systems of belief.

It is sad to hear about so many young (and not so young) people being duped by the demons into thinking that “they have magical powers and abilities”. How sad, casualties of war.

Domine Iesu, dimite nobis debita nostra, salva nos ab igni inferiori, perduc in caelum omnes animas, presertim eas quae misericordiae tua maxime indigent. Amen.

 

[Smart30]

Okay this has been bugging me for a while. Why is it that so many teenagers are flocking onto Witchcraft(Wicca especially) and Paganism? Im in my last year in High School and i as far as i can tell theres no sign of it letting up, I even lost my closest friend to it for a while. So in conclusion what can we do whether were in High School or not to reverse this trend or at least bring it to a halt?

A great friend of mine who was a Christian lost his first and second wife, because of this he has lost all faith in God and instead has become a Wicca-follower. I admit to almost throwing up when he told me this. I took the time to try and help him, but he would have none of it.

I’ve never met him in real life since he lives in Georgia, but I pray he comes to know God again.

I have no greater hatred than the hatred I have of Paganism.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

It is sad to hear about so many young (and not so young) people being duped by the demons into thinking that “they have magical powers and abilities”. How sad, casualties of war.

Tell me where these kids live. I’ll give them a big nasty wake up call to reality.

-signed-

A well-meaning avid RPG gamer, anime enthusiast, and aspiring fantasy novelist who just happens to have good ground in Christian morality and furthermore, real life.

 

[debradee]

Hello everyone, I am new here and this is my first post. It’s a long story so I hope it will capture your attention long enough for a reply. Sorry if it is long winded.

I have an 18 year old daughter that has had a very hard life. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 11. She had to be home schooled for a few years because of medication resistance and terrible side effects from different meds. Because of this and some traumatic events involving her father (He is not a nice person and we are divorced) She also had to spend a few short periods of time in a psychiatric hospital.

Unfortunately because of the stigma of this disorder and her sporadic schooling she has had a very difficult time making friends and the friends she has made have been very bad choices.

She is now taking a GED class so she can go on to college.

Now to the point. She met a 17 year old young man in the GED class. She discovered he was a self proclaimed witch/pagan since the age of 10 and she didn’t take it seriously. She thought it was just a fad and kind of “stupid”. she didn’t take it seriously and neither did I. After about 2 weeks he started wearing a GIANT pentagram medallion around his neck and carried a knife visible to all on his belt. This started to bother her a great deal. He also claimed that Vampires and Werewolves were real. He went ghost hunting and claimed to have conversations with them. He also had conversations with bugs and trees.

She was having very conflicting thoughts at this point. And I believed out of desperation of having a friend she ignored this odd behavior.

Then, out of the blue he called one night claiming to have cut himself severely (this wasn’t true - it was just a scratch). He then started to become violent in front of her - stabbing trees, stop signs and his walls with his knife. Pulling up small trees by there roots etc…He then began to talk down to her and Scream at the top of his lungs for example “SHUT THE F… UP SWEETIE!!!” and after she confronted him he told her that this wasn’t being angry or abusive. That it was “just being passionate and not yelling or shouting or getting mad” he would do this again and again until finally my son and I had to intervene. Enough was enough. My son talked to her about the paganism and the verbal abuse and I spoke to her about the fact that this wasn’t a joke to him especially after she told me some very disturbing abominations he was willing to do to other people because of his paganistic beliefs.

She broke up with him. Yay

After this, he found her talking on instant messenger and made claims that she had called him and spoken to him about an apology and other things that had never happened. I think he was playing mind games trying to scare her with his “Witchiness”.

My daughter is freaking out. She thinks she is going to Hell because of this. She’s gone to our church everyday praying. I don’t believe this for a minute and I tell her everyday.

I told her to go to confession. It would make her feel much better. I’m going to do this myself for I feel I let this go on way to long. I thought the fact that she is Catholic that the example of her goodness would help steer him back onto the right track.

This kids giant medallion/knife gave me the creeps. I couldn’t even look at him in the eye. I didn’t realize how far gone into paganism he was until it was at the expense of my daughter.

Sorry this is sooooooo long. Forgive me. I hope it makes sense and would love some kind of feedback if anyone can give it.

 

[NoWings]

I’m sorry for your plight and I hope your daughter’s mental condition improves.

I’m going to be doing a lot of assuming. I would assume that this young man doesn’t have a lot of friends and when he is around people, is either made of or just tends to hang off by himself. He’s probably a bit dorky, likely intelligent, and has a very hard time talking to girls.

He probably has dreams of being the powerful wizard in the tower. He daydreams of having a bunch of little apprentices who look up to him for arcane lore.

So, basically, he’s playing make believe. I can guess this because I used to be that way when I was young, but due to my agnostic tendencies, I couldn’t go that far with it. Just like I can’t go far with any other belief system.

He’s probably wanting to terrify her to feel powerful and for her to realize how awesomely cool he is.

He’s a nobody. He’ll be in church after he goes through his atheistic phase next… which is coming.

Just hold her close and tell her to find a good dude.

 

[debradee]

I would assume that this young man doesn’t have a lot of friends and when he is around people, is either made of or just tends to hang off by himself. He’s probably a bit dorky, likely intelligent, and has a very hard time talking to girls.

.

I think you got it exactly right except for the fact that he has a lot of friends but they are all girls, not guys. Not dorky but yes, very intelligent.

Other than that I hope you are right for his sake. My daughter says thank you and I thank you also!