Keep the Hearts of this Generation

Understand the Hidden Traps of Wicca

What would you do if you found your teen was being trained to: “Practice the Down-Low”: “keep it secret from your parents…We don’t recommend keeping secrets from your parents but sometimes practicing on the down-low is necessary because of religious differences, or you may feel your parents will think it’s silly. Understand…You will be out on your own soon enough—it won’t hurt you to follow your parents’ rules a little bit longer. Until then, hopefully, these tips will make living under your parents’ roof a little bit easier.”

Wicca is the fastest-growing religion today among high school and college students. The influence of pop culture has made witches and witchcraft appealing to today’s teens. Growing up on Harry Potter books and movies has further opened doors for teens to experience both a curiosity and a familiarity with witchcraft. Increasingly, towns in the heartland of America, once known for their strong Christian heritage, are becoming hotbeds for Wicca, a pagan religion that emphasizes the worship of nature.

Why does it appeal to teens?
Four key words – freedom, control, power, and experience. It’s the “whatever” religion that works perfectly in our relative truth culture. Teens like the freedom that Wicca offers to worship whomever they choose. They also like the idea of being able to control everything about their life – including their destiny. Then comes the issue of power – a lot of teens are looking for it. They want the power to help them feel special, power over their circumstances, and sometimes power to get vengeance over those who’ve hurt them. Wicca is also a very experiential religion.

There is much information out there but it’s good to have a starting point. Their rule contradicts the Golden Rule in Luke 6:31. Wicca Rule: “Do as you will and harm none.” So basically, you can do whatever you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone else or yourself.

*Suggested ways parents can respond when their teens express curiosity?

1. Understand the key differences between Wicca and Christianity?

If you start closely examining the beliefs you will see that their essential concepts – God, truth, reality, the basic problem of humanity and the solution – are very different. By looking at the following brief comparison, you will see why this type of spirituality is so dangerous to believers. That’s why God warns us in His Word to stay away from Wicca and witchcraft.

• Most Wiccans believe in some form of reincarnation. Instead of an endless ‘karma’ witches view reincarnation as something positive that takes the soul upward in its advancement towards godhood. The Bible is very clear when it says we die only once and then we are judged (Hebrews 9:26-28; 2 Peter 2:9).

• The Wiccan view of salvation can be summed up with this statement: “We can open new eyes and see that there is nothing to be saved from; no struggle of life against the universe, no God outside the world to be feared and obeyed.” Christians believe that we are all born with a spiritual terminal disease called sin that causes us to disobey God and go our own willful way. The remedy was Christ’s death on the cross (Romans 3:23, 6:23; Isaiah 59:2; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Peter 3:18).

• Wiccans believe that experience is a more important revelation than any code of belief. Christians believe that the most important revelation of truth is the Bible (Psalm 119:47, 72, 97; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12).

• Wiccans worship the Earth and creation. Christians believe in worshipping the Creator, not the creation (Deuteronomy 4:39; Romans 1:25; Jude 25).

• Wiccans do not believe that Jesus was God in the flesh or creator of the universe. They view Jesus as “a great white witch who knew the Coven of Thirteen.” The key principle that sets Christianity apart from any other religion is the belief that Jesus is God. (Matthew 1:21-23; John 1:1, 14, 18, 8:24; Philippians 2:5,6).

2. Engage in the conversation

Christian parents may have a limited understanding concerning the world of witchcraft. But a growing familiarity among teenagers begs for parents to engage in the conversation and to study and research to understand.

3. Listen, really listen

Don’t be afraid of questions that need answers. Answer your teen’s questions without condemning her curiosity. When you don’t know the answer to a question, help her search for it.

4. Engage culture

Some parents have no clue what’s on their kids’ iPods or iPhones. Carefully research the books, movies, music and religions, such as Wicca, that define your teen’s generation.

5. Talk about the why

Ask your teen why he’s interested in certain books, movies, music, and so on. Have him write out a list of the possible benefits and harmful effects. Encourage him to find Scripture that supports his point of view. Many teens will figure things out on their own if you show them how to reason.

An ongoing line of communication will also help you gauge the influence of peers and social gatherings. Watch to see which friends and activities may encourage your teen to play with a Ouija board or participate in a séance. Talk with your teen to determine how others are influencing her. Keeping the dialogue open is important. It’s equally important not to downplay the serious consequences of dabbling with witchcraft, Alupoaicei says. “If parents see warning signs or discover that their child possesses witchcraft-related paraphernalia (such as Wicca books, spell books, tarot cards, crystals, etc.), they need to discuss the matter with their son or daughter right away.”

Christian parents need to talk with their teens about witchcraft and culture. But they don’t need to fear it. The Bible reminds us, “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”,1 John 4:4. As the parent, you still have the privilege and responsibility of praying for protection and understanding in your teen’s life.

*Focus on the Family, “Why Teens are Attracted to Wicca”