Steve Russo. What's the Deal with Wicca?. Bethany House. 2005.

Teens are turning to witchcraft for answers to life's questions. Some have done so because the church has failed to effectively teach what Christians believe and why Christ is the only way of salvation. Russo speaks to high schools across the country and is constantly confronted with teens practicing this ancient religion. He says:

Whether Wiccans do it solo or with a group, Wicca is very personal in the way it's practiced. That's part of the appeal-Wiccans can pick and choose what they want to believe to come up with their own "brand" of Wicca that works right for them. There is on one right way to practice the craft. The religion is what you make of it. [Page 18]

Wow! That sounds like a religion anyone can really get into. Therein lays a significant part of the problem. New Wiccans are advised to learn all about the Gods from different groups but not to combine them into one belief system. These gods come from the Greeks, Romans, Hindus, Egyptians, Buddhists, and Celtics.

Gerald Gardner, an archaeologist studying Southeast Asian's occult practices is credited with beginning the revival of pre-Christian witchcraft in the United States during the 1960s. He emphasized rituals, love of nature, and a general challenging of conventional religions. Wicca has grown ever since and is now featured in books intended for young people-including Harry Potter's books and movies. Wicca is definitely in the mainstream of American life today.

This book is almost frightening to me. I didn't understand just how many people are into Wicca today - including thousands of teenagers. Wicca emphasizes personal power, is friendly to girls, emphasizes care of the environment, provides a sense of belonging, and allows its members to create their own religion.

Recommendation

Parents, Youth leaders, Teachers, and Pastors all need to know the material in What's the Deal with Wicca?. Failure to do so may mean the youth under your leadership try combining Wicca believes with Christian beliefs under the false impression that they are similar.

During the 1970s the high priest for this religion attended a local university. I tried in vain to get my pastor to learn about Wicca and to teach their youth groups about it as a way of protecting them from going down this route. At that time I was considered somewhat offbeat in my ideas. Thirty years later we have English teachers requiring that their students read the Harry Potter books which use witchcraft under the guise of being "magical" as one of their main themes.

I'm really afraid that pastors today are still unwilling or unable to confront the realities of what their youth may be into at school, youth hangouts and parties. It is time for Christian teachers to wake up and confront this challenge before we lose another generation to this false religion.

May I strongly advise you to purchase both this book and Protecting Your Teen from Today's Witchcraft" for help in meeting this serious challenge to Christianity.