A new article in “Newsweek” recently caught my attention, talking about a growing number of young people (teens through 30’s) who are interested & participate in the occult/witchcraft. I’ll be honest…most of the time when someone starts talking to me about witchcraft, or the occult, or even the “wiccan” people….I have flashes of this movie play in my head:
But apparently, it’s gotten more hip. At least, in big cities that define “hipness” for the rest of us. I’m not too worried, really. A news-source is supposed to do what it takes to tell stories that sell more copies. Getting the general public worried about witches, or making the average Joe who’s looking for something new that’s socially acceptable….will definitely move issues. Especially around Halloween.
But what caught my attention was toward the end when they had statements from a woman who’d recently moved to Brooklyn. First she says, “It’s embarrassing to admit you’re religious….But I think a lot of people my age are sick of being nihilistic. Spirituality is a lot cooler.” (nihilism = believes values are baseless, and nothing can be known…denies all established authority and institutions)
So she and many others in our culture have thankfully come to realize the result of nihilism…and how empty that approach is to…well, anything. But to jump from that to the trendiness of a vague “spirituality” definitely seems to be the move our culture is making. Whether you follow this article as highlighting an actual trend, or you look out your window…we know people are searching for “something”….and it’s much more socially acceptable to keep calling it “something” than Jesus.
Unfortunately, we find a result toward the end of her interview…as she follows up with: “It’s hard to say if anyone is actually invested in any of this occult stuff they meddle in…it almost devastates me to say this, but daily life can be so mundane. Applying thematics of epicness to your life makes it more exciting.”
It’s amazing how spot on she is, and yet because of her rejection of “traditional religion”, she’s missing out on the “epicness” of a life lived for Christ, and joining God in His story of redemption/New Creation.
More than anything, her statements and this article can be an encouraging invitation. Our world is recognizing now more than ever the internal desire to be a part of something much grandeur than ourselves. Something powerful. Something that I can actually live for…instead of just wait to die for. May we, our families, and our churches continue to be places where the story of God is happening in ways that testify to the power of His Spirit…the Love of God….and the New Creation possible in Jesus Christ. No goat-leggings required. 🙂
words from wick 