What’s the Deal with Wicca? Mind and Media Review
Steve Russo has one of the most compassionate hearts for today’s teens that I have ever seen. Having spoken with hundreds of well-meaning kids who have been deceived by what Wicca promises, Russo is evidently and deeply concerned about these young adults and wants the rest of us to be as well. The book What’s the Deal with Wicca? is primarily written for teens who are involved with witchcraft.
Much is packed into this small voume, but to summarize, Steve explains the many facets and variations of Wicca. Essentially Wicca is a create-your-own type religion that offers the ever-appealing power and control over ones life. It opened my eyes to how prevalent elements of witchcraft are in our consumer society. As benign as they may seem on the store shelves, those t-shirts with “goddess” printed on them are quite meaningful to certain consumers. I also now see why those magnetic “power bead” bracelets are everywhere. To some, they are more than just trendy jewelry. The popularity of crystals, pretty stones, herbs, candles and so on are not just due to their tranquil beauty. There is a large spiritual demand for these items in our culture, much of it stemming from the practice of Wicca.
Steve briefly explains the history and clearly details the various practices within Wicca. He addresses how Wicca claims to promote the value of women and the environment. He acknowledges the human hunger and thirst we have for control and power over the circumstances in our lives. He explains the appeal of being able to build your own gods and goddesses and practice a religion that fits your personality/lifestyle. But he quickly aims at the heart of the matter when he asks,
If we design and make our own gods (deities), they are actually smaller and less powerful than we are. So if we think logically, they are no real value or help to us. We need a God that is bigger than us, one that we can turn to for guidance and power to deal with the difficult issues of life. How big is your God?
Steve does a lot of comparing and contrasting Wicca with Christianity. He covers the many reasons that people are attracted to Wicca and provides Biblical responses to each. This book hopes to cause followers of Wicca to double check their hearts and motives, ask deeper questions, and lead them to the Lord in an evangelical model. Obviously that does not answer all their needs and desires. Those involved with witchcraft are searching for so much more than just the basic biblical answers to to life. They need a relationship with their Creator that only a lifetime of relationship with Him can give them. They need that relationship and discipleship, healing prayer and growth.
Therefore, I am thankful for the way that Russo addresses the young Christian reader specifically. My experience with non-Christian teens and young adults these days tells me that they’ve already heard the basic Sunday school anwers to life and found them lacking in the lives of those who claim to be Christ’s followers. The author is an excellent model of respect and compassion as he provides 12 practical tips to reaching someone who practices witchcraft. Foremost, he reminds Christians that being used by God to rescue someone from any sort of darkness takes commitment, patience and sensitivity. He encourages friends to find common ground, be knowledgeable about Wicca and the differences in Chrisitanity, be open and honest about their faith and to be bold in talking about what Jesus has done in their lives. His advice reminds me of 1Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
Russo ends his book with group discussion questions and a glossary of terms for equipping believers to reach out to those involved with Wicca. One criticism I’ve heard about this book is that it could have been better organized. Steve does seem to switch back and forth between addressing those involved with Wicca and those trying to help. However, I’ve heard Life On the Edge - Live, and my theory is that Russo has talked to too many kids who claim to be Christians and witches at the same time. Despite any organizational challenge, in that light, the contents of this book is an invaluable resource for teens, youth workers, parents or anyone concerned about witchcraft.
Note: This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher through Mind and Media for the purpose of this review.
December 23rd, 2005 at 10:05 am
I am not really sure whether I should address this to yourself or to author of the book. Like many wiccans and practitioners of the craft, I am sure, it was the title that peeked my interest, however, I was sorely dissapointed to see that, once again, we are dealing with an author that is not so much interested in providing his reader with a critical and objective analysis of a serious topic but with someone who seems to be concerned with spreading his point of view, regardless of the facts, and targeting this specifically at youth.
I cannot claim to be unbiased since I am speaking in defence of Wicca and its practice. However, what dissapoints me is that Russo seems to speak with authority about the fundemental aspects of Wicca and the craft yet its the very basic issue which, in support of his argument, he gets wrong. Wiccans have never ‘created’ their own gods. Neither do we seek to assert our wills against that of God or Nature.
In all things we seek harmony, peace and balance. In general we do not advertise ourselves nor do we seek desciples of the The Craft, whether they be young or old. I have no issue with Christianity infact I believe that all Gods are One. However I have a big issue with people who claim to be presenting truth when it seems obvious atleast to myself that they have an agenda.
As a young person I would suggest to the author that he make himself clear, state his argument and have the courage to do so openly and honestly from the outset. I would also suggest that, if he puts himself forward as an authority on a topic, that he get the facts straight and not put forward the argument that he knows what is going on in my head or what I would need in order to be converted. I am sure you have the best of intentions but you are making rather dangerous generalisations about issues that are sacred to myself and that, frankly, I find offensive.