Protecting Your Teen from Today's Witchcraft: A Parent's Guide to Confronting Wicca and the Occult (Paperback)

INTRODUCTION

WELL, YOU GOT THE COURAGE to pick up this book, and now you're probably wondering what you got yourself into--let alone if you should tell your friends that you're reading a book on witchcraft.

Before we go any further, let me assure you that this book is not meant to scare or alarm you. It's designed to inform and equip you to deal with a very serious issue affecting teens today. The world of witchcraft is a difficult one to navigate through and understand. Parents want practical answers on how to deal with this issue in a sane, reasonable way. And that's why I've written this book.

Parenting has never been tougher or more confusing. And life for our kids is about the same. Every generation has its struggles. There are issues, temptations, and pain that kids must learn to handle. However, it's different for today's teens. The intensity of these struggles is greater and the pace of life is much faster than it's ever been. There's more coming at teens today than any previous generation.

Among other things, they are a generation in search of answers to the spiritual dimension of life. This search can take on many different forms and take them in many different directions--including witchcraft--as they look for power to face the difficult issues of life. About now you may be saying, "Wait a minute, my child would never get involved with witchcraft." Don't be so sure. The influence of witchcraft can be found in many places and forms--everything from comic books to prime-time television. Kids can even learn more about Wicca by taking classes on the Internet. You may also be saying, "What's so bad about Wicca? After all, isn't it about taking care of the environment and helping people to have a sense of direction and belonging? That can't be all bad." Some of the things Wicca stands for are positive. But it's the focus and methodology that we have to be concerned about.

Let's face it: Kids are curious and want to discover things for themselves. You can't force them to believe in God, or anything else, for that matter. They must come to conclusions about life and spirituality on their own. Our job as parents is not only to protect them but also to help guide them in the right direction. We need to provide them with practical resources and a safe place where they can express their thoughts and feelings. Remember, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason: We need to listen twice as much as talk--especially with teenagers!

Read this book with the intention of discussing it with your kids. And you may want to get them a copy of my companion book--What's the Deal With Wicca?--so they can read about it for themselves. Notice I've used the word discuss, not interrogate. And don't panic if you learn something that surprises you in your discussions. Be thankful that your son or daughter is running the risk of sharing their feelings with you. Be patient, understanding, and willing to take the time necessary to work through these issues together. You'll be glad you did!

One final thought. Maybe you, too, have been searching for answers to life in the spiritual dimension and have found yourself turning to witchcraft. I invite you to read this book with an open mind and examine the information provided here. There are real spiritual answers to the challenges of life. Look at the evidence in these pages and see if it makes sense. You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!