7 minute read
The World of Cults and the Occult
By Rev. Larry Nichols
Scene 1.
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“Pastor, my friend Joe is into Wicca. I tried telling him about Jesus. He tells me that Jesus was just a man. He says that Jesus is fine for me, but that he has his own religion.”
“Oh,” I replied. “What else did your friend say?”
“He said that there is no such thing as sin. God is really a goddess! We Wiccans celebrate the life of the planet and believe in the power of magic and the power of ‘whatever.’”
Scene 2.
A message on an answering machine one morning: “Hi Pastor. I won’t be coming to church anymore. I am no longer a Lutheran. I’m a true believer now. I’ve joined Campus Advance.”
Scene 3.
“Pastor, could you help my son Steven? He is in a Dungeons and Dragons cult. He got arrested while role-playing a shoplifter. He wants to get out of it, but his friends threatened to kill him. What can we do?”
Welcome to the world of the cults and the occult. These three scenarios among many more were the beginnings of actual encounters I have had with people over the years. Many young people reading this no doubt have friends who have gotten interested and involved in some cult or occult group.
Cults
Cults are groups that exercise dominance and control over the mind. Many times they have a leader who claims to communicate directly with God. They are not accountable. You cannot ask questions.
The fastest growing cult on college campuses today is Campus Advance. It was originally called the Boston Church of Christ. It then became known as the International Church of Christ. Members are assigned a “discipler” who checks up on them every day, making sure they are praying, planning to come to church etc. When the new member confesses a lapse to the discipler, this information could be used against them later for further discipline or control.
The Occult
The word occult, on the other hand, means “things hidden.” This involves the practice of magic. And under the subject of magic comes Satanism and witchcraft.
Satanism
Satanism is quite different from witchcraft, at least in modern times. 700 years ago, during the middle Ages, some people were accused of being witches by church officials who believed that witches practiced the same craft as Satanists. In today’s world, however, witches are quite different from Satanists. Yet it is important to point out at the same time that all false teaching is inspired by Satan. Jesus said that the devil is a liar and the “father of all lies” (John 8:44). And his biggest lie is his success in convincing many people today that he does not even exist.
There are at least five different types of Satanism. They are called 1. Traditional Satanism; 2. Non-traditional Satanism; 3. Public Satanism; 4.Youth-gang Satanism; and 5. Individual Satanism. Each of these are defined in the accompanying glossary.
Most young people who say that they are “into Satanism,” are usually into the fourth type, or “Youth-gang Satanism.” They grow interested in the symbols and words of satanic bands. They really do not understand real Satanism. Power and rebellion are the important themes, and they usually wear black clothes, experiment with drugs and engage in sexual activity.
Wicca, Paganism, and Witchcraft
Still other young people are involved in Wicca, paganism, and Witchcraft. While Satanism is about being into some form of devil worship, Witches and neo pagans worship “mother-earth.” The life-cycle of the planet is celebrated. The year is divided into “sabbats,” and witches covens gather to celebrate the life and death of the earth with various ritual ceremonies.
Power
Power is the key interest in magic and the occult. For witchcraft, the power sought is the ritual magic to control and manipulate the environment. The great contradiction here is that witches and neo-pagans end up worshipping what they are trying to control. Paul writes that the great sin of the human race is worshipping the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
For Satanists, it is the power of the devil that is sought. But Jesus Christ has it all over on the devil. Jesus said, “All power is given unto me…” (Matthew 28:18) and St. Paul wrote that the Gospel is “the great power” of God (Romans 1:18). In the Bible, demons “tremble” at the very sound of Jesus’ name (James 2:19).
Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead. This is a love and a power far greater than that of the false teachings of cults, the evil of Satan and the idolatry of witchcraft.
How to Help
Interest in the occult is on the rise. How can you help when someone you know is dabbling in a cult or the occult? First, one must earnestly pray for them. Second, learn more about what the Bible has to say about the occult. Show genuine love and concern, and do not be afraid to spend time with and challenge them in the Word. Parents should realize that the less involved they are in the lives of their teens, the more likely they are to “dabble” in the occult.
Above all, remember that the powers of darkness were utterly defeated at the cross. Martin Luther understood this when he wrote the third verse of A Mighty Fortress Is Our God:
Terms to be familiar with in Satanism:
1. Traditional Satanism – The oldest form of Satanism, dating back to the Middle Ages. Traditional Satanists practiced what is known as a “Black Mass.” Because Jesus’ body and blood are present in the Lord’s Supper, traditional Satanists would try to make a mockery of Jesus by offering blood to the devil and uttering curses towards God and Christ. For traditionalists, Satan is real and prayers and service are offered to him.
2. Non-traditional Satanism – A form of Satanism that practices the Black Mass, not so much in order to curse Christ but to shed blood to receive mana or “power.”
3. Public Satanism – A popular form of Satanism started by Anton LaVey. In 1966 LaVey wrote The Satanic Bible. He did not believe in a real devil. Satan was merely a “form” or “symbol” for evil. No black mass is celebrated. Christianity is seen as a religion filled with hypocrites.
4. Youth-gang Satanism – A popular form of Satanism engaged in by most young people who say that they are “into Satanism,” but have no real understanding of traditional Satanism. They are also called “dabblers,” because they are experimenting with the Satanic themes of power and rebellion.
5. Individual Satanism – This form of Satanism is manifested in psychotic and neurotic individuals who claim that the voice of Satan is inspiring their actions. The movie Silence of the Lambs is an example of this form of Satanism.
Terms to be familiar with in Witchcraft and the occult in general:
1. Book of Shadows – A witch’s personal magick text. Also called Grimoires (see below).
2. Coven– The name for the group of witches who gather in a ceremony. Covens are also called groves, nests, or circles.
3. Craft or magical name – The name assigned an initiate to a coven.
4. Divination – Using magick to gain knowledge regarding the past, present or future. There are many forms of divination. The use of Tarot cards, palmreading, horoscopes etc.
5. Goddess worship – just as the name says, the various practices engaged in in worshipping the mother-goddess (in most instances – the earth itself).
6. Grimoires – Magical texts used by witches.The Egyptian Book of the Dead is an example.
7. Magick – the gaining of power to manipulate the environment.The “k” in the spelling was introduced by occultist Aleister Crowley in the early twentieth century to distinguish real magick from slight of hand.
8. Neo-paganism – newer term to describe those who worship nature.
9. Skyclad – performing the occult ritual in the nude.
10. Spiritism – the belief in the power of a medium to contact the dead.
11. Summerland – The place where the soul goes after death. For some it is believed to be a resting place before the soul makes its journey back into another reincarnated life.
12. Wiccans – Another word for witches.
13. Witch – Practitioners of witchcraft. Witches are both male and female.
Rev. Larry Nichols is pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Smithfield, Rhode Island and author of several books about cults and the occult, including Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, which he co-authored with George Mather.
1. See George Mather and Larry Nichols, Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1993).
