Is the occult killing America?

Hello everybody, this is an excerpt from my book about the 'Folklore of the Occult'. Enjoy!

On October 17, 1999, Roberta Harrington wrote an article for the Sunday Herald addressing a new book that details the sinister aspects of ceremonial magic. Wicked, dark, and evil are just some of the words used to describe this apparent grimoire. As fears arose among conservative religious parents, many wondered whether the book should be thrown out of school and public libraries. One parent wrote in a letter to the Atlanta-Constitution Journal that, "The problem of witchcraft and sorcery exists and is something neither parents or adults should play around with" (Sunday Herald- Oct. 17, 1999). The book of course, was the latest Harry Potter novel by J.K. Rowling. The backlash and controversy surrounding this book led a vocal minority of Americans to suggest burning the work in an attempt to stop dark spiritual forces.

What is it about magic and the occult that is so fearsome in modern society? Why does fascination with the occult lead many conservative Christians to attack books that promote child self-esteem such as the Harry Potter series? Is the occult as dangerous as it seems? These are questions that saturate popular media throughout the world. Books and movies such as Harry Potter fuel the fundamentalist fire and provide a scapegoat for conservative Christians in their war against the devil.

The News-media frequently carries stories about the danger of the occult on children. On November 11, 1997, Peter Jennings ran an episode of World News Tonight that dealt with 'children s fascination with the occult.' The broadcast included an interview with a convicted murderer that claimed occult influence was a leading factor in why he killed his mother and stepfather when he was sixteen years old. According to interviewer Erin Hayes, the murder "happened after he became deeply involved in the occult, in a belief system that worshiped evil and death". The convicted killer stated that he "made decisions based upon  that belief system. If someone hurts you, you hurt them back worse. If someone is in your way, you move them out of  your way, whatever it takes". The broadcast went on to describe how the murderer became 'lost in the occult' and that parents need to keep a sharp eye on the behavior of their children.....

There's a taste of what we'll be discussing in my book and in Magus Magazine. Stay tuned for more excerpts and blogs about all aspects of occult phenomenon!