Doorways to Danger – Leader’s Guide

Vision Video

P.O. Box 540, Worcester, PA 19490

Phone: 610-584-3500 / 1-800-523-0226

Fax: 610-584-6643

Email: info@visionvideo.com

Web: www.visionvideo.com

Help Children Avoid the Dangers of the Occult

Dabbling in the occult is very widespread, especially among school children, and there may be some in your group who have had experiences with the occult—some of them very frightening.

The word “occult” comes from the Latin word occultus and simply means "hidden, secret, or dark." It is the word used to describe those phenomena which transcend, or appear to transcend, the world of the senses.

“Occult practices” are experiences that bring a person into contact with "spirits" that are demonic in source. Such contact is forbidden in Scripture. These contacts may be produced by mechanical means (e.g., Ouija boards, tarot cards) or by consultation with a person (e.g., mediums, fortune-tellers, clairvoyants).

The following Biblical words and terms refer to idolatrous-occult practices:

• Divination

• Seducing spirits

• Necromancy

• Charmer

• Enchanter

• Astrologer

• Magicians

• Sorcery

• Witchcraft

• Having a familiar spirit

We are often warned in the Scriptures about the spirit world. As never before, we should heed the admonition:

“Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand safe against the wiles of Satan. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil kings of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.

— Ephesians 6:11–12 (Living Letters)

The influence of these principalities and powers can be observed through the following (each of which has various manifestations):

• Fortune Telling

• Spiritism

• Witchcraft

• Satanism

Why Do Young People Get Involved with the Occult?

1. Personal Choice & Media Exposure: The freedom to choose, combined with media (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, comics, videos, books, clubs, films, and theatre) that frequently promote a non-Biblical worldview of the supernatural.

2. Heredity: Familiar spirits passing down from one generation to the next due to previous family involvement with magic, spiritism, or fortune telling (can trace back up to four generations).

3. Peer Pressure: Pressure from social groups, certain types of rock music, or involvement in immoral activity.

4. Lack of Church Teaching: A lack of instruction from the Church regarding a Biblical supernatural worldview.

5. Casual Contact: Accidental or casual involvement stemming from ignorance.

6. Desire for Control: Seeking after power, control, or authority.

7. Misconceptions: The false notion that occultism is a branch of science.

8. Substance Use: The use of drugs that induce an ASC (altered state of consciousness).

9. Eastern Mysticism: Influence from Eastern mystical practices.

10. Generational Abuse: Ritualistic abuse or initiation into witchcraft by parents or relatives.

11. New Age Practices: Exposure to New Age and psychic expressions.

12. Fantasy Role-Playing: Role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons.

Note: It is strongly recommended that the leader view the video first and highlight specific areas for discussion.

Sequence of Events on the Video

1. Opening Statement: "All around the world..."

2. Song: "Is Anybody There?"

3. Book Feature: Kevin Logan's book cover Paganism and the Occult and commentary from Kevin.

4. School Experiences: "Heartbeat" shares experiences in schools.

5. Personal Incident: Eddie Vas recalls an incident involving a young girl and spiritism.

6. Ex-Witch Testimony: David Stillwell shares his introduction to witchcraft and his perspective on Halloween.

7. Discussion: Do you believe there is a devil or evil spirits? Are they fact or fantasy?

8. Worldview Introduction: Andrea Farley answers six basic worldview questions:

   • Where did I come from?

   • What am I?

   • Does the past affect the present?

   • What is right or wrong?

   • Death, then what?

   • What is reality?

9. Artwork: Artist Rodney Matthews' poster, "A–Z the Supernatural."

10. School Incident: Carolyn Williams shares a cloakroom incident at school.

11. Ouija Boards: David Stillwell on Ouija boards and deception.

12. Video Effects: Paul Bennison speaks on their effects.

13. Diagram: The Danger Triangle.

14. Levitation: Carolyn Williams' involvement and its impact on her and her friends.

15. Astrology Warning: Paul Heather warns of the dangers of occult involvement.

16. Child Abuse Insights: Judith Dawson on emotional and sexual abuse through satanic rituals by parents/relatives.

17. Closing Advice: Kevin Logan warns, "Don't start on that path..."

Suggested Questions for Group Discussion

1. There may be many reasons why occult practices appear to work (e.g., hoaxes, sleight of hand, psychological group dynamics, or demonic forces). Which explanation do you think is most likely?

2. Do you think you could ever be "influenced" by "outside forces"? Consider:

   • Have you ever read your horoscope and taken it seriously?

   • Have you played with a Ouija board? What effect did it have on you?

   • If someone claimed they could connect you with a deceased relative, would you do it?

3. Do you think there are dangers in dabbling in the occult?

4. Several people spoke about their personal experiences. Did any of them surprise you?

5. Have you formed a worldview yet? How would you answer the six questions put to Andrea?

6. How do Satan and Christ differ in their approach to humanity? (See: John 1:1–18, John 8:12, John 1:29–34, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Philippians 2:6, Matthew 13:19, John 5:20, Luke 4:22, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Matthew 4:1–11, 1 Peter 3:18–22)

7. Although demonic activity has occurred throughout history, why did it reveal itself so strongly during the ministry of Christ? (See: Mark 1:23–27, Mark 9:14–29)

8. What are some Biblical reasons for steering clear of occultism? (See: Deuteronomy 18:10–12, Leviticus 19:31, 1 Timothy 4:1)

9. Why is getting involved with the occult similar to walking into a radioactive area?

   • 1. The harm is invisible.

   • 2. The harmful effects may not appear immediately.

10. How can people be set free from the negative effects of spiritism or fortune telling? (See: 1 John 3:8, Mark 16:17, Ephesians 1:19–23, Colossians 1:15–20)

Selected Quotations from the Program

"We were at Christian camp and it was just like more read the horoscope than actually read the Bible. It was incredible."

"There was a survey... amongst teenagers, 97% of those questioned had actually dabbled in the occult."

"For many people, it [the occult] is a natural part of life."

"Halloween is the high Satanic festival of the year... And yet the majority of people just accept it as being trick-or-treat."

"In Christ's victory, there is the promise of freedom from the harmful effects of contact with the occult."

"Ouija boards in themselves are very dangerous things. You cannot contact the spirits of dead people. What happens when you use the Ouija board is you open up doorways into the lower spiritual realms..."

"That is Satan's way. You get sucked in and think you're in control and able to handle things, but when the crunch comes, you recognize that you are in much deeper than you ever realized."

"When I look back, it had a big effect on me... It had a real significant effect on me mentally, emotionally. It affected me full stop... It messed me up."

"They lost the ability to be people in their own right and to make choices... Don't start on that path. Once you start on it, it's a very slippery slope that ends in disaster."

"What we believe affects the way we behave."

Special Note to the Leader

The subject area before us is one that most of your young people will have some familiarity with. You will likely find that many of them have been perplexed and are eager for guidance on these matters. Others may be surprised that there is any potential danger in the specific practices discussed in the video, leading to lively discussion and sincere questions.

While it is important to maintain a relaxed atmosphere where members feel comfortable expressing themselves openly, the leader should remain sensitive. Recognize when a young person may be sharing more than is prudent, or raising personal issues that would be better addressed in a one-on-one counseling setting.