Scary. Satan is alive and well in this world.
Random thoughts:
What is even more interesting is that a lot of the beliefs of witchcraft read like a laundry list of liberal causes. Very illuminating (no pun intended). Another reason to never vote democrat!!
I think one thing that the author leaves off as a reason so many youngsters are gravitating toward all of this is Harry Potter. These stories are glamorizing this evil, and wrapping it up in "cool" and "fun" apparel. Also, a fair number of young females in middle and high school have crushes on Harry Potter, as this is they age when they are "boy crazy". I am sure that there are at least a few "romantic" undertones to their attraction to wicca (maybe for both the girls and the boys - the boys are probably finding that it is a good way to "get lucky" - and teenagers have an over-supply of hormones to begin with - mix "normal" teen lust with all of this witchcraft stuff and you have an "irresistible brew" for many).
In addition, I am not sure I buy the "spiritual hunger" rationale given for young females being attracted to this. I never knew anyone in my youth to be "spiritually hungry". They were too busy having fun (frequently in ways one would not approve of), and chasing members of the opposite sex considered to be "hot".
I think that the wiccan desire has more to do with the attraction to anything that is "fobidden", coupled with the "mystery" and "wow" factor that occultic practices have (for all the reasons we already know about). For the girls, I can also see where it would have appeal because it gives them a perceived "secret life" or "secret power" that they can further primp up their egos with, or use as a sort of "girls-only" clique kind of thing. "Girls rule, boys drool", and all that sort of stuff that they like to strut about saying. If all of that equals "spritually hungry", then I agree with the author. If instead it means that we are letting our kids run around unsupervised too much, and not disciplining them enough, and failing to teach them proper values or spend enough "quality time" with them", then I disagree.
I sort of agree about how bland (and non-Biblical) some portions of some Christian religions have become, including the some parts of the Catholic church. It seems there is not enough emphasis on Jesus anymore, and the living of a good Chirsitan life, coupled with teaching that some things are indeed forbidden. It seems that there is too much boring "touchy-feely", stuff going on, with political correctness permeating everything, up to and including a refusal to condemn even the most deplorable of behaviors, like abortion and homosexuality.
Many modern western Christian churches seem to emphasize "inclusiveness", "justice", "diversity", and "tolerance" (all as defined by the left) above orthodox Christian teaching about Jesus. This is one reason why I have begun attending the old Latin Mass in my Catholic diocese. It has the mystery, majesty and tradition that are lacking in most modern Catholic churches, and Father gives homilies that have "teeth" to them. There are still Christian churches out there full of true Christian teaching, both Catholic and non-Catholic, but one has to look harder to find them nowadays (and many are not highly regarded by modern "maistream" Christianity, so they don't receive as much publicity). In light of this, I can see how many modern left-leaning Churches are failing not only the youth of today, but everyone else as well.
I once read on some sort of wiccan web site that the Harry Potter books were very good because Rowling "gets the magic right". Rowling claims that she is not into witchcraft, and does not know anything about it. She claims that she is just sort of "making up" the magic stuff and fictionalizing it as she goes along. I don't believe this for a minute. I don't think this is true. From what I have heard, her magic is VERY accurate, almost too accurate at times. I think the author of the above-mentioned book misses this aspect entirely. Harry Potter has been a great recruiter for their "cause".
"In addition, I am not sure I buy the "spiritual hunger" rationale given for young females being attracted to this. I never knew anyone in my youth to be "spiritually hungry". They were too busy having fun (frequently in ways one would not approve of), and chasing members of the opposite sex considered to be "hot".
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Interesting. I like to call them "girls" though, rather than "females." Seems a little more friendly, eh?
As for youths being spiritually hungry, perhaps you were hanging around with the wrong bunch of kids. In my day (long ago) and still today, I see a lot of middle and high school kids going to Sunday School and Church in the dozens of churches around my area. I think you're way underestimating kids.