No, we are not talking about the devil. There is no “black mass”.
The kingdom of God will not stumble or fail because of this silliness any more than signs by atheists on buses.
Your very efforts are giving it the attention it craves.
“No, we are not talking about the devil. There is no “black mass”.”
How obtuse can you possibly be? There are people actively invoking the devil in the ceremony. Does he not hear? Does it not bring him satisfaction that people are willfully inviting evil into the world?
“The kingdom of God will not stumble or fail because of this silliness any more than signs by atheists on buses.”
Of course the Kingdom will survive and not fail. It can’t. That’s not the point. People can, and people will. Because of this. It is the efforts of the faithful that will prevent more from being unwittingly drawn in. Evil is an infection, and like an infection it must be treated quickly and with overwhelming force lest it gain a foothold. Sticking your fingers in your ears and pretending like it isn’t there will only let it fester and grow.
“Your very efforts are giving it the attention it craves.”
There are two sides - the side of the Faithful, and the side of evil. Ridicule the efforts of the Faithful, and you support the other side by default. There is no neutrality here. Where do you want to stand? If I didn’t know better, I’d begin to wonder.