Johnston, J. (1989). Rescuing our children from the edge of evil. Fundamentalist Journal, 8 (10), 13-20.

OVERVIEW

Satanism is gaining teen popularity. Johnston calls it the "fastest growing, developing subculture movement in the teenage community." As an evangelist, Johnston has traveled throughout the U.S., visiting schools and speaking to youth. Without bias, Satanism has popped up across the American landscape, neglecting neither the small town or the big cities.

Satanism is dangerous due to its great detrimental effects on a teen spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Johnston says that teens involved in Satanism often dress in black, wear occultic jewelry, and display occultic symbols on their possessions and on themselves. He noticed many teens with "homemade pentagram tattoos and symbol carved into the wedge between their thumb and index fingers." He further notes that a Satanist will "play with opposites, with mirror-images, with the reverse of anything good…"

Johnston notes four distinct levels of involvement as categorized by U.S. law enforcement officials:

Teenage "Dabblers". These teens read and study satanic literature, and they buy various occultic paraphernalia. The most popular book is Anton LeVey’s, The Satanic Bible. Dabblers create and practice chants, rituals, and incantations. "Self-styled" satanic group or coven. At this stage there is more emotional and spiritual involvement. A teen will often seek out a group or begin his own. Adult Satanists "recruit" self-styled teens at rock concerts, "popular hangouts," and most often at parties where drugs, alcohol, and sex are offered. Often the recruiters blackmail these potential members. Public religious Satanist. These groups are growing in number throughout the country—LeVey’s "First Satan Church" was the first. As a religious body they are considered a tax-exempt, non-profit organization—even the military recognizes the Church of Satan. Hard-core Satanic cults. These groups are involved in criminal activities, sometimes unrelated to their rituals. These crimes include arson, trespassing, grave robbery, animal torture and killing, rape, and human sacrifice.

Johnston concludes his article by providing parents with suggestions for determining if their child is involved in the occult. First, he suggests watching the youth culture in the community and their child’s peer group. A fascination with the occult may indicate Satanic involvement, as may strong changes in behavior (dress, music preference) and personality (increased aggression, violent behavior, chronic depression, distinct drop in grades, and loss of interest in school). Next, because of the serious nature of Satanism, if there is involvement, any of its influences should be removed from the teen. Thirdly, counseling should be sought. Finally, he adds that one of the most important things parents can do is pray. Teens involved in Satanism need help and are seeking something that they are not finding in their lives. He indicates that teens need love, encouragement, understanding, responsibility, relationships to emulate, spiritual substance, consistent and loving discipline, and critical thinking skills. If they receive this, then Satanism will not be the path they follow.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How might you approach someone you know who is involved in Satanism?
2. What do you think is the appeal of Satanism? Could or would you ever be induced into it?
3. Why is Satanism damaging? How can someone help a committed Satanist to see the damage that this belief system can induce?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Satanism has great potential it has to wreck a teen’s life—spiritually, physically, emotionally. Satanism will never provide them with contented, healthy, responsible, fulfilled lives.
2. The children of one generation are the leaders of the next. Without healthy children, a society creates its own eventual deterioration and destruction.
3. Parents, teachers, and youth leaders must work together for consistency in recognizing and dealing with these problems. In so doing, they can prevent teens from becoming involved or more deeply involved in occultic practices.
4. The youth of today need information about the realities of Satanism. With such information, they may create their own negative peer pressures to stay uninvolved.

Paige Waltz cCYS