Scripture provides us with numerous examples on how to speak to issues of the occult

Scripture provides us with numerous examples on how to speak to issues of the occult. Moses does not exactly beat around the burning bush when he instructs the Hebrews on how they are to live in the Promised Land. “There shall not be found among you anyone who…practices divination, a soothsayer …or a sorcerer…or a wizard…or a necromancer. Anyone whoever does these things in an abomination to the Lord” (Deut 18:9-12). St. Paul forcefully states that those who practice impurity, impiety, and sorcery will not inherit the Kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21). St. John gives us a very clear picture of the Last Judgment when he writes, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted…sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be…the second death” (Rev 21:8).

　　These quotes are taken from the beginning, middle and end of Holy Scripture. I think it is safe to say that Our Lord is not crazy about the whole preternatural package. He is not big on even the appearance of evil or entertaining evil thoughts. The same Lord who warned, “whoever looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his heart” is not going to give us a pass on pretending to cast spells in video games, or spending a good part of a day fantasizing about vampires. Like the good Father that He is, He hates those things that harm his children. When an entertainment venue touches upon possibly endangering a soul we need to risk looking unreasonable. We need to speak clearly and condemn it.

　　There are wonderful theologians and scholars who have looked into objectionable books and movies in great detail and have done an excellent job countering them. I am thankful that these men and women have used their brilliance and time for this work. It is a great act of charity to do so. But, for the rest of us, I wonder if the labored research is really necessary. Fr. Benedict Groeshel often says, “Life is too short to read stupid books.” Isn’t some of this stuff just awful enough that it is an obviously better choice to simply skip reading/watching it? When I clean out my refrigerator, one sniff of rotten food tells me that it is better thrown out than consumed; one whiff of some of the themes in these works should convince us that they are better thrown out than consumed. With that in mind, let’s administer the “sniff test” to some of the most popular and egregious entertainment in our culture. The release date of “New Moon” based on Stephanie Meyers’ second book in the Twilight series is upon us. Let’s start with her hugely popular series.