Generation Hex

Generation Hex:
Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca:

What they Say:

Wicca is America’s fastest growing religion. By the year 2012, it’s projected to be the third largest religion in the United States.In Generation Hex, Marla Alupoaicei and Dillon Burroughs explore the history, culture, and practices of Wicca. As part of their research, they interviewed travelers to historic Salem, Massachusetts, consulted practitioners of leading neopagan conferences in the Pacific Northwest and Canada, and dialogued with several current and former adherents of Wicca and other forms of witchcraft to evaluate the past and present of this growing spiritual tradition.

The result is a compelling account that will inform and equip Christians (especially parents) to understand Wiccan and New Age teachings. Readers will have confidence to explain this belief system to others and to communicate the gospel to those caught up in this practice.
Generation Hex identifies with the spiritual hunger of a generation seeking truth, authenticity, and hope in a fragmented world. It’s perfect for personal study or as a gift for anyone interested or involved in Wicca.

My Review:

I found Generation Hex to be an eye opening read. Before I read this book, I had an impression of Wiccans pretty typical of how those who don’t understand see them. For the record, they’re not Satan worshippers, in fact they don’t even believe in Satan. What they do believe varies. There is no one text to draw from like the Bible, and most don’t practice black magick because they believe whatever you do, comes back to you three fold. I also learned that Wiccans love the enviornment, and animals and human nature in general. They’re carrying people who maybe have been turned off by the church, or found a new path where they feel empowered. This book painted a broad picture of Wiccans, their practices and their history. Yet it didn’t stop there. The authors weren’t afraid to teach us that we need to love Wiccans, no matter what they believe or practice and though we shouldn’t engage in their practices we don’t have to bash them or be afraid of them.

My Rant:

This book came at a really timely time for me having just learned of the popular Twighlight series. So please indulge me while I share my heart and get something off my chest …

I didn’t want to make this review into more than just that, but my heart has become really heavy with the recent (recent to me) popularity with the Twilight series, the hottest YA series out there which is essentially a vampire love story. It just got me thinking, why are we…yes, even Christians, so attracted to these types of stories? To the darkness, not matter how well it’s disguised in great writing. I’ve been told Twilight has redeeming qualities and if I had teenagers begging to read it, I might have to read it for myself. And I do admit I am tempted and probably will some day, but I still have yet to read the Harry Potter series, though I’m sure I will at some point, but even that has divided Christians (which isn’t that one of the ploys of Satan? Divide and conquer???)

I just wish that the dark side, the occult, vampires and witches weren’t glorified. I wish that someone in the CBA would come out with an incredible fantasy that shares the light, the true light. And I know there are devote Christians who absolutely love HP and find redeeming, even spiritual qualities in the story, and yes, it’s just a story, but we all know stories have power and our children, my children are incredibly impressionable.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not the kind of mom who bans Disney movies (well, not many.) I’m not the kind of mom who  walks out of the Pizza Parlor when Bewitch comes on, (hey I grew up on it and I Dream of Jeanie, tried twitching my nose and shaking my pony tail in efforts to clean my room,) but I guess what grieves me is the sheer popularity of these series, and probably that I’d love them if I actually read them. You can’t deny that these books help whet the appetite for more of the same. You can’t help deny that even though these stories are fiction, they do stem from myths, practices still going on today! And according to Generation Hex, Wicca is on the rise.

Sure there’s great Christian fantasy out there with dragons and such, but it doesn’t get the buzz, the waiting in line past midnight like these other series do. If only something would come along…

Maybe there wouldn’t be such a draw to the occult and to Wicca!

About the Authors:
Marla Alupoaicei has authored several books and Bible study guides and serves as a writer for East-West Ministries. Alupoaicei has fifteen-plus years of ministry, teaching, and missions experience. She also enjoys writing poetry and has garnered several literary awards for her work.

For five years, Alupoaicei worked as a writer for Insight for Living, where she wrote and/or edited numerous workbooks and Bible study guides. Her forthcoming books include Flow: Inspiring Devos for the Creative Soul and Taking the Intercultural Leap

Alupoaicei holds a BA in English and communications from Purdue University and a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.

You can read more about Marla at her website, http://marriageleap.com.

Dillon Burroughs is the author or co-author of fifteen books, including What Can Be Found in LOST?; What’s the Big Deal About Other Religions?; and the revised Facts On series (with John Ankerberg and John Weldon).

He also serves as a staff writer and research associate for the Ankerberg Theological Research Institute.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Indiana State University and a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He also serves as a professor of youth and culture at Tennessee Temple University.

He, his wife, and their two children live in Tennessee.

You can learn more about Dillon on his website, http://readDB.com.