Three reasons why millennials are turning to witchcraft instead of religion
Mysticism and witchcraft are becoming more popular as Christian church membership declines. Followers of Wicca, a neo-pagan religion and magic spells enthusiasts, have more followers today than the Presbyterians, partly because of social media. There’s also a coven of “Christian witches.”
1. Normalizing witchcraft in entertainment
Witcraft has been normalized in social media, but so is Hollywood movies, Netflix, and most mainstream entertainment.
Over the years, popular TV shows like Bewitched in the 1960s, Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the 1990s, Charmed and Harry Potter in the 2000s, and perhaps more than a hundred “good witch” themed movies portrayed today have turned the practice of witchcraft as positive rather than demonic.
Satan no longer hides in Hollywood and music. According to Elle Magazine, singers like Beyonce, Madonna, Cardi B, Katy Perry, Lana Del Rey, Spencer Pratt, and many others have incorporated magic arts into their craft or have openly admitted engaging in witchery.
We’ve also seen celebrities boast and flaunt their gay marriages, adultery, abortion, Satan worship, and witchcraft, all an abomination.
2. Strong influence of Social Media
Instagram, Etsy, Witchtok
The lure of the occult, offering power, wealth, and mystery, has always been part of human nature. The list of witches and warlocks turned social media influencers have grown alongside fashion celebrities who have turned it into a profitable business.
These influencers openly identify as witches, using the term as media handles. For example, one of the popular influencers, @witcheryway, sells Slavic candles, necklaces, crystals, herbs, and books for creating magic spells.
Billions dollar industry
In 2022, the witchcraft industry was worth 2.2 billion dollars industry mostly sold on Etsy under the precept of health and wellness.
Witchcraft is a growing trend on TikTok, with the hashtag WitchTok having over 30 billion views. The platform has made learning about spells and potions easier, with hashtags like #witch, #witchtiktok, and #babywitch receiving nearly 20 billion and two billion views.
John Ramirez was a powerful warlock in New York City before he became a Christian. He used to offer magic spells that can range to as much as US$10,000 in fee.
In short, engaging in witchery is all about influence and money, something Satan offered Jesus when he tempted Him.
3. Rebranding Satan in movies
Early Hollywood was conservative. For example, sexual content such as nakedness, sensual kissing, and adultery was forbidden because most viewers were more religious than it is today.
Then came “The Exorcist” and “The Omen.” The devil was portrayed as an evil and demonic entity that must be vanquished. But the sharp shift came with “The Dark Knight” and “Watchmen,” along with Hellboy blurred the line between good and evil.
hey besties, lucifer is nominated for sci-fi/fantasy show of the year! cast your vote now 🗳️: https://t.co/8HlulxZTP1 pic.twitter.com/vVfis2uJUL
— Lucifer (@LuciferNetflix) October 29, 2021
The defining moment of 2015
All hell broke loose after 2015 with movies for younger audiences like Maleficent, Wicked, and Netflix series ‘Once Upon a Time.’ In these films, “wicked people” find hope. Thus, evil can be good, even if you remain identified with the dark side.
But the most blatant push to make demons look cheeky was the Lucifer TV Series in 2016. It won numerous awards. Its viewership is primarily millennials and Generation Z.
With the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, the LGBTQ community gained prominence, increasing the number of young people identifying as gay.
In the Bible, hope is found when we repent and turn to Jesus. There is no hope for the devils, and those who practice witcraft are destined to hell.
Revelation 21:8
“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
