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Generation Hex: Understanding the Subtle Dangers of Wicca
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.
- GenresWiccaNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 27, 2012
Ok, so I'll start out with a small disclaimer. As I said in my notes I expected to fully hate this book. I do not self identify as Christian, nor do I self identify as Wiccan specifically. I have my own beliefs that I hold dear so I had no fear that I would be swayed one way or the other by this book but wanted to see how they wrote about a community I'm familiar with.
First off, I liked the writing of Marla Alupoaicei (though every time my brain says her name it comes out as Alopecia, which is a hair loss disease) better than Dillon, it was more empathetic and seemed nicer. I'm not saying that Dillon is a dick to people in the book, he's just less flexible in his verbiage. Overall, they were very accurate and fairly respectful of Wicca as a faith as well as the practitioners they spoke with. However all the writing contained underpinnings of "well this is how the bible says they're wrong for believing the way they do" which is a little disconnecting to me because it went from a way to easily teach Christians about alternate religions to why even more they need to convert everyone.
Later in the book another aspect struck me wrong, mainly they gave specific examples of how Wiccan's had been abused by fellow students and co-workers for their beliefs. From being physically abused (shoved into a locker repeatedly), verbally abused (having "Satan" written by their name, and being called Witch loudly in front of others), to being outright fired for their beliefs. Also it was pointed out several times that people frequently have to hide their beliefs from loved ones, co-workers, and neighbors for fear of persecutions, ostracision and abuse. Yet they didn't denounce any of this behavior, they simply pointed out that people won't convert if you abuse them, that Christians need to show people love to be able to get them to follow Jesus.
It wasn't until the very end of the book that they finally said, Wiccans and Neopagans need to be treated like actual human beings, not just things to convert, that by showing your love for them it may eventually introduce them to gods love but your main purpose should be to make a friend whom you can have great discussions with.
So up till that last chapter I was firmly a 2-2.5, but the realization that they made that when a person has honest and strong convictions you may not be able to turn them to your way of thinking and that's ok, that made the book a 3. Overall I think they did a pretty good job of introducing Christians to paganism without freaking them out too much. I was shaking my head a good deal through the book, but that's because I'm looking at the ideas from the other side of the fence.
I have a feeling the "Jesus hates Harry Potter" book I have at home will be wildly more offensive and ridiculous than this, so I have to give this book props for trying.
First off, I liked the writing of Marla Alupoaicei (though every time my brain says her name it comes out as Alopecia, which is a hair loss disease) better than Dillon, it was more empathetic and seemed nicer. I'm not saying that Dillon is a dick to people in the book, he's just less flexible in his verbiage. Overall, they were very accurate and fairly respectful of Wicca as a faith as well as the practitioners they spoke with. However all the writing contained underpinnings of "well this is how the bible says they're wrong for believing the way they do" which is a little disconnecting to me because it went from a way to easily teach Christians about alternate religions to why even more they need to convert everyone.
Later in the book another aspect struck me wrong, mainly they gave specific examples of how Wiccan's had been abused by fellow students and co-workers for their beliefs. From being physically abused (shoved into a locker repeatedly), verbally abused (having "Satan" written by their name, and being called Witch loudly in front of others), to being outright fired for their beliefs. Also it was pointed out several times that people frequently have to hide their beliefs from loved ones, co-workers, and neighbors for fear of persecutions, ostracision and abuse. Yet they didn't denounce any of this behavior, they simply pointed out that people won't convert if you abuse them, that Christians need to show people love to be able to get them to follow Jesus.
It wasn't until the very end of the book that they finally said, Wiccans and Neopagans need to be treated like actual human beings, not just things to convert, that by showing your love for them it may eventually introduce them to gods love but your main purpose should be to make a friend whom you can have great discussions with.
So up till that last chapter I was firmly a 2-2.5, but the realization that they made that when a person has honest and strong convictions you may not be able to turn them to your way of thinking and that's ok, that made the book a 3. Overall I think they did a pretty good job of introducing Christians to paganism without freaking them out too much. I was shaking my head a good deal through the book, but that's because I'm looking at the ideas from the other side of the fence.
I have a feeling the "Jesus hates Harry Potter" book I have at home will be wildly more offensive and ridiculous than this, so I have to give this book props for trying.
Displaying 1 of 1 review