In particular, involvement in Neo-paganism, witchcraft, and Wicca has become a way for feminists, various New Agers, and others to register their rejection of Christianity, while involving themselves in a series of rites and rituals that mimic Christian practice and seek to revive ancient pagan forms.

Nevertheless, there is no central organizing institution for Neo-paganism. Instead, the movement is "a loose association of overlapping and interlocking networks stretching across the country and, in some cases, the globe," Magliocco notes. As she explains, there are no recognized charismatic leaders or prophets that lead the movement, "nor is there a single Pagan authority of unifying organization." Instead, Neo-pagans generally organize themselves into small groups often known as "covens," "groves," or "circles." National organizations linking at least some Neo-pagans to others include groups such as the Pagan Spirit Alliance, and Covenant of the Goddess.

Interestingly, even as Magliocco asserts that new-style witches intend to represent an "oppositional" culture, she also notes that participants in Neo-pagan movements tend to be "predominantly white, middle-class, well-educated urbanites who find artistic inspiration in folk and indigenous spiritual traditions."

Even as Sedona, Arizona, and Santa Fe, New Mexico have become havens for New Age devotees, San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest have become areas particularly attractive to Wiccans. As ABC News noted in its report on the controversy in the Puyallup School District, Wiccan groups are active in the district and in the larger Northwest region.

As Brooks Alexander warns, "To cope with the challenges before us, Christians not only need to understand Neo-paganism, but also must be prepared to engage it." This warning is particularly timely given the fact that teenagers--especially teenage girls--seem particularly attracted to Wicca and other modern forms of witchcraft. What some parents may see as "harmless" interest and play, more discerning parents will recognize as dangerous dabbling in the occult.

As the laws of physics remind us, nature abhors a vacuum--and so does the spiritual dimension of a society. As America turns more and more secular, and as Christianity recedes further and further from the experience of many citizens, Neo-pagan religions, resurgent pagan forms, and re-invigorated forms of witchcraft appear on the scene, offering the seduction of secrecy, the allure of the alien, and the interest of the exotic. Furthermore, many of these Neo-pagan forms come with an affirmation of sexual freedom and a focus upon human reproduction --especially in its female dimension--that is nothing less than pornographic and grossly distorted.

We know we have reached a strange point in our cultural transformation when children are forbidden to celebrate Halloween--not because of its association with the occult, but out of concern that the holiday will be offensive to witches. Christians should take note: Something pagan this way comes.

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R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. For more articles and resources by Dr. Mohler, and for information on The Albert Mohler Program, a daily national radio program broadcast on the Salem Radio Network, go to www.albertmohler.com . For information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to www.sbts.edu . Send feedback to mail@albertmohler.com .