As people look for comfort in the wake of lockdowns, inflation, spiking crime rates and international tensions, there is a multitude of outlets that are branding themselves as welcoming, kind-hearted and spiritually courageous, and they are attracting those looking for an answer to the spiritually based questions of life.
But many who are deemed “lost” are not finding answers in a church these days, instead they are turning to the occult and New Age practices being pushed in American society as the answer in their pursuit for spiritual fulfillment.
Events such as Sacred Space, a pagan convention that is held in early April in Hunt Valley, Maryland, are attracting larger crowds as people look for answers, acceptance and truth.
“It was such an extraordinary blessing to be in the physical presence of our beloved community of magical peers again. I know we all felt that,” said Gwendolyn Reece, president of the Sacred Space Foundation.
Religion News Service reports the event as “one of several traditionally held throughout the year to support the pagan community. After struggling through cancellations, lockdowns and low attendance, these events are back and, according to organizers, are bigger than ever.”
This same drive and desire for answers to spiritual questions has led to an increase in church attendance across the U.S., as well.
According to the Barna Research group, after seeing a drastic drop in church attendance in 2021, weekly church attendance surged in 2022 among Millennials and Generation X. This bump in attendance is good news for churches who have seen a sharp decline in parishioners over the years, but do the numbers matter as much if the doctrine is a watered-down version of the gospel message?
Recently, the Christian Post reported on research showing that Christian faith in Jesus’ sinless life is dwindling:
“Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, fewer born-again Christians now say that Jesus lived a sinless life during His time on Earth, and church attendance has dropped by some 15 million people weekly, a new study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University shows.”
It is no wonder more people are looking for answers to their spiritual questions when the truth about Jesus Christ is not being preached in the church!
How can the Bible and the entire premise of Jesus Christ be relevant if He did not live sinless life? How would His sacrifice have overcome sin, if He in fact had sin in His heart?
That is the very basis of His victory, that He is of God, a member of the Trinity, and is the sinless, spotless Lamb who was sacrificed in the place of humanity who has been cursed by sin.
First Peter 2:21-23 says:
“For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.’ When He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously.”
No wonder people are flocking to events like Paganicon in Minneapolis, and the Mystic South Conference held in Atlanta.
A belief in a Jesus who sinned just like every other human being in history holds no power over the devil and his schemes and does not offer the truth, hope, salvation and forgiveness that sets people free. So, they will look for it other places.
These pagan events all claim to be welcoming and embracing of people from all backgrounds. Celebrating in pride events and promoting community attracts those who are looking to establish those relationships and discover the identity so many in America are looking for.
While the spiritual forces behind these events must be met with uncompromising spiritual warfare, the people attending them need to see the love of Jesus firsthand from His followers.
A quick scan of any pagan social media accounts will show that many of them feel like Christians hate them, so why would they want anything to do with a group they assume wants nothing to do with them?
America is in a season that needs the love of Christ, not the judgement of Pharisees.
Jesus dined with those that His society deemed sinners and shared the Good News with them. It radically changed their lives and led to their repenting and faith in Him.
This example of love worked in biblical times because it shared the truth of Jesus Christ with the world, and it will work today. The message just needs faithful believers to take it to people who desperately need it, even if they do not know it yet. {eoa}
James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
