But what if a youngster, particularly as they move into the adolescent and teenage years, is able to discern spiritual truth from deception for themselves?
If that aptitude is irrelevant to the discussion, what about these ministers and teachers that go beyond the message that witchcraft is to be avoided but can themselves go into exacting detail regarding the plot twists of the Harry Potter saga that it is obvious that they have either read the books or seen the movies?
That is akin to simply not warning of the dangers of pornography but being able to critique how convincingly particular actors in that debauched genre are able to pull off roles as pizza delivery lads or coeds needing the dormitory plumbing snaked.
Should they be called upon to repent as well?
What gives this occupational class an exemption to research this material first hand but not the remainder of us?
If we are to be forbidden from investigating these things on our own, how do we know that the line they are pedaling us is really true?
By Frederick Meekins