WIIITBN FR1313 PRESS, WEI)NISDAY, lUNF 24, 1'81 . PAGE 1) The occult U of T grad Elizabeth Gail Brim- becom (nee Manson), recently graduated with high distinction from the University of Toron- to. Brimbecom received her Bachelor of Arts degree in social scien- ces and was named to the honor list for 1980-81. The Anderson Street North resident previously attended Centre Street School, Oshawa and the Whitby District High School. She is also a graduate of the Atkinson School of Nursing of Toronto Western Hospital. Brimbecom is married with two children. Sheridan grads The Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology has an- nounced its graduates for the year 1980-81. Mark David McEvers of Whitby received his diploma in classical animation. Jane Frances Strus, also of Whitby, received a diploma in animal care. By THE REV. TED STEVENS Rector St. Thomas' Anglican Church, Brooklin One of the oddest phenomenon in our super- scientific age is the widespread obscgsion with the occult. When scientific materialism is declaring, in one way or another, that God is dead and only material things matter, people in general seem to be listening to this message with orly one ear. The other ear is tuned in to a totally different set of voices. Having convinced themselves that traditional religion is unacceptable, men and women are reverting to the superstitious and magical practices which prevailed in the pre- Christian era. So we see, throughout the "developed" western world, an astonishing recrudescence of such occult practices as astrology, fortune telling, sale of lucky charms, ouija board seances, witchcraft, necromancy and even Satan worship. How can we explain this widespread interest in an age which purports to be one of hard-headed, scientific realism? The basic cause of all this would seem to be man's deep feeling of insecurity. Technology having placed in his hands, for the first time in human history, the ability to destroy himself and poison his environment, man is scared and uncertain. He doubts whether his kind has the wisdom or self- control to manage this situation successfully. This deep insecurity is compounded by such things as the growing lawlessness and violence in society, the spread of international terrorism, the rejection of the old moral codes which acted as safeguards, and the hectic mobility of modern life, which leaves no time or room for solid neighbourly relations. Faced with all this, people fear the future - not just the more remote future of what will happen in ten or twenty years time, but also the near future of next year, next month or even tomorrow. It is, therefore, in one sense, quite natural for people to turn to things which they hope will give them some kind of control over, or at least some kind of advan- ced warning about, that uncertain and dreaded future. The Christian views all this delving into the occult arts with much concern and sadness. From this point of view these things are unnecessary, misleading and dangerous. First, they are un- necessary because the almighty, all-wise and all- good Creator God, made known to mankind fully in Jesus Christ, assures all who will put their trust in Him of his perfect and everlasting care. Therefore, in the words of Jesus, they are instructed, "Do not worry about the future" This great and good God has said "I will never leave you or foresake you." Let us be brave then and say "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?" Once this tremendous fact of God's almight goodness is firmly grasped, all need and all desire for superstitious supports and occult aids will be seen to be totally unnecessary and will vanish away. The second reason why the Christian looks with grave concern at the revived interest in the occult is that he knows these things are misleading. They lead people away from real trust in God to a trust in objects, -isms or -ologies of an occult nature. People's devotion is thus drawn away from the highest object, where alone it rightly belongs, to lesser things, and they become guilty of breaking the first and greatest commandment "Worship the Lord your God and serve Hlm alone". Sometimes people even persuade themselves, or are inveigled into thinking, that these occult prac- tices can be combined with the Christian faith. This cannot be, because these things inevitably detract from true faith, which is absolute trust in the good- ness of God, and distract from the true object of worship - God himself and-Him alone. Finally there is a third reason for Christian con- cern over occult practices, and that is that they are dangerous. They can, and often do, open the door for influences of a destructive and evil nature to en- ter into people's lives. The Christian faith knows of spiritual forces which are totally hostile to God, good, and mankind, though this hostility is often subtlely concealed. For example, not many people know that the book (and film) 'The Exorcist' is based upon a real, historic case of possession which occurred in the north-west United States in 1949. Such cases are becoming more and more common in our western world, as faith in God diminishes and the search for sub- stitutes increases. It is also of some importance to note that, as in "The Exorcist", and in the real case * ANNOUNCEMENTS * RECEPTION CARDS * INVITATIONS * THANK YOU CARDS ./PRINTING AND OFFICE SUPPLIES 218 Harwood Ave.S. Ajax, Ontario 683-1968 MERCANTILE DEPT. STORE 321 BROCK ST. S. 668-3468 BRAND NAME FAMILY CLOTHING AT REASONABLE PRICES. DISTINCTIVE MENS WEAR. SIZES UP TO XXXL. SYD SILVER FORMAL RENTALS. FASHIONABLE LADIES WEAR. SIZES 5. 20. BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SIZE 8 UP. A COMPLETE SELECTION OF MENS CLOTHING FREE SHIRT, TIE, & GARMENT BAG WITH ANY REG. PRICED SUIT which lies behind it, seemingly harmless dabblings in the occult with a ouija board, can lead into things which are anything but harmless. So the Christian perceives these things as not only unnecessary, not only misleading, but also as dangerous. No doubt it is for this reason that they are forbidden in Holy Scripture. So, reader, lay hold of this one great fact - God your maker is Almighty Goodness. He loves you and will take care of you in body, mind and spirit, if you will but corne to Him through faith in Jesus Christ his Son. As the old hymn says, "Those who trust him wholly, find Him wholly true". For such there is no need for astrology, charms, witchcraft, etc., for these things are seen to be totally vain and unnecessary. DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC 214 Dundas St. E., Whitby 668-7797 Hours: Mon. - Sat. & Evenings By Appointment Only (across f rom Beer Store) I-SI - LUNCHEON SPECIALS - VARIETY OF SWENSEN'S SPECIALTY SANDWICHES SOUPS, SALADS MORNING COFFEE BREAK 1261 BAYLY ST. BAYRIDGES - IGAPLAZA 7 DAYS A WEEK 9 A.M. 11 P.M. j SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION FOR PETER PERRY 1981 (Whitby's Outstanding Citizen) Dinner and presentation to take place Thursday, July 23 at the Earl of Durham Banquet Lounge. Deadline for entries July 3, 1981. NOMINATION REGULATIONS FOR THE PETER PERRY AWARD 1. Any citizen of the Town of Whitby may nominate one or more can- didates by writing a nomination letter outlining the deeds per- formed by the candidate for the greatest good of the greatest number of people in Whitby, and mailing it in a sealed envelope marked "Outstanding Citizen" to the Secretary, Whitby Chamber of Commerce, 416 Centre St. S., Whitby, Ontario. 2. Candidates shall be residents or taxpayers of the Town of Whitby. No candidate shall be disqualified by reason of his office, employment. business or association with the Chamber of Commerce. The award may be made posthumously. 3. Nominations to be considered must be postmarked no later than July 3, 1981. Mere numbers of nominations for any candidate will not influence decision of the judges. 4. The panel of judges shall make the award to the candidate who has rendered outstanding service to the Town of Whitby over and above normal duties of office, employment or business. Names of three finalists will be made public in advance and the name of the winner will be announced at the dinner.