char Curious people are experimenting with the latest internet game and many concerned people are sending out warnings! But before we dive into that craze I am stepping back in time and sharing with you a personal story about a game I use to play that was all the rage years back called the Ouija board. It has recently  acquired a new found interest due to the movie “Ouija Board” that came out last October.

I use to love how fast my heart would beat as I wondered if my friend was pushing the plastic pointer towards letters and numbers- our questions being answered by the called upon spirit (that is how the game is played). I felt like we were in connection with a spirit and the language it used and the bizarre things that happened in my old house after that still give me the chills. For months after, I always felt like something was staring at me and it sprung shivers up and down my spine. Lights being on in rooms that I know I had just shut off.  Lastly, a strong cigar smell that came from a part of the house where the windows were sealed shut.  My present interest for this game, thanks be to God, has vanished. In fact, I threw the game into the trash 10 years ago as I wanted no one’s hands to have the unfortunate opportunity to communicate with potential spirits. Since then I have renounced it and confessed my participation in playing with the “spirit board”.

The strange happenings in my previous home should come as no surprise. Priests and exorcists that deal with the aftermath of spiritual dabbling’s warn us that we open the door to the spiritual realm. We don’t know who or what we are communicating with and that is where risk becomes greater. Experts proclaim that demonic activity is on the rise due to an increased interest in the occult among the young including Ouija boards and seances. A resultant rise of demonic possessions has the Vatican training up many exorcists.  (Possession is when a demon assumes control from within and obsession is when the demon may attack the body from the outside. The soul itself can never be “possessed” nor deprived of liberty, though its ordinary control over the members of the body may be hindered by the obsessing spirit.) I chose to not take any chances with any kind of “sessions” thank you very much!

So then comes Charlie- good grief! But, this is sadly not a benign comic book character. If you are curious about the latest social media trend, welcome to the game called the “Charlie, Charlie Challenge”. This game involves the players conversing with a spirit named Charlie. To play the game you first need to place two pencil on a piece of paper in the shape of a cross. Users then write the words “yes” and “no” inside the four square formed by the pencils. You ask “Charlie” a yes or no answer, the pencil moves in the direction of yes or no and you have acquire an answer. So is this game potentially harmful? Who is Charlie?

Exorcists and priests are warning us about this latest fad and they say it’s not a game. It’s dangerous and we all need to share this information with one another and especially our vulnerable youth . When you conjure up evil spirits, such as Charlie who is said to be a Mexican demon, you may be allowing the  possible harassment of spirits while presuming you are having some innocent fun.    Spanish exorcist Jose Antonio Fortea said that the Charlie Charlie Challenge involves the very real, occult practice of “calling on spirits.” In a recent interview, he warned that “some spirits who are at the root of that practice will harass some of those who play the game.” Even though the priest thinks that players “won’t be possessed” necessarily, the spirit that has been invoked “will stay around for a while.” Fr. Fortea also warned that playing the game “will result in other spirits beginning to enter into even more frequent communication.” “And so then the person really can suffer much worse consequences from the demons,” he said.

According to my daughter, at her elementary school the game is taking off as a fun pastime and a great way to freak out classmates. (It is also happening at my son’s high school) Today my child and her friend anxiously shared their awareness of this games potential danger to some pencil and paper ready children in their class. They were prepping for a game with Charlie. The response to the advisory was met with ridicule and being told it’s “just” a game.  I am glad I spoke to my 11 year old before she saw the game being played in the classroom and she did not join in on the “fun”. One brave yet naïve girl boldly walked up to the paper and pencils and queried “Charlie Charlie are you there? Charlie Charlie show me a sign.” That is where the door may have opened? I sure hope not.

Please pray for protection of the curious and spiritually seeking. May they seek only God and be always covered with the precious blood of Jesus.

Karen +