James Gardner

I grew up in the church and Christian schools, started praying around three and publicly devoted my life (different than becoming a Christian) to God at around 12.

However, as an avid reader of fantasy, I had a serious obsession with magic. I wanted magic powers more than anything. At one point I wondered if magic was actually real. So, I went to the Metaphysics section of the bookstore and started reading books on the paranormal. I didn't see anything wrong with it. In my mind this was a scientific pursuit.

Eventually I bought the book that had been tempting me the whole time, "666 and other essays by Anton Lavey". Anton Lavey is the founder of the church of Satan, but he was a magician and I at least wanted to see what he was doing.

Not going to lie, there were some interesting concepts, like numerology, but then I realized something. I was reading this Satanist book, but I had never read the Bible from cover to cover. I should probably do that first! So I put down 666 and picked up the Bible.

There is so much more in the Bible than can ever be taught! It completely satisfied my need to explore things outside life. My whole world was opened! And faith to move mountains? That's the power I was seeking!

It actually came in handy in the future. I was hanging out with my neighbor, who I found out was a Satanist, and wanted to sell his soul to the devil for a chance to be a rockstar. I knew where he was coming from though. He ended up getting baptized.

June 27 2019 • Report