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Charlie Charlie Challenge: Summoning the Devil is no harmless game


Dr Eugene Gan writes in Aleteia today on a new Twitter/Facebook trend which has participants summon a demon called Charlie #‎CharlieCharlieChallenge. It's already reached millions (more than 2 million in 48 hours) and going by the numerous viral feeds, YouTube clips, and Vine posts, its main participants are children and teenagers.

Dr Gab writes: The origin of this so-called game is unclear, though it has all the trappings of an expertly executed marketing campaign. I'm not saying it is, but it's insidiously alluring all the same, with posts challenging others to try it even if they are skeptical of the paranormal. It's "hilarious," some say, "freaky fun." There are appeals to curiosity: "Have you tried it yet? Do you think it's real?"

Other posts hype the sensationalistic with reports of strange and terrifying phenomena occurring when playing the challenge: from rattling doorknobs to scratching noises to hearing whispers in other rooms when no one was supposed to be there to seeing bizarre shadows and figures, it certainly has the trimmings of a horror flick.

The craze has spread itself across a broad spectrum of online social media, utilizing the unique strengths of the various social media platforms to reach the masses in diverse ways. Many are filming their experiences trying the CharlieCharlieChallenge, and posting to social media. Even the choice of words to get others to "play" the "game" is insidious: it's a "challenge" and "harmless fun."

To top it all off, the materials needed to 'summon the demon' are easily available to school children. All that is needed is a piece of paper and two pencils.

..... In a sense, it's nothing new - a digital reincarnation of the Ouija board in many respects. I wanted to ignore this fad and not take the effort to write an article that might give it additional advertising, but the fact that it has reached so many, coupled with my goal to give God glory and sanctify souls through these articles I write, changed my mind. We need to be clear. Scripture reminds us that Satan -- and along with Satan, devils, and demons -- are real.

To read on see: www.aleteia.org/en/society/article/charlie-charlie-challenge-summoning-the-devil-is-no-harmless-game-5791616535101440?

Eugene Gan is Professor of Interactive Media, Communications, and Fine Art at Franciscan University of Steubenville in the United States. His book, Infinite Bandwidth: Encountering Christ in the Media is grounded in Scripture and magisterial documents, and is a handbook and practical guide for understanding and engaging media in meaningful and healthy ways in daily life.

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