Those who seem highly intelligent sometimes are not. One who denies the power of the spiritual world, or who believes in neutral spiritual territory could become prey to evil, caught off guard by pride and unbelief.
The real danger of witchcraft and satanism is the underlying sin of rebellion. It is the primordial sin of pride, of not serving God, of wanting the power (supposedly) that belongs only to the Almighty.
Any adult who is always disobedient and rebellious needs to stop and think that their lifestyle is that of the evil one who refused in an instant to serve God.
When the Pope Emeritus, then Pope Benedict XVI, traveled to Angola in 2009, his remarks on witchcraft were smothered by the media frenzy concerning his remarks against condoms.
Here is one bit of his statement on the occult in Angola:
"In today's Angola, Catholics should offer the message of Christ to the many who live in the fear of spirits, of evil powers by whom they feel threatened, disoriented, even reaching the point of condemning street children and even the most elderly because - they say - they are sorcerers..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7956460.stm
The Pope was not denying occultic behavior, but the fears which caused people to persecute others in fear. Fear creates panic.
But, ignoring the reality of the occult and sins connected to the occult, is imprudence, willful blindness.
In a family has been oppressed or depressed in some manner, one should not automatically think witchcraft is involved, but one cannot deny it either.
Here is a homily from Fr. Ripperger on this subject.
http://www.sensustraditionis.org/webaudio/Sermons/Disk5/Witchcraft.mp3
Say a decade of the rosary after listening to this homily.
