Chat about Lucky Charms
Less Fruitful Conversation
“My name is Debby and I have two lucky charms. What do you think about that?”
“I can see no problem with lucky charms. Whatever works for you.”
“Thanks for that. I feel reassured because the charms protect me.”
More Fruitful Conversation
“My name is Debby and I have two lucky charms. What do you think about that?”
“My name is Rocky. My wife and I have just come back from a holiday in Turkey. It was amazing. We so enjoyed meeting some lovely Turkish people.”
“Sorry but what has your holiday in Turkey got to do with my question about lucky charms?”
“If you go to the markets in Istanbul you can buy all kinds of lucky charms and amulets. They are very popular in Turkey.”
“Tell me a bit more about these lucky charms.”
“What do racoon penis bones, acorns, alligator teeth and rabbit feet all have in common?”
“I think I know where you are going with this!”
“All these and many more are used as amulets, also known as good luck charms, by the pagan faithful. Amulets are objects, imbued with magical power, that can be trusted to protect you from car accidents, bullets, ghosts and evil forces.”
“Are you saying that trusting in lucky charms is a pagan faith?”
“Spot-on Debby. For some, the right amulet can make you wealthy. Ancient Egyptians trusted in images of the sacred beetle to ward off evil spirits. Some people trust in their St Christopher charms as they nervously begin a journey. Gamblers can sometimes trust in a rabbit’s foot as they feverishly play the slot machines. Evil eye amulets are on sale in many Turkish markets. There are so many lucky charms. The mind boggles.”
“Why does this matter?”
“Let me tell you about a Juju priest called Nana Tolofasito.”
“What an amazing name!”
“Juju is an animist faith that deploys magic and witchcraft. In 2017 Nana asked a friend to shoot him with a gun so that he could test his ‘bullet’ amulet. Tragically his pagan, Juju faith was ill-founded and he sustained serious injuries. The bullet pierced the upper part of his left arm leaving a gaping, bloody hole. A graphic photo of Nana receiving medical treatment while blood was gushing out of his arm should make us question his dangerous faith.”
“That is a great story, Rocky.”
“Would you mind if I tell you why I disagree with Nana’s pagan faith?”
“I’d be very interested to hear your point of view, Rocky.”
“As a Christian I am not allowed to wear lucky charms. To trust in an amulet goes against the very heart of my faith.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If you study the Bible carefully it tells us to trust in Jesus and not in lucky charms. When Jesus died on the cross, He defeated every evil power and everything that enslaves humans. This is the good news of the gospel. I trust in Jesus to protect me from evil forces. If I carried an amulet, I would be denying Jesus and proclaiming that His death has no power to deliver me from danger.”
“It’s fascinating to hear your thoughts on lucky charms, Rocky.”
“In my view Nana should not trust in his bullet amulet. He should repent, forsake his pagan faith and trust in Jesus who is Lord.
“Thanks for this conversation, Rocky.”
Mark is a lively storyteller and the author of four books, including The Spy, the Rat and the Bed of Nails: Creative Ways of Talking about Christian Faith. His work is focused on storytelling and how this can help us to communicate the Christian faith. He has written many articles for the Baptist Times, RE Today, Youthscape, Direction magazine and the Christian Teachers Journal.
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5 Comments
Hugh Grear · April 11, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Mark is such a great communicator! He gets to the heart of the matter, whilst retaining the quirky humour of God. Throw the lucky charm away! Give up the horoscopes! Trust instead in Jesus! (Nice one Rocky!)
Evan · April 11, 2022 at 5:20 pm
Where you place your faith is an important question to ask, even as a Christian and I’m glad you brought it to my attention, Mark!
Kefah Maranga · April 11, 2022 at 5:35 pm
Waah this is powerful even to note about that lucky charms in Turkey. This I relate to where I come from in the village where pagans belief that they smear or apply gun oil or pigs oil on their young babies to protect their children from bad eyes. Indeed it’s only through Jesus Christ that we are all protected.
Duncan · April 20, 2022 at 2:28 pm
If we are going to help people we all need to find an interesting way past that safe “whatever works for you” response. Always love to hear how Rocky finds a way into deeper and insightful conversations.
Paul Bate · April 21, 2022 at 6:51 am
Thanks for the story which challenges our belief system. Some trust in chariots, some in horses but we trust in the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him.
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