On this episode of The Inner Life with Patrick Conley, Fr. Sam Martin explores a question that many Catholic families face today: how do we discern what’s spiritually healthy when it comes to entertainment – especially in stories that include witchcraft, fantasy, or the occult? In a world overflowing with books, movies, and games that blur the lines between light and darkness, Fr. Martin brings wisdom, balance, and a much-needed reminder that not all fantasy is dangerous, and not all storytelling leads away from God.

Fr. Martin, Vicar for Clergy in the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin, begins by reminding listeners that the heart of discernment is found in Scripture itself. Quoting St. Paul, he says, “Test all things and retain what is true.” That principle, he explains, applies not only to moral decisions and theology but also to the art, media, and stories we consume. When Catholics look at works like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, we find allegories that illuminate the Christian battle between good and evil. Tolkien and Lewis used the language of fantasy not to glorify witchcraft but to show that evil cannot exist on its own but only as a corruption of what God originally created good.

That, Fr. Martin says, is the key. The question isn’t merely Does this story mention magic? but rather, What does it say about the nature of good and evil? In The Lord of the Rings, the central moral struggle is clear – light over darkness, virtue over sin, courage and self-sacrifice over power and pride. These themes can actually strengthen a person’s faith and imagination. But when a story glamorizes rebellion, power, or occult practices detached from God, then it becomes spiritually harmful.

Fr. Martin also cautions against rash judgments or “canceling” art without reflection. The Church, he says, is slow to condemn because she knows discernment takes time and prayer. Sometimes, as he points out, Catholics react too quickly to cultural trends without first studying their fruits. Using an example from his teaching years, Fr. Martin recalls how controversy surrounded the Harry Potter series, sparking heated debates among parents and parishes. Rather than taking extreme positions, he encourages you to ask if something promotes truth, beauty, or goodness or if it distorts them.

True discernment, he adds, doesn’t mean living in fear of culture but learning to engage it wisely, rooted in faith. Evil, after all, will always exist in the world, but as Mother Teresa said, “There is darkness – but there is good, too.” Christians are called to see the good, nurture it, and reject what leads to sin. The Church, as a good mother, examines culture carefully for the sake of her children’s souls.

Fr. Martin reminds you that discernment in entertainment is less about legalism and more about holiness. The Holy Spirit guides every believer to seek what uplifts the soul and helps us love God more deeply. So, whether you’re deciding on a movie night or a new book, remember the rule of St. Paul: test all things – and hold fast to what is good.

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