A lecture entitled “An Idea – From Guiding Principle to Cult”, organized jointly by the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci and the Committee for Religious Education of the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci, was held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the Elementary School “Oslobodioci Beograda,” (Liberators of Belgrade) as part of the “School of Parenting” project.
The lecture was organized on the occasion of the Week of Remembrance, marked on May 3 and 4 — days that profoundly shook the entire society in our country and left behind tragic questions to which we are still seeking answers. Precisely for this reason, this was not merely just one in a series of lectures, but a vivid and dynamic discussion instead about the contemporary challenges of growing up, the vulnerability of children and young people, and the responsibility of adults to recognize the dangers that often imperceptibly enter their lives.
In an atmosphere marked by attentiveness, sincere interest, and strong interaction with those present, the discussion focused on the mechanisms of manipulative influence, the ways in which various ideologies, pseudo-spiritual movements, and destructive groups approach young people, as well as the spiritual and emotional emptiness that renders children susceptible to the influences of the modern age.
These themes were addressed by Zoran Luković, a retired criminal inspector and internationally recognized expert in the field of monitoring cultic and manipulative activity. His presentation was not limited merely to an analysis of the problem; through direct and lively dialogue with the audience, he also pointed to possible ways of overcoming the challenges faced by young people today. Particular attention was drawn to examples from practical experience, which helped those present recognize the importance of parental presence and the cultivation of relationships of trust with children, since it is precisely this that enables timely and appropriate responses.
On several occasions, the lecture evolved into an open conversation in which parents and teachers posed questions and shared their own experiences, demonstrating the profound need for gatherings of this kind.
Throughout the evening, it was especially emphasized that the culture of remembrance must not remain reduced merely to a commemorative act or a formal recollection of the tragedies that have marked our time. Rather, it must become a living pedagogy of responsibility — an encouragement to devote more time, attention, and love to children, and likewise a call for schools, families, and society to renew mutual trust and cooperation.
The lecture gathered parents, teachers, and all those involved in the upbringing and education of children, while the entire gathering unfolded in the conviction that only through joint effort, sincere dialogue, and the nurturing of authentic values can a healthy environment be built in which children will grow into individuals capable of recognizing love, meaning, and true life orientations.
