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Harry Potter and the Bible

Discussion in 'Books & Publications Forum' started by superdave, Dec 3, 2001.

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  1. superdave

    superdave New Member

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    By Richard Abanes

    What do you think? I am reading it now, I'll let you know after I can make an informed opinion.
     
    #1 superdave, Dec 3, 2001
  2. ATeenageChristian

    ATeenageChristian New Member

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    Harry Potter is just a book! Sheesh. Another person who thinks HP is .
     
    #2 ATeenageChristian, Dec 3, 2001
  3. superdave

    superdave New Member

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    actually, I think he does read into some of the material a little too much, but is more restrained than most Fundamentalists I have heard on the subject.

    His objections are more on the content and on the moral lessons taught by the books, which I do tend to find rather in opposition to what most Baptists are trying to teach their children.

    This author does not try to accuse Rowling of having an evil agenda, or being a proponent of witchcraft.
     
    #3 superdave, Dec 5, 2001
  4. ATeenageChristian

    ATeenageChristian New Member

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    It is not bad. It talks about friendship, keeping promises, and being true to yourself.
     
    #4 ATeenageChristian, Dec 5, 2001
  5. Phillip

    Phillip <b>Moderator</b>

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    Okay, folks. I have been defending the Harry Potter books on this board due to the fact that they have been based on fantasy and children should know the difference. Today I went to a major chain bookstore in the mall in Tulsa, OK and my church friend who was with me pointed out the truth. Sitting all around the Hundreds of Harry Potter books were knock off books on magic, witchcraft the occult etc. all trying to get in on the fad. The only problem, among the fantasy were actual occult books "How to become a real warlock". "How to become a witch". "How to get magic powers that are real". etc. etc. etc. The store was full of it. Then we walked past a small, high-end gift store and instead of Santa Clauses or Jesus or an angel hanging all over the big Christmas tree---there were warlocks dressed up in the Harry Potter costumes of the movie.

    God says (and I am not exactly sure of the words and too tired to look it up right now), but, he says "I am a jealous God." The point my friend made to me was not only to look around at what was happening during this fad, BUT to think of it this way:

    Why do most Baptists believe in total abstanence (sp?) of alcohol. It is because maybe 100 people can have a beer or wine or two and put it down, but out of those 100 there may be 10 who cannot stop at that one. What happens if the same thing happens to a child who reads the Harry Potter books and decides this warlock thing is great and gets his hands on New Age books that preach the actual religions and starts getting into these Pagan situations because all of a sudden a fun book turned into something more he became interested in.

    So, okay, I saw the movie I took my 17 year old daughter and I felt no harm, she is aware it is fantasy and it was a clean movie (relative to movies today), but I must change my thoughts on the Harry Potter fad and say that if I had to do it over again I would probably stay away from it and spend my time storing God's word in my heart rather than fantasy garbage that will do me no good, but give me a few hours of earthly pleasure. My storing God's word in my heart, I add to my treasure in heaven: You know---the one that never rusts, or gets stolen. Just my new thoughts. ;)
     
    #5 Phillip, Dec 9, 2001
  6. Steveninetx

    Steveninetx New Member

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    I have read all four Harry Potter books before I became a christian. I still feel that there is nothing sinful or evil about them. I think they are a very good way of discussing issues like magic and occult with your children and learning how much they already know about the subject. They are fantasy books. It's a sin to practice magic not to read about it. I haven't seen the movie yet. I would say this to all parents. I have a 7 year old sister and I don't think the books are for anyone under the age of 10. Like all good literature, Harry Potter should be read and then discussed. That is why we read.
     
    #6 Steveninetx, Jan 2, 2002
  7. superdave

    superdave New Member

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    Phillip,
    I am glad you see the main problem with the books being given to children without guidance. There is a concerted effort being made, not neccessarily by Rowling or even by Scholastic, to tie in the reality of witchcraft with the whole fad. Occult groups are gleeful at the amount of interest and publicity they are getting because of the books popularity.

    I don't think taking your 17 year old daughter to the movie, or even letting her read the books is going to get her into the occult. But if these books are being given to kids of the age where they are specifically marketed (6-11 years), and they are shown through them that magic is neutral, and it can be used for good, and if you are special, than you don't have to obey the rules, and many other lessons that are contrary to God's word, than I think it can cause a problem. I have seen a very close association with SOME kids that attend our church between their fascination with Harry Potter and dabbling in occult practices. You would not believe some of the things a few of the bus kids have told us they believe or have seen practiced in their own homes. Harry Potter is not pure fantasy, it is based very closely on real occult witchcraft, something the Bible condemns clearly. I am glad you see some of the dangers in the series.

    Steve,
    I agree that it is not a sin to read about witchcraft, but I would question the necessity, especially among children. I am glad you would recommend reading them and discussing them with children, I am just not sure if that is really the best way to teach your kids about witchcraft. The books IMHO paint witchcraft in way too positive a light, in addition to being not pure fiction, but based on real occult magic. The witchcraft is only the beginning of the problems I have with the books, but it is enough for me. I am not even convinced they are even good literature, having read 2 out of the 4 books, and checking my Lit Crit notes a little. Being a NYT best seller is not my measurement of any author's work. I mean, Steven King sells a million books, and writes ****.
     
    #7 superdave, Jan 10, 2002
  8. Ernie Brazee

    Ernie Brazee <img src ="/ernie.JPG">

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    OK open take a glass of water pour in just a touch of arsenic, now drink it! Oh, I just saw a guy through a prefectly good sandwich in that dumpster over there. What you wouldn't dive in after it. Why? it is clean or at least when it went in it was.

    Why do Christians place themselves in the cesspools of the world to satisfy the lust of the flesh? What do you do to explain the previews of coming attractions to your child? If they are as bad as previews on TV, I wouldn't my chile exposed to them.

    Go ahead open your child's mind to the occult, let them believe in magic. So what if God says it is an abomination and hate it. Does it really matter what God thinks?

    FOOLS!! WAKE UP Listen to God not man&gt; The Bible is full of admonitions about withcraft and the occult, does God place this in Hios word as a suggestion?

    Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth,

    Ernie
     
    #8 Ernie Brazee, Jan 10, 2002
  9. TheVeryBapistChild

    TheVeryBapistChild New Member

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    The books of Harry Potter allow witchcraft to be ok. In the Bible, any witchcraft practiced is evil. Magic, on the other hand, allows you to take emotions, such as anger or love, and cast spells onto other people. Magic can lead to thoughts of godliness. Such as "That kid made me trip and fall so I am going to break his skull with the simple words of Skull-a-Breakus" When Harry P. came out in movie theaters, The Today Show showed a clip of a family recommiting their lives to Harry Potter and Rowlings. Therefore I infered that Harry Potter has such an enfluence over people that the book itself is constructed by evil.
    I fear when there are periods between H.P. books and movies, children will seek a stronger "high" of magic, such as Vampires, Voodoo, Satanism, "real" Witchcraft, suicides, murder, genocide.

    I wish these children would turn their attention to the Good Book. I wish these children would recommit their lives to Jesus Christ. But my wishes are not easily met. So, I call out that every person who is strong in his/her faith to stand up for which they believe and not allow others to be consumed by the temptation of witchcraft. *With that said, you should not defend readers/believers nor see them as enemies, but warn them as brothers/sisters.*

    *2 Thessalonians 3:15
     
    #9 TheVeryBapistChild, Jan 10, 2002
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