Harry Potter --- what's your take?

see: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2001/11/16/notes111601.DTL

[ November 21, 2001: Message edited by: DHK ]

 

Harry Potter is not even a question for a Christian. If we are Christians, we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His marvelous Light. Christians don't allow witchcraft (Satanism) to touch their children by any means; movies, music, toys, magazines, ANY FORM. It's time Church-goers become Christians and stop following the pied pipers of this present age. What ever happened to "following Jesus"?

 

WhipperSnapper said:

Harry Potter is not even a question for a Christian.

Since there are well-informed, intelligent arguments by Christians on both sides of the question, the above is clearly not correct. Ever notice how most of what is supposedly beyond debate, probably isn't?

 

Ransom
Are you saying that there may be a question as to whether or not Satanism is OK for Christians or for their children?

 

WhipperSnapper said:

Are you saying that there may be a question as to whether or not Satanism is OK for Christians or for their children?

I'm sorry, now I'm the confused one. Were we talking about reading Harry Potter stories, or practicing Satanism? You appear to have changed the subject.

 

2Jo 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.


The "box office" records set by Harry Potter will only serve to produce MORE of the same.

I'm sure Satan will appreciate all the "support" he's receiving from "Christains".


Giving aid and comfort to the enemy also violate God's law, even as little as wishing them "good luck".

 

A CLOSER LOOK AT HARRY POTTER
by John Paul Jackson July 18, 2001

Many of you have asked me to comment on the astronomically popular Harry Potter books that have sold more than 30 million copies over the past 3 years. I have read two books in the series and am beginning the third. In this article, I will share some of my impressions with you.

FRUIT FROM THE TREE—WHAT HARRY IS TAUGHT ABOUT GOOD AND EVIL
The primary problem with the Harry Potter books is they offer information from the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” that leads to death (Genesis 2:9, 16-17). On this tree, evil is packaged to attract children and to lure them into sin. In addition, evil is referred to as “good” and good is referred to as “evil.” In fact in the Harry Potter books, one character named Quirrell tells Harry:
“A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it...”

THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
C. S. LEWIS’ “CHRONICLES OF NARNIA”
AND THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS

Many Christians and non-Christians have compared the Harry Potter books with C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. Although both series portray fantasy worlds that involve young children who encounter magical creatures, a critical difference exists between the works of these two authors hinging on the concept of power and authority.
Nothing in the Harry Potter books points to God, to salvation, or even to a metaphorical concept that a specific character might be God, which is true in C.S. Lewis’ writings where that character is Jesus in the character of Aslan, the creator and sovereign ruler of Narnia.

CLEVER TO PRACTICE THE OCCULT?
Despite superficial similarities, Rowling’s and Lewis’ writings have distinct differences. For example, Harry Potter teaches children that it is acceptable and even clever to practice the occult, to look into crystal balls, to practice witchcraft, to join a coven, to practice sorcery, to cast spells, to fly on broomsticks, to turn yourself into an object, or to talk with spirits of the dead. However, God specifically forbids us to do these things (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). We are called as a holy nation, to reflect God’s nature in everything we do (1 Peter 1:15; 2:9).

THE WORLD OF WITCHCRAFT INTRODUCED THROUGH HARRY
J. K. Rowling’s first book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” introduces Harry, an orphaned baby who along with his parents—a wizard and a witch—were attacked by an evil wizard, Lord Voldemort. Although Harry’s parents died in the attack, Harry survives and becomes an instant legend in the world of witchcraft.
Rescued by the “good wizard forces,” Harry lives with his cruel aunt and uncle, both of whom are described as “Muggles,” someone of low intelligence, idiotic, and harsh. Throughout the book, anyone who does not believe in witchcraft is described as being “muggles.”

HARRY ENROLLS IN THE SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT
Interestingly, Harry discovers that he was born a wizard on his eleventh birthday. This discovery entices him to enroll in Hogwarts, the premier boarding school for witchcraft and wizards. Equipped with a broom and magic wand, Harry receives lessons in chanting, spells, curses, potions, magic, transfiguration, and the dark forces.
Throughout “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the number 11 and the color green were prominent. The number eleven can portray the prophetic or it can symbolize the counterfeit prophetic. In a similar way, Harry’s newspaper is called, “The Daily Prophet” which I believe portrays the counterfeit prophetic. In addition, the color green stood out in the first book. Green, which can symbolize life or resurrected, eternal life in a positive sense, can also refer to the flesh or being driven by the soul, a counterfeit to a godly, spirit-led conscience.

TEACHES LAWLESSNESS TUR CHILDREN
Even more troubling, Harry Potter teaches children to be disrespectful, to lie, to break rules, and to disobey authority figures. These describe what happens when sin rules our lives. They are evidence of Satan’s fruit (Galations 5:16-21), which is diametrically opposed to God’s fruit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galations 5:22-25).

HARRY POTTER FUELS RAPIDLY GROWING INTEREST IN WITCHCRAFT AMONG CHILDREN PAGAN FEDERATION APPOINTS YOUTH OFFICER TO HANDLE INQUIRIES FROM CHILDREN Claims Christian Church has failed...

Therefore, we should not be surprised to discover the Harry Potter books have fueled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children. In fact, the demand to know more about witchcraft is so great, the Pagan Federation has appointed a youth officer to handle the flood of inquiries and to offer advice and information to youngsters. Although the Pagan Federation refuses to admit new members who are under the age of 18, nonetheless it reports that each month an average of 100 inquiries come from children who want to become witches.
Explaining the growing interest in witchcraft, the Pagan Federation claims the Christian Church has failed to provide “the right degree of spirituality for young people.” They also say that paganism involves “direct communication with the divine.”

SATAN’S MASTER PLAN—LURE A PROPHETIC GENERATION
These events point to the elevation of Satan’s master plan—a plan to gather the most prophetic generation in history and lure them into embracing evil. Ten years from now, our children will welcome things that we would never accept today.
I am not just speaking about the Harry Potter books, which contains progressive deception. Instead, I am referring to the dark progression in our world of embracing a form of paganism and calling it “good.” As our culture is deceived by the darkness that appears as light, an unprecedented fueling of the occult is happening in our day.

THE TIME OF GREAT DECEPTION --- THIS IS THAT TIME
I am absolutely convinced that we are living during a time of great deception spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12. Many will stumble headlong into evil, unaware they are being deceived. Some will fail to heed the warnings that foretell of the deception and allow themselves to be hardened to the truth.
A generation will arise that will persecute the Church. They will regard the Body of Christ as intolerant and spiritually egocentric.
Tragically, our children will be the ones to pay the price for the flood of evil.

 

oh geez...for crying out loud...this is just a little too legalistic for me...

I read probably 50 different goosebump books when i was younger, and I was able to disern reality from fantasy. I have also read and enjoyed Stephen King...and I don't feel any need to go out and raise the dead. How is this all that different? We can't lock children in boxes, so I guess we will have to just make sure they are discerning the difference between what is right and wrong. How many children that went to see Harry Potter do you know that converted to the Occult?

UNP, Adam

 

I have not seen Harry Potter. Probably, with discernment, Christians could watch it and no harm would be done. However, we should not discount the effect that a story like this can have on culture. A culture that rejects Christ and Christian values is susceptible to any influence. For instance, at one level, shows like Star Trek and Star Wars are innocuous stories. At the same time they have a powerful impact on culture. How many people believe that there is life in outer space in our culture? Indeed it is popular to believe that life on earth was planted by aliens. New age concepts found in Star Wars are also prevalent in our society. Many people believe in karma and reincarnation. They believe that good and evil are impersonal forces such as is seen in Star Wars. So entertainment has the effect of opening people's minds to possibilities, as well as confirming what people already believe and reinforcing it. Will Harry Potter cause Christians to go into witchcraft? Probably not. Will it cause millions of young non-Christian children to go into witchcraft? I doubt that happens either. Will a series of movies over a period of years seen by millions of members of a non-discerning young generation influence them to be accepting of the idea that witchcraft is innocent and can be used for good? It's hard to believe that it won't.

 

Harry + potter = Garbage

 

The fact that it is witchcraft? I don't have to see the movie to know about it. You can even tell through its advertising. I can't believe all the hype over it, there was a line up pretty near all around the theater waiting to get in. What ever happened to good movies?

 

Haven't read or seen it (and don't have kids so I don't plan to read or see it) so I can't really comment on it.

I would, however, remind you guys who are commenting without seeing it that there have been some movies that Christians have sworn off before seeing them only to find out that they made great, positive statements about issues of faith. Spitfire Grill, Tender Mercies and Life is Beautiful among them.

Like I said, I haven't read it or seen it so it may very well be just as bad as you say, but if you haven't seen it, how do you know?

 

If harry potter changed his faith after the first book there wouldn't be any movie.

 

Click this link to hear the "Crosstalk" radio program for Nov.26, 2001 on VCY America. The guest was Pastor David Brown speaking about Harry Potter and the Occult

VCY America radio program "Crosstalk" - Harry Potter and the Occult -
53 minutes

If you are a Christian and think the Harry Potter books and movie are just harmless fantasy, let me encourage you to listen to this program. Ask the Lord to give you understanding in this matter.

Do you think our Lord Jesus would approve of His children playing around with things like this? We don't have to guess, we have His infallible, inerrant, authoritative Word.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord...

Divination - fortune telling; future telling; divining into the unknown.

Observer of times - one who consults the stars; who believes the heavenly bodies have an influence over the physical and moral world.

Enchanter - to use enchantments; spell casting; charms; communication with spirits.

Witch - one who practices witchcraft; worshipper of Satan; nature worshipper; one who practices sorcery and enchantment.

Charmer - those who cast spells; sorcery; incantations.

Familiar spirits - spirits involved with those attempting to communicate with the dead; deceiving spirits impersonating the dead; spirits participating in witchcraft and those who are in communication with them.

Wizard - sorcerer; conjurer; charmer; enchanter.

Necromancy - the art of revealing future events by pretending communication with the dead.

Even if you don't plan on practicing any of these things you should not "have pleasure in them that do them"(Romans 1:32).

 

It is a sad commentary in our day when people can say that they are followers of Jesus in one breath, and say that that they allow for the promotion of witchcraft in the next.

As Harry Potter grows up, and becomes more adept at the dark arts, will those (Christians) who have supported him now change their tune? Too late.

Many in the Body of Christ today have no idea what are the requirements for following Jesus.

Those of you who support Harry Potter, could you please post a little bit about what holiness means?

What biblical mandate gives you the Godly right to approve of witchcraft? What scriptures do you go to for comfort?

We will all, each one of us, stand before the Lord Jesus one day, to give an account of our lives, and the activities we have done in our bodies, whether good or bad.

I do not question anyones relationship with the Lord, because only Jesus knows whether we have relationship with Him. But, there will come a time when the following will happen:

MT 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

 

qwerty said:
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>It is a sad commentary in our day when people can say that they are followers of Jesus in one breath, and say that that they allow for the promotion of witchcraft in the next. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

AMEN!!!

Galatians 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.


Paula

 

Karen said, of a Potter-related page on Breakpoint:

I couldn't get site to come through correctly to specific page.

I seem to have had better luck. Running a search on Connie Neal actually brought up a number of Harry Potter articles. Is this the one you're thinking of?

If not, nonetheless it is quite good.