harry potter

My advice ,if you care about the spiritual well-being of the kid, would be ABSOLUTELY NOT. But You will find plenty of christians who will tell you the exact opposite. So your friend will be able to find ample support for a decision, either way. I spent 17 years in the occult before being set free through Jesus Christ.For what its worth I reiterate DO NOT ENCOURAGE her to let her kid start reading Harry Potter.
in Christ
chet

 

and I dont agree with Chet there

UNLESS

the parent(s) are not going to go over the material with the child

However if the parents have gone over the material in the past, and as such have helped the kid to understand certain basic principles

such as FICTION, evil, and morals

then again there is no problem letting the child read the book

 

I would say no to letting a child read material of that nature. I can understand letting children read stories with magic in them, such as fairy tales, but Harry Potter is full of satanic symbolism and witchcraft. That is too much for a child and I wouldnt read it as an adult either.

 

witchcraft is evil, if you believe your bible. why should we entertain ourselves with fiction that calls evil good?

how about fictional books where the kids murder each other for fun? if you wouldn't allow that, then why this? are you a bigger authority on what's evil than god?

this INCLUDES fairy tales, and anything else that makes evil sound good or harmless.

 

I agree with Sularis. But I think parents should always be involved in what their kids read and talk with them about their books, not just HP.

 

oh, just wanted to add that my "you" in my previous postwas not meant to address anyone in particular. sometimes it's just easier to say things that way.

 

just because we're used to something, that doesn't make it right. we need test everything and only hold on to what is good, according to the word of god.

it's really not much to ask, believers in the third world and in previous centuries gladly gave up their lives for christ, while we balk at giving up only some of our worldly, ungodly entertainment!

 

It's amazing how I grew up watching violent shows like "Gunsmoke" and reading the Bible with all of the violent and sordid scenes that take place, and yet I have never killed anyone in anger(never been in a fight for that matter) or committed a sexually immoral act. And I know there are millions of other people who grew up watching the same TV shows, movies, and reading the Bible who don't commit those acts, either.

Methinks people sometimes over-protect their children. It is better to expose them to these items when you can be the one introducing them to them with the proper nuances than sheltering them and then they are introduced to them away from your loving care and direction.

Let kids be kids. It worked for most of my generation.

 

mentioning the topic is not the problem, the problem is making something evil look good.

 

"lead us not into temption"... intentionally putting yourself where you can be tempted doesn't seem like a good plan to me.

with potter, as with most fantasy, the "good" side wins, i'm sure. the problem here is that the bible calls magic/witchcraft evil, and these books make it seem good.

if these books made murder or torture look good, everyone would see my point. the problem is that people go by their own feelings, and not the word of god, to tell them what's truly evil.

 

Here is a first of two parts to a real neat Harry Potter devotional via Bill Keller. Here is part 1 below and I will post part 2 in a separate post:

HARRY POTTER AND THE SEARCH FOR A KING (part 1 of 2)

Harry was walking back to Gryffndor House with Ron and Hermione after
leading his Quidditch team to another victory. They were talking about
their Potions class when Hedwig appeared with a note. "Who is it from?" Ron
asked. "Hagrid," Harry replied. "He says that he has to talk to me right
away about something very important." It had been quite a while since Harry
had seen his old friend, and was curious what could be so urgent. "I think
I better go see Hagrid right away," Harry said. I will see you two at
dinner.

So, Harry made his way across the grounds to the edge of the forbidden
forest where Hagrid's small wooden house was. When Harry knocked on the
door, he heard the familiar bark of Hagrid's enormous black boarhound, Fang.
After a moment, the door opened and Harry's old friend, Hagrid reached out
and gave Harry a big hug. "Harry Potter, I have missed you!" said Hagrid.
"I've missed you too Hagrid," Harry replied, "I have been so busy with my
classes, with Quidditch practice." Harry walked into the one-room house and
sat down. "Your note said that you had something very important to tell me
Hagrid. What is it?" Harry asked.

Hagrid sat down and looked at his young friend. "Harry, I have received
word through some friends that your uncle wants to see you. They say he is
very ill, and has to speak to you before he dies." It had been a long time
since Harry had thought about the Dursleys. Harry did not have fond
memories at all of his time living with his aunt and uncle. They made it
obvious he was a burden to them. If his uncle was that sick, why would he
want to see Harry? "Harry, I don't trust the Dursleys. They are typical
Muggles, and I don't trust them at all. It may be a trick of some kind,"
Hagrid said. Harry thought for a moment, "Hagrid, I really don't know why
my uncle would want to see me, but if he is sick, and went to the trouble to
contact me, I should go see him." "I still don't trust him Harry, but if
that is what you want, I'll take you there. You wait here and I will go
talk to Professor Dumbledore and explain what is happening, and get some
transportation. You keep Fang company, and I'll be back in a bit," Hagrid
bellowed as he left the house.

A short time later, Harry heard a loud roaring engine and ran out the front
door. There in the front yard was a huge motorcycle with his giant friend
driving. "This is the exact same motorcycle that I drove the night I took
you from your parent's home to the Dursleys," Hagrid beamed. "Come on
Harry, get on, and hang on tight!" Harry jumped on the back of the
motorcycle behind Hagrid and all of a sudden, the motorcycle began to roar
to life and took off through the countryside, slowly rising above the ground
and into the air. Harry's mind was racing the entire trip, wondering why
his uncle wanted to see him, of all people, before he died. He really
dreaded going back to that house where he had so many unpleasant memories,
but felt like he was obligated to honor his uncle's wish.

In no time at all, the motorcycle was breaking through the clouds, and
slowly making its way back to the ground, easing onto the familiar street
where the Dursleys lived. Instantly, they came to a stop. There it was, #4
Privet Drive, the home of the Dursleys. The place Harry lived for 10 years
after his parents were killed. Harry was not sure this was a good idea, but
he had come this far. "Do you want me to come with you Harry?" Hagrid
asked. "No, I am OK, thanks," Harry replied. "All right my friend.
When you are ready to come back, send Hedwig to come get me and I will be
here in no time," Hagrid said. Harry hugged his friend, and heard the sound
of the motorcycle engine fading in the distance as he walked up and knocked
on the front door of the Dursley home.

The door opened and Harry was looking into the eyes of Dudley Dursley.
Harry held his breath, expecting the normal tirade of insults from his
cousin, but instead was greeted by a huge smile on Dudley's plump face.
"Harry, it is great to see you. I have missed you," Dudley exclaimed.
"MOM! Harry is here. Come in Harry, come in. After all, you are home,"
Dudley said. Harry was really confused now as he stepped into the place he
lived for so many years, yet never did feel that it was his home. From the
kitchen appeared his Aunt Petunia. She hurried over to Harry, wrapping her
arms around him in a loving hug that Harry had never felt from her before.
She was actually sobbing gently as she said,"Harry, I am so glad you decided
to come. Thank you." Harry was totally confused now. Dudley was actually
nice to him, Aunt Petunia was crying and said that she was happy to see him,
there was something very wrong here. Harry could not even speak. He didn't
know what to say.

"Harry, I am so glad that you got here when you did. I didn't think you
would make it. Your uncle is very ill and the doctors have done all they
could for him. He probably won't make it through the night, but he so
desperately wanted to see you before he died. Please, come on upstairs to
his room. He has been waiting for you," Aunt Petunia said while quickly
leading Harry up the steps to the bedroom Vernon Dursley was in. As she
pushed open the door, the room was pitch dark except for a small light on
the stand next to the bed. She grabbed Harry's hand tightly and led him
into the room by the bed.

As they stood there, Harry's eyes adjusted to the darkness and he could see
the outline of his uncle laying on the bed. "Vernon," Mrs. Dursely
whispered, "Harry is here." Harry could see his uncle's eyes were closed,
but slowly, one of them opened half way. He had no expression on his face,
but seeing Harry, managed a slight smile. "Petunia, help me to sit up
please, and leave me to talk to Harry," Mr. Dursley asked. His wife helped
him up, spun around and hugged Harry on the way out of the room, whispering
in his ear, "I love you Harry." She then kissed his forehead and left the
room, shutting the door behind her.

Harry's mind was trying to understand what was happening. Something was
very wrong. For years, the Dursleys acted like Harry didn't exist. Now his
Uncle made the effort to get a message to Hagrid for Harry to come home and
see him before he died. Dudley was nice to him, and his Aunt not only
kissed his forehead, something she had never done before, but told Harry
that she loved him. Harry's thoughts were interrupted by the weak, but
familiar voice of Vernon Dursley asking Harry to sit on the edge of the bed.
As Harry sat down, Mr. Dursley, now with both eyes wide open, looked at
Harry. He slowly reached out and took Harry's hand in his.

Looking into Harry's eyes Mr. Dursley squeezed his hand and said, "thank you
for coming Harry. I don't have much time left, but I had to see you before
I die. Harry, I want you to know how sorry I am for the way I treated you
all those years that you lived here. I am more ashamed of that than
anything else in my life. I know that I can never make up to you for how
your were mistreated, but I had to see you before I die to tell you that I
am sorry, and ask you to forgive me. Harry Potter, will you forgive me?"
Now Harry was certain something was wrong. This must be a trick of some
sort. Maybe it is a trap. Voldemort might have cast some sort of spell
over the Dursleys.

Harry didn't know what to say. Mr. Dursley, whose voice was getting weaker,
whispered, "Harry, I don't blame you if you won't forgive me, but I had to
at least apologize and tell you that I am so sorry." Harry could now see
tears streaming down Mr. Dursley's pale cheeks. For the first time since
stepping into the Dursely home, Harry was finally able utter a few words.
As he saw his Uncle laying there, crying, squeezing his hand, Harry said, "I
forgive you." As the words came off of Harry's lips, he saw the tears stop.
There was a peace that came over his uncle's face. With his eyes closed,
squeezing Harry's hand tightly, Vernon Dursley softly said, "Harry Potter, I
love you. My time in this life is over, and I am going to see the King."

As he uttered the word King, Vernon Dursely took his last breath. Harry sat
on the bed, still holding the hand of his uncle. He was replaying the last
few moments that he had spent alone with his uncle. Why was it so important
to his uncle for Harry to forgive him? After all of the years that he lived
in this house, he had never once heard the Dursleys speak kindly to him, let
alone say they loved him. First Aunt Petunia, now Uncle Vernon. Something
was really wrong in this house. It had to be a spell of some sort. But
who,
and why? For what reason? Maybe the answer lies in this King he spoke of
going to see when he died. I need to find out who this King is.


In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email
at bkeller@liveprayer.com

 

Here is part 2 of the Harry Potter devotional:

***I pray that this special 2-part series will be a blessing to you and your
family. So there is no confusion, I WROTE BOTH PARTS. These are not
excerpts from the books! Please share it with everyone that you know!
Also, feel free to search the Internet for Harry Potter newsgroups, message
boards, and chat rooms and post it there. Both parts of this series will be
posted on the
www.liveprayer.com website by clicking on the Harry Potter link on the right
side of the home page.

***TO MY FRIENDS IN ENGLAND: Please take both Parts of this Series and try
to get it to J.K. Rowling. Thank you very much.


HARRY POTTER AND THE SEARCH FOR A KING (part 2 of 2)

Harry was back in his old bedroom, laying in his bed, trying to get some
much needed sleep. Just a few hours earlier he had been at Hogwarts,
playing Quidditch, laughing with Ron and Hermione. But Harry sensed deep
down that something important was happening to him. He couldn't put his
finger on it, but somehow Harry knew things were very different in the
Dursley home. As tired as Harry was from a long day at school, then the
journey with Hagrid to the Dursleys, and finally the emotional meeting with
his uncle, he simply could not sleep.

Harry continued to wonder if Voldemort had cast a spell on the Dursleys and
he had walked right into a trap. As he tossed and turned in his bed, all of
a sudden Harry froze. The moon was full and its light came thru the window
and illuminated part of the wall. There hanging on the wall was a picture
of a man in a long white robe riding a white horse. On his thigh was
written the words, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

Harry bolted up in a cold sweat. Was this the King that his uncle said that
he was going to go see when he died? Who was this King riding the white
horse? Harry was now wide awake. He quietly slipped out of his room and
went down the hall to Dudley's room. Harry lightly tapped on the door.
There was no response so he tapped again and said in a hushed voice,
"Dudley, its Harry. Wake up, I need to talk to you." After a moment, Harry
heard footsteps approaching the door, and slowly it opened. Dudley had been
sound asleep and rubbing his eyes, asked, "what's wrong Harry, are you OK?"
"Dudley, I must talk to you right now. It is urgent," Harry said.

Dudley opened the door for Harry, flipped on the light switch, and climbed
into his bed. He motioned for Harry to sit on the chair beside the bed. As
Harry sat down, he looked around and realized in all the years he had lived
in the Dursley house, this was the first time he had ever been in his
cousin's bedroom. Dudley would never allow Harry to even step one foot
inside. "Dudley," Harry said,
"something very strange is going on here." Dudley, now wide awake, looked
at Harry and smiled. "You are right Harry, things are not the same as they
used to be. Things changed in our home about six months ago," Dudley
stated. Before Dudley could go on, Harry interrupted him. "Right before he
died, your father told me that he was going to see a King," Harry declared.
"Who was this King that he was going to go see?" Harry asked.

A big smile broke out on Dudley's round face. "My dad is with Jesus,
Harry," Dudley beamed. "Six months ago, we all became Christians," Dudley
proudly announced. Harry looked at his cousin with a puzzled look. He had
heard of Christians before, but really didn't know much about them except
they were Muggles that did not like witches and wizards. That even made him
more curious since if the Dursleys had become Christians, they would dislike
Harry even more than before. Now he was really confused. "But, I thought
Christians did not like witches and wizards," Harry said. "No Harry,
Christians love everyone, but they do not always like the things people
choose to do," Dudley said.

Harry was now very curious. "How did you become a Christian, Dudley?" he
asked. "Well, about a year ago, one of my friends who was a Christian kept
asking me to go to church with him. Our family would go on Christmas, but I
never liked it much. Since I wouldn't go to church with him, he started to
forward me these Devotionals he was getting from some Christian in the U.S.
I used to delete them, but one day I started to read them. Harry, they were
amazing. Every day they talked about God, and real life problems, and that
all the answers to life were in God's book. One day, I decided that I
wanted to become a Christian, so I got down on my knees, right here in this
room Harry, and asked Jesus Christ into my heart," Dudley said.

Harry's head was now spinning. He felt hot like there was some sort of
spell being cast on him. He barely heard Dudley tell how within a week of
becoming a Christian, his mom and dad also accepted Jesus into their hearts
and became Christians too. Harry felt like running out of the room, but for
some reason he couldn't move. He was sure now that someone had cast a spell
on him but he was powerless to do anything about it. It was at that moment
Harry saw a bright light and heard a loud deep voice. "Harry Potter," the
voice bellowed, "renounce wizardry and accept Jesus as your King and you
will have powers greater than any wizard or witch that ever lived!"

"Dudley," Harry cried, "did you hear that?" "Hear what?" Dudley replied.
"That voice!" Harry said. "Are you all right Harry? Nobody is here but
us," Dudley said. Harry told Dudley what he had heard and Dudley looked at
his cousin smiling. "Harry," he said, "that must have been God speaking to
you." All of a sudden, a perfect peace came over Harry. He looked at
Dudley and said, "Dudley, I want to become a Christian!" Dudley leaped off
the bed, and wrapped his arms around Harry. "Come on Harry, you can do it
right now," he said excitedly. Dudley told Harry to get on his knees and
led him in a
prayer to accept Jesus Christ into his heart.

When he finished, with tears streaming down his face, Harry Potter realized
that something special had just happened to him. It was not a magic spell.
It was not anything that he had ever experienced before in his life. He had
such a peace about him. Deep inside, he knew that something was different.
As he stood up, his hair flew to the side and his cousin gasped. "Harry,
look at your scar!" Dudley cried out. Harry looked into the the mirror on
Dudley's dresser and froze . The scar in the shape of a lightning bolt that
he had received as a baby when Voldemort tired to kill him, had changed into
a cross! Harry Potter had found the KING!

***If you want to find the King and become a Christian like Harry Potter
did, please take a moment and pray for God to open your heart, then read the
words at this link:
www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.html . Also, please take a moment and say a
prayer for Harry Potter's
author, J.K. Rowling, that she will invite Jesus Christ into her heart and
also become a Christian.


In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

 

Those Harry Potter stories are all just part of a daily devotional I subscribe to every day from Bill Keller.

Dr Bob, I am not sure how he deals with the possible legal issues, but he asked to forward the devotions to everywhere possible, especially Harry Potter boards.

 

"Harry Potter with motorcycles, and e-mails being forwarded and deleted, sounds a bit strange. "
The motorcycle actually fits in nicely with Rowlings writings. (Hagrid does own such a device in the novels).
However Harry lives with his aunt and uncle each year, when he leaves Hogwarts during the summer vacation. In this story apparently he does not.
HP's muggle relatives only have superficial resemblance to the ones in the novels.

Also Bill Keller is quite the arrogant pig for using the whole Christian from the USA with an e-mail devotional bit quoted below.
"Since I wouldn't go to church with him, he started to
forward me these Devotionals he was getting from some Christian in the U.S.
I used to delete them, but one day I started to read them. Harry, they were
amazing."

The whole thing reminds me more of a vain American trying to corrupt a piece of English culture, instead of anything truly Christian.

 

Harry Potter SUCKS!!!! But Pastor Chet is right. Christians i know will read this book. I dont condolne but I do something similar. I play trading card games and watch anime's and read Lord Of The Rings. But the difference is i know the difference between fantasy and reality

 

moique has said...

and calling someone vain, and an arrogant pig, is something truly christian?? Seriously, had he said the devotionals were coming from someone in, let's say, South Africa, would you still be calling him names?


Also, as for Guitar25's choice word (won't use it here, but it's what a vacuum cleaner does hehe), can we use that word here on the BB? If so, I need to go back and edit a lot of my previous postings lol

God Bless!!!

Adam

 

supplanter has said...

No, I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything. Just making an observation is all. You can read into it what you will.

God Bless!!!

Adam

 

"and calling someone vain, and an arrogant pig, is something truly christian??"
No it is not, in fact I was completely out of line calling the fellow a pig .

Using the less lofty standards of the Baptist Board 'house style' of posting, calling somebody from a different culture vain&arrogant if he tries to do something potentially threatening to your own one is about the minimum response.
I'm neither British nor American, but the whole Harry potter is evil saga, is only an issue in churches heavily influenced by the USA. So I doubt the sincerity of one side on this issue. And I don't do such a thing lightly.


"Seriously, had he said the devotionals were coming from someone in, let's say, South Africa, would you still be calling him names?"
No, most likely I would accuse him of plugging his own style of spreading God's Word in a tasteless fashion.