News: Harry Potter Goes to Church

Of course, let's mix a school for witches with Christianity. Don't Christians have enough of their own good stories in the Bible? Some may pass Harry Potter movies and books off for good entertainment, but to act it out oversteps the boundaries of good and evil.

 

I'd like to hear more outrage about those Demon Creatures from Dr. Suess that eat green eggs and ham or Demon trolls that hide under bridges and eat goats. Or that evil witch that lives in a ginger-bread house that bakes up fat little children for dinner.

It has been these older evil filled books that have created the millions of witches and demon worshipers that are found in our society today.

Who amoung us can say that we didn't want to feast on raw goat after hearing about Billy crossing the bridge? Give me a break!

 

How many anti-HP folks have a copy of "The Wizard of OZ" in their video arsenal?

 

As a SBC Pastor I would not be surprised to see a harry Vacation Bible School coming along any time now. Maybe once that happens the next one will be adapted from the childrens book " Bobby has two daddy's" Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Murph

 

There is a long Christian tradition of taking the secular (and even the pagan) and adapting it for allegorical or illustrative purposes. (Now might be a bad time to point out that some trace the virgin birth account, for instance, to popular stories about regional deities of the day...)

Joshua

 

Is there ever a good time for heresy?

 

Harry Potter in Church, well since most of the kids are reading the books... but then again SOMEONE has to tell them the truth.

I don't think it would be an appropriate Vaccation Biuble School, however, there are many "Christian" books that have witches etc., so ruling Harry Potter out for one point may be the easiest (and smartest?) but it is a flawed argument.

We dont' have Harry Potter in our church library ... we have The Lion the wich and the Wardrobe, some of Tolkein's works ....

I personally would rather see a "Quest" Vaccation Bible School after some of Tolkien's works I want to be Gimli! Pastor can be an Orc.

-- Jeremiah

BTW: I missed the Harry Potter v. Lord of the Rings debate thread? Anyone want to point me at it?

 

Whenever Christian values are taught is a valuable thing. I'm not saying I agree or disagree with Harry Potter. I am however applauding anyone who will teach Christian values to children in this day and age.

 

NOPE can't have relatable things for kids now can we, best stick to the outdated and non-stickable flannel graph materials so our children have extra time to sleep through classes.

I personally have no problems with Harry Potter, at first when they brought the movie out I was dead set against it, then I went to see it for myself and realized that the movie is simply a fictional movie with weird characters and plots involved. I found it very interesting and bought it for my son, and no he doesn't run around the house attempting to cast spells or anything.

I say to any church who are willing to go the extra mile to show kids values, go for it!!!!!

karen

 

Karen that argument is about as good as using Playboy magazine because the teen boys will definately be interested, maybe they can choose centerfolds whose turn ons are Sunday school and televangelists.
Murph

 

There is also a long tradition of taking the secular (and even the pagan) and adapting it to Christianity. It continues to this very day.

In the Father,

Russ <><

 

Talk about exaggeration. Does anyone really think that the purpose of the Harry Potter books is to introduce children to witchcraft?

Last year while going to the University of Houston Downtown, working on my Bachelor's degree, I took a course in children's literature (my degree is in elementary education). One of the books required for us to read was the first Harry Potter book.

I found the book to be just what it claims to be, children's fiction; repeat, children's fiction. The book is make believe. Have I mentioned the book is fiction. Since that time, while teaching in a public elementary school I have not seen any evidence that this has led this generation of 3rd graders to join the ranks of Satan worshippers.

The biggers problem with the Harry Potter books is the over reaction by many pastors as to its danger.

 

People that listen to Satanic rock music go out and replicate what they are doing. Have a look at what happened at Colombine High school and Marylin Manson.

I have no doubt that kids will "role play" witchcraft through watching Harry Potter. The bible makes it absolutley clear that any type of witch craft is wrong and not to be embraced in any way, shape or form by Christians. Hence these books as though they may seem harmless, have to be rejected.

 

Murph..please not the ol' porn mag theory again..that one is not only old but pathetic and holds no ground.

First of all, the kids at Columbine did not..I repeat...DID NOT go on that killing mission due to Manson's music, although Manson has taken a lot of grief because of that situation neither he nor his music is to blame for any of that. Any kid who determines they are going to kill others in such a methodical way has far deeper problems then slipping in a Manson cd. I know plenty of kids who love Manson and other bands just like him and they are so far from attempting a mass killing. It's a mental issue, plus you be in high school teased every day of your life and made to feel worthless and see where you find yourself. I said all that to make a very very important point, any kid who reads or views Harry Potter is not going to automatically say "oh I think I'd like to do that myself", if you've watched this movie you would see the magic portrayed is very fictional looking magic, for example...how many times have you seen a warlock flying his car in the air instead of driving it on the road??? Not to mention that if you have a serious problem with Harry Potter, I'm pretty sure you aren't a big fan of David Copperfield and other world wide known magicians. BTW...I am a former magician's assistant so I can tell you from personal experience not one bit of magic is performed with any type of spells...it's all trickery and behind the curtains.

Karen

 

There are millions of children that listen to rock music. If what you are saying is true, there would be thousands of cases of Colombine shootings. Ben did you not think about what you said before you said it?

 

There are some people in this world that are going to do what they're gonig to do, and will use whatever they can to justify their actions.

 

I understand the Columbine killers also ate MacDonald's hamburgers shortly before the murders happened. Their bodies were nurished and strengthen by MacDonald's which helped in some way to carry out the murders.

Let's not let the individual offender off the hook by laying blame on third parties. This common reaction to human horror is kin to "blaming the victim" which is just another way we try to understand and cope/control such bizarre events. There is no single cause for such things.

Controlling the effect from the multitude of causes is the direct responsibility of the individual, otherwise Jesus could not judge us.

 

Maralyn Manson is an extreme case which I used knowing it would grab attention to the point I am making. Lets say 10 000 kids listen to a satanic rock muscician who say advocates the killing of Homosexuals. I would hope that the kids would not go out and do what has been suggested. Yet in practice there are always some who will be influenced into making an opinion based on what people they percieve to be there hero's are saying.

I am sure that not every kid who is into Harry Potter goes out and Role Plays witchcraft, but is it the case in every Kid? I do not doubt that yes there are some kids who have had an interest in witchcraft awakened by the Harry Potter series. Considering that it is not uncommon for kids under 10 to play at seances etc. It is not unreasonable to think that they can be influenced into witch craft.

That is what Harry Potter is about, the things they use in the film, they way they cast spells etc are all taken from satanism. Hence no Christian should encourage or permit a child to have anything to do with it.

 

REVELATION 21:8

Not trying go be a wise guy; just don't know how to comment on such a subject.