if Harry Potter were real he would be going to hell

[God's Word]

Why don't you address the issues we have already expressed to you regarding your own posts?

I already have. YOU said that I have a "flawed argument" when, in reality, my argument is based upon the author's own confessions, documented proof that such things as the Potter books are leading to an increased curiosity about witchcraft/etc. and that children want to enroll in Hogwarts. In case you haven't noticed, these things are in line with the OP. < staff edit >. < staff edit >

 

[brinny]

< staff edit >
&#x202a;The Beastmaster Trailer&#x202c;&rlm; - YouTube

i'd watch it just for the eye inside the ring LOL!

Seriously though? I watch movies like this and i meditate on the "spiritual war" that is raging, as we speak. This war is "unseen", yet very real. It is edifying to me to watch movies with the subject of good vs evil. I process it and i am thankful that God is Who He is, and that He's bigger than any evil thing that rages against us.

There's a reason that we are admonished to put on the whole armor of God. The heroes in movies such as this, to me, represent us, fighting the good fight.

 

[God's Word]

There's a reason that we are admonished to put on the whole armor of God. The heroes in movies such as this, to me, represent us, fighting the good fight.

I understand what you're saying, but there's one major problem...

Magic, sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, etc., etc. are NOT parts of our spiritual armor.

Such things are now being deemed as "good" in this "good fight" against "evil" and there's nothing "good" about them. Nothing at all.

Wouldn't you agree? Can you see the message that is being sent to children in this? There are the "muggles" who are basically non-magical bores and then there's the exciting world of magic... Can you see where this potentially leads in the minds of impressionable children? Some apparently cannot, in spite of the documentation that's been presented. What do you think about 100 inquiries a month about witchcraft being spawned by such things as the Potter books, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch? Do such things concern you? I'm not saying that they don't...I'm just asking. Thanks.

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

You don't need to know this, but I run my own business which includes the running of machinery in my home. Almost 100% (it's at least in the 90's) of the time that I'm posting on this forum, I'm also working from home...as I presently am, even as I type. My work supports my wife and children, so I am serving others. On top of this, your so-called "fictional story" includes many REAL PRACTICES which are condemned in scripture, mentions REAL PEOPLE who were involved in the occult and has had a REAL IMPACT upon the lives of many, many children. Perhaps none of these things concern you, but they concern me...THEY ALSO CONCERN THE LORD, the One Whom I serve. Hopefully, this answers your questions.

George washington and most of our founding fathers were free masons. Gandhi was a Hindu, a man who worshipped other gods. Ought we to disregard their place in history because of these faults?

And you know what else is funny: The Bible ITSELF is full of real practices that are condemned by it! I am well aware that the HP series is far from the Bible, however Christian parents have no problem telling their children David had an affair with Bathsheba or that thousands of indigenous tribes in the holy land were massacred by the Israelites.

Now, would you like to address Rowling's own confessions regarding the impact that her books have had upon children?

Now, would you like to address the REALITY of how such things as the Potter books/movies are drawing children into the occult?

But...They...Aren't! I've been reading the series and others like them since I was 11! Most of my friends, from all walks of life, have been reading Harry Potter since the series first came out...every single one of them has maintained their original faith.

Now, would you like to address why Rowling, a self-proclaimed Christian (not that that means much, nowadays), would go through the trouble of including not only REAL PRACTICES which are condemned in scripture in her books, but also include the name of REAL PEOPLE who were in the occult?

Asking me that is like me asking you why the Brothers Grimm put witches and princesses and talking wolves into their stories when they were from a predominately Christian culture. I don't know her mind, I don't know why she did it, but I don't think she's trying to convert children to the occult.

Now, would you like to address THE REALITY that your so-called "fiction" is causing countless numbers of children to believe that it's not only REAL, but also causing them to wish to enroll in Hogwarts themselves?

It's a so called fiction...you genuinely believe the wizarding world of Harry Potter exists?

As to why children believe Hogwarts exists: Depending on how old children are they have a difficult time differentiating reality from fiction. Do you know the average age of the children who wrote to Rowling about entering Hogwarts?
I wouldn't recommend the book series for anyone under the age of 11, and the movies are rated pg and pg-13 for very good reasons. There is such a thing as parental responsibility.

 

[A New Dawn]

You have steadily refused to respond to posts that directly quote the author's intent for the series, posts that speak to the issue of the difference between pretend magic and the "sorcery" spoken about in the Bible, posts that point out that people can read books like Harry Potter and still be in service to the Lord, etc. Your argument is lacking because you haven't studied what you are condemning. It is a flaw. It is one thing to read something and make an educated argument against it, it is another thing to not read something and make a flawed argument against it.

 

[suzybeezy]

Ok everyone, let's take a deep breath and relax. We're going to have different opinions on this subject, but let's all be respectful towards each other.​

 

[Lion King]

George washington and most of our founding fathers were free masons. Gandhi was a Hindu, a man who worshipped other gods. Ought we to disregard their place in history because of these faults?

Of course, it's no suprise that the world considers such men heroes and role models, while it hates Jesus Christ and all the children of El Shaddai.

That is because, satan the prince of this world, set it up that way.All that is ungodly is celebrated, and all that is holy is treated with disdain. On that note, I fail to see how a Christian can really have a person like gandhi as his role-model.

And you know what else is funny: The Bible ITSELF is full of real practices that are condemned by it! I am well aware that the HP series is far from the Bible, however Christian parents have no problem telling their children David had an affair with Bathsheba or that thousands of indigenous tribes in the holy land were massacred by the Israelites.

Didn't the LORD punish David for his crimes? I remember David paying a heavy price for that....

As for the massacres, the LORD always has a reason for doing what He does. Who are you to question Him?

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

Of course, it's no suprise that the world considers such men heroes and role models, while it hates Jesus Christ and all the children of El Shaddai.

That is because, satan the prince of this world, set it up that way.All that is ungodly is celebrated, and all that is holy is treated with disdain. On that note, I fail to see how a Christian can really have a person like gandhi as his role-model.

Well maybe because he took the Christian concept of non violence in the face of the enemy and applied it to everyday life...

Didn't the LORD punish David for his crimes? I remember David paying a heavy price for that....

As for the massacres, the LORD always has a reason for doing what He does. Who are you to question Him?

Who was Abraham to ask for mercy on Soddom and Gohmorrah? Who was Moses to talk back and say "Uhm yeah why did you pick me" and yet these men are admired by Scripture.


That's besides the point though. I refuse to believe that Harry Potter is putting anyone, particularly a Christian in danger of eternal hell fire. Christ died for far greater atrocities than the use of human imagination.

 

[Jipsah]

I've never read either Tolkien or Lewis.

I'm sure of that.

I have read the Bible, though...many, many times.

That's good. I reckon you'd be able to give us some Scriptures that forbid HP style "magic" then. Or not.

 

[Jipsah]

IN REALITY, it's drawing young, impressionable minds into the occult.

I doubt that, but if it is, they won't stay in "the occult" very long. If they're looking for magic, they sure as shootin' ain't gonna find it in any occultic practices.

P.S. Why are you folks so into what you call an "alternate reality"?

It's an entertaining story.

What's wrong with reality itself?

From a Christian standpoint, sin. You should know that. Real sin, not the kind that exists only in fiction and which we couldn't commit if we tried.

 

[Jipsah]

Paul didn't think that fortune telling/divination was "crud". He dealt with it in its proper manner by casting the spirit of divination (literally, the spirit of Python) out of the soothsayer in Jesus Christ's name.

What, are you telling me that a demon was actually telling people their futures? Demons lie, < staff edit > , and none knew it better than St. Paul. He put a stop to the lying, deceiving crud that the demon spewed through that poor girl by chucking the demon out.

BTW, what leads you to the belief that demons are somehow little gods who through their magical powers can tell the future? There's nothing, at all, in Scripture that even suggests any such thing.

I understand that there are differences of opinions as to whether or not this was really Samuel who was "brought up" or just a familiar spirit, but, in either case, someone/something was "brought up" and he/it accurately foretold the future.

Look at the witch's reaction when Samuel showed up. She was scared purple. And Samuel, as always a prophet speaking the word given to him by the Lord, laid the word of the Lord on Saul.

Now you may thing that demons, being little gods, can drag the blessed out of the presence of the Lord, and you may believe, based on nothing at all in Scripture, that demons can tell the future. Both are simply your notions, < staff edit >, springing from long held superstition that attributes "powers" to diabolical creatures.. I believe neither one, as there is no Biblical basis for believing any such thing.

IOW, necromancy, according to the Bible, is NOT "crud"

Necromancy is yet another lying deceit that leads peple away from God. It is not, as superstition would have it, dragging people back from the dead to ask them questions.

Didn't Harry Potter have contact with his dead parents? Sounds just like the type of necromancy that's condemned in the Bible to me.

Just try to bear in mind that HP doesn't exist. Bible, fact; HP, fiction. < staff edit > .

You believe that Pharaoh's magicians turned their rods into serpents (Exodus 7:11-12), turned the waters that were in the rivers to blood (Exodus 7:22) and covered the land of Egypt with frogs (Exodus 8:7) all by "the sleight of hand"?

Illusion is the stock in trade of magicians. Unless, of course, you're one of those folks who believe that David Blaine can actually levitate...

 

[Jipsah]

the scriptures and passages that relate to satanic powers and common people using them is vast

Citations, por favor. I don't see any such thing.

Its almost as if you don't believe satan is a real person

I also believe that the Bible says about him, that he's the father of lies. I'm not one of the folks who says "Oh yeah, he's a liar, but he's telling the truth about his powers.". Nick says it, and y'all spread the word for him. Congratulations.

who the bible says can transform himself to appear as an angel of light.

In other words, he can pass himself off as someone he isn't. Dang,I wouldn't expect the Fathe of Lies to do anything lie that, would I?

as if the man in the Gerasenes, was able to tear iron chains apart with his own power

The Scripture doesn't say that it was done with anyone else's power, does it?

, or the girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future, once the spirit was cast out of her she no longer had that ability.

She had a spirit of divination, right enough, that told fortunes. So are we to believe that every forture teller can actually see the future? You'll note that the Bible does not say that she could actually tell the future, only that she told fortunes. You infer that she was given power by demons based solely on your own superstition.

its your understanding that no power can be attributed to witchcraft and sorcery

Magical power? Not a bit of it. That's simply superstition talking.

quote], demon possession as if satan and his demons are powerless here on earth, [/quote] Not powerless, but not, as you appear to believe, little negative gods who can essentially do anything. That's simply superstition.
Can the grant people magical powers? The Bible doesn't say so. Can they foretell the future? The Bible doesn't say so. Can they be in many places at once, as many appear to believe? The Bibel doesn't say so. The trick is that the source of such silly, syncretistic, and essentially pagan, notions is not the BIble at all, but culturally based superstitions.

I wonder what your take on the antichrist is, as the bible states satan gives him his power and he will call fire down from heaven

Anyone with access to the right weapons systems can "call down fire from heaven" in this day and time. And the there is no "the Antichrist" in the Bible, is there?

Fact is, you're peddling superstition and trying to make it sound Biblical. In fact, it is false, and thus diabolical. You're unwittingly acting as a propagandist for the enemy.

 

[LinuxUser]

as if the man in the Gerasenes, was able to tear iron chains apart with his own power

Yes that can be done under a man's own power. World strongest man competitions, the Power team, etc.

 

[ToBeInChrist]

Have the CHronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings done that? And yet the authors are BELOVED by the Christian community. J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Christian as was C.S. Lewis. Both their books contain magic. Both of their books contain Christian symbols that can be used to open Christian discourse.

How is Harry Potter any different?

When I got into reading sci-fi/fantasy, at first it was things like Wrinkle in Time. Then shortly thereafter it was Lord of the Rings. I wanted to read about more wizardry and weird occult power confrontations than either provided. So I was drawn into other fantasy which got more into battling wizards, and in D&D I always wanted to play the magic user. Over time I did explore real occultism and magick.

Early on, about when I was just starting reading Wrinkle In TIme and LOTR, 5th - 6th grade, 6th grade summer, I was also interested in seeing if hypnosis or ESP were real, and I didn't mind getting out the horoscope and numerology books from the library.

While I also sometimes read the Bible and wondered about the Bible prohibiting magic, I saw that my mom didn't say anything against horoscopes or reading cards or numerology books, and I kept hearing how things were different for Christians somehow, a lot of the old rules were said to no longer be valid, so I felt ok with what I was doing, and later I got more and more into this stuff.

My heart got to a point where I just didn't care what was in the Bible. It just didn't bother me at all that the Bible said something was awful.

In the last year or so I read Lewis' Narnia books and Space Trilogy. I could see someone reading Lewis and being able to weed out the parts that get medieval/hermetic, do a bit of sifting due to good discernment, and not get into a heart attitude that glorified sorcery. On the other hand, Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and L'engle (Wrinkle in Time) create gnostic-like alternate realities and glamorize magic powers more. Harry Potter and other sci-fi makes magic and occult power a 'fun subject', fascinating, enjoyable -- glorifying various things in ways that desensitize us to God's prohibition on such things.

Where is our heart on these matters? Some things are so contrary to the heart of a faithful Christian -- things like pornography, fantasy about magic schools, homosexuality, vampire fiction -- we really should ask ourselves where is our heart? Is our heart really following after Jesus? What sort of thing entertains us, and what does that say about our heart?

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

When I got into reading sci-fi/fantasy, at first it was things like Wrinkle in Time. Then shortly thereafter it was Lord of the Rings. I wanted to read about more wizardry and weird occult power confrontations than either provided. So I was drawn into other fantasy which got more into battling wizards, and in D&D I always wanted to play the magic user. Over time I did explore real occultism and magick.

Early on, about when I was just starting reading Wrinkle In TIme and LOTR, 5th - 6th grade, 6th grade summer, I was also interested in seeing if hypnosis or ESP were real, and I didn't mind getting out the horoscope and numerology books from the library.

While I also sometimes read the Bible and wondered about the Bible prohibiting magic, I saw that my mom didn't say anything against horoscopes or reading cards or numerology books, and I kept hearing how things were different for Christians somehow, a lot of the old rules were said to no longer be valid, so I felt ok with what I was doing, and later I got more and more into this stuff.

My heart got to a point where I just didn't care what was in the Bible. It just didn't bother me at all that the Bible said something was awful.

In the last year or so I read Lewis' Narnia books and Space Trilogy. I could see someone reading Lewis and being able to weed out the parts that get medieval/hermetic, do a bit of sifting due to good discernment, and not get into a heart attitude that glorified sorcery. On the other hand, Tolkien (Lord of the Rings) and L'engle (Wrinkle in Time) create gnostic-like alternate realities and glamorize magic powers more. Harry Potter and other sci-fi makes magic and occult power a 'fun subject', fascinating, enjoyable -- glorifying various things in ways that desensitize us to God's prohibition on such things.

Where is our heart on these matters? Some things are so contrary to the heart of a faithful Christian -- things like pornography, fantasy about magic schools, homosexuality, vampire fiction -- we really should ask ourselves where is our heart? Is our heart really following after Jesus? What sort of thing entertains us, and what does that say about our heart?

I wonder then if the decision to read fantasy stories ought to be left to the individual. This is along the lines found in Romans 14 where Paul writes that each individual is responsible for what they take in, but they ought to take care not to cause a brother to stumble.

I am an avid reader of Tolkien. His stories have never pushed me to the point of exploring the occult. I'm not sure where you get gnosticism from the LOTR trilogy (I can totally see that in a Wrinkle in time). Tolkien was a staunch Catholic who was responsible for Lewis' conversion from atheism. There are very strong themes of salvation, redemption, courage and at least three different Christ types in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

That's what I get from the stories, and I understand that some people ought to avoid fantasy novels because they find occultic interests, like you did.

However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ? I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.

 

[Lion King]

Well maybe because he took the Christian concept of non violence in the face of the enemy and applied it to everyday life...

Forgive me, but im still failing to see how a Christian can have ungodly men as their role-models?

"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad." Matthew 12:30

Who was Abraham to ask for mercy on Soddom and Gohmorrah? Who was Moses to talk back and say "Uhm yeah why did you pick me" and yet these men are admired by Scripture.

"But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" Romans 9:20-21

That's besides the point though. I refuse to believe that Harry Potter is putting anyone, particularly a Christian in danger of eternal hell fire. Christ died for far greater atrocities than the use of human imagination.

Unfortunately for some, the lines between fantasy and reality are getting blurred. Some unstable souls are getting sucked into this whole occult hocus pocus because of media stuff like Harry Potter, True blood, death metal etc. You cannot deny that media has significant influence on the lives of people today. There is no such thing as "good" magic, all forms of magic is detestable in the eyes of the LORD. That goes for those who like casting spells too...

Now, even something as evil and detestable as astrology is seen as harmless among some Christians, with some going as far as to even defend it.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I believe it is possible for a person who does not follow Jesus to embody the same virtues he did when he walked the earth. Non-violence, love, justice, compassion, generosity. Mohandas Gandhi is a perfect example of that, although he was Hindu he still chose to exhibit all of those traits, which I have to say is more Christ-like than many Christians.

And because something like that is possible, I celebrate and remember those who do decide to uphold such virtues because, Christian or not, they are great examples.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

I wonder then if the decision to read fantasy stories ought to be left to the individual. This is along the lines found in Romans 14 where Paul writes that each individual is responsible for what they take in, but they ought to take care not to cause a brother to stumble.

I am an avid reader of Tolkien. His stories have never pushed me to the point of exploring the occult. I'm not sure where you get gnosticism from the LOTR trilogy (I can totally see that in a Wrinkle in time). Tolkien was a staunch Catholic who was responsible for Lewis' conversion from atheism. There are very strong themes of salvation, redemption, courage and at least three different Christ types in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

That's what I get from the stories, and I understand that some people ought to avoid fantasy novels because they find occultic interests, like you did.

However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ? I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.

Lord of the Rings is absolutely my all-time favorite epic. I find it utterly incredible that authors like Tolkien, Lewis and filmmakers like George Lucas can imagine such a vast universe to contain their stories.

Beyond the expansiveness of their worlds, and the beauty of the imagery, I see a distinct Christian allegory within each tale, and as I think someone has already eluded to earlier, they are all essentially good versus evil. In Star Wars it is the Jedi
(practitioners of the light side) against the Sith (practitioners of the dark side). In Narnia it's Aslan, the Christ-figure and his followers against The White Witch, the devil figure and her followers.

Finally there is Lord of the Rings, the forces of good who are loyal to Eru Illúvatar, against the forces of evil who serve Sauron or his master Morgoth.

All of these stories brilliantly depict the spiritual battles that are happening day in and day out, good verses evil. Our struggles, our desire to remain loyal to God, to serve him and love him well and to play our part in his purpose for the world around us.

P.S. Hobbit Part 1 release in 2012... Where my Tolkien fans at?!

 

[Lion King]

I believe it is possible for a person who does not follow Jesus to embody the same virtues he did when he walked the earth. Non-violence, love, justice, compassion, generosity. Mohandas Gandhi is a perfect example of that, although he was Hindu he still chose to exhibit all of those traits, which I have to say is more Christ-like than many Christians.

And because something like that is possible, I celebrate and remember those who do decide to uphold such virtues because, Christian or not, they are great examples.

How does one know love when one does not know God? Isn't love a fruit of the Spirit?

So tell me, how is it possible for Gandhi to embody the same virtues as Jesus Christ?

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

if Harry Potter were real he would be going to hell



Exodus 22:18 One being a sorceress/witch/03784 kashaph not thou shall let live.

Revelation 9:21 And not they repent/reform out of their murders, nor out from their sorceries/farmakeiwn <5331>.........

 

[God's Word]

That's what I get from the stories, and I understand that some people ought to avoid fantasy novels because they find occultic interests, like you did.

However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ? I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.

First of all, my response that follows, although it's based upon what you just said/asked, is NOT aimed solely at you. IOW, it's intended for all of us, myself included. From my point of view, which is based upon scriptures such as the ones that follow, we're not to be living for ourselves. IOW, it doesn't matter if we can handle reading certain things or not, but it matters what we present/represent TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

I Corinthians 8:1-13

"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many), But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. HOWBEIT THERE IS NOT IN EVERY MAN THAT KNOWLEDGE: FOR SOME WITH CONSCIENCE OF THE IDOL UNTO THIS HOUR EAT IT AS A THING OFFERED UNTO AN IDOL; AND THEIR CONSCIENCE BEING WEAK IS DEFILED. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. BUT TAKE HEED LEST BY ANY MEANS THIS LIBERTY OF YOURS BECOME A STUMBLINGBLOCK TO THEM THAT ARE WEAK. FOR IF A MAN SEE THEE WHICH HAST KNOWLEDGE SIT AT MEAT IN THE IDOL'S TEMPLE, SHALL NOT THE CONSCIENCE OF HIM WHICH IS WEAK BE EMBOLDENED TO EAT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE OFFERED TO IDOLS; AND THROUGH THY KNOWLEDGE SHALL THE WEAK BROTHER PERISH, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED? BUT WHEN YE SIN SO AGAINST THE BRETHREN, AND WOUND THEIR WEAK CONSCIENCE, YE SIN AGAINST CHRIST. WHEREFORE, IF MEAT MAKE MY BROTHER TO OFFEND, I WILL EAT NO FLESH WHILE THE WORLD STANDETH, LEST I MAKE MY BROTHER TO OFFEND."

My capitalization of certain sentences is not to be misconstrued as "SHOUTING!". I'm merely attempting to make certain points stand out. Anyhow, in Paul's day, there were those who were doing things because of the "knowledge" that they possessed and because of their "Christian liberty". Quite frankly, I've heard quite a bit of this on this very thread. You know, the "It's all just fantasy" and "I can read what I want to read" type of stuff. Good for YOU (collectively...I'm NOT singling anyone out). You have "knowledge" that there's but one God and you can distinguish between "fantasy" and "reality". Here's the thing, though...

A LOT OF IMPRESSIONABLE YOUTH CANNOT.

What about them? Do any of you give a hoot about them? From what I've read thus far, I seriously doubt that some of you do. Like it or not, there are children who believe that the characters depicted in the Harry Potter books/movies are REAL. This is not solely my opinion or just some "silly superstition" that one member is trying desperately to pin upon me/another member. No, this is the testimony of the author of the books, J.K. Rowling, who says that this is the number one thing that she notices about the children who read her books. On top of this, Rowling also plainly states that she receives numerous letters from children who want to enroll in Hogwarts and that they're all terribly disappointed that such a place doesn't truly exist. IOW, children are being drawn to magic, sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, etc., etc., etc. Most of you don't seem to give a hoot about this. Most of what I hear is how "It's just fantasy!" and "It's not the same magic/sorcery/witchcraft/etc. that's depicted in the Bible!". Well, good for YOU and YOUR "knowledge" of such (not that I necessarily even agree with you on this point, by the way), but what about OTHERS? It's rather obvious, unless one shuts their eyes to REALITY, that many impressionable children don't have this same "knowledge" that YOU possess. Do you care? Will you simply be "puffed up in your own knowledge" as some in Paul's day were or will you take heed to the type of instruction that Paul just laid out for us and show that you "love God and are known of Him" BY THINKING ABOUT OTHERS? Like it or not, YOUR "liberty" can be and is a STUMBLINGBLOCK FOR OTHERS. As I've already documented, one group (and who knows how many more there are like it) has received about 100 inquiries per month (that's 1200 per year) about witchcraft as a direct result of such things as the Harry Potter books and TV shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch". Do most of you care? Most of what I'm hearing is about YOUR OWN LIBERTY...what about the potential BONDAGE that YOUR LIBERTY might lead OTHERS into? You asked (now, I'm specifically addressing your question, but, even then, my answer is for everyone, myself included):

However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ?

Paul said that if THROUGH OUR KNOWLEDGE a weak brother perish, then we're not only sinning against the brethren, but also sinning against Christ. Hopefully, this answers your question.

You also said (again, my response is meant for all, myself included):

I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.

With the personal knowledge that you apparently have, it probably isn't. HOWEVER, your personal knowledge could definitely negatively affect SOMEBODY ELSE'S SALVATION who doesn't possess the same knowledge that you do. IOW, if somebody, whether a weak brother/sister or an unbeliever sees you, a professing Christian, partaking of such things as the Potter books/movies, then they might be emboldened to do the same, with you as their Christian example. What if this results in them getting into the occult because they don't possess the same level of knowledge that you possess? Do you see the potential danger?

Well, although I hope that this ministers to somebody, I won't be the least bit surprised if my latest attempt to help is just met with more false accusations of my "spiritual superiority" and "holier than thou attitude". Can't blame a guy for trying...