Sci-fy and Serenity

Zoey <3

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Do you think it is possible to be at peace while reading and watching things like the Harry Potter series?

There has been a debate about this amongst Christians for a long time.

I really enjoy Harry Potter and I actually moderate on a virtual Harry Potter experience website. I love what I do and it is something I am passionate about.

I feel at peace with it, but maybe it is different for everyone?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance!

~Scott
 
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Spiritually speaking, I think there's far, far worse book series out there than the Harry Potter books (The His Dark Materials books come to mind). That said, I think it varies from spiritual walk to spiritual walk. For example, if someone were to have practiced witchcraft before coming to Christ, they might be uncomfortable with reading a book with magic as a plot device, even if said magic is portrayed as more like a genetic super-power rather than as attempting to contact the dead, divination, etc. as it is in Scripture.

Also, I don't mean to nitpick, but Harry Potter isn't science fiction. It's fantasy. :)
 
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Sketcher

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Not everyone can or will be at peace with it, and those that can't don't have to read it, or be pressured into reading it. Seems a lot like what Paul was talking about in Romans 14. The meat issue had to do with the way meat in pagan animal sacrifice was distributed. Some Christians were extra-cautious (to others, over-cautious) about possibly eating meat sacrificed to idols and engaging with the demonic world in that way, so they abstained from meat altogether. Give the chapter a read on how to handle this.
 
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Andrew77

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Do you think it is possible to be at peace while reading and watching things like the Harry Potter series?

There has been a debate about this amongst Christians for a long time.

I really enjoy Harry Potter and I actually moderate on a virtual Harry Potter experience website. I love what I do and it is something I am passionate about.

I feel at peace with it, but maybe it is different for everyone?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance!

~Scott

Harry Potter is fake. It's not real. There is no occult in Harry Potter, and no one is worshiping the spirits.

I don't have a problem with it, but just don't neglect the things in life that really matter. People are hurting in this world, and maybe you could do something to help someone. You can't do that if all you do is hobby stuff.

Something to think about.
 
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Zoey <3

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Not everyone can or will be at peace with it, and those that can't don't have to read it, or be pressured into reading it. Seems a lot like what Paul was talking about in Romans 14. The meat issue had to do with the way meat in pagan animal sacrifice was distributed. Some Christians were extra-cautious (to others, over-cautious) about possibly eating meat sacrificed to idols and engaging with the demonic world in that way, so they abstained from meat altogether. Give the chapter a read on how to handle this.

I will do this as soon as I finish this reply. Thanks so much! It is always fascinating to see how such a simple story can have such great meaning.

Harry Potter is fake. It's not real. There is no occult in Harry Potter, and no one is worshiping the spirits.

I don't have a problem with it, but just don't neglect the things in life that really matter. People are hurting in this world, and maybe you could do something to help someone. You can't do that if all you do is hobby stuff.

Something to think about.

This is wonderful advice, and I agree completely. Too much time spent on things that don't truly matter can be problematic if you stop taking time for the things that do. Thank you much for providing this response.
 
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Bible Highlighter

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Do you think it is possible to be at peace while reading and watching things like the Harry Potter series?

There has been a debate about this amongst Christians for a long time.

I really enjoy Harry Potter and I actually moderate on a virtual Harry Potter experience website. I love what I do and it is something I am passionate about.

I feel at peace with it, but maybe it is different for everyone?

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks in advance!

~Scott

The Bible condemns witchcraft. In fact, it was so bad of a sin that God would actually have sorcerers killed in the Old Testament (According to the OT Scriptures). They were to be put to death. Granted, in the New Covenant, believers do not execute or kill others who sin, but the point here is that the Old Testament gives us a glimpse of the kind of hatred that God has for such a sin. I don't think God has changed His mind on this sin, either. In other words, if Harry Potter lived during the time of the Old Testament, God and His people would be set out to kill him.
 
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nanookadenord

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The Bible condemns witchcraft. In fact, it was so bad of a sin that God would actually have sorcerers killed in the Old Testament (According to the OT Scriptures). They were to be put to death. Granted, in the New Covenant, believers do not execute or kill others who sin, but the point here is that the Old Testament gives us a glimpse of the kind of hatred that God has for such a sin. I don't think God has changed His mind on this sin, either. In other words, if Harry Potter lived during the time of the Old Testament, God and His people would be set out to kill him.

So it's a good thing then that Harry Potter is fictional!
 
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So it's a good thing then that Harry Potter is fictional!

A fictional story does not undo the sin being promoted within it. That is the deception. Many think certain sins being pushed upon them can be filtered out in as long as they are dazzled and entertained and as long as it has some kind of moral message they seek to justify as being good or worthwhile to them. We have to think like God thinks. We have to live holy, and think holy, and not dwell on sinful things. For the story may be fantasy or fictional, but the sin being pushed upon the person is very real.

The point here is that if Harry Potter was real, he would be killed by God for his sin of witchcraft. Would Harry Potter fans continue to read the Harry Potter series if he lived in the Old Testament times and he was killed by God's people?

Also, people read these stories as if they seem real as a way of escape while they read them. They know it is fiction (When they close the book and shut off the movie), but when they read the books or watch the movies, they are not thinking to themselves "This is fake, this is fake, this is fake," - whereby they cannot pretend it could be potentially real for them to escape into this world of fantasy so as to enjoy it. See, when somebody indulges in something that is fiction, they have to pretend that such thing is real on some level for them to escape into that world and for them to relate to it and to get into it. For they want to fantasize and pretend what it is like to be in that story or world.
 
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NothingIsImpossible

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HP is dangerous. It's based on witchcraft. Even the author of the books says she talk to witches about it for ideas. I mean do people actually have magic wands that do things? Do people fly on wands? Do people turn others into toads? Of course not. But it doesn't mean it's not dangerous. It's a story that makes such topics "fun" to watch.

Best bet is to talk to former witches what they think of the series. You will find your only accurate answer there. No one here can say its good unless they have practiced witchcraft and then changed and became saved. People talk about things they do not know about.

There are at least former witches we know that still were amazed at how many parents let their kids watch the movies. In our old house there was a shed in the back that was on a parks property. Witches and warlocks had meeting in it late at night. Beheaded chickens were inside. The blood was drained to form a pentagram. Candles were lit. Christians who went near the shed felt an evil presence.

Lastly I'll just say to remember that when the devil sees christians looking at this type of stuff he smiles with joy. He did his job well. I should add I am not saying a christian will go to hell for watching HP obviously. But I am saying be careful what you fill your head with. Before you know it you will be in deeper then you could have imagined.
 
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Jonathan Walkerin

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In our old house there was a shed in the back that was on a parks property. Witches and warlocks had meeting in it late at night. Beheaded chickens were inside. The blood was drained to form a pentagram. Candles were lit. Christians who went near the shed felt an evil presence.

Which Harry Potter book was that from ? Sounds scary.
 
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RDKirk

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Sooo....is a movie about a school for assassins any better?

Do not admire a violent man or choose any of his ways -- Proverbs 3

We do a heck of a lot of admiring violent men in our society, even if they're only fictional.

As I've said before: Apply the Philippian Prescription.

Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.
 
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aiki

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Do you think it is possible to be at peace while reading and watching things like the Harry Potter series?

Yes. But a feeling of peace is not the Final Arbiter of whether or not what you're doing is glorifying to God and morally right. I've heard serial killers say they were "at peace" after they had murdered someone and couldn't be until they had killed someone. Surely, you wouldn't agree that such "peace" indicated that their killing was okay.

I really enjoy Harry Potter and I actually moderate on a virtual Harry Potter experience website. I love what I do and it is something I am passionate about.

Does what you're doing glorify God?

1 Corinthians 10:31
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.


Do you take as much joy in glorifying God with your life? Do you love serving and living for Him as much as you do moderating your Harry Potter website? Would you lay down your involvement with Harry Potter stuff in the next instant, if it meant walking closer with God? If not, I'd say your involvement with things Harry Potter are getting seriously in the way of your relationship with your Maker. My Mom used to quote this saying to me:

"Only one life,
'twill soon be past.
Only what's done for Christ will last."

God wants your mind and heart fixed upon the eternity with Him yet to come.

Colossians 3:1-3
1 ...seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.


Harry Potter won't be any part of your eternity with God, you can be sure. Is it wise, then, to invest the finite time you have here on such a fantasy?
 
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nanookadenord

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A fictional story does not undo the sin being promoted within it. That is the deception. Many think certain sins being pushed upon them can be filtered out in as long as they are dazzled and entertained and as long as it has some kind of moral message they seek to justify as being good or worthwhile to them. We have to think like God thinks. We have to live holy, and think holy, and not dwell on sinful things. For the story may be fantasy or fictional, but the sin being pushed upon the person is very real.

The point here is that if Harry Potter was real, he would be killed by God for his sin of witchcraft. Would Harry Potter fans continue to read the Harry Potter series if he lived in the Old Testament times and he was killed by God's people?

Also, people read these stories as if they seem real as a way of escape while they read them. They know it is fiction (When they close the book and shut off the movie), but when they read the books or watch the movies, they are not thinking to themselves "This is fake, this is fake, this is fake," - whereby they cannot pretend it could be potentially real for them to escape into this world of fantasy so as to enjoy it. See, when somebody indulges in something that is fiction, they have to pretend that such thing is real on some level for them to escape into that world and for them to relate to it and to get into it. For they want to fantasize and pretend what it is like to be in that story or world.

If you say so.

I disagree with you.
 
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Bible Highlighter

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If you say so.

I disagree with you.

Most do. 1 John 2:15-17 says,

15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17).
 
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nanookadenord

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Most do. 1 John 2:15-17 says,

15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." (1 John 2:15-17).

Your judgement of me is noted and summarily dismissed.
 
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Jermayn

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I agree with Sketcher about Romans 14. There's some things that we are directly commanded not to do, like murdering and lying, but other things that we are convicted differently about. Being a fan of a fantasy book is not one of those things I am personally convicted about. If I'm around someone who is then I don't talk about it as not to offend them, but if not then I don't see a problem with it. You may even get the opportunity to talk to some non-believers about Jesus. Pray, read God's word, and go with what the Holy Spirit leads YOU to do.
 
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Your judgement of me is noted and summarily dismissed.

I am not judging you personally, I am judging the wrong belief. For I believe God desires for me to love all people but to hate the sin or sinful beliefs. I believe the Bible teaches that we are not to love the things of this world (Based on 1 John 2:15-17). How do you interpret that passage?
 
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nanookadenord

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I am not judging you personally, I am judging the wrong belief. For I believe God desires for me to love all people but to hate the sin or sinful beliefs.

Then your judgment of my belief is wrong and is summarily dismissed.

It is not sin to read Harry Potter or watch the movies.
 
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