Harry Potter - Good or bad?

Debbie

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I find it odd that there is any debate after the letter from the pastor/ being a previous witch. I heard his testimony, he said Jesus saved him. As a Christian, I believe he knows what he is talking about. He was a former witch who gave his testimony and who are we to deny his validity. THe person who wrote that letter knows more about the subject we are discussing than the rest of us. They testified of Jesus. I can tell you that everything that person wrote was accurrate & true. Furthermore, the IRS/Fed govt considers Wicca a legitimate religion with tax exemption status. It's not a secret, they are hiding nothing, & we are accepting it into our homes as entertaining for our children. The "E" channel interviewed a group of kids & asked them what they liked the best,"The witchcraft" was the most often repeated answer by the kids. Spell books are being sold in stores, I saw them. Curses are real, mentioned in the Bible. MAybe you think the person who wrote that letter is just some 3rd party fanatic but that won't stop little Billy from next door putting a curse on you for teling him to stay out of your flower beds. When i hear someone's testimony of Christ's salvation I tend to show a little more respect.
 
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FFX

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Hi Debbie... are you validating that the pastor's story is true? Are you in his congregation? But I do realise that a lot of people have been saying the same thing aswell.

But anyway, it really isn't just about Harry Potter that people should be worried about. There are plenty of other more subtle things such as contents of computer games, that may seem subtly innocent but also use sorcery, and actual names of demons etc etc too and children play these games... for example, Diablo. Maybe it was so subtle that people did not bother to make a sound as they are for Harry Potter.

Yes, Harry Potter may be considered evil, but I think it is good for us to know that these things really happen in the world today, and for all of us to wake up and not be so naive.
 
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Re: the former witch's (now Christian) criticism of Harry Potter

Oh my! I was born in the 1960s too! Does that make me a witch? Or a servant of Aquarius or maybe a purple dinosaur ???

smile.gif


>All of this was happening in the decade of >the 1960's when witchcraft was just >starting to come out of the broom closet.
> It was during that decade of the 1960's, >in the year 1966, that a woman
> named J.K. Rowling was born. This is the >woman who has captivated the world
 
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I do not believe Potter is evil in itself. We are told that Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean. This book or movie is no worse than Alice in Wonderland. Why should we deprive ourselfs of entertainment because we are scared? I know sorcery is not real and it doesn't scare me to go see an entertaining movie.
 
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SOS

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Is it true though that sorcery is not real? The Devil is real. The occult is real. And sorcery is based on the occult. If sorcery is not real, then the Bible would not be warning us about it.

But I get your point. I agree that if you don't watch Harry Potter, then you shouldn't watch Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars.
 
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Harry P is of the devil? Using that logic... you should then stone Santa Claus (promoting the spirit of commercialism and gluttony), not give out Easter Eggs (Ancient Pagan fertility symbol), etc..

Seriously, the problem with HP is that it makes witchcraft and sorcery "cool" and "fun". Having said that, the type of witches and sorcerers in HP are hardly the devil worshipping type as depicted in the bible. HP's witchcraft and demons are more of the Enid Blyton, CS Lewis, Tolkien genre -doing usually good. But HP does make witchcraft look "cool". I doubt that the majority of children will be influenced by the book or movie to sign up for the actual witch societies in latter years. But no doubt, a significant number of people will be influenced to take a more sympathetic look at witches etc.. in the real world. I guess in the same way, the Star Wars trilogy promoted certain New Age and Zen beliefs. Yet, that is the way with all films and media - they glamorize violence, sex etc. Most US TV shows depict casual sex as a fun and free from any problems- physical or psychological. Furthermore, most documentaries and news programs are promoting non-Christian points of view. If you do not want to watch HP because you think it promotes witchcraft, to be even handed, you should also not watch TV or any more films.

Jesus wants us to be the salt of the world, a light unto the nations. Instead of protesting about HP why don't you try to write a good novel that promotes the Christian message or encourage or help someone to do it?
 
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dinkime

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i have read the first 3 books & seen the movie twice. i want to read the fourth book.

IT IS FICTION. that means it is NOT REAL.

people can get the occult out of anything...even the Bible (look at cults who base their ideas on some of the Bible). i think that a young child who is reading the books is not going to try to perform magic spells or mix up potions. just because they are reading it does make it fact or something that they believe. by reading the left behind books, did you change how/what you believe in God?
 
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Hishandmaiden

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I don't know what you all think, but I personally feel that anything that is about witchcraft or occult cannot be good. That is one main reason I tried to refrain from some animes and most RPG games. However, as HP introduces witchcraft,it is not very good because children might wanted to be like Harry. They might want to be witches. And witchcrafts are forbidden in the bible.
 
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Martin

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I've never read any Harry Potter books neither have I seen any Harry Potter films, so I really can't say.....

However, the reason I haven't read any of the books or seen any of the films is because I can't believe that it is good for you, so I've avoided everything to do with it.....

Guard your spirit, the enenmy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for who he can devour.....
 
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WhitBit

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I don't believe that actually reading the Harry Potter books is sinning...and I don't believe that "Harry Potter" is the devil...but I do firmly believe that there is a world-wide phenomenon that is being sparked by these books and the movie - and that certainly God has no part in that. (remember...He forbids the stuff explicitly, there's no argument there)

There was an interesting article in the October "brio" magazine about Wicca (the witchcraft that Rowling spent time studying before and while she wrote some of the books...another red flag, IMHO)

"The power that Wicca offers is limited and bogus. Keep in mind that Wicca is a man-made religion of preferences that was started in Great Britain in 1952. Part of Satan's plan is to deceive us and counterfeit all that God is and does. Satan loves to disguise himself as an angel of light (1 Corinthians 11:14). Because he is a created being, (Ezekiel 28:13, 15) his power is limited. Satan and his demonic servants work at deceiving us by appearing good and attractive." {Steve Russo}

And what better way than using an abused, young, outcast boy who finds his place among wizards and witches to glamorize the life of that particular sin? Somehow this seems "okay" since it's nice and warm and fuzzy...But when God says something is wicked and wrong, he doesn't mean just when it's meant for evil things...

I've read several "Focus on the Family" articles online about the Doc's view of the books. And I agree with him :) If you're going to read them, fine - pray about it, ask God for discernment and wisdom, and keep a Godly perspective while you read them. If you read them with your children, discuss the consequences in putting one's faith in the things of darkness (for whatever reason) and the benefit of looking toward God for all of one's provision. Witchcraft provides an easy way out - IT IS REAL. Anyone really think that Satan and his minions really want to miss an opportunity to fulfill someone's spoken request for proof that there are "spirits" ready to do their bidding? Anything that distracts souls from God is beneficial to the Dark cause, trust me.

The Devil is famous for selling half-truths. Remember Eden? Sure, once the bite was taken, it would certainly open Adam and Eve's eyes to a world of knowledge...

"Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made." - Genesis 3:1

He's smarter than us, and he knows how we think...I watched my close Christian friend become engrossed in the "harmless" and "adorable" books of Harry Potter, boy wizard. And after reading each one and adding them to her home library, she watched the movie and became even more enthusiastic about him.

And within the next month, she told me that she and her sister had gone to the witchcraft and sorcery section of Barnes and Noble for a while, "Just to see." Satan's not stupid enough to blatantly lie - he's smart enough, though, to make us inch our way to our own doom. What's next, trying a spell, "Just to see"?

Why mess with fire? Why dabble in anything that isn't of a Holy nature?

"And now, dear brothers and sister, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." -Philippians 4:8
 
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CJF

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Harry Potter is evil. With "The Lion The Witch and The Wordrobe", there are Christian symbols in that book. None in HP. IN "The Lord of the Rings," ther are Christian symbols. None in HP. HP promotes Wizardry. Lord of the Rings has wizardry in it, but is not based around it. HP isn't even good against evil. It's about a snobby bratty kid, who has no dicapline and does things he's not suposed to, and get's revenge on something he brought upon himself. I've red the books, I know.
 
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Hello again,
Harry Potter is far from a teaching book for witchcraft. All of the "spells" that are chanted in the book series are made up words used in a latin type text. It is silly to believe that the books are instruction manuals for magick. I personally am a fan of Harry Potter and believe the books to be harmless to children of any faith. Children, by nature, have very active imaginations and books such as Harry Potter are intended to enhance the imagination of children, and to help them in their later lives by opening their minds to other aspects of life and lifestyles. Harry Potter is not evil and sheltering children from certain lifestyles will cripple them later in life by being un-educated in that not everyone is the same or believes the same thing. The harry Potter books to not do anything to encourage the belief in polytheism, because none of the books even referance to any God or Goddess of any kind. Just my 2 cents.

WiccanWarrior
 
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I think Harry Potter is brilliant! I read all four books in four days and we all thoroughly enjoy the film. How anyone can think it evil beats me. The whole thing is pure fantasy and is certainly not going to encourage kids to take up witch craft!

My daughter is an Ordinand (training for the Anglican priesthood) at Durham university in the UK. The cloisters of Durham Cathedral are being used for some of the filming of the next Harry Potter film, as indeed they were used for the first. My daughter, along with many other students, have thoroughly enjoyed watching the movie being put together during the breaks from lectures. I am pretty sure the Cathedral authorities would not have allowed the filming of Harry Potter if they thought it wrong!
 
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I suggest that there is no evil in it in the first place. Most of us were brought up on fairy stories of witches and wizards. C.S. Lewis' Narnia Series was read to me at school, I loved it, so did my kids. the Lord of the Rings is a good book if you like fantasy, so is the film. I think too many people look for problems where there is none!
I don't go riding round on a broomstick on hallowe'en or any other time for that matter! (mind you my husband might have taken a bit of persuading about that if he didn't realise the custom built witches' broomstick (mark 1) was not built with my bulk in mind!!!!!!!!)
 
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ex_christian

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Originally posted by Nate
All interesting thoughts... but I'm keen to find out who of you have actually read/seen the HP (hehe... it's all a play by Hewlett-Packard to take over the world!) material though? Or are we all getting our opinions/facts through third party sources? Are we all making properly informed decisions and formulating our thoughts on a personally determined basis?

I cannot believe this discussion is even taking place! Sheeesh...

Well I can tell you that I am a practicing Wiccan (I am a Witch), I do only works for the good of all involved, I DO NOT believe in or follow the so called "satan", and I STRONGLY believe that myself along with all the millions of ppl converting to Wicca each day are not follow any evil doctrine.

Now with that saind and don lets talk about HP. As a witch I can tell you right now that if you picked up a Harry Potter book and tried out those incantations THEY WOULD NOT WORK! Would you like toknow why? No of course you dont want to know why b/c you think witchcraft is evil either way, so whats the point. Those are one worded latin spells, if the words maen nothing to you they will simply not work.

Harry Potter is 90% fiction but its that 10% that really bothers you right? Well all that 10% is are : names of real ppl, and divination class (I think those only enter the books later on in the series).
About the names: does it really atter that "bob" in one book is also "bob" in real life? Your children aren't LEARNING anything by knowing names. You know the name of "satan" does that mean you follow him? NO (at least I hope not)!
An the divination classes: The children in the story HATE that class and are CONSTANTLY making fun, to me that is not the least bit encouragement to learn witchcraft.

Let your Children be children. If they are reading and expanding their brains rather than rotting their brains with television and computergames you should be happy. If you think it encourages the occult, simply watch your children carefully, but dont FORBID them of reading the books. If you forbid your children from reading a series of books like HP you are just being Hitlers out their with your "book burnings".

Also if you forbid your children to read the series they will simply gat EXTREMELY angry with you and they will do it behind your back, thats when you should worry. You would be pushing them away from you and toward their friends.

Blessed Be
~Ex
 
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