Harry Potter: Blasphemy or not?

[jesuspickedmeup]

I personally think that Harry Potter is very blasphemous, saying that these people can perform "magic" and are therefore aere stronger than God. This is a danger to children, who are very suseptible to these things.

WOW you say harry potter is a danger to children....

thats funny I think the internet is a danger to children but we all are here

 

[umbc]

If you have actually read the books, you would know that Harry ultimately uses the power of love to defeat evil, and it sends the message that love is more powerful than any magic. Harry Potter sends a positive message to this generation of children and teens like me, and it's not like Harry Potter isn't the only book that has characters that use magic, it's strictly fantasy, and I think it is silly to fuss over a children's book.

 

[Slave2Righteousness]

Here's a site I was pointed to that has some good in-depth looks at a lot of 'new age' topics, including Harry Potter. http://http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_HarryPotter.html

 

[Colabomb]

The Magic in harry Potter is ridiculously unrealistic. It is the equivalent of "poof" there it is, whereas pagan magick is highly ritualistic and involved.

Real occultists don't walk around with magic wands. Nor do they fly broomsticks. They summon Spirits, and Sacrifice living things.


I've not seen anything resembling real magic in those stories.

 

[Colabomb]

I would say it comes down to whether or not your child is mature enough to know that real magick is dangerous and evil, and that what Harry, Ron and Hermoine do is nothing resembling the real thing.

Get that message across and your kids will be fine.

 

[Slave2Righteousness]

The Magic in harry Potter is ridiculously unrealistic. It is the equivalent of "poof" there it is, whereas pagan magick is highly ritualistic and involved.

Real occultists don't walk around with magic wands. Nor do they fly broomsticks. They summon Spirits, and Sacrifice living things.


I've not seen anything resembling real magic in those stories.

well they do use different occult divination techniques, talk about alchemy, curses, and spirits..so I wouldn't go so far as to say it is -nothing- like real magic. There's a lot more poofiness than in real sorcery or witchcraft but there are enough legit elements to raise concerns if you are concerned about the occult or witchcraft.

 

[Cooper87]

I tend to find the people opposed to Harry Potter because of "magic" are the same ones who have no issues with watching Star Wars or Lord of the Rings...

 

[Slave2Righteousness]

I tend to find the people opposed to Harry Potter because of "magic" are the same ones who have no issues with watching Star Wars or Lord of the Rings...

You're definitely right about that one. Star Wars is absolutely ripe with eastern mysticism and don't even look at the Matrix....Harry Potter really has become the whipping boy.

 

[Kitangel]

its amazing this debate has gone on for as long as it has.

Yes, I personall think Harry potter should be avoided. I still read them, with the knowledge they are BAD.

Some ppl in here compare the magic in Harry Potter to that of Mikey Mouse and Gandalf.

HOW STUPID! Think before you open your mouth!
Magic is magic, yes, and if kids know its bad, then ok. alot of magic is fictional. But lets look at the differences between Harry Potter an the rest you all so foolishly put in the same category:

1) Harry Potter, unlike others listed, is set in the real world, at real time, with real places. LotR and co. are fictional - to the core. The landmarks around England where HP is being filmed are a worldwide tourist attraction now. The story itself relevates to real world activity. IT co-exists with "muggles" - normal people. Definitely not fictional people. Readers can relevate to normal life.

2) There seems to be a debate over wether J.K. Rowling did her research before writing the books. That in itself is a reason to halt and think. If she did - big IF I know - then every spell our children are learning is witchcraft. Since we don't know, are we willing to take those risks? Real magic is not a thing to play with. Especially not for christians. People may come back and say "Where's the proof?!". Physically I have no proof. By word of mouth and reading, however, I have heard some mentionings in J.K's interviews that suggest such a thing has happened.

From what I typed here, this is the basis of why I dont believe HP books are just "fiction", and harmless.

Who agrees with me?

 

[AndrewCS]

its amazing this debate has gone on for as long as it has.

Yes, I personall think Harry potter should be avoided. I still read them, with the knowledge they are BAD.

Some ppl in here compare the magic in Harry Potter to that of Mikey Mouse and Gandalf.

HOW STUPID! Think before you open your mouth!
Magic is magic, yes, and if kids know its bad, then ok. alot of magic is fictional. But lets look at the differences between Harry Potter an the rest you all so foolishly put in the same category:

1) Harry Potter, unlike others listed, is set in the real world, at real time, with real places. LotR and co. are fictional - to the core. The landmarks around England where HP is being filmed are a worldwide tourist attraction now. The story itself relevates to real world activity. IT co-exists with "muggles" - normal people. Definitely not fictional people. Readers can relevate to normal life.

2) There seems to be a debate over wether J.K. Rowling did her research before writing the books. That in itself is a reason to halt and think. If she did - big IF I know - then every spell our children are learning is witchcraft. Since we don't know, are we willing to take those risks? Real magic is not a thing to play with. Especially not for christians. People may come back and say "Where's the proof?!". Physically I have no proof. By word of mouth and reading, however, I have heard some mentionings in J.K's interviews that suggest such a thing has happened.

From what I typed here, this is the basis of why I dont believe HP books are just "fiction", and harmless.

Who agrees with me?

Oh yes sister,

That is awesome. Gets my vote - oh yeah.

THis message has blessed me, thank you Jesus.

Thank you sister for sharing

 

[Colabomb]

its amazing this debate has gone on for as long as it has.

Yes, I personall think Harry potter should be avoided. I still read them, with the knowledge they are BAD.

Some ppl in here compare the magic in Harry Potter to that of Mikey Mouse and Gandalf.

HOW STUPID! Think before you open your mouth!
Magic is magic, yes, and if kids know its bad, then ok. alot of magic is fictional. But lets look at the differences between Harry Potter an the rest you all so foolishly put in the same category:

1) Harry Potter, unlike others listed, is set in the real world, at real time, with real places. LotR and co. are fictional - to the core. The landmarks around England where HP is being filmed are a worldwide tourist attraction now. The story itself relevates to real world activity. IT co-exists with "muggles" - normal people. Definitely not fictional people. Readers can relevate to normal life.

2) There seems to be a debate over wether J.K. Rowling did her research before writing the books. That in itself is a reason to halt and think. If she did - big IF I know - then every spell our children are learning is witchcraft. Since we don't know, are we willing to take those risks? Real magic is not a thing to play with. Especially not for christians. People may come back and say "Where's the proof?!". Physically I have no proof. By word of mouth and reading, however, I have heard some mentionings in J.K's interviews that suggest such a thing has happened.

From what I typed here, this is the basis of why I dont believe HP books are just "fiction", and harmless.

Who agrees with me?

Just because harry potter is set in the real world does not mean that people cannot see it as the fiction it really is.

Oliver Twist was set in the real world, it doesn't mean I think it actually happened.

If a Child cannot tell the difference between reality and fiction, than I agree they shouldn't be reading it. But most children are capable of making that distinction.

And again, I have done MY research. And the "magic" of harry potter is not real ritualistic Magick.

 

[GeraldNC]

Superman, Spiderman, Batman, etc are all set in the "real world" too. I don't think that alone determines if something is good or bad.

If your friends are reading and trying to cast spells on people or seems really obsessed with witchcraft, THEN worry. If not, then they are apparently of the mind of most people with common sense and they realize it's a fictional story.

Where is Hogwarts btw? It's a real place right? Oh yeah, oh yeah, I want a flying car as well Think I can get one on bio-fuel (sorry, just a lil humor lol)

 

[Keeda]

Superman, Spiderman, Batman, etc are all set in the "real world" too. I don't think that alone determines if something is good or bad.

If your friends are reading and trying to cast spells on people or seems really obsessed with witchcraft, THEN worry. If not, then they are apparently of the mind of most people with common sense and they realize it's a fictional story.

Where is Hogwarts btw? It's a real place right? Oh yeah, oh yeah, I want a flying car as well Think I can get one on bio-fuel (sorry, just a lil humor lol)

This is sure to really get the Potter Haters going but I have to reply..
Actually, Hogwarts as well as the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmede will be settling into Orlando sometime in 2009. My personal opinion, sign me up!! http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/index.html

 

[AndrewCS]

Shalom brothers & sisters,

This is an interesting thread in many ways.

One of the interesting components that are jumping out at me is that there is a sense of mockery. If we are brother’s & sisters in Christ OUR God and He is placing a message in a person’s heart for a reason that He knows then as the body of Christ we should accept that.

By no means do we have to accept the opinions and clearly there are many different thoughts on the matter. Mocking our brother or sister could actually be mocking Christ if this wisdom has been given by Christ.

I am going to share:-

The term “litter” was on my heart as I was waking up this morning and I believe God is saying that he wants HIS PEOPLE to stop throwing away litter, that is contributing to the pollution that is already out there.

If we look at how most of the world has got behind the change in attitude towards smoking in a very short space of time and how that has had a huge impact on an awareness of the habit, we need to have that attitude for Christ.

God is being squashed out of our cultures globally and as Christians we need to be aware that every LITTLE bit does count and we need to adopt that attitude. There is nowhere in the Bible that is says to accept even a little sin, in fact the Word says the opposite

MT 16:11
How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the LEAVEN of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?



MT 16:12
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the LEAVEN of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.


1CO 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little LEAVEN LEAVENeth the whole lump?


1CO 5:7
Purge out therefore the old LEAVEN, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unLEAVENed. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:


GA 5:9
A little LEAVEN LEAVENeth the whole lump.



God Bless you & yours

 

[Colabomb]

I disagree that harry potter is wrong, however I must agree that I am dismayed at how my brothers have treated their brothers.

Do not mock them for persuing holiness, even if they are slightly misguided.

 

[Ryukil]

Witchcraft certainly does exist in reality. Once, many years ago, I had a woman living next door to me who called herself a "white witch". I was young at the time, and didn't really know much about the subject. All I know is that this lady would perform rituals in the middle of the night and early morning, and God would awaken my mother and tell her to pray against it. Also, another time there was a possessed woman in my old church. She dabbled in witchcraft and sorcery and one day gave my mother some items as a gift. I don't remember what the items were, something like flowers; something common and casual. My mother was almost immediately convicted to throw away the items, because they were bringing unclean spirits into our household. The truth is this stuff is all too real, and I have heard from a few Christians that the spells and curses in the Harry Potter series are based off of real ones. Now I wouldn't go so far as to burn all the Harry Potter books I see, but I would stay away from them and not read them. Why even take a chance? It is our duty as Christians to stay pure and holy, and witchcraft (or the "idea" of witchcraft) is neither.

 

[AndrewCS]

Shalom,

Interesting last post,

I say interesting because I started a thread asking for input on Disney material and it is pretty much that nobody sees any harm in it ( Disney).

The other day our son put Bedknobs & Broomsticks on and I just heard the music and my spirit was alerted.

I let the movie run and watched carefully. The part near the end about getting the medallion that holds the key words to the spell

Treguna Mekoiedes Trecorum Satis Dee

The results I got so far on this is that it is related to Ashtoreth and was a real spell. This is not imagination.

So why would such a spell just happen to end up in a children’s movie that is considered “safe and harmless?”

Stick with me a moment here.

What if? Your children are reciting this spell with the movie, has anyone slowed the movie down to check for subliminal messaging? This too is real and that is why it has been banned in advertising. Who checks for all that?

So just – what if?

Is it still harmless?

I am going to post this on the Disney thread too.

God Bless you

Shalom

 

[Keeda]

I disagree that harry potter is wrong, however I must agree that I am dismayed at how my brothers have treated their brothers.

Do not mock them for persuing holiness, even if they are slightly misguided.

Shalom brothers & sisters,

This is an interesting thread in many ways.

One of the interesting components that are jumping out at me is that there is a sense of mockery. If we are brother’s & sisters in Christ OUR God and He is placing a message in a person’s heart for a reason that He knows then as the body of Christ we should accept that.

By no means do we have to accept the opinions and clearly there are many different thoughts on the matter. Mocking our brother or sister could actually be mocking Christ if this wisdom has been given by Christ.

I am going to share:-

The term “litter” was on my heart as I was waking up this morning and I believe God is saying that he wants HIS PEOPLE to stop throwing away litter, that is contributing to the pollution that is already out there.

If we look at how most of the world has got behind the change in attitude towards smoking in a very short space of time and how that has had a huge impact on an awareness of the habit, we need to have that attitude for Christ.

God is being squashed out of our cultures globally and as Christians we need to be aware that every LITTLE bit does count and we need to adopt that attitude. There is nowhere in the Bible that is says to accept even a little sin, in fact the Word says the opposite

First off, I'm going to apologize now because I'm quite sure this isn't going to come out the way it's intended, but here goes anyway..

I completely agree that each and every person, Christian and others alike, should be able to decide for themselves whether things like Harry Potter or whatever the current controversal topic might be, are good or bad or not for them or even evil. However, have your opinions. If you want to talk about it, then have an adult debate. I personally don't know how you can thoroughly debate anything you've never looked twice at or stopped to understand.

But what's happening in these posts are people saying how evil it is and Christians should stay away from it, that children shouldn't be allowed to read it and that parents are being irresponsbile for letting their children near the stuff, that adults who enjoy Harry Potter and other fantasies are basically knowingly participating in acts of evil. Who gave them the right to tell Christians and other parents alike what they should and shouldn't be allowed to do? A little understanding between the facts of life and ones personal beliefs should be looked at.

So you want to talk about bringing people together? Then lets stop starting these attacks on peers in the first place. I know that I'm guilty of firing back when attacked, but I know few who aren't too. Of course there's going to be mockery when this happens! Having the entertainment choices and leisure activities called evil by your so called peers, and thrown at you continually can naturally have that effect. Not to mention how some are picking and choosing which fantasy stories they wish to call evil and leaving the rest as "great stories."

So if I'm not appreciating the attacks as I see them happening, why do I keep reading? Because I still know it's happening and the more knowledge I have on both sides of the debate, the better prepared I am when someone confronts me about it again.

This is beginning to look like the Dursleys vs McGonnogal. (Yes, a bit more humor because it keeps me in a better mood instead of avoiding Christians until I'm old enough to forget fantasy stories, which will likely be never.)

 

[Ryukil]

First off, I'm going to apologize now because I'm quite sure this isn't going to come out the way it's intended, but here goes anyway..

I completely agree that each and every person, Christian and others alike, should be able to decide for themselves whether things like Harry Potter or whatever the current controversal topic might be, are good or bad or not for them or even evil. However, have your opinions. If you want to talk about it, then have an adult debate. I personally don't know how you can thoroughly debate anything you've never looked twice at or stopped to understand.

But what's happening in these posts are people saying how evil it is and Christians should stay away from it, that children shouldn't be allowed to read it and that parents are being irresponsbile for letting their children near the stuff, that adults who enjoy Harry Potter and other fantasies are basically knowingly participating in acts of evil. Who gave them the right to tell Christians and other parents alike what they should and shouldn't be allowed to do? A little understanding between the facts of life and ones personal beliefs should be looked at.

So you want to talk about bringing people together? Then lets stop starting these attacks on peers in the first place. I know that I'm guilty of firing back when attacked, but I know few who aren't too. Of course there's going to be mockery when this happens! Having the entertainment choices and leisure activities called evil by your so called peers, and thrown at you continually can naturally have that effect. Not to mention how some are picking and choosing which fantasy stories they wish to call evil and leaving the rest as "great stories."

So if I'm not appreciating the attacks as I see them happening, why do I keep reading? Because I still know it's happening and the more knowledge I have on both sides of the debate, the better prepared I am when someone confronts me about it again.

This is beginning to look like the Dursleys vs McGonnogal. (Yes, a bit more humor because it keeps me in a better mood instead of avoiding Christians until I'm old enough to forget fantasy stories, which will likely be never.)

Good point, each and every Christian should be able to decide for themselves whether or not something like Harry Potter is appropriate; however, we are merely giving our opinions like the OP asked, not forcing anyone to do anything.

 

[Keeda]

Again, my apologies, I wasn't implying that every person to have posted in this topic have not been accepting to others opinions. Sorry about that. But there has most definately been those that have attacked (for lack of a better term) those that are enjoying those stories.