"HARRY POTTER" SEDUCTION

[SolitarySoul]

Speaking of "media in general", I don't see a problem with Harry Potter because it is just a story, and people know it is fake. If children don't, then that is their parents responcibility to teach them that it is not, and if they do not do that, then chances are they aren't Christians so what harm would it do to them anyway? As far as advertisements and shows on channels such as MTV goes however, I completely agree with the reaction against that. More and more every day advertisers use sex and other temptation 'methods' to advertise their products. Take the Axe commercials for example ... even though I use axe lol, I hate the commercials, the way they have girls following the scent around and tackling guys ... it is very demoralizing. Also a lot of shows on TV, especially on MTV, have so much to do with sex and similar things that it makes it seem like sex is just some ordinary every day part of life. It is very unfortunate that to some people, this has become true. This is not the way that it is suppose to be however, and there IS something wrong with that. I am a very strong believer in morals, so this all affects me a lot. I don't care what people think of me ... I care about what God thinks of me, that is who matters most.

 

[JudyGarland]

Harry Potter is a lot cleaner than some of the other things out there, even for children. I agree if children are not taught the difference between literature, fiction, fantasy, and such, then they may grow up making up their own devices. It is just a story! What about all of the others?? If you think Harry Potter should be thrown out, then Robin Hood (teaches stealing is a good thing), Donald Duck (loses his temper too much), Red Riding Hood (violence!), and The Wizard of Oz too, since that has WITCHES in it! I would call all of that censorship. Should we open a can of worms here and start censorship, and then throw out the rest of the democracy we think we have? Sheesh! It's ridiculous to me...

 

[Bluwav]

Harry Potter Is Evil!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fineous_Reese]

check out "Finding God in Harry Potter" by John Granger for an alternate point of view to "Harry Potter is Evil!!!1!11"

amazon.com isn't loading for me today but i did pull this quote from the google cache

From Publishers Weekly
Granger (no relation to fellow brainiac Hermione), a homeschooling Christian father of seven, initially resisted when a friend encouraged him to read the Harry Potter books. But Rowling's novels, sprinkled with literary allusions and strong biblical values, won the classicist over quickly, and he became an avid spokesperson for the series. This book transcends the responses of some other Christian writers (those in support, like Connie Neal, or in sloppy accusations, like Richard Abanes) to offer a serious literary and Christian appraisal of the first five books. Granger begins with the thesis that all humans are "wired" to respond to "stories that reflect the greatest story ever told," including that of Harry's struggle against evil. The best part of the book is Granger's lucid commentary on Rowling's use of language—the insights into character names alone are worth the price of admission—and his keen awareness of word play. Although some arguments are a stretch, and there are a few tiny mistakes (in a footnote, for example, Granger claims that the hero of James and the Giant Peach was named James Potter, like Harry's dad, when it was James Henry Trotter), this is obviously a painstakingly researched book. It is easily the best examination to date of the spiritual legacy of "the boy who lived."
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

i've only read the first book of the series although i'd seen all but the most recent movie version by the time i read Granger's book. i'm rather intrigued to read the rest of the series now.

 

[LadyNRA]

I have had some very mixed feelings about Harry Potter. At first I heard the hype about it from the Christian Community and really didn't read any books though we saw the movies on DVD as a family. And the first thing that struck me is that these movies are no worse than watching any 'good witch' movie (not to say that witchcraft is good) ever made. Like Bewitched with a kid as the star) was how I rated it. Good special effects, Alan Rickman was wonderful as Snape and made me like the character. Same for Robbie Coltraine as Hagrid. I also paid attention to the names and noted that mostly all the spells were just reflections of what they did (ie. latin words for what they did). There were no lengthy spells or signs of pentagrams or evidence of satanic worship as I'd been led to believe. And there were classic tales that fit into many many works of literature, named the battle of good vs. evil, and the value of close and supportive friends, and caring mentors.

Also it should be pointed out that the source of power for magic users in the "Potterverse" is not obvious. They call on no name whatsoever to gain their power. It is something that resides with them. Like an extra sense if you will, the physical ability to morph their environment, to work with matter without using their hands. It is like an inate ability, and not something that any individual could acquire by calling on the Devil or other unnamed power. In other words, a muggle born without magic can never acquire the ability to use magic and a magic family can produce kids that have no magic ability and once that happens they are 'squibs' forever.

Having said all that, it is addictive. Enormously so, especially for those kids that may have such inclinations (only you as the parent can tell for sure). I got addicted to it. Eventually read all the books in a few months time, started checking out the HP websites, reading the fanfics, collecting anything with Alan Rickman as Snape. Okay, I didn't obsess majorly but it was enough to stop and say, hey wait a minute. This isn't healthy. I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit prodding me to back way off. It was taking my eyes and thoughts off Him! So I chose to retreat immediately.

As Christians, this is the real danger. It keeps us from focusing on God as much as we should. It doesn't uplift and encourage. It's a hobby or interest that can get out of hand for some, as it did for me. In reality, any man-made thing or sport or hobby etc can do this to us.

Oh, I look forward to the 7th book so I know how the saga ends. And I will look forward to the remaining movies but it won't be with the intensity that I had for a while. And I'm glad I yielded to the Spirit's urging.

 

[awesome liver]

by that logic, you shouldn't read anything ever again because each thing read is just one more think that keeps you from that bible. see how silly that line of thinking is? as for the addiction to ancillary things, well that's probably just something you had to realize would happen when you immense yourself in something in so little time to catch up.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

I never read the bible in my life, and it has nothing to do with HP, I just could never get into the bible. I do believe in GOD, I'm just not big into reading. HP isn't the only thing that keeps people from the bible, many things do.

 

[LadyNRA]

I never read the bible in my life, and it has nothing to do with HP, I just could never get into the bible. I do believe in GOD, I'm just not big into reading. HP isn't the only thing that keeps people from the bible, many things do.

Yeah, that's what I said. It could be anything that takes your mind off God. I've seen lots of folks who'd rather not go to church on Sunday if it meant missing a NASCAR race. Once in a while is no big deal but do do that the entire race season is a different matter. I don't try to warn Christian folks away from HP so much as to remind them to put it in it's proper place, as a form of entertainment which shouldn't be pushing God out of their daily lives. Non-christians of course can ignore every word I've said because it's not their chosen faith or life-style.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

How cute.

Ok, so it's ok for Mickey Mouse to practice magic, but not Harry Potter? Now that I just don't get! You can't cherry pick what's evil and what's not, right? I just recently saw the first Potter movie and haven't read any of the books and I too don't see what the big deal is. From my experience, it's apathy in churches that drives people to "other" things like Wicca and not stuff like Potter.
My wife and her sister have read all the books and seen all the movies and they could care less about witchcraft.
It's like I always say: The more noise people make condemning something, the more popular that thing becomes. People just refuse to learn that lesson. By creating more and more of these silly threads, you are just adding fuel to the very thing you hate.

 

[Rorschach]

Not another HP is evil thread... I didn't read through this whole topic but I will once I have time. But I did read some of the OP's post and stopped because the ignorance disgusted me.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

yah, there are alot of harry potter is evil threads, they are giving the book alot of hype and making people notice it more.

 

[eaglex]

I like the HARRY POTTER movies mainly for the special effects.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

yah, the special effects are cool.

 

[WalkOn]

Harry Potter is just fantasy...oh and yeah the special effects are awesome, especially in Prisoner of Azkaban...they were seamless.

 

[Theogonia]

To the OP: In your opinion is Lord of the Rings evil?

 

[LadyNRA]

To the OP: In your opinion is Lord of the Rings evil?

What's an OP?

 

[Rorschach]

The OP is the "original poster"...I think

 

[LadyNRA]

The OP is the "original poster"...I think

Oh, okay, thanks! I had no idea.

 

[Jennie726]

I have to agree with what someone else said... it is the parents' place to talk to their kids about what is real and what is not. IMO, I find nothing wrong with Harry Potter. I remember when I first bought the first book in the Harry Potter series, my mom made me throw it away from what someone said on TV. When I got married and moved out, I watched Harry Potter with my SIL and seen nothing wrong with it at all. I think if more people would actually read the books or watch the movie, they would make their own opinion over it than taking someone elses. If you don't like Harry Potter, that is fine. But not all of us feel guilty for watching it. I have seen every one of the Harry Potter movies and I do not feel guilty watching them, nor do I feel convicted. It's just fantasy. I love the storyline of the movie. I love the special effects. I think if children get the wrong idea from the movie, their parents should explain it to them. I hope I'm not making anyone mad, I'm not trying to. This is just my opinion. I watched it for myself, and I have my own opinon about it... not someone elses. But if others feel convicted of watching it, that is fine. I do believe that it is wrong to become obsessed over this, or anything else for that matter, because it is taken you away from God. We should remember that it is just entertainment. This is just my opinion... now, I'm going to hide so no one will slap me! lol

 

[Rorschach]

I don't think anyone is going to slap you Besides, you make a very valid point and one that I agree with. It bothers me to no end that people mindlessly spurt out "ZOMG HARRY POTTER IS TEH EVIL!!!!!11111111" and expect everyone to believe their opinion.

I don't mind if someone feels the need to stay away from HP if it could hurt them, that's fine. But that doesn't mean that it'll hurt everyone. If someone is honestly convicted to try and convert to a religion like Wicca because they read HP and thought it was cool to do magic, they'll be sorely disappointed.

Heck, a Wiccan in this very thread said that HP magic is NOTHING like what Wiccan's practice. I think people just need to be clear on that paticular issue as well.