harry potter

[disciple73]

So, say I read witchcraft books...is it right to read and support witchcraft as long as I don't do it and know that it is wrong? No...it is a sin to read witchcraft and and support it is WRONG and God won't allow it. If you start to fill your mind with "fictional magic" maybe it doesn't affect you, but it might affect someone around you and they may get the wrong message.

I understand your guys' point of view. But my point is what kind of message is it to other non-Christians when they find you reading Harry Potter? It is our responsiblity. There is nothing worse then to send a wrong message. And being a "fake" Harry Potter fan is one of them...we are not to associate with things of this world, including witchcraft in any form.

And no, I'm not perfect...I watch somethings that I shouldn't, but we need to realize that God is watching us and many times others are watching us. We need to, at all times, present ourselves in a Godly manner. And opening up ourselves to "fake" magic is one that does not show us as Christian, Godly, and righteous people.

So just think about those things...I can't force you to change, but I just want you to be aware that if it doesn't please and make you closer to God and doesn't promote a righteous "appearance" then you shouldn't do it.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

I'm not allowed either. I don't think I would read or watch HP either even if I were allowed. I like the Charlie Bone series too much.

Kaylee

 

[Freedom&Light]

I think that no matter what my opinion on the matter is, you should obey your mother.

 

[plowboy22]

If HP books are not acceptable what about The Lord of the Ring series? They use a lot of magic in those books......yet most fellow fellow Christians I talk to say they are harmless....why?

 

[ZACTAK]

So, say I read witchcraft books...is it right to read and support witchcraft as long as I don't do it and know that it is wrong? No...it is a sin to read witchcraft and and support it is WRONG and God won't allow it. If you start to fill your mind with "fictional magic" maybe it doesn't affect you, but it might affect someone around you and they may get the wrong message.

I understand your guys' point of view. But my point is what kind of message is it to other non-Christians when they find you reading Harry Potter? It is our responsiblity. There is nothing worse then to send a wrong message. And being a "fake" Harry Potter fan is one of them...we are not to associate with things of this world, including witchcraft in any form.

And no, I'm not perfect...I watch somethings that I shouldn't, but we need to realize that God is watching us and many times others are watching us. We need to, at all times, present ourselves in a Godly manner. And opening up ourselves to "fake" magic is one that does not show us as Christian, Godly, and righteous people.

So just think about those things...I can't force you to change, but I just want you to be aware that if it doesn't please and make you closer to God and doesn't promote a righteous "appearance" then you shouldn't do it.

Where in the Bible does it specifically say not to read "witchcraft?" When I look at Harry Potter I see entertainment, not witchcraft. Reading Harry Potter has NOTHING to do with my walk with the Lord. If a non-believer saw me reading that book, they will think nothing of my walk with the Lord... they will see me as a normal person reading a book. The age group Harry Potter is directed to is for children who should be able to know the difference between fact and fiction. Why should we not allow our children to read this? There is only a point at which we can hide them from the world before they have to be let loose and fend for themselves, and discover things for themselves. If your child wants to read that book, or any book for that matter, talk with them about it.... I think by not allowing children to read Harry Potter and that is ridiculous as to me that shows intolerance, and as Christians we shouldn't be intolerant of things but open and understanding. Reading these books will not harm someone, or affect their walk.

And another thing, if we can't read Harry Potter because of witchcraft, where do we draw the line? We can't watch movies or TV, or read a lot of books because they might cause us to lust, or do another sin... it's dumb to think that we must be protected from these types of things.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

The Bible mentions witchcraft, but not reading it exactly. Still, reading it could lead to doing it, even if you do know the difference between reading it and actually doing it and meaning it. Even Christians stray from the path sometimes, no one on Earth is perfect. Case in point:

The first commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Exodus 22:18: Do not allow a sorceress to live.
Matthew 4:10: Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."
Leviticus 19:31 (New King James Version)- Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:6 (New King James Version) - And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.
Isaiah 8:19 (New King James Version) - And when they say to you, "Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter," should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?
Exodus 22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Deuteronomy 18:10There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
2 Kings 9:22: When Joram saw Jehu he asked, "Have you come in peace, Jehu?" "How can there be peace," Jehu replied, "as long as all the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?"
2 Chronicles 33:6: He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, provoking him to anger.
Micah 5:12: I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.
Galatians 5:19-21: The acts of the sinful nature are obivous: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I wanr you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Nahum 3:4: all because of the wantom lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.

There are many more verses in the Bible concerning witchcraft, but I think I have made my point just fine with these few. Thank you.

Kaylee

 

[Milla]

The Bible mentions witchcraft, but not reading it exactly. Still, reading it could lead to doing it, even if you do know the difference between reading it and actually doing it and meaning it.

Except that Harry Potter has naught in common with actual witchcraft.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

Still. I stand by what I just said.

Kaylee

 

[Milla]

Still. I stand by what I just said.

Kaylee

Nu ladno. But then how does what you said apply to HP?

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

Well I was just answering NFSteelers question of "
Where in the Bible does it specifically say not to read "witchcraft?" .

G2G

Kaylee

 

[Milla]

Well I was just answering NFSteelers question of "
Where in the Bible does it specifically say not to read "witchcraft?" .

G2G

Kaylee

Ah, that makes more sense, then. Thanks.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

You're welcome. It was my fault for not clearing it up the first time. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

Kaylee

 

[ZACTAK]

that is where the Bible says not to perform witchcraft, but it doesn't say you can't read it, or read a fictional child's story about a boy with wizard powers that doesn't even go into detail about what he is doing or anything like that.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

Still, a kid may start by reading the books. Watches the movie, watches and reads them over and over again. Pretty soon they think its cool to try witchcraft. It's all just honest fun, right? WRONG! Pretty soon they get more serious about it. Now that's bad.

Just trying to get you guys to see both sides of the question.

Kaylee

 

[ZACTAK]

Still, a kid may start by reading the books. Watches the movie, watches and reads them over and over again. Pretty soon they think its cool to try witchcraft. It's all just honest fun, right? WRONG! Pretty soon they get more serious about it. Now that's bad.

Just trying to get you guys to see both sides of the question.

Kaylee

I'm not picking on you Kaylee or anything, just so you know.... but I completely disagree with that claim, I think a child's imagination might try that stuff, but those books are not going to cause a child to go out and do witchcraft....provide me with facts supporting your claim that a child will turn to witchcraft by reading these books. And should children stop reading books about unicorns or fantasy too?

 

[Milla]

I'm not picking on you Kaylee or anything, just so you know.... but I completely disagree with that claim, I think a child's imagination might try that stuff, but those books are not going to cause a child to go out and do witchcraft....provide me with facts supporting your claim that a child will turn to witchcraft by reading these books. And should children stop reading books about unicorns or fantasy too?

Frankly, Kaylee, I agree with NFSteelers, but I do have to compliment you on your grammar, punctuation and general mechanics of writing. It's about the best I've seen from a twelve-year-old and a sight better than most of the adults on this forum. Kudos.

 

[Jazzcat]

Philippians 4:8 says: "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."

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 says: "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil."

Deuteronomy 18:10-11 says: "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son and daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead."

You may argue that Harry Potter and Yu-Gi-Oh are simply harmless fantasy and not the real thing, but tell me: Is an X-rated book or movie harmless simply because it is not "the real thing", or does it leave an impression on your mind for the enemy to gain a foothold over you?

The first question to ask yourself before plunging blindly into a world of fantasy is: What are the roots of this? Are the origins Christian or satanic?

I think we can all agree that witchcraft and magic arts are evil. There are scriptures everywhere condemning sorcery and all its forms with very strong language and the promise of an eternal lake of fire as the final resting place for all who engage in it. Druids, wizards, witches, warlocks, sorcerers and sorceresses and all other mediums and those that dabble in the occult fall under this category. There is no such thing as a "good" witch or a "good" wizard; when such a character pops up in modern literature, the occult world loves it because it slants the view of the readers to put the wizard/witch/occultist in a more favorable light. That makes those exposed to it, especially the younger generations, more susceptible to occult influences and demonic strongholds.

When a puppy is raised with a squirrel, it will never attack a squirrel when it gets older. If you raise children with symbols of the enemy (after all, the devil IS our enemy), how are they supposed to gain a hatred of evil and war against it with every fiber of their beings? We don't want our kids joining the devil for all eternity. Stay away from it! Don't take that kind of risk with our precious young ones!

Children are not naturally abstract thinkers; they are greatly influenced as to what is "right" and "wrong" by what is permitted into their environments. Who better to trust for such guidance than their own parents? If you do not condemn it, you condone it. Don't be responsible for condoning anything remotely occult with children.

Now unicorns: If you look back in history during the Middle Ages, unicorns were originally a Christian symbol that was used to illustrate many facets of Jesus. Druids and witches never were associated with anything but the devil, because the only reason for their existance was, and is, satan worship.

There is plenty of safe and healthy and wholesome fantasy out there; don't get into something so highly questionable and dangerous as HP and YGO. There are a lot of stories that are coming out about the dangers of HP and other similar influences. Heed the warnings and safeguard your children. Don't let them play with the enemy on his side of the fence.

 

[Milla]

I think we can all agree that witchcraft and magic arts are evil. There are scriptures everywhere condemning sorcery and all its forms with very strong language and the promise of an eternal lake of fire as the final resting place for all who engage in it. Druids, wizards, witches, warlocks, sorcerers and sorceresses and all other mediums and those that dabble in the occult fall under this category. There is no such thing as a "good" witch or a "good" wizard; when such a character pops up in modern literature, the occult world loves it because it slants the view of the readers to put the wizard/witch/occultist in a more favorable light. That makes those exposed to it, especially the younger generations, more susceptible to occult influences and demonic strongholds.

So...why is Arwen your avatar? How is magic okay when she does it?

 

[Jazzcat]

So...why is Arwen your avatar? How is magic okay when she does it?

Two answers I have for you. One: How did Arwen ever engage in magic? Unless you are thinking that in the movie, she called down the flood of the Bruinen on the Ringwraiths. In the book, it was Gandalf (who was a wizard who did the flood thing.) Two: I don't even like her... I chose the picture for other reasons.

 

[Kaylee4Christ]

Thank you for the compliments. God has blessed me with a brain such as this, and I intend not to cloud it up with Satan's attempts to get it. I have been identified in many things as gifted and talented, writing at the top.

How did unicorns ever get into the picture?

Jazzcoat: I've been trying to say that, but it never quite got to me the way it came to you. Thanks.

I never intended for this to get like it is when I said what I did, I just wanted to present both sides of this popular question.

Thank you all.

Kaylee

PS I did a study on that, actually NFSteelers, right after the Harry potter books came out, the check-out rates at libraries for books about how to do magic went considerably high. Especially the ones that don't include pulling a cute furry bunny out of a seemingly empty hat, I mean the ones that are more serious about it. Feel free to ask me another question, I'll be sure and research it for you, I might not always post my finds though.