How many Christians watch Harry Potter?

[AutumnDreamer]

wow i'm shocked that nobody corrected this.

did you know that CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien (who wrote LOTR) were tight friends and both were faithful Christians? JRR Tolkien a Catholic and CS Lewis a Protestant? Talk about awesome unity. They used to hang out at a pub called the Eagle and Child in Oxford, England (I've been there. neat little place that's still open!) and talk about their books with other authors. What would I have given to be there in the room!

Please be sure to get the facts straight before saying something is "demonic" and "unChristian".

Actually, Tolkien helped lead CS Lewis to the L-rd in 1931.

here's an interesting article:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/archives/00001756.html
and another:
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1776581
ah, and again. these are good reads
http://www.cesnur.org/tolkien/033.htm

so your facts, I am inclined to say, are wrong.

that doesn't mean how you felt was wrong, just that the facts are.

shalom

No I did not know that, thank you for sharing. I was under the impression (from what I had been told) that Tolkien was not a Christian until shortly before he died. I still don't like LOTR and see nothing Christian about it. It has a very demonic feel to me.

 

[IMatthewI]

I read and love the Harry Potter books. Its fantasy! Entertainment! Why are we trying to bring legalism into Christianity?

I just saw John Hagee yelling in his sermon, telling his congregation to quote "Get Harry Potter out of your house!" I am a fully devoted Christian but I couldn't help but laugh. This is ridiculous...There is NO harm in reading for your imagination..Now, if you get interested in it and want to turn away from our Lord, Jesus Christ and practice witchcraft..Then thats another story but don't blame it on fictional books! Its for the imagination! Not your belief system!

I'm sorry, but I don't see my loving God who loved me so much to send his Son, Jesus Christ, to die and save me (as undeserving as I was); I can't see him yelling and pointing at me to put down FICTIONAL books and that I am not to be able to enjoy myself once in a while.

Its not healthy to be so afraid of God that you make up rules he didn't intend for you to set up. He gave his rules..Do not PRACTICE sorcery.

I have read 3 of the books already. I have yet to buy and magic wand, trying to wave it around and turn my couch into a frog. This is strictly entertainment. Are we not to be entertained? I imagine we would grow very weary and angry if we never got any kind of entertainment in our lives.

If Harry Potter is evil, you might want to keep your kids away from Disney movies as well. Like Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White. Those also have magical influences in them as well.

You may also want to keep your kids away from most cartoons, cereal commercials and anything else that may have some sort of magic influence to it.

 

[IMatthewI]

If jesus wouldn't do it - it's sin.

And I'm sorry, but as much as many christians love to justify the movies and books because they love them....would Jesus watch or read a fiction story that glorified witchcraft and made it look attractive?


No.

Would Jesus drive a car? Would he be on the internet? If you're going to take into account these little things, you ought to take the rest of your world into account as well. I'm not trying to be offensive but It does not "glorify" witchcraft. It offers a fun place for the imagination to go to. Have you ever watched a movie that wasn't about Jesus? Listened to a song that didn't glorify him? Would Jesus have done that? Would Jesus have drank soda? Would he have an e-mail account?

 

[SamsDad101]

Would Jesus drive a car? Would he be on the internet? If you're going to take into account these little things, you ought to take the rest of your world into account as well. I'm not trying to be offensive but It does not "glorify" witchcraft. It offers a fun place for the imagination to go to. Have you ever watched a movie that wasn't about Jesus? Listened to a song that didn't glorify him? Would Jesus have done that? Would Jesus have drank soda? Would he have an e-mail account?

Hi! I'm new here, new to the boards, and I came across this very interesting and pertinent idea...what would Jesus do today? So I have a few thoughts on the subject, you guys let me know what you think...

Well, Jesus' first miracle was to turn water into wine, so I think it's fair to say he may have partaken in a soda once in awhile, or gone to a concert that didn't glorify him in this day and age. Remember, Jesus was about reaching out to those who needed him the most...the sick, not the well. In order to do that he had to go to places where the "sick" were hanging out. Like a concert, for instance.

The Lord was amazing at meeting people where they were. Think about when you were first saved compared to where you are now! Maybe you've been saved since you were young...I sure wasn't. I'm glad the Lord was willing to meet me where I was, no matter how dark it was. I think it's really easy to attribute a legalistic perspective on the whole "WWJD" scenario. For instance, I have Christian friends who like to have a beer once in awhile. Personally, I feel that the Lord has asked me to abstain from alcohol for personal reasons, but that's because He knows me and what I can and/or can't handle according to my faith. Does that mean it's not okay for my friends to have a beer? Not at all. It can be almost impossible to determine, without a doubt, what Jesus would or would not have done w/ regard to the little things in life, like drinking soda, or going to a movie or concert, things that in the long run are probably inconsequential.

Here's another "for instance". C.S. Lewis, probably the greatest Christian author of the 20th century, like to smoke from a pipe, does that make him a sinner? I think not. First of all, nobody knew that smoking leaf tobacco from a pipe could cause jaw and/or throat cancer in the 40s and 50s (to the extent they do today). These are fairly recent discoveries. So what I'm saying is, we are accountable for what we know, and for what the Lord has made known to us. In 40 years we may find out that something we deemed "sinful" today, is actually healthy! I think we need to stay focused on asking the Lord to make known to us what he desires for us in our daily lives according to our faith, because we are all different, and to be sure the things we feel are "okay" for us are not a stumbling block to others...

 

[wcwred]

Great point! I would argue that the reason that you can make a "sensical decision" is through discernment. Harry Potter is entertainment -- pure and simple. I think that we make too much of things like this. The same thing happens at halloween as well. My son dresses up for halloween, my son also watched Harry Potter. I'm not worried that he is going to grow up to be a "devil worhiper". He's a kid and is entertained by "kid" things. It's up to me to raise him in a God-honoring manner.

If we only view it as "entertainment", then is there anything wrong in watching a pornographic movie as long as its only for entertainment, what about getting drunk for entertainment or listening to satanic heavy metal music for entertainment? There is no difference in sorcery or fornication; both are sins. And no you do not have to participate in something physically for it to be a sin: "whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust, has committed adultery in their heart". Saul consulted the witch of Endor in 1 Sam 28; he didn't actually cast spells. Nowhere does the word of God distinguish between doing something in seriousness versus for entertainment purposes.
Do the words "sanctification" and "holiness" mean anything or are they just impractical? I Cor 10:31/ Phil 4:8 Christians are to be a seperate people, a called out people; not in theory but in practice. This means in all areas of our lives. The things we put into our ears & minds find their way into the heart and then back out into our speech and actions.
Quit trying on secular entertainment and look for some that glorifies God and that will uplift your spirit.

 

[pastordavidd]

If we only view it as "entertainment", then is there anything wrong in watching a pornographic movie as long as its only for entertainment, what about getting drunk for entertainment or listening to satanic heavy metal music for entertainment? There is no difference in sorcery or fornication; both are sins. And no you do not have to participate in something physically for it to be a sin: "whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust, has committed adultery in their heart". Saul consulted the witch of Endor in 1 Sam 28; he didn't actually cast spells. Nowhere does the word of God distinguish between doing something in seriousness versus for entertainment purposes.
Do the words "sanctification" and "holiness" mean anything or are they just impractical? I Cor 10:31/ Phil 4:8 Christians are to be a seperate people, a called out people; not in theory but in practice. This means in all areas of our lives. The things we put into our ears & minds find their way into the heart and then back out into our speech and actions.
Quit trying on secular entertainment and look for some that glorifies God and that will uplift your spirit.

Well said, totally agree!

 

[kiwimac]

I consider the reason we never see God differentiating between fantasy and reality is that God assumed (obviously mistakenly) that humans would use their brains and realise that one is different in type from the other.

Is HP inherently evil?, no more than Pilgrim's Progress is inherently good.

Kiwimac

 

[wcwred]

I consider the reason we never see God differentiating between fantasy and reality is that God assumed (obviously mistakenly) that humans would use their brains and realise that one is different in type from the other.

Is HP inherently evil?, no more than Pilgrim's Progress is inherently good.

Kiwimac

But I do believe Pilgrims Progress to be good. It edifies and instructs Godly principles. It teaches the Gospel and what Christianity is about. Could it be misused and made a bad thing? Possibly so, the Bible has been used by many to justify their actions simply by taking things out of context. But when something "lifts up" and makes light of things that are satanic in origin (no matter the intent) then I do not see how God could approve of it.
Also, is not "lusting after a woman" a form of fantasy?
Websters defines fantasy as "POWER of imagination" "extravagant" "mental image". Do these things not affect our lives if strong enough?

 

[Cyberdyne1]

If we only view it as "entertainment", then is there anything wrong in watching a pornographic movie as long as its only for entertainment, what about getting drunk for entertainment or listening to satanic heavy metal music for entertainment? There is no difference in sorcery or fornication; both are sins. And no you do not have to participate in something physically for it to be a sin: "whosoever looketh upon a woman to lust, has committed adultery in their heart". Saul consulted the witch of Endor in 1 Sam 28; he didn't actually cast spells. Nowhere does the word of God distinguish between doing something in seriousness versus for entertainment purposes.
Do the words "sanctification" and "holiness" mean anything or are they just impractical? I Cor 10:31/ Phil 4:8 Christians are to be a seperate people, a called out people; not in theory but in practice. This means in all areas of our lives. The things we put into our ears & minds find their way into the heart and then back out into our speech and actions.
Quit trying on secular entertainment and look for some that glorifies God and that will uplift your spirit.

Exactly...

People will always find a way to justify what ever it is they want to do. I am not gay and I am a man so I should be able to watch "gay porn" cause it's just entertainment and I will not lust after the men. I just want to watch it cause it's kinda funny and entertaining to watch men kiss.

 

[knownbeforetime]

Sorry, I know I don't belong here...

Just some thoughts:

People watch porn to lust.

People listen to "satanic" heavy metal because they want to hear the "satanic" message. (At least, that's why I listen to christian music, for the message.)

However, this is different than seeing what someone's imagination has cooked up. Harry Potter is the imagination of J. K. Rowling. She doesn't have a "message" or a motive. She just wants to write a story and she's writing a story based on the stuff she read as a child (including books like Chronicles of Narnia).*

*Several parallels can be made between HP and CoN, especially in the area of alchemy. The foremost comparison is between the four pevensie children and the four houses of Hogwarts.

The overarching theme of Harry Potter is NOT anything like the New Age philosophy of finding God within yourself or finding your own power within yourself. No, the overarching theme of HP is Love conquers Death (much like our Saviour and His love for us).

On Harry's journey, he has to learn to fight prejudice, to let go of pride, and to forgive bitter enemies. Now, Harry isn't "Christ" in this story but he has to learn to be Christ-like in order to defeat the bad guy, Voldemort.

Voldemort is interesting in himself. He has an obsession with snakes and makes his followers take a mark on their arm. Voldemort is also a super-materialist as he actually severed his soul into seven pieces and hidden them in material objects.

What's to be accomplished by telling children that Harry Potter is evil? When someone tells me that Harry Potter is evil, I think, "Well, who are the good guys then? The Dursley's (Harry's abusive guardians)?"

I have discernment. The Da Vinci Code bothered me. His Dark Materials really bothered me. But Harry Potter? Nope. In fact, I was even led to start reading them again after taking a break for a few months.

Of course, if the Lord has told you stay away, then stay away as he has a good reason for keeping you away from it.

*sigh* This from someone who wanted to be a witch when she was little....

 

[shanester]

Does watching Harry Potter draw you closer to the Lord? If it does... watch it. It is important to do a little study into why and how the books were written. Among many of the fascinating facts is the continual quotes from the Satanic Bible. Pray, pray, pray. If the Lord gives you peace, then enjoy. As Paul said, God forbid that evil be spoken of that which I approve.





Be my friend at www.DittyTalk.com - The Christian MySpace Alternatve

 

[Greythanis]

Why do you think it is "evil and an abomination to the Lord"?

For the record, I've watched Harry Potter, and have read the books. I see them as purely made-up fantasy stories, much the same as fairy tales. I don't understand why others see them as "evil".

Amen, The only thing bad you could say about it is that the story is a little lame, but that's not what this topic is about.

 

[chadders]

I watch Harry Potter, just as a movie, and for fun, nothing else. But I reakon the story is starting to lose it's edge. It's not like the first few books were written. For a childerens book, I think it's starting to get too dark.

 

[vespasia]

Got to admit the books of GP Taylor (Shadowmancer, Wormwood et al) truly DO concern me unlike Harry Pottor they ARE based on grimoires.

 

[loyal357]

Great point! I would argue that the reason that you can make a "sensical decision" is through discernment. Harry Potter is entertainment -- pure and simple. I think that we make too much of things like this. The same thing happens at halloween as well. My son dresses up for halloween, my son also watched Harry Potter. I'm not worried that he is going to grow up to be a "devil worhiper". He's a kid and is entertained by "kid" things. It's up to me to raise him in a God-honoring manner.

I agree 100%!

 

[ArdithKay]

I been talking to alot of christians lately that kep telling me they are watching Harry Potter. Would someone please reply that supports me in letting Christians know that Harry Potter is Evil and is an abomination to the Lord?

For ministry purposes I did watch the first movie. We minister to a lot of disturbed children and adults who are coming out of the occult and since I had never read the books I needed to know what it is that is so appealing about Harry Potter.

What I saw shocked and horrified me.

Any Christian who promotes such manifesations of evil, well, I would have to question their love for Christ.

This is blatant sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, soothsaying and all manner of evil including channeling and shapeshifting.

Being a former witch myself (sorcery NOT Wicca) I can tell you that believers should NOT encourage such practices.

This is NOT innocent fun, this is an outright abomination that is very deceptive.

Get them young, own their soul. That's the moto of the evil out today. Well, it has been proven.

Do you know how many children have been possessed and/or tormented after getting into Harry Potter? You should come and minister to these kids sometime.

DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY WITCHCRAFT OR PROMOTE SUCH THINGS.

I you are a Christian you would shun evil and desire to please God.

 

[ArdithKay]

I watch Harry Potter, just as a movie, and for fun, nothing else. But I reakon the story is starting to lose it's edge. It's not like the first few books were written. For a childerens book, I think it's starting to get too dark.

Anytime you dabble into the occult it will ALWAYS lead to darkness. Plain and simple.

Nothing "good" can come of pursuing evil.

There are no such things as "good demons" and "bad demons". There are only DEMONS.

 

[ArdithKay]

No I did not know that, thank you for sharing. I was under the impression (from what I had been told) that Tolkien was not a Christian until shortly before he died. I still don't like LOTR and see nothing Christian about it. It has a very demonic feel to me.

You are totally correct.

Just because someone becomes a Christian doesn't mean everything they wrote prior to their salvation should be treated as if they are holy or pure or Christian based.

C.S. Lewis said he wrote the stories for his niece who was afraid of a large wardrobe in her room. He was NOT A CHRISTIAN at the time he wrote those stories. In fact, the stories contain elements that contain Greek mythology as well.

Wizards, witches, etc. are strickly forbidden practices in the Holy Word of God (BIBLE) and we should use discernment when introducing our children to stories that have elements of sorcery and witchcraft involved.

Witchcraft is NOT FICTION!!!!

Sorry to break it to you all.

These practices are used by sorcerers all over the world. Just because you repackage something doesn't make it Christian.

I think witchcraft should be banned from the Body of Christ and those who promote such "fantasies" need to really read their Bible more.

Why would God say, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live"?

I guess God was just having a bad day? NOT!!!

These things are REAL and shouldn't be messed around with, PERIOD!!

 

[kiwimac]

From the ISBE

Since the ideas we attach to "witch" and "witchcraft" were unknown in Bible times, the words have no right place in our English Bible, and this has been recognized to some extent but not completely by the Revisers of 1884.

The word "witch" occurs twice in the King James Version, namely, (1) in Ex 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch (the Revised Version (British and American) "a sorceress") to live"; (2) in De 18:10, "or a witch" (the Revised Version (British and American) "or a sorcerer").

The Hebrew word is in both cases the participle of the verb (kishsheph), denoting "to practice the magical article." See MAGIC, V, 2. In the first passage, however, the feminine ending (-ah) is attached, but this ending denotes also one of a class and (on the contrary) a collection of units; see Kautzsch, Hebrew Grammar 28, section 122,s,t.

The Greek, however, is much clearer than the Hebrew. In the Septuagint Exodus 22:18 says "... φαρμακους ου περιποιησετε ..." that is, Pharmakos from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician:--sorcerer.


It seems to be suggesting the kind of person who CLAIMED magical powers by the simple expedient of drugging a person or persons. Certainly it is not what we mean in English by 'Witch' which is simply the "knowing one."


Real magic does not exist, no one can manipulate nature by the chanting of spells, the mixing of potions or the waving of wands. Certainly not while repeating latin phrases.


Kiwimac

 

[ArdithKay]

From the ISBE




The Greek, however, is much clearer than the Hebrew. In the Septuagint Exodus 22:18 says "... φαρμακους ου περιποιησετε ..." that is, Pharmakos from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist ("pharmacist") or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician:--sorcerer.


It seems to be suggesting the kind of person who CLAIMED magical powers by the simple expedient of drugging a person or persons. Certainly it is not what we mean in English by 'Witch' which is simply the "knowing one."


Real magic does not exist, no one can manipulate nature by the chanting of spells, the mixing of potions or the waving of wands. Certainly not while repeating latin phrases.


Kiwimac

LOL!!

Then, you have never met anyone who knowingly channels demonic spirits? I guess King Saul, according to the Holy Bible, went to seek a medium who had no real power, right?

That is why God forbid such practices, because it isn't real, right?

OK!!