wannabeadesigirl said:
That's what I get from the stories, and I understand that some people ought to avoid fantasy novels because they find occultic interests, like you did.
However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ? I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.
First of all, my response that follows, although it's based upon what you just said/asked, is NOT aimed solely at you. IOW, it's intended for all of us, myself included. From my point of view, which is based upon scriptures such as the ones that follow, we're not to be living for ourselves. IOW, it doesn't matter if we can handle reading certain things or not, but it matters what we present/represent TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
I Corinthians 8:1-13
"Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many), But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. HOWBEIT THERE IS NOT IN EVERY MAN THAT KNOWLEDGE: FOR SOME WITH CONSCIENCE OF THE IDOL UNTO THIS HOUR EAT IT AS A THING OFFERED UNTO AN IDOL; AND THEIR CONSCIENCE BEING WEAK IS DEFILED. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. BUT TAKE HEED LEST BY ANY MEANS THIS LIBERTY OF YOURS BECOME A STUMBLINGBLOCK TO THEM THAT ARE WEAK. FOR IF A MAN SEE THEE WHICH HAST KNOWLEDGE SIT AT MEAT IN THE IDOL'S TEMPLE, SHALL NOT THE CONSCIENCE OF HIM WHICH IS WEAK BE EMBOLDENED TO EAT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE OFFERED TO IDOLS; AND THROUGH THY KNOWLEDGE SHALL THE WEAK BROTHER PERISH, FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED? BUT WHEN YE SIN SO AGAINST THE BRETHREN, AND WOUND THEIR WEAK CONSCIENCE, YE SIN AGAINST CHRIST. WHEREFORE, IF MEAT MAKE MY BROTHER TO OFFEND, I WILL EAT NO FLESH WHILE THE WORLD STANDETH, LEST I MAKE MY BROTHER TO OFFEND."
My capitalization of certain sentences is not to be misconstrued as "SHOUTING!". I'm merely attempting to make certain points stand out. Anyhow, in Paul's day, there were those who were doing things because of the "knowledge" that they possessed and because of their "Christian liberty". Quite frankly, I've heard quite a bit of this on this very thread. You know, the "It's all just fantasy" and "I can read what I want to read" type of stuff. Good for YOU (collectively...I'm NOT singling anyone out). You have "knowledge" that there's but one God and you can distinguish between "fantasy" and "reality". Here's the thing, though...
A LOT OF IMPRESSIONABLE YOUTH CANNOT.
What about them? Do any of you give a hoot about them? From what I've read thus far, I seriously doubt that some of you do. Like it or not, there are children who believe that the characters depicted in the Harry Potter books/movies are REAL. This is not solely my opinion or just some "silly superstition" that one member is trying desperately to pin upon me/another member. No, this is the testimony of the author of the books, J.K. Rowling, who says that this is the number one thing that she notices about the children who read her books. On top of this, Rowling also plainly states that she receives numerous letters from children who want to enroll in Hogwarts and that they're all terribly disappointed that such a place doesn't truly exist. IOW, children are being drawn to magic, sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, etc., etc., etc. Most of you don't seem to give a hoot about this. Most of what I hear is how "It's just fantasy!" and "It's not the same magic/sorcery/witchcraft/etc. that's depicted in the Bible!". Well, good for YOU and YOUR "knowledge" of such (not that I necessarily even agree with you on this point, by the way), but what about OTHERS? It's rather obvious, unless one shuts their eyes to REALITY, that many impressionable children don't have this same "knowledge" that YOU possess. Do you care? Will you simply be "puffed up in your own knowledge" as some in Paul's day were or will you take heed to the type of instruction that Paul just laid out for us and show that you "love God and are known of Him" BY THINKING ABOUT OTHERS? Like it or not, YOUR "liberty" can be and is a STUMBLINGBLOCK FOR OTHERS. As I've already documented, one group (and who knows how many more there are like it) has received about 100 inquiries per month (that's 1200 per year) about witchcraft as a direct result of such things as the Harry Potter books and TV shows like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch". Do most of you care? Most of what I'm hearing is about YOUR OWN LIBERTY...what about the potential BONDAGE that YOUR LIBERTY might lead OTHERS into? You asked (now, I'm specifically addressing your question, but, even then, my answer is for everyone, myself included):
wannabeadesigirl said:
However, why must the mentality be that Christians who chose to read Harry Potter and LOTR for their stories aren't following Christ?
Paul said that if THROUGH OUR KNOWLEDGE a weak brother perish, then we're not only sinning against the brethren, but also sinning against Christ. Hopefully, this answers your question.
You also said (again, my response is meant for all, myself included):
wannabeadesigirl said:
I don't think our salvation is dependent on what we read or do not read.
With the personal knowledge that you apparently have, it probably isn't. HOWEVER, your personal knowledge could definitely negatively affect SOMEBODY ELSE'S SALVATION who doesn't possess the same knowledge that you do. IOW, if somebody, whether a weak brother/sister or an unbeliever sees you, a professing Christian, partaking of such things as the Potter books/movies, then they might be emboldened to do the same, with you as their Christian example. What if this results in them getting into the occult because they don't possess the same level of knowledge that you possess? Do you see the potential danger?
Well, although I hope that this ministers to somebody, I won't be the least bit surprised if my latest attempt to help is just met with more false accusations of my "spiritual superiority" and "holier than thou attitude". Can't blame a guy for trying...