potter fever?

[Nathan David]

However, considering the time they were released, I must say I oppose them. We live in an age when many are taking witchcraft and Pagan religions seriously; actually believing them. I go to a newspaper stand and already see Wiccan magazines, aimed at pre-teen girls, there.
While not problematic in itself, Harry Potter books, given the cultural context they've been released in, may make children more inclined to accept and even believe in serious witchcraft.
What's worse, JK Rowling, the series' author, doesn't seem to think there is anything wrong in that at all.

And neither do I. When did witchcraft ever hurt anybody?

 

[Nathan David]

Are you telling me that magic spells are a way of asking the gods to grant us something, and not an energy which humans have power over?

Are you telling me there's a difference? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Either you are trying to control an energy that may or may not exist or asking favors of gods who may or may not exist. Either way the results are exactly the same as if it were up to random chance, and neither belief is more or less "moral" than the other.

 

[msjones21]

When did witchcraft ever hurt anybody?

Oh! But didn't you know that us evil Wiccans sacrifice babies and practice cannibalism?

 

[katherinethegreat]

wow its a book..and wicca is nt evil! and it does have many christian symbols! read the book and you will understand!

 

[Lifesaver]

Are you telling me there's a difference? Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Either you are trying to control an energy that may or may not exist or asking favors of gods who may or may not exist. Either way the results are exactly the same as if it were up to random chance, and neither belief is more or less "moral" than the other.

No, the two ideas are completely different.

In the case of magic, it is up to the human's skill and will. Also, being a manipulable energy, spells can be repeated so that like results can be achieved, meaning that casting a certain spell many times, all things equal, result in like effects on the world.

Asking God (or the gods) for something is completely different. In this case, it is up to the Higher Power to grant the wish or not, and not to the person's skill in praying. It can't (or it is at least harder to) be tested in a scientific way, for it depends entirely on the will of the Supreme Being in question.

I'm not saying one way is more moral than the other. For such a judgement, one has to know the truth about God and what He said about witchcraft and the existence of gods. But since no-one here agrees on this issue, it would be useless to argue about it.

Alternatively, we can show that the first case (manipulation of energy) is either true or false, because its claims are testable. I have a confident belief that any study will show magic to be rather unnefective to reaching the goals each spell is designed for. Or so I hope...

 

[Lifesaver]

wow its a book..and wicca is nt evil! and it does have many christian symbols! read the book and you will understand!

But Katherine, any religion which turns people away from the truth has evil in it. That's not to say it is completely evil, but the more it deviates from Christ's Church, the less good it is. And Wicca is in fact very far from the Church.

You may have a point in that the Harry Potter books have many Christian symbols and themes. I have not read them; I don't know. However, the religious effect of these books on people in general, as highlighted by the media, is a growing acceptance towards witchcraft and magic.

As I believe these practices to be condemned by God, and all cases of them either non-existant or result of demonic intervention, I think this growing acceptance is quite an evil thing.

 

[transientlife]

But Katherine, any religion which turns people away from the truth has evil in it. That's not to say it is completely evil, but the more it deviates from Christ's Church, the less good it is. And Wicca is in fact very far from the Church.

It's a fictional book. Anyone who lets a work of FICTION, CHILDRENS FICTION nonetheless, drive them from the church had problems with the faith before that, I would think.

You may have a point in that the Harry Potter books have many Christian symbols and themes. I have not read them; I don't know. However, the religious effect of these books on people in general, as highlighted by the media, is a growing acceptance towards witchcraft and magic.

I don't see hordes of Christians being converted to wicca by Harry Potter. Also, you believe everything the media tells you?

 

[Arikay]

1) Oh the irony, you do realize that in general more christians turn people away from "the truth" than most other religions, right? Take the Harry Potter thing for example, I bet more people have been turned away from christianity by extremist reactions than by other religions.

2) You are so right, before Harry Potter there was no acceptance for witchcraft, except in many classic fairy tales, many fantasy novels, cartoons, TV shows, Movies and classic books such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia. No acceptance whatso ever.

3) Or you could be wrong.

But Katherine, any religion which turns people away from the truth has evil in it. That's not to say it is completely evil, but the more it deviates from Christ's Church, the less good it is. And Wicca is in fact very far from the Church.

You may have a point in that the Harry Potter books have many Christian symbols and themes. I have not read them; I don't know. However, the religious effect of these books on people in general, as highlighted by the media, is a growing acceptance towards witchcraft and magic.

As I believe these practices to be condemned by God, and all cases of them either non-existant or result of demonic intervention, I think this growing acceptance is quite an evil thing.

 

[transientlife]

Bewitched and She-Ra were my favorite childhood shows. Now I'm not a Christian?!
Neither of those ever made me question my religion though. I just always thought it'd be fun to have magic powers to fly and change into different animals. I saw it as pure entertainment, but I guess it depends how you are taught to view things on tv.

 

[Lifesaver]

1) Oh the irony, you do realize that in general more christians turn people away from "the truth" than most other religions, right? Take the Harry Potter thing for example, I bet more people have been turned away from christianity by extremist reactions than by other religions.

Perhaps. I'm also against the extremist reaction, which is being against any protrayal of magic in a fictionalized world.

2) You are so right, before Harry Potter there was no acceptance for witchcraft, except in many classic fairy tales, many fantasy novels, cartoons, TV shows, Movies and classic books such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the Chronicles of Narnia. No acceptance whatso ever.

If you are interested in a good comparison between the magic portrayed in Harry Potter, that of Lord of The Rings and of The Chronicles of Narnia, then read this:

http://www.decentfilms.com/commentary/magic.html

You'll find it is not extremist at all, but very balanced.

 

[Lifesaver]

It's a fictional book. Anyone who lets a work of FICTION, CHILDRENS FICTION nonetheless, drive them from the church had problems with the faith before that, I would think.

It's not a question of driving, but getting accostumed and accepting with something unnacceptable.
Children, pre-teens and basically all age groups do have problems with faith nowadays. Encouraging Paganism among people so eager to believe in something, but with so little knowledge about God, is not a good thing at all.

I don't see hordes of Christians being converted to wicca by Harry Potter.

Me neither. But that Harry Potter's magic portrayal has come at a very bad time, that it has.
I've not doubt that Tolkien, as the orthodox Catholic he was, would have had second thoughts about releasing LOTR if he lived in times of crescent Neo-Paganism of Celtic and Norse backgrounds.

 

[transientlife]

It's not a question of driving, but getting accostumed and accepting with something unnacceptable.
Children, pre-teens and basically all age groups do have problems with faith nowadays. Encouraging Paganism among people so eager to believe in something, but with so little knowledge about God, is not a good thing at all.

I haven't seen it promote anything but reading, and certainly not Paganism. I think it's fairly obvious (or maybe I'm giving too much credit to the teen mind) that you cannot fly on a broomstick or chant up spells where you will see golden sparkles and your friend will turn into a frog, or have a snowy owl deliver your mail.

Me neither. But that Harry Potter's magic portrayal has come at a very bad time, that it has.
I've not doubt that Tolkien, as the orthodox Catholic he was, would have had second thoughts about releasing LOTR if he lived in times of crescent Neo-Paganism of Celtic and Norse backgrounds.

Any time is a bad time for those who are paranoid about such things.

 

[Arikay]

I agree that the magic in LotR and Narnia (one of my favorite book sets) are different, but it was still magic. Thus to claim Harry Potter is the only cause for a growing acceptance to magic in society is a bit understated as society has accepted magic in many other things for years, the only difference is that christian groups are making a big deal about harry potter, thus it of course will get the blame.

In reality childrens tales for many many years have had magic and witchcraft in them. However, if Harry Potter is giving us more wiccans, I think it may be the fault of some christians, as I bet the extremist attitudes against Harry Potter has caused at least a few kids to want to learn about Wicca and why its so evil etc. and learned that they were highly misinformed.

I think the real danger that Harry Potter teaches is that it makes kids want to read, which is the gateway to learning about wicca. Reading should be banned

Perhaps. I'm also against the extremist reaction, which is being against any protrayal of magic in a fictionalized world.


If you are interested in a good comparison between the magic portrayed in Harry Potter, that of Lord of The Rings and of The Chronicles of Narnia, then read this:

http://www.decentfilms.com/commentary/magic.html

You'll find it is not extremist at all, but very balanced.

 

[Havoc]

But Katherine, any religion which turns people away from the truth has evil in it. That's not to say it is completely evil, but the more it deviates from Christ's Church, the less good it is. And Wicca is in fact very far from the Church.

You may have a point in that the Harry Potter books have many Christian symbols and themes. I have not read them; I don't know. However, the religious effect of these books on people in general, as highlighted by the media, is a growing acceptance towards witchcraft and magic.

As I believe these practices to be condemned by God, and all cases of them either non-existant or result of demonic intervention, I think this growing acceptance is quite an evil thing.

And we'll be sure to give your opinions about our religion all the consideration they deserve.

God agrees with us, whether you do or not is of no consequence, until you decide to bring out the kerosene and kindling of course.

 

[Havoc]

I agree that the magic in LotR and Narnia (one of my favorite book sets) are different, but it was still magic. Thus to claim Harry Potter is the only cause for a growing acceptance to magic in society is a bit understated as society has accepted magic in many other things for years, the only difference is that christian groups are making a big deal about harry potter, thus it of course will get the blame.

In reality childrens tales for many many years have had magic and witchcraft in them. However, if Harry Potter is giving us more wiccans, I think it may be the fault of some christians, as I bet the extremist attitudes against Harry Potter has caused at least a few kids to want to learn about Wicca and why its so evil etc. and learned that they were highly misinformed.

We have a favourite anecdote that we like to use, in between feasting on infant human flesh...

The reason we Witches don't proselytize is because we don't have time. We barely have time to process the hordes of people the Fundamantalists drive our way.

 

[Lifesaver]

I agree that the magic in LotR and Narnia (one of my favorite book sets) are different, but it was still magic. Thus to claim Harry Potter is the only cause for a growing acceptance to magic in society is a bit understated as society has accepted magic in many other things for years, the only difference is that christian groups are making a big deal about harry potter, thus it of course will get the blame.

I completely agree. It's not a big deal, and I'm not proposing we go out and burn the books. Neither am I saying Harry Potter is the reason why people are becoming Wiccan (it clearly is not, and is very very little related to Wicca at all). All I'm saying is that, without proper discretion and guidance from their parents, these books may be the first step towards getting young readers to accept or even practice Paganism and witchcraft.

In reality childrens tales for many many years have had magic and witchcraft in them. However, if Harry Potter is giving us more wiccans, I think it may be the fault of some christians, as I bet the extremist attitudes against Harry Potter has caused at least a few kids to want to learn about Wicca and why its so evil etc. and learned that they were highly misinformed.

Probably so, too. If someone is told that Wicca is evil because its followers practice cannibalism and sacrifices, and upon reading finds out that its spells are actually intended to heal and perform good things, they'd be much more predisposed to accept it, which is why the lies (consciously or not) perpetrated by Christian extremists are very harmful as well.

It is not wrong to read it, nor wrong to like it and recommend it. But we do live in an age when youngsters are usually spiritually lost, left adrift to "choose" whatever faith comes their way. Seeing as parents are being so negligent in this respect, caution and discerniment are even more necessary.

 

[Lifesaver]

God agrees with us, whether you do or not is of no consequence,

Is this the "horned god" you are talking about? Because if so, then you are probably right.

 

[Havoc]

Is this the "horned god" you are talking about? Because if so, then you are probably right.

Yes, the Divine. And Cernunnos is one of his faces, as is Yahweh, or whatever you folks are calling him this year.

 

[Havoc]

Or one could say that with proper discretion and guidance these books may be the first step towards getting young readers to accept or even practice Paganism and witchcraft.

It all depends on your point of view. Your highly subjective and unproven beliefs or mine. *shrug*

personally I think Fundamentalist Christianity is much more harmful to a child's soul. At least we don't teach children to be prejudiced.

 

[Lifesaver]

Really, I hope you realize the falsity of your beliefs and stop paying respect and worshipping the horned god.