Why are most Christians so accepting of magic

[nanookadenord]

If you care about "real world problems" and you have children... you will care when they stop going to church, come home with black eye shadow and tell you that they were playing with a ouija board..... you will care.

Let's see, I have seven kids. Five do not go to church because they live with their mom 1200 miles away and she doesn't believe in God. I have no say in their religious upbringing. My two kids here are mainly with my ex-wife. They do go to church because their mom and I believe in God.

So, let's see, two of the five 1200 miles away are adults. They watched Harry Potter as kids. Neither wear black eye shadow or play with Ouija boards and have no inclinations to. My other three 1200 miles away have also watched and read Harry Potter. Two are cheerleaders and all three very successful in school. With one, that being my sixteen year old daughter having been on the honor roll all her high school career so far and if she continues will be awarded the silver cup for having been on honor roll throughout her high school career. She is also a cheerleader. My fifteen year old boy is also on honor roll here and there, sometimes he misses it by a slim margin. He too cheerleads. The youngest up there is only in seventh grade and she was awarded with a social studies attitude award.

They know the difference between what is real and what is make believe. They know that Harry Potter is fictional and view it in that light.

My two down here are four and six. Still too young for Harry Potter, but they will be raised the same way, other than they attend church.

So much for what I quoted above!

 

[Shiloh Raven]

Oh yay! Another Harry Potter and DnD is bad thread. Like we haven't had enough of those! /endsarcasm

Admittedly, I haven't read the whole thread, but I have yet to see Shakespeare mentioned in regards to magic. "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." That is uttered by the three witches in Macbeth. How about the Wizard of Oz? Never hear that mentioned. Another one is Mary Poppins.

Where does it end?

If you go looking for the devil in the details, you will generally trick yourself into seeing the devil.

We can add The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia to that list.

I know quite a few Christians who get up on their moral high horse to bash Harry Potter, but then they will proudly admit to reading the books or watching the movies of the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, and the Chronicles of Narnia. It seems that the only excuse that these Christians can come up with to justify their moral inconsistency and hide their obvious hypocrisy is by insisting that these three books were written by Christian authors. I wouldn't be surprised if these Christians also watch Mary Poppins or the Wizard of Oz. I don't let myself get drawn into one of their sanctimonious arguments anymore.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

Let's see, I have seven kids. Five do not go to church because they live with their mom 1200 miles away and she doesn't believe in God. I have no say in their religious upbringing. My two kids here are mainly with my ex-wife. They do go to church because their mom and I believe in God.

So, let's see, two of the five 1200 miles away are adults. They watched Harry Potter as kids. Neither wear black eye shadow or play with Ouija boards and have no inclinations to. My other three 1200 miles away have also watched and read Harry Potter. Two are cheerleaders and all three very successful in school. With one, that being my sixteen year old daughter having been on the honor roll all her high school career so far and if she continues will be awarded the silver cup for having been on honor roll throughout her high school career. She is also a cheerleader. My fifteen year old boy is also on honor roll here and there, sometimes he misses it by a slim margin. He too cheerleads. The youngest up there is only in seventh grade and she was awarded with a social studies attitude award.

They know the difference between what is real and what is make believe. They know that Harry Potter is fictional and view it in that light.

My two down here are four and six. Still too young for Harry Potter, but they will be raised the same way, other than they attend church.

So much for what I quoted above!

I have seven children myself and they all grew up reading the Harry Potter books and watching the movies and NONE of them have ever expressed the desire to practice witchcraft. They all know that Harry Potter is fictional. As a parent, I taught my children the difference between reality and fantasy.

On a side note, I think it's truly sad when some adults can't seem to differentiate reality from fantasy. I also think it's sad when some Christians apparently see the devil around every corner and they live their life judging other Christians who don't agree with them or with their interpretation of the Bible.

 

[St. Helens]

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[JacksBratt]

Let's see, I have seven kids. Five do not go to church because they live with their mom 1200 miles away and she doesn't believe in God. I have no say in their religious upbringing. My two kids here are mainly with my ex-wife. They do go to church because their mom and I believe in God.

So, let's see, two of the five 1200 miles away are adults. They watched Harry Potter as kids. Neither wear black eye shadow or play with Ouija boards and have no inclinations to. My other three 1200 miles away have also watched and read Harry Potter. Two are cheerleaders and all three very successful in school. With one, that being my sixteen year old daughter having been on the honor roll all her high school career so far and if she continues will be awarded the silver cup for having been on honor roll throughout her high school career. She is also a cheerleader. My fifteen year old boy is also on honor roll here and there, sometimes he misses it by a slim margin. He too cheerleads. The youngest up there is only in seventh grade and she was awarded with a social studies attitude award.

They know the difference between what is real and what is make believe. They know that Harry Potter is fictional and view it in that light.

My two down here are four and six. Still too young for Harry Potter, but they will be raised the same way, other than they attend church.

So much for what I quoted above!

My point is valid. I was talking about "our kids" as a collective of this generation.

I see you have done as a I stated in post # 290. Most kids don't have that advantage. Left to the world as it is... they are under heavy attack.

Sloughing off the works of Satan as fluff, entertainment and such... is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Shiloh Raven]

{snip}They know the difference between what is real and what is make believe. They know that Harry Potter is fictional and view it in that light.

J.K. Rowling responded to all the criticism and accusations from Christians: "I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft. I'm laughing slightly because to me the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling, I'm so glad I've read these books because now I want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is. It is a fantasy world and they understand that completely."

I've shared this quote by her earlier in this thread, but I thought I would share it with you because of what you said about children knowing the difference between what is real and what is make believe.

I also shared these articles on the physiological study on children who read the Harry Potter books.

Study: Kids Who Read Harry Potter Grow Up to Be Better People

Science Says Kids Who Read 'Harry Potter' Are Just Better Human Beings In General

Study finds kids who read Harry Potter books become more tolerant of minority groups

Psychology Today: Does Reading Harry Potter Books Reduce Prejudice?: Readers who identify with Harry Potter show less prejudice against minorities. According to a recent study, "The Greatest Magic of Harry Potter: Reducing Prejudice," young people who've read the Harry Potter books—and identify with Harry as the main protagonist—are less likely to be biased or prejudiced against minority groups. The team of researchers from Italy found that reading Harry Potter books improves children’s attitudes toward stigmatized groups that included: immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBT community.

 

[nanookadenord]

My point is valid. I was talking about "our kids" as a collective of this generation.

I see you have done as a I stated in post # 290. Most kids don't have that advantage. Left to the world as it is... they are under heavy attack.

Sloughing off the works of Satan as fluff, entertainment and such... is a recipe for disaster.

I don't see Harry Potter as the work of Satan. So, this is where we disagree.

I also know, many other kids who have read Harry Potter and aren't as you described. So, my point is valid as well. My girlfriend's son reads Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and gasp, plays Dungeons and Dragons and other than normal pre-teen/teenager apathy and attitude, he's a good kid. He doesn't use a Ouija board, wear black eyeliner and whatever else you said. He too was brought up to know the difference between real and fake.

So what I am seeing is that possibly the kids that have done this are left to their own devices and aren't shown the difference. That isn't the book or movie's fault and has much to do with how a parent raises their child. Now that I can get behind and would agree with.

 

[nanookadenord]

J.K. Rowling responded to all the criticism and accusations from Christians: "I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft. I'm laughing slightly because to me the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling, I'm so glad I've read these books because now I want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is. It is a fantasy world and they understand that completely."

I've shared this quote by her earlier in this thread, but I thought I would share it with you because of what you said about children knowing the difference between what is real and what is make believe.

I also shared these articles on the physiological study on children who read the Harry Potter books.

Study: Kids Who Read Harry Potter Grow Up to Be Better People

Science Says Kids Who Read 'Harry Potter' Are Just Better Human Beings In General

Study finds kids who read Harry Potter books become more tolerant of minority groups

Psychology Today: Does Reading Harry Potter Books Reduce Prejudice?: Readers who identify with Harry Potter show less prejudice against minorities. According to a recent study, "The Greatest Magic of Harry Potter: Reducing Prejudice," young people who've read the Harry Potter books—and identify with Harry as the main protagonist—are less likely to be biased or prejudiced against minority groups. The team of researchers from Italy found that reading Harry Potter books improves children’s attitudes toward stigmatized groups that included: immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBT community.

I wholeheartedly agree with this post!

Come on people! Use common sense. Just because we're Christians it doesn't mean our common sense goes out the window!

 

[Cis.jd]

Score... one more point for Satan... "It's harmless fantasy"..... Boom... "another one bites the dust"
This demon magic and occult laced rock music is drawing people away from God...

You are the only one scoring points for satan, it's views like this that give christianity a horrible image of being a religion for fools.

 

[nanookadenord]

You are the only one scoring points for satan, it's views like this that give christianity a horrible image of being a religion for fools.

There is something in Proverbs about fools, but I will not post here as it will probably get me banned for goading.

 

[JacksBratt]

We can add The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Chronicles of Narnia to that list.

I know quite a few Christians who get up on their moral high horse to bash Harry Potter, but then they will proudly admit to reading the books or watching the movies of the Hobbit, the Lord of the Rings, and the Chronicles of Narnia. It seems that the only excuse that these Christians can come up with to justify their moral inconsistency and hide their obvious hypocrisy is by insisting that these three books were written by Christian authors. I wouldn't be surprised if these Christians also watch Mary Poppins or the Wizard of Oz. I don't let myself get drawn into one of their sanctimonious arguments anymore.

If you cannot see the parallels of those books that are written by Christian authors, and the gospel.. then you need to read a bit about them.
They are on two opposite sides of a spiritual war.

 

[JacksBratt]

I have seven children myself and they all grew up reading the Harry Potter books and watching the movies and NONE of them have ever expressed the desire to practice witchcraft. They all know that Harry Potter is fictional. As a parent, I taught my children the difference between reality and fantasy.

On a side note, I think it's truly sad when some adults can't seem to differentiate reality from fantasy. I also think it's sad when some Christians apparently see the devil around every corner and they live their life judging other Christians who don't agree with them or with their interpretation of the Bible.

I don't think it is the adults that are unable to differentiate... It's the kids.

Thankfully you have taught your kids.. many out there do not have this mentoring available and are lost.

 

[Hank77]

Your point?

Because someone says they are using demons, have used demons, etc. to sell their wares doesn't make it true.

 

[JacksBratt]

J.K. Rowling responded to all the criticism and accusations from Christians: "I absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft. I'm laughing slightly because to me the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling, I'm so glad I've read these books because now I want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is. It is a fantasy world and they understand that completely."

I've shared this quote by her earlier in this thread, but I thought I would share it with you because of what you said about children knowing the difference between what is real and what is make believe.

I also shared these articles on the physiological study on children who read the Harry Potter books.

Study: Kids Who Read Harry Potter Grow Up to Be Better People

Science Says Kids Who Read 'Harry Potter' Are Just Better Human Beings In General

Study finds kids who read Harry Potter books become more tolerant of minority groups

Psychology Today: Does Reading Harry Potter Books Reduce Prejudice?: Readers who identify with Harry Potter show less prejudice against minorities. According to a recent study, "The Greatest Magic of Harry Potter: Reducing Prejudice," young people who've read the Harry Potter books—and identify with Harry as the main protagonist—are less likely to be biased or prejudiced against minority groups. The team of researchers from Italy found that reading Harry Potter books improves children’s attitudes toward stigmatized groups that included: immigrants, refugees, and members of the LGBT community.

LOL because JK Rowling would honestly have come out and stated "Why yes... of course I wrote these books to encourage any child into witchcraft"

Really? That's your argument?

 

[JacksBratt]

I don't see Harry Potter as the work of Satan. So, this is where we disagree.

Duly noted and understood and agreed... That is the problem.

I also know, many other kids who have read Harry Potter and aren't as you described. So, my point is valid as well. My girlfriend's son reads Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and gasp, plays Dungeons and Dragons and other than normal pre-teen/teenager apathy and attitude, he's a good kid. He doesn't use a Ouija board, wear black eyeliner and whatever else you said. He too was brought up to know the difference between real and fake.

So what I am seeing is that possibly the kids that have done this are left to their own devices and aren't shown the difference. That isn't the book or movie's fault and has much to do with how a parent raises their child. Now that I can get behind and would agree with.

I did not say that every kid that watches or reads "Harry Potter" is going to turn to Wicca.

I simply showed data that proves that attention and interest in such anti-God and un biblical interest has rapidly increased since 1998 when Harry Potter was released.

This is not a coincidence.

Kids of today are from broken homes. Both Christian and non... They are looking for family, entertainment, excitement, to belong and have little guidance.

Many are drawn away, as Satan has desired.

 

[JacksBratt]

I wholeheartedly agree with this post!

Come on people! Use common sense. Just because we're Christians it doesn't mean our common sense goes out the window!

I agree.... that as Christians our common sense should not go out the window..... So.. listen to those that are awake.. Sure, let your kids read and watch, but, do as others here have stated and educate your kids on the dangers..

Ephesians 6:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

[JacksBratt]

You are the only one scoring points for satan, it's views like this that give christianity a horrible image of being a religion for fools.

We'll see who is a fool. Being blind to the desception of Satan are the ones who are fools.

Of course, the unbeliever will call me a fool... they are blind. Yet, look at youth crime, disrespect for authority, our youth have been done a great disservice by us, their parents, by lax and pathetic preparation for the world... spiritually and otherwise.

 

[JacksBratt]

There is something in Proverbs about fools, but I will not post here as it will probably get me banned for goading.

If I am called a fool... due to speaking the truth.... I could care less. That's actually expected.

 

[JacksBratt]

Because someone says they are using demons, have used demons, etc. to sell their wares doesn't make it true.

Awe... but he was stating that he was transformed and spoke to get fame and fortune... all the while preaching about God... These people convert people to Christianity.. whether by proper methods or not.

He was not using demonic subjects to gain fame and fortune and claiming that that is exactly where he got his help... He was preaching the negative about that, how they didn't care, left him for dead and the horror of that life..... compared to the love, acceptance and ultimate power of Christ... Even though a lie... he was still preaching truth.

 

[nanookadenord]

Duly noted and understood and agreed... That is the problem.



I did not say that every kid that watches or reads "Harry Potter" is going to turn to Wicca.

I simply showed data that proves that attention and interest in such anti-God and un biblical interest has rapidly increased since 1998 when Harry Potter was released.

This is not a coincidence.

Kids of today are from broken homes. Both Christian and non... They are looking for family, entertainment, excitement, to belong and have little guidance.

Many are drawn away, as Satan has desired.

Actually, it is very coincidental as other things have happened at that time as well. You noted it yourself that many kids are from broken homes. They are looking for somewhere to belong. So, they turn to other things. That is not where the root of the problem is, those other things. The root of the problem is broken homes in this instance. I myself being from a broken home can understand that very well.

However, that is not the fictional story of Harry Potter's fault. Nor does it mean it is the stories fault that some kids are turning to wicca. The fault is elsewhere. It can not be blamed on Harry Potter or it's author.

I get it, people trying to figure this stuff out are looking for a scapegoat, but it should not be Harry Potter.