Dalya Alberge, Arts Correspondent
Posted on 07/18/2007 10:09:26 AM PDT by Terriergal
From
The Church of England is publishing a guide advising youth workers how to use Harry Potter to spread the Christian message.
Days before the release of J K Rowling’s seventh novel about the boy wizard, they were being told yesterday that they could use the popularity of the books and films to debate Christian themes. The guide, Mixing it up with Harry Potter, is published this week by Church House Publishing.
The Potter books and films have been attacked by evangelicals for allegedly glamorising the occult. But the Rt Rev John Pritchard, the Bishop of Oxford, said yesterday: “Jesus used storytelling to engage and challenge his listeners.
“There’s nothing better than a good story to make people think, and there’s plenty in the Harry Potter books to make young people think about the choices they make in their everyday lives and their place in the world.”
The guide’s suggested 12 sessions introduce short clips from the films to provide discussion among 9 to 13-year-olds.
Owen Smith, its 24-year-old author and a youth worker at St Margaret’s Church in Rainham, Kent, said: “To say, as some have, that these books draw younger readers towards the occult seems to me both to malign JK Rowling and to vastly underestimate the ability of children to separate the real from the imaginary.” Asda has apologised “unreservedly” for having criticised Bloomsbury, the Harry Potter publisher, in a dispute over money owed. The supermarket chain will now be selling the books.
No, we are concerned that they will discover the REALITY of witchcraft in the wrong way. Spoken like someone who doesn't believe in the supernatural.
So, what do you think they're going to teach about Harry Potter? That witchcraft is bad? Not likely.
Ping!
This should not surprise anyone. Come on - the church of England being apostate is not news. Stranger things happenin’ in “Christian” churches on THIS side of the pond.
What reality of witchcraft do Rowling’s books present?
I’ve tried every spell in the books. Not a one works.
You must not have the proper wand.
That's funny.
What reality of witchcraft do Rowling’s books present?
Candace's testimony of being delivered from bondage to the Occult, Witchcraft
Warren Smith, the Light that was Dark: From New Age to Amazing Grace
And my most recent read which I highly recommend:
Running Against the Wind The Transformation of a New Age Medium and His Warning to the Church
You can also listen to his interview here:
from http://www.onetruthministries.com/
Critical Issues Commentary Radio interview
Pastor Bob Dewaay of Twin City Fellowship Church interviews me through Running Against the Wind chapter by chapter beginning with the first installment on March 12, 2007. Each week another installment will be available. This series is available to listen or download at CIC Radio. Enjoy our conversation of my journey from the New Age, to finding faith in Jesus Christ and closing the series with our defense of the Bible from the modern day mystics.
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