A Possible Solution to the Harry Potter Problem

marbren

[marbren]

My pastor did a nice job this morning in giving some perspective to the Harry Potter phenomenon we are all facing. The Law states the evil of witchcraft (check Deut 18:10-12). Anyone who is into this lifestyle is on a straight path to hell. Those who do not know Jesus can be easily misled by the Satanic lure of Harry Potter. I was squirming in my seat as he spoke about the Satanic background of Harry Potter and how we should avoid anything that is evil and does not glorify Jesus. I have 2 beautiful girls who have read Harry Potter and my older daughter has seen the film. My wife and I have both read all the books and we intend to see the film with our younger daughter. We both enjoy the books and are waiting for the fifth one to come out. My mom has been on the "Harry Potter is evil" bandwagon for about a year now. I have had frank discussions with my daughters about what is wrong with Harry and how real world witchcraft is straight from hell. I might point out here that those of you who do not believe in real Satanic forces in this world are probably in for a rude awakening. After this Law lesson our Pastor switched to the problem of legalism which is also very easy to fall into. If you think about it, anything that does not glorify Jesus is a waste of time (Football, Golf, Star Wars, Monsters Inc. etc.). If you take legalism to its extreme we should all be Amish. Lets face it we are part of this world so is Harry Potter. A good compromise might be to talk to your children and enjoy the special effects of the movie and the fantasy of the books. Help your children to separate fantasy from reality and Satan from Jesus. P.S. Those of you who don’t know Jesus WATCH OUT !!!

[TomSmedley]

BTW, ever heard of a fellow named *Saint* Nicholas?

Yep. He was skinny and pugnacious. Encountered Arius once, and pounded the cr@p out of him, according to one old account. My kind of saint!

[Exigence]

Compromise with those who glorify the devil is always a dead end street.

No one is glorifying the devil. If it feels that way to you, don't read it. But, don't try to be the spiritual conscience for all other Christians either. Connie Neal has a good book to help you make the distinction.

[Cowgirl]

Kids are devouring these books over and over again. Many will turn to the dark arts of Satan (which are promoted in the books according to exwitches on TV which say keep away). The web sites link to satan and wicca sites. If there was ever a thing to keep your kids away from, this is it. Would you have him/her lose their soul over silly books teaching witchcraft?

[Exigence]

My kind of saint!

All of the really cool saints are tough -- right after the image of JC tossing the moneychangers out of the temple.

[JZoback]

Plus, not everything has to be "high culture." Whadda ya got against plain ol' fun?

Me thinks you read way too much in my post.

I am a big fan of Tolkien. I plan to be the first one to see LOTR in Demember.

I guess my point was Harry Potter is just entertainment. The amount of media time spent on this "entertainment" would make you believe we just invented the wheel.

[Salgak]

Don't get people started: I remember a guy at my church, back when I was in the USAF, who claimed Superman was blasphemy, and that Batman and Robin promoted homosexual relationships. . .

[Exigence]

Many will turn to the dark arts of Satan (which are promoted in the books according to exwitches on TV which say keep away).

You *do* realize that we've heard this before. It was supposed to happen with the Narnia books and the Tolkien books. Christian Charles Williams' darker books were supposed to do this. As was Star Wars and L'Engle's books. Dungeons and Dragons was supposed to cause this. Now HP.

Starting to see a pattern here with being reactionary? If we keep crying "wolf," who will believe our real message?

[pcl]

Help your children to separate fantasy from reality and Satan from Jesus.

Satan is one who demonizes things....

Nuff said.

[Exigence]

I am a big fan of Tolkien. I plan to be the first one to see LOTR in Demember.

Okay. I take it back. *g*

[Salgak]

Define "magic". Me, I'm a network systems administrator. I pore over abtruse texts, and issue cryptic, stange commands to bend objects to my will. Sounds awfully like a wizard to me. . . .

My point ? Any sufficiently advanced technology is INDISTINGUISHABLE from magic. . . .

[MJM59]

Harry Potter is just another excuse for parents that are not doing their jobs. If any parent cannot influence their child more than a children's book, or a movie, or a music video. Some adult somewhere is not keeping up their end of the bargain.

[Ghee]

It is obvious that you do not know JESUS CHRIST. There is a good book that I suggest that you read. It is the Holy Bible. A good place for you to start getting knowledge about who JESUS the CHRIST is. In the book of Matthew...he presents JESUS the CHRIST as a Mighty King, emphasizing the Power of Christ. In the book of Mark...he presents JESUS the CHRIST as an Obedient Servant, emphasizing the Service of Christ. In the book of Luke... is presenting JESUS the CHRIST as the Ideal Son of Man, emphasizing the Sympathy of Christ. And in the book of John...he presents JESUS the CHRIST as the Divine Son of GOD, emphasizing The Wisdom of CHRIST.

[pcl]

those who practice magic arts

Oh dear. You sent that message via computer. The guy who originally wrote that would surely have seen that you are practicing magic arts. If you did it a few hundred years ago you would be before the Iquisition right now.

Evil is realtive is it not?

[pistola]

As seen on TV?

[strela]

I remember a guy at my church, back when I was in the USAF, who claimed Superman was blasphemy, and that Batman and Robin promoted homosexual relationships.

I myself always had my suspicions about Dr. Benton Quest and Race Bannon (no, not THAT RaceBannon). And there were even (gasp!) children involved.

[garycooper]

I'm Catholic but the Amish and the Quakers look better to me every day. BTW, ever see the movie "Witness?"

[pistola]

WWBBS - What Would Bobby Bouchet Say?, "Harry Potter is not the debil momma!"

[danzaroni]

I know this is off-topic, but I think we should bring back the practice of indulgences.