Posted on 06/03/2004 9:38:49 AM PDT by BobbyBeeper
FIRST-PERSON: Is Harry Potter merely entertainment? Jun 2, 2004 By Phil Boatwright
"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" Photo courtesy of harrypotter.com
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)--"I love Harry Potter. I think it would be so cool to be a witch," Sharon, age 11, says.
That's my answer to anyone who says J.K. Rowling's adventure series is harmless fantasy.
While the Harry Potter book and film series has held a hypnotic fascination for youngsters, its thematic foundation is troubling. Arguably, perceptive children can view such material without succumbing to the snare of the occult, but it would be naive to think that movies and TV programs containing witchcraft are not aiding the rise of Wicca in our culture.
In a television special titled "Hollywood Spirituality" which aired several years back on E! Entertainment, Raven Mounauni, a professing witch and owner of an occult paraphernalia store, credited the 1996 movie "The Craft" with inspiring young women to explore the world of witches. "I get a lot of teenage girls in here. You can always tell when 'The Craft' has been on TV, 'cause we get a big influx of girls looking for supplies."
Occult practices shouldn't be considered just diverting amusement. Ouija boards, psychic readers and other forms of misleading supernatural entertainment should not be taken lightly. In Leviticus 19:26 we are instructed, "Do not practice divination or sorcery." There are several warnings in the Scriptures, both Old and New Testament, making it clear that we are to avoid witchcraft or anything associated with the occult. So if God is instructing us to avoid occult practices, how can we justify using it to entertain ourselves?
This may not be a popular view right now. The first Harry Potter film installment earned $969 million worldwide. J.K. Rowlings' five books on the young wizard have become a phenomenon, allowing the author to become the richest woman in England, with assets beyond $1 billion. That would indicate that many parents find nothing wrong with these children's adventures.
There are even a couple of books out right now exclaiming parallels between the Potter books and the Gospel. One author suggests the books help relate Christian themes and truths, opening the door for talking about things such as right and wrong, the nature of faith, loyalty, bravery and trust. Honestly, I think that's a bit thin. Yes, Rowlings’ themes deal with honor, friendship and self-sacrifice, but the kids in Harry Potter gravitate to sorcery in order to accomplish these attributes. And even if there are positive elements associated with the series, you simply can't ignore the witchcraft equation.
Members of Wicca teach a philosophy that embraces no absolute truth or sin and replaces the patriarchal male creator God of the Bible with a belief in both male and female gods. Its credo instructs members to embrace spirits and conjure spells in order to control their lives and the lives of others. There are millions of practicing witches worldwide. Indeed, Wicca has become one of the fastest-growing religions in the world today.
OK, it's good that children are reading. But what is it they're reading? Shouldn't that be considered? When an author makes $1 billion on five books that have sorcery as a main theme, and renowned secular critics hail the films as incredible filmmaking without examining their occult roots, I question what's really behind this phenom.
Is it merely entertainment? Or is there a dark spiritual source feeding and supporting it? I realize that may sound like a stretch, but often Satan is most deceiving with a glossed-over package. Wouldn't it be a shame if kids got pulled into witchcraft, while their folks thought of the books and films as merely children's fantasy? --30-- Phil Boatwright is a film reviewer and editor of The Movie Reporter, on the Web at www.moviereporter.com. (BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKAB
My husband plays Dungeons and Dragons, should I be worried?
Yes, and you are living proof.
Scotty, is that you??
Only children are open to the eeevil influences of Harry Potter or D&D. Don't worry.
I am off to see my first screening of the evil movie! Can't wait. It may turn me into a newt, but surely I'll get better.
I missed it too, but I have a time turner.
As I finished each book I'd feel that that particular one was my new favorite of the series.
The books never seemed long enough. They are good escapism and great entertainment.
Hmmph, figures. ;o)
ROFLMAO ping
Pardon my ignorance (and intrusion into this amusing thread hijack), but does WOD refer to "word of the day?"
How's about calling in yer pal who had the great story about the cougar (can't recall his nickname)?
:D
The Word For The Day threads are in chat, and they are "WFTD".
:-)
Thanks Bella!
Aye, Captain! I need more power!
I read them a couple of years ago. They were so similar that they kind of merged after a while.
The reason I compared them to the Narnia books is because both are are a series, both deal with the supernatural, both are childrens' books, both deal with good and evil.
The Narnia books have depth, teach higher values in a non-preachy manner that kids (and adults) can enjoy without feeling proselytized, are exciting, and create a believable alternate world.
The Harry Potter books, OTOH, are like shallow newsprint. Harry Potter and the other characters are like cutouts, have no depth, undergo no change of character, there are no challenges. They appeal to the shallowest and meanest emotions, and glorify the lust for power.
The Narnia books are pure allegory. If you missed that, you missed the story.
The Harry Potter books, OTOH, are like shallow newsprint. Harry Potter and the other characters are like cutouts, have no depth, undergo no change of character, there are no challenges. They appeal to the shallowest and meanest emotions, and glorify the lust for power.
You're certainly entitled to that opinion, and there's nothing in me that says you have to like them. I really don't care. But I'm still inclined to think you never really "read" them.
I sometimes wonder exactly what he smokes when he writes those comics.. ;->
You haven't read the same books I have. Just because the challenges are often magical, doesn't mean there aren't challenges. And the characters in HP are quite real enough, thank you. JK Rowling is one of the two authors (with Orson Scott Card) who manages to portray child characters in a way I find consistently accurate. I guess she hasn't forgotten what it's like to be a kid.
Some people, on the other hand, don't seem to have had a childhood to begin with. I saw the movie this evening, with a theater full of happy people, mostly parents and children sharing a night out. I can't wait to see it again.
When I refer to challenges, I am referring to obstacles or difficulties which necessitate character growth. Not just danger or external challenges.
The Narnia books have them, Potter books don't. They appeal to the lowest common denominator in children. I am not against magic or supernatural in stories, I am not a fanatic.
If you can't see the difference in writing styles and three dimensional character development versus one dimensional in Potter, I can't change your mind. Maybe you just need to read children's books which are actually well written. Try reading Howard Pyle's childrens' books - the King Arthur books (there are several), his Robin Hood, and "Otto of the Silver Hand". They are incredible literature, besides which the Potter books are as shallow and tasteless as veneer made from sawdust.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.