Now THAT's a mental apparition I could have lived without.
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
I thought that from the minute his wand was broken in OotP! Remember how 'the wand chooses the wizard'? Well, Neville was stuck with his Dad's old wand, so maybe he'll do great things when he has his very own!
I assume you mean that the Harry Potter books are designed to do this? That's funny because my kids and I and my hubby love the stories! The kids saw the movie this afternoon, and I'm going with them to see it on an IMAX screen next week! We've read all the books aloud, and discuss them as we go. Our kids know the difference between fantasy and reality, and frankly have noticed the veiled religious references in the book, that are NOT satanic, but Christian!
>>...standing in line at 12:01 a.m. at Books-A-Million or a movie theater every time a new Harry Potter title came out...<<
Good hint for everyone that doesn't want to wait in line for the Newest HP book at B and N, go to the big chain grocery store and you won't have to be in the humongous party line with the kids (unless you like to dress up).
DK
It's not all about your needs Dr. E.
Have you read anything about Frank Baum and his wife and mother-in-law. Anything about Helena Blavatsky and the Theosophical Society?
No. Nor do I intend to.
Good nite.
Your obsession with the occult reminds me of Dr. Strangelove trying to control his arm. Perhaps your friends are afraid to tell you, but normal people, even people who read fantasy, are not particularly interested.
Oh, they'd like you to think so.
Theosophists believe in altruism and good humor and brushing their teeth after every meal, too. The problem is they believe in a lot more than that, much of it contained in Rowling's children's books.
But you wouldn't know that if you haven't read up on it.
It's kind of like saying "since a republic is the best form of government, we don't need to learn about communism, socialism or fascism."
Of course, the trouble with this logic is that if we don't know anything about subversive ideologies, we won't recognize them when they try to assert themselves.
And they always do. I've read HP. You guys, for your own understanding as well as your children's sake, should at least spend a little time googling Blavatsky or Frank Baum and his mother-in-law. Just be sure to put "theosophy" in the search line. Or don't.
Grow up.
Don't be such a muggle.
Nonsense! You don't ~know~ fun! You ought to see him in a grass skirt and coconuts!
Oh yeah, that's gonna help. ;-)
LOL!
Reminder to self: Be sure I never over-analyze things.
At one time our little world was full of the aftermaths of Theosophy as taught by Madame Blavatsky to her devotees. My Father knew the lady and, with her, would discuss wholly secular subjects; she being, he told me, one of the most interesting and unscrupulous impostors he had ever met. This, with his experience, was a high compliment. I was not so fortunate, but came across queer, bewildered, old people, who lived in an atmosphere of ‘manifestations’ running about their houses.Don't fret about this stuff too much. If you're looking for the occult under the beds of Theosophists and Harry Potter, you're likely to miss it when it really turns up. As it does, from time to time.But the earliest days of Theosophy devastated the Pioneer, whose Editor became a devout believer, and used the paper for propaganda to an extent which got on the nerves not only of the public but of a proof-reader, who at the last moment salted an impassioned leader on the subject with, in brackets; ‘What do you bet this is a dam’ lie?’ The Editor was most untheosophically angry!
Passive...
Aggressive.
Now THAT's a mental apparition I could have lived without.
That wasn't helpful? Sorry, It was just one meager example of fun behavior! I'll think up another one!
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.