[Mr. Silverback]

There are links to further information at the source document.

If anyone wants on or off my Chuck Colson/BreakPoint Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[r9etb]

But the big question many parents have is: Should their kids be reading novels about wizards and witches and magic? A Christian expert on Potter mania says, “It depends.”

Articles like this remind me of the old World Weekly News article headlined:

Your Co-Worker Could Be A Space Alien
Here's how you can tell!

The devil will make sure to be found wherever you look for him. Articles like this are a case in point.

[pollywog]

please put me on your ping list.
Polly

[MarkL]

Can somebody please explain to me why Lewis and Tolkein are OK, but Rowling isn’t, at least according to some Christians?

Mark

[Secret Agent Man]

The difference with HP is that it makes the occult into something that is neutral - it is only good or evil depending on your motives. This is the lie that is packaged in HP.

God’s Word does speak of witches. The Old Testament was clear about avoiding the occult. Part of the reason was God said to avoid it. The practical implications is that fallen angels (demons) who still have certain powers and abilities (for now) are the sources of the things that are occultic.

Spend a little time in the Bible reading up on what God says about things occult:

Do not pass your children through the fire (child sacrifice). Do not practice divination (see the future) or sorcery. Do not turn to mediums (who can speak/conjure the dead)or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist (aka wizard) among you must be put to death.

[rljv]

“. . . and they’re probably going to read them anyway.”

Lost me there, Mr. Colson. Lukewarmness- Mr. Colson should be better versed on the effect of that character trait, as a self proclaimed Christian, that is.

[FreeAtlanta]

Seems like God doesn't like witchcraft. That is more than good enough for me.

Leviticus 19:26 (Whole Chapter) You shall not eat anything with the blood; neither shall you use magic, omens, or witchcraft [or predict events by horoscope or signs and lucky days].

Micah 5:12 (Whole Chapter) And I will cut off witchcrafts and sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no more soothsayers.

2 Chronicles 33:6 (Whole Chapter) He sacrificed his sons in [ Or He made his sons pass through ] the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

Micah 5:12 (Whole Chapter) I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells.

Nahum 3:4 (Whole Chapter) all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft.

Galatians 5:20 (Whole Chapter) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

Bible.com on whichcraft

[dfwgator]

All of this hullabaloo about a bleeding work of fiction?

[Natural Law]

Potter is fantasy. It is no more harmful than Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny.

[art_rocks]

Does anyone know what they said about the CS Lewis books when they first came out? Were they considered Christian literature or books with sorcery, so they shouldn’t be read.

[Salamander]

“Mirror” bump.

[retrokitten]

Potter Ping!

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Christian parenting" is often shorthand for "Using the threat of supernatural vengeance to scare kids into behaving in ways parents are comfortable with". The objection to Harry Potter seems therefore to stem as much from the idea that the books might cast doubt on the surety of that supernatural vengeance, removing a key tool from the controlling parent's arsenal. Thus the prescriptions to "read the Bible, instead", and keep the children's eyes away from any material that might provoke uncomfortable questions.

These types are articles never really about keeping kids safe from "demonic possession". They are always about keeping kids scared and firmly under parental control.

[grellis]

NTSA ping to self

[HamiltonJay]

I find such concerns comical.

There is a huge difference between reading a Harry Potter book and being involved in the occult.

[Dead Dog]

Female pastors=occult

[BlackbirdSST]

It’s Fiction. Blackbird.

[Oztrich Boy]

So use this occasion to teach them to be discerning—like Daniel. Dare

[airborne]

I read it in 2 days.

My 17 year old is almost finished.

IMO. it was the best of the 7.

BTW, I’m still proud to announce that Jesus Christ is my Saviour!

[Grendel9]

I just finished it this a.m. What a read!
She tied in every scene possible from the
6 earlier books. And I have to brag I
was totally prepared to see a revisit to
some of the devices also appearing earlier....
like Dunbledore’s Pensieve. Admittedly,
I was totally off re the characters she
killed off, and I blubbered like a little
kid during some of the reunion/loss scenes.

As for Christian ethics and positive mores,
I can’t fathom how anyone who has actually
read all the books and watched these characters
develop into young adults could possibly think
the story/activities are anything but GOOD!
How else would the Negates categorize the
“salvation” of Draco and his parents? And
that last chapter NINETEEN YEARS LATER must
be viewed as nothing but instructive inspiration
for any kid between the ages of 12 and 82!

[balch3]

getting mixed up in the occult is NOT a good idea.