You know, I guess a post like yours explains exactly why I responded to the Harry Potter threads. I can honestly say that I agree with you.
It DOES turn off people to see such harsh judgemental attitudes from people who profess to speak for who I think is an all knowing, loving, forgiving God.
For some reason they think they have the "right" to judge. I do think Jesus had the right,.. and I think of course that God does. But these people who think they have the priviledges that God gave Jesus,.. or that God himself have,..have sadly mistaken the words of the Bible. God makes no mistake with his words. He says that those who judge will not only be judged as they judge others.. but judged HARSH(er), HARDER than they judge!!
I think God is a God of Compassion, Love, and even Humor. He had the best "imagination" imaginable,.. he imagined and "made" this entire Universe.
I happen to think your words speak volumes. The only thing I would ask (and I ask with all my heart), is that you not hold all Christians accountable for the radical few. I also think your right, the "majority" of Christians do NOT think like these people!!!!
See, I don't think "we" should let "them" force all of us to change our name from "Christians".. they should change theirs to "radical opinionated scarry believers of a faith that doesn't represent me"..... what do ya think? :o)
Sadly, I do totally understand what you said. I know a lot of people feel the same way. Which is/was my point by responding to this thread a others like it from "alleged" Christians ( I say "alleged" because I personally don't feel it represents the way I feel or the majority of Christians either!!).
Btw,..nothing wrong with D & D. I remember what you mentioned regarding the people saying it was evil. "The radicals who don't think like me" tried to pounce on that one too. But I played it with my kids..and it was harmless. Good clean fun!!
You sound to me like one who "gets it" but is still searching somewhat. I think you're on the right track. Your faith is going to be stronger than most,.. because of the trials you have gone through.
I also think like you that so many people "HAVE" been chased away from Christianity by those "judgemental radical" few.
Please,.. I beg you to not let them win. Sometimes I wonder if that type of attitude isn't a wolf in sheeps clothing, if it isn't a source of great evil (under the guise of Christianity). Those who speak like they are the only believers, who actually chase away and repel people from the beauty of Christ, who end up doing more harm than good surely cannot be working for the one true God. I think they are misled and unknowingly are a pawn of evil. Because ANYTHING that takes people further away from the Lord can't be good.
Just MHO
Take care friend. Mary Ann
. Condoning sin can not lead anyone to the Holy God of scripture. Jesus said to His friend "Get thee behind me Satan"..Sin needs to be called sin...what we do need to remember is God sent his Son to die for those that repent and respond to the gospel
The unsaved can not hear or understand the implications of HP..they are not spiriually able.But it is wrong for us to pretend that it in any ways honors the God of Creation..
Pardon me for jumping in here, but I have to point something out. There's plenty of 'judging' coming from the pro-Potter side on these threads. The anti-Potter people have been called lunatics, fanatics, idiots, closed-minded, etc etc. I think you yourself insinuated they were not true Christians in your opinion. That's a bit judgemental, don't you think?
Let's not act all sweet and innocent, there's been judging coming from all sides. ;-)
IMO there shouldn't even be an argument if you're a Christian. These books glorify and glamorize witchcraft and sorcery. Is that a good thing or not?
Like I said before, if you're not a Christian, then you're probably thinking, "who cares... its a good read!". But if you are a Christian, why would you want to support something that glamorizes those practices that are clearly condemned?
Stay well, I'm with you.
Joe