Posted on 04/03/2010 7:06:18 AM PDT by NYer
Part of my concern is using culture to define “Harry a good kid” since our culture is more a sliding scale instead of Godly standard. Having worked as a youth leader at a couple of churches, I have seen how this approach has confused kids and have opened them up to the things of this world, and not in a good way.
I would agree that most kids would not want to be like “evil Lord Voldmort” but do know of several kids that would like to be like Harry, this is part of the reason that Harry costumes are still popular for halloween and that several websites dedicated to Harry Potter have links to websites that teach witchcraft and satanism. I have checked on these sites years ago but have not looked recently so they may have removed the links but I doubt it. The devil will always use something interesting or enjoyable to get somebody into sin and that “hook” can be sex, money, power, and even a “good” story. For me it was rock music when I was a teenager. I started out with what was culturally “good” and ended up listening to “satanic rock”. Even your comment about not reading the whole series because they get dark and scary as you go further into them shows the progression that is used to draw people into sin...start with a light enjoyable read and then when hooked start pulling them into darker material.
Again, my concern is for the children that will play with witchcraft because of being exposed to this material. I just have seen to many kids walk a way from God after being exposed to sin in their entertainment with their parents “blessing” and eventually they don't see the point of God or the church...they can just fit in with culture and be good (again by what standard...they use the sliding scale). This is why, based on several studies, four out of every five kids that are raised in the church have walked away from their faith. Having seven kids of my own I don't like these odds so I have determined to set the standard higher and use God's word as that standard.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Galatians 6:8-9 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
One more question...what does “BTW” stand for?
1. BTW = by the way
2. I appreciate your experience with teens and having a large family. I’m not there yet, so maybe I’m not yet seeing the risks that you are.
Happy Easter.
Keep your eyes open to the risks and...Have a Happy Easter
God Bless
Nicely done. Read it all.
I agree with your well-taken point of view. Also the fact that the later books became “darker” should be a pretty good weather-vane that the earlier books would be leading into something more suspect. The wooing began with the first books.
Witchcraft is witchcraft,
I have been hearing from a number of people that there is now a growing trend of oija board playing among the younger teens.
Parental vigilance is very much needed in these days. I’m sure Fr. E. would agree.
I think magic is a pretty neutral force in the Harry Potter stories. It’s a force to be wielded for good, ill, or lighting candles.
In some fantasy literature, such as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, magic is
wielded by holy angelic beings loyal to Eru Ilúvatar (God). Though you could argue that’s not really portrayed as “magic” but as divine power.
I believe the original article was pointing out the fact that as a culture we are becoming more comfortable with the things that God calls sin. When we decide to blur the lines between right and wrong is when we see culture slide toward the wrong.
Then there is another problem. They don’t believe any of these things exist: witchcraft, miracles, God
...actually neither do I :/
Sorry to here that. If you do not believe in God, why did you capitalize the word? Is there a reason you do not believe in God?
No particular reason why I capitalize it.
Why don’t I believe? I have no reason to believe. I cannot perceive God anywhere. The whole situation makes me very angry but there is nothing that can be done about it.
If the situation makes you angry then can I suggest reading the scriptures (the bible)? The acceptance or belief of God is done by faith...
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
I would also suggest “The Epic” by John Eldredge, this is done in both a book and on DVD (I preferred the DVD).
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