You stated that in the “Potter world” that magic is a natural trait and then linked it to football in this world...could I then link this to the “natural trait” that most teenagers have of interest in sex and use a similar thought as your “football helmet” to give the kid a condom to “exercise his skill and inclinations in a safer way”. Isn't that the logic being used to justify condom distribution?
I under stand the difference between the real world and fantasy but by your own statement people that get involved with the occult in the real world are choosing to get involved with the devil “whether they fully realize it or not”. Do you honestly believe that the average seven to nine year old public school student in the U.S. can “sort out that difference” when grown adults in this culture don't?
Through out scripture we as parents are instructed to teach our children and I don't see any where that says we should teach the truth be studying the counterfeit.
Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord...
Deuteronomy 6:5-7 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
also see Ephesians 5:1-20
I have a feeling we are not going to resolve our differences on this, but I’ll take a stab at addressing your concerns anyway, because you do pose valid questions.
“Again by what standard is “Harry a good kid”?”
““football helmet”.... to give the kid a condom to “exercise his skill and inclinations in a safer way”. Isn’t that the logic being used to justify condom distribution?”
Yes, but I’m all for giving a kid a football helmet, but not a condom. (They don’t hand out condoms at Hogwarts, either. They tend to remain chaste, marry young, and have large families.) We do that all the time in our lives as parents, make a judgment as to what must be forbidden or postponed and what must be channeled.
I’m just not too worried that kids are going to want to be like the evil Lord Voldemort, because he is repulsive in the books. And they can’t be like Harry, because it’s clear that he’s magic and they’re not. They get that at age 8 or 9. They also know they’re not really Superman or Spiderman or Luke Skywalker.
I think the people who drift into the occult may be more likely to go there by way of psychics, new age stuff, and that tv show where they try to contact the dead (I can’t remember what it is), and astrology.
BTW, if you have any recommendations of fantasy or other children’s literature that you find entertaining and wholesome, I’d be happy to give them a look. My kids are 8 and 11. (btw, they have not read the whole Potter series, just the first few books, because it gets really dark and scary and meant for older people by the end of book four.)