Harry Potter is Dangerous for Both You and Your Children

Mary Immaculate Queen ^ | 12-16-01 | Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI,

[mlizzy]

Adapted from a Sermon of Fr. Casimir Puskorius, CMRI, 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2001

On the First Sunday of Lent every year, we read in the Gospel of the devil tempting Our Lord. First he tries to tempt Him to gluttony, and Our Lord resists. Of course, Our Lord, because He is God, cannot be inclined to sin. But the devil, not knowing that, first tries to tempt Him to gluttony, and then to pride and power and materialism. He says to Our Lord, “Why don’t you throw yourself off this high elevation? God will save you.” Our Lord refuses. Then the devil pulls out his trump card. He shows Our Lord all the glory of the world and says, “I will give all this to you, if you will just bow down and worship me.” Of course, Our Lord refuses again. What the devil was saying here, in a sense, was “I’ll give you magic to do something that is not morally right, but it’s something you would enjoy.”

It should be evident to us, my dear parishioners, that the devil is after each one of us, tempting us in similar manner to sin and to pride. These temptations take different forms, so we must be on our guard. The devil is trying to tempt us away from serving God, from obeying God’s commandments. He is so crafty, so subtle, that often you don’t even know, unless you are very careful, how he is insinuating himself.

I believe it my duty to talk to you today about a series of books and its accompanying movie because I believe that they contain an insinuation of pride and ungodliness. I think you know what I am talking about: the Harry Potter series. I will speak both about the books and the movie, because if one reads the books, he will want to see the movie, and vice versa. I believe there are some real problems here, real spiritual danger — possibly grave spiritual danger. I will explain why. Believe me, I have refrained from saying anything about this for a long time. When the books first came out, I began to gather information on them. I wanted to analyze them to see whether or not they were good for children to be reading, and to write an article for The Reign of Mary. I haven’t said anything up to this time because I wanted to study the matter, rather than say yes or no before I knew what I was talking about.

Let me also preface this explanation by saying that I speak now from the consciousness that one day I will have to answer to God for how I accomplished my duty to instruct you in matters of faith and morals. I certainly believe that there are matters of faith and morals involved in this particular matter.

The first problem I would like to point out are the words that are so casually used in the books and in the movie, words that are so casually used that children may start using them — yet these words are matter of mortal sin. Specifically, I am referring to such words as: sorcery, witchcraft, casting spells, communicating with the dead (necromancy). The Catholic Church very clearly tells us that these are mortal sins, and they must not be presented as though they are something permissible to try. I believe it is the devil trying to insinuate himself through the medium of human beings, trying to draw us away from Christ. These are not your usual Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Remember that children do not have the same critical ability that adults have. They read fantasy much differently than we do: they read it in a believing way.

Continue reading here.

[mlizzy]

In light of the recent release, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I'm posting this for discernment regarding the Harry Potter series of movies and books. Click for trailer.

[Gaffer]

In the scheme of things, I’d say Obama is more hazardous for one’s children than Harry Potter.

[And2TheRepublic]

i think some people are worried about the wrong things in life.

[Le Chien Rouge]

It’s a fricken fiction book!!

[Pollster1]

You’re braver than me, using that name for The-Kenyan-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. I usually just refer to him as the “former junior US Senator from Illinois”. I try to avoid saying any of his last names, whether Soetoro or the one he used in taking the Oath of Office to assume power over our country, and I have never used the title “president” for a community organizer who is even less deserving of the office than Carter, Nixon, or James Buchanan.

[absolootezer0]

never understood the big deal with “communicating with the dead.” always seemed a bit odd to me when Jesus and Peter both raised people from the dead, Jesus had a discussion with Moses and Elijah, and catholics are encouraged to request intercession from deceased saints.

[humblegunner]

I have refrained from saying anything about this for a long time.

Casimir should have continued refraining.

He's an idiot.

[DannyTN]

The danger is not in seeing films like Harry Potter, but in not teaching kids what scripture says about magic, spiritism, astrology, mediums, etc.

If they know what scripture says, then they will know where to draw the line. If they don’t know what scripture says, then Harry Potter is but one influence in a world of influences that they will be unprepared for.

The world is full of “Christian Astrologers”, “Christian Mediums”, people who claim to talk to angels, various self-appointed prophets, religions started by self-appointed prophets, etc. You need to know what the Bible says about such subjects, or Harry Potter is probably the least of your concerns.

[GraceG]

[ In the scheme of things, I’d say Obama is more hazardous for one’s children than Harry Potter. ]

Lord of the Rings is worse as it promotes communism.....

/sarc

[mlizzy]

In the scheme of things, I’d say Obama is more hazardous for one’s children than Harry Potter.

I don't think the devil is particular in regard to who or what he uses to grab souls ... just as long as he gets them ...

My eyes were further opened regarding Potter after I read Michael D. O'Brien's book Harry Potter and The Paganization of Culture.

[Lets Be Frank]

I didn’t read the article, so I don’t know his rationale...but I also wonder what his thoughts are on the evil magical ones, and the good magical ones in Narnia.

[Borges]

Do you think fairy tales having to do with ‘good’ magic are also dangerous? Cinderella, Sleeping Beaty...

[Redleg Duke]

Don’t forget St. Christopher and the other make-believe Saints.

[JPII Be Not Afraid]

Calling on the dead is different then requesting saints in heaven pray for you. If you call upon a spirit, more then likely it will be an evil one. You are then inviting the evil spirit into your life.

[Gaffer]

Look at it this way. They can’t jail 100 to 150 Million people. There are not that many of them, truthfully. They have just had an inordinate amount of positive press from the MSM. That is going away and now we see Obama in his skivies in all its insufficient glory.

[BADROTOFINGER]

I refuse to watch any Harry Potter movie...unless it is accompanied by the Rifftrax sync track...:-)

[mlizzy]

Yes, a thumbs up on the positive ones like Narnia, because of the Christian symbolism (so there’s a good vs. evil theme), something lacking in Potter ...

[Gaffer]

Truthfully? My three grand daughters have never taken to Harry P. I’ve seen two or three of the movies myself. Not very interesting except for the magic and some funny parts. It never held my interest (or my ‘girls’) long enough to look for questionable subliminal evil content.

[LongElegantLegs]

These are not your usual Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

How are they different?