'Witchcraft' Murders Cast A Gruesome Spell

Washington Post ^ | November 28,2001 | SAO LUIS

[Ward Smythe]

I see you seem to think that it is fine for someone to attack, ridicule and mock those that love the Father.

Not at all.

I see the moderator has removed Mr. Vega's post, which is unfortunate. Ironically even though the tone was nasty and yes, offensive to Christians, nothing Vega said was necessarily untrue.

That being said, I do indeed understand that we are in a spiritual battle. That, in fact, is one of the reasons why I think the "Harry Potter is the Devil" hysteria is more damaging to the cause of Christ than the actual book or movie ever will be.

Take a look at the feeding frenzy that any post about Harry Potter starts on FR (do a search, you'll find thousands of posts in the last few days). What is that distracting us from?

For me the biggest problem I have is with Christians who expect spiritual laws and values to always apply to secular situations. In one sense they do, but the use of certain buzz words or phrases just don't play well with those not familiar with spiritual things (the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness).

I just get really cheesed when I see Christians do or say things that damage the cause of Christ. I think in this context, and perhaps in any context, your statement about Mr. Vega being the son of Satan did just that. Instead of softening his heart to the gospel instead it probably made him say "the hell with that, I'm going home to Papa."

I know you didn't mean that and I sense that you are sincere. But we have to think about how our actions and words look to others.

[ThinkDifferent]

In a somewhat recent worldnetdaily column, they mentioned one of these fellows who was caught and sentenced after stalking a boy. He was found with a well known satanist book, with the part about murdering a young pure virgin boy underlined.

Which of these scenarios do you think is more likely?

A. A decent upstanding citizen happens to come across a book, reads it, and decides that murdering children might not be such a bad idea after all.

B. A demented individual enjoys committing barbaric acts, and also enjoys reading about them.

I've also heard of Christian priests abusing children. That does not make Christianity an evil institution.

[Aquinasfan]

Self-mutilation is any act that impairs the body's proper functioning or health, such as tubal ligation.

This is different from a medical procedure like amputation because the end of the act in this case is to restore or maintain health.

[Outlaw76]

Sarcasm or not you live in a world filled with pagan images, ideals and holidays. Some have been dressed in Christian clothing to hide there true nature, others have just become obscure.

If I say that Pyril Masadonomon can utilize the powers of Whasacalmaiamana It will not change the fact that Pyril is a made up name, and that Whasacalmaiamana is literal gobledegook. Niether contain anything, the only magic the magic of the mind, the imagination of the reader.

Some might consider the act of throwing a rod down on the floor and it turning into a snake to be a work of magic. Should the book that came from be banned? Tell me, was the person who did that devine, or demonic?

[cidrasm]

1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects, or forces by invoking the supernatural.

In other words... religion. By your own given definition, prayer fits rather nicely.

[Ward Smythe]

See my post #64.

And I would kindly refer you to my post #121.

[Ward Smythe]

Do you recall the stories how, back in the 50s, "Rock Around the Clock" was alleged by some to make listeners go berserk and do all sorts of nasty things?

And "Fizzies" killed Mikey from the Life cereal commerical too...

[Aquinasfan]

He was also testing Abraham's faith in Him. Abraham was willing to even sacrifice his son in order to be obedient to God.

Thanks for adding that. And God was willing to sacrifice His Son for us; and His Son was obedient to His Father.

[Ward Smythe]

Self-mutilation is any act that impairs the body's proper functioning or health, such as tubal ligation.

Out of curiosity would that also apply to my vasectomy?

My wife and youngest son who almost died with her last pregnancy would like to know.

[Outlaw76]

See post #124 and read the first two paragraphs.

[Phantom Lord]

Some how I also failed to become a communist by the brainwashing the Smurfs were doing to me.

[electron1]

Or would it be better to not read the book or possibly face an eternity in hell if i do?

As long as something is not "intrinsically evil" you can not go to hell for doing it. Reading Harry Potter is not, so youll be fine. The Catholic Church(great article in This Rock Magazine about this) does not speak either way on the Harry Potter issue.

Parents who do not allow their kid to watch or read the book may have a good point, being that they have a primary responsibility in properly raising their kids, but it is not "bad in itself" to read the book or watch the film. It just might bring down walls that would have prevented you from otherwise doing something bad...That is all the rocus is about...And with some kids, more walls are necessary.

[Aquinasfan]

How is it possible for the children to have survived when raised on a diet of Cinderella, Snow White, and all those satanic fairy tales wherein magic plays a prominent role?

I don't remember any character severing his own arm and casting it into a cauldron to render a spell efficacious in Cinderella.

Perhaps you don't see a difference between Harry Potter and Cinderella, but I do.

[Phantom Lord]

What about things like tattoos and piercings? Cosmetic surgery? Braces and other orthodontics? Is someone who surgically alters their body to prevent the future creation of children going to hell? Is a vasectimy (sp?) evil and the work of satan?