Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

So you like Harry Potter?
self | Unknown

Posted on 11/16/2001 1:23:06 PM PST by Khepera

Before Harry was born, a wizard “…went… bad. About as bad as you can go. Worse. Worse than worse.” He terrorized the wizard-ing world with a deadly curse.

Harry became famous as the boy who lived when he survived that deadly curse. Voldemort murdered Harry’s dad, then threw the curse at Harry, but Harry’s mom took the curse on herself to save him. Voldermort hit Harry with a curse again. That’s how he got his lightningbolt scar. But the curse was broken. Hagrid calls this “a great myst’ry”.

Lily Potter loved her sone so much that she gave her life. She jumped in front of the curse to save him. At the end of the story, the evil one couldn’t even touch harry! As Dumbledore said, “to have been loved so deaply”, gave Harry protection forever.

What a great story! It’s set in a fantasy world. There’s another great story. It REALLY HAPPENED in our world……

Before the world began an angle went bad About as bad as you can go. Worse. Worse than worse.” He terrorized the world with a deadly curse. God cast him out of heaven, like lightning see? He tricked people into disobeying God and hit ‘em with a deadly curse. People lived in fear of death until the curse was broken.

Jesus broke the curse. He took it on himself when he died on the cross. When Jesus came back alive that proved the curse was broken.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not die but have eternal life. (John 3;16). Believe in Jesus. He is the real elixer of life.

Then you can be the boy (or Girl) who lived.

Jesus came to distroy the works of the devil (that angel that went bad). He prayed he would “be protected from the evil one.” In our world, all witchcraft is like the Dark arts at Hogworts. So don’t dabble! Practice Defense against the dark arts. Get all your supernatural powers from God.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: christianlist; harrypotter
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-171 next last
To: Khepera; wwjdn
The question is, what if it is?

"What if" games can be played all day long and accomplish little to nothing.

I believe the Bible completely and fully.

Do you also believe the teachings of "the church" fully and completely? For many many many years "the church" would kill people for questioning their teachings. Such as their teaching that the sun revolves around the earth and that the earth is flat.

You are allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev. 15:19-24). That must cause many troubles at the office. I'm just wondering how you know who is and who isnt.

I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16).

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us tha that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

141 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:03 PM PST by Phantom Lord
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 138 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord
Dude, are you suggesting that we shouldn't take everything in the Bible literally? [gasp]
142 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:04 PM PST by Darth Reagan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: Hugh Akston
Harry Potter is a piece of fiction. Nothing more. It is not portrayed by anyone as anything more than a piece of fiction.... I just can't see my faith being shaken by reading a piece of fiction, and I wonder why so many seem to think that faith could be shaken by reading a piece of fiction.

Hello Hugh! My mother-in-law asked me to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, so I did. My 11-year-old niece is a Harry Potter devotee, and MIL just wanted my opinion (FWIW) on the book.

Overall, my impression is that Sorcerer's Stone, being targeted to kids, seemed to be framed to make a strong appeal to fantasy and illusion at a time when kids really ought to be learning about real life. Plus I thought that such statements as "Death is but the next adventure" was not the sort of thing you want to legitimate for children, given the teen suicide statistics.

You said: "I just can't see my faith being shaken by reading a piece of fiction." Well, you have a faith, presumably mature with the passing of time and ripened by life experience. It probably would be difficult for a "work of fiction" to make a dent in it, whatever it may be. But can we say the same thing of a young child?

Maybe it's just me; but the Sorcerer's Stone came across as typical, standard "one-worlder," fashionable Left Progressive cr*p. But then, maybe I'm just strange. best, bb.

143 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:07 PM PST by betty boop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: betty boop
Overall, my impression is that Sorcerer's Stone, being targeted to kids, seemed to be framed to make a strong appeal to fantasy and illusion
Sort of like "Star Wars"/"The Empire Strikes Back"/"Return of the Jedi"/"The Phantom Menace", or in a lighter vein "The Wizard of Oz", if you ask me.
144 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:07 PM PST by Hugh Akston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: Crusher138
I wouldn't miss any of them.
145 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:07 PM PST by Gimlet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: betty boop
Every work of Disney, the Looney Tunes cartoons or Bear in the Big Blue House (which my 13 month old loves) are fantasies and illusions. You're painting with a very broad brush.
146 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:08 PM PST by Darth Reagan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: Gasshog
And then he becomes a Nascar racer. And then he starts work for the election of Al Sharpton. And then he goes so far as to join the Unity Church.
147 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:09 PM PST by JmyBryan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 140 | View Replies]

To: betty boop
Virtually all technological advancement begins with the indulgence of fantasy and illusion.
148 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:09 PM PST by JmyBryan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: Darth Reagan
Don't you and your kid fight over the remote, him wanting to watch Bear in the Big Blue House and you wanting to watch Blue's Clues.
149 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:09 PM PST by Phantom Lord
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 146 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord
There's nothing cuter than seeing a 13 month old standing in front of the TV, bouncing to the sounds of a singing bear. Of course, it probably means his soul is being twisted by the spectre of magical, talking animals, but at least he's happy.

Now, on to The Book of Pooh.

150 posted on 11/16/2001 1:27:10 PM PST by Darth Reagan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: Hugh Akston
BTT
151 posted on 11/16/2001 2:03:54 PM PST by fearNlothin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord
I notice that you are only addressing the Old Testament, these were the laws before Jesus came to us as fully Human and fully God. In the New Testament, most of these Old Testament Laws were dismissed by Jesus.

Go back and read the New Testament and then we'll talk.

152 posted on 11/16/2001 2:18:33 PM PST by wwjdn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: Hugh Akston; Darth Reagan; JmyBryan
Sort of like "Star Wars"/"The Empire Strikes Back"/"Return of the Jedi"/"The Phantom Menace", or in a lighter vein "The Wizard of Oz", if you ask me. (Hugh Akston)

Every work of Disney, the Looney Tunes cartoons or Bear in the Big Blue House (which my 13 month old loves) are fantasies and illusions. You're painting with a very broad brush. (Darth Reagan)

Virtually all technological advancement begins with the indulgence of fantasy and illusion. (JmyBryan)

Thank you Hugh Akston, Darth Reagan, JmyBryan for your thoughtful comments. Some of my thoughts in return, in no particular order:

Except for openers: There is fantasy; and then there is fantasy. I need to elaborate this main point in order to make the distinction clear.

Speaking as a long-time fan of Looney Tunes and The Wizard of Oz (and seeing merit in the Star Wars series, Star Trek and other works of such ilk – which are science fiction, not precisely “fantasy” – not to mention Dr. Seuss and even Aesop’s Fables, etc.): What all these various works have in common is a common worldview, a worldview which Harry Potter not only does not share, but seems to want to evade, even undermine (perhaps).

What all these “fantastic” works have in common, for all their imaginative flights, is a tie to reality as human beings actually experience it. The Wizard of Oz, for instance, has been interpreted as an extended allegory of William Jennings Bryan’s famous “Cross of Gold” speech. And being a student of history, I can see the point of that.

Bugs and Daffy and Tweety and Sylvester surely were intended as extended meditations on various types of actual human nature. What such diverse works have in common is a shared moral universe: That things are good or bad, because it is the very nature of things to be “good” or “bad.” What things can never be is “perfect” – especially if such “perfection” is attainable only if the human person can be held exempt from moral laws that are every bit as basic in our universe as physical laws.

THIS is precisely the “artistic motive” of the Harry Potter series: That imagination – however fanciful, as in the case of unicorns and hydras and griffins and leprechauns and minotaurs and satyrs and pegaguses, or The Grinch for that matter, etc. -- can be successfully detached from the “real” of human experience if we are to understand what fantastic characters and situations represent to the human imagination. (Not a one of the fanciful “characters” in this list is as divorced from actual human experience as Harry Potter is.)

J. D. Rowlings apparently has decided the connection between imagination and experienced reality is no longer necessary or desirable. She wouldn’t get away with this conclusion among thoughtful adults. So her target is little children: Seize on the “tabula rasa” of the child-mind and build the Common Humanity of Mass Man for the future (by utterly destroying the normative human moral categories).

Even fantasies are “true” or “false” – as measured against personal and historical reality. Just as some “myths” are true, but others are not.

I strongly disagree with you, JmyBryan, that “virtually all technological advancement begins with the indulgence of fantasy and illusion.” If that were so, science could not advance at all. Please follow me here: We achieve scientific, technological breakthroughs by staying attuned to the universe, not by evading it. There is a critical distinction to be made as between “fantasy” and “imagination.” Lit majors and socialists can maybe get along for quite some time on the former; but science dies if the former, and not the latter, is in the saddle.

IMHO, J. D. Rowlings is selling just this sort of very dangerous “evasion” to our children. To put it bluntly: Any fantasy that has lost its connection with Reality ceases to be fantasy; it becomes “illusion,” escapism, perhaps even propaganda.

In conclusion: I’m not saying to any parent, “Do not let your children read these books.” All I’m saying is, if your kids are reading these books, then ask them to tell you what they think about Harry Potter and his various (completely and totally unlikely from the standpoint of realism) exploits. You are responsible for the moral upbringing of your children; don’t let J. D. Rowlings usurp that role by default or “neglect.”

Thanks again, dear collaborators, for your insights on this question. Best to all – bb.

153 posted on 11/16/2001 4:03:48 PM PST by betty boop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 144 | View Replies]

To: IvecrossedmyRubicon
Hmmm...What classics are we talking about? The Hobbit? Lord of the Rings? How about The Chronicles of Narnia? Where does it end? Please give me a break. The HP books teach good values and morals - Hermione says to Harry in the end, "There are more important things - like friendship, and bravery" as she hugs him after Ron actually sacrifices himself in a chess game for his friend. He was prepared to die for Harry and Hermione. (Although he comes out okay in the end) These books absolutely do not preach witchcraft or Wicca. Hello, they celebrate Christmas and Easter at Hogwarts! Not 'winter break' and spring break' like our Publik Skools do here! Give it a rest!
154 posted on 11/16/2001 5:37:49 PM PST by American72
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Khepera
Someone, another poster I cannot locate now, but they asked me where did I get the notion or info that in Harry Potter real demons are called upon and real incantations are used. I read it from a few reliable sources but do not have them offhand, however, this article I just retrieved from Spirit Daily website:

------------------------------------------------------
CONTRAVENING THE OLD TESTAMENT, POTTER ARRIVES AS AN OCCULT TIDAL WAVE

It looks innocent enough, even cute. There is the bespectacled boy, Harry Potter, and he stands up against the forces of evil. He does this by using magic. He's a wizard. He trains under witches. He is a witch -- more technically, a warlock. But it's all in fun. Harmless. Those who complain are on the fringe.

And so it is that at the most spiritually vulnerable time in recent world history comes an occult tidal wave, packaged irresistibly. This is the Beaver Cleaver of witchery. Never has the occult come in such a desirable form, and never has it come in such a massive fashion. We don't pretend to be experts on Potter, but we know all we need to know. We know that Potter casts spells, that he employs witchcraft (there is no such thing as "good" witchcraft), and that the books about him contain the names of actual demons. One former witch -- now a pastor -- described the Potter series as "witchcraft manuals" written at a surprising level of sophistication.

There is the Hogwart's School of Witchcraft. There is a witch's actual incantation.

Such is anything but harmless and the residue will be with us for years. For to orient our youth in the direction of the occult and to expose them to such forces in the name of fun is very dangerous and comes at a time (remember September 11?) when we're supposed to be in the mode of repentance. Societies in Egyptian and Roman times were chastised for involvement in precisely such paganism.

It has nothing to do with fanaticism. It has everything to do with the Bible. Again, the bottom line is simple. As it explicitly states in Deuteronomy 18:10: "Let there not be found among you anyone who immolates his son or daughter in the fire, nor a fortuneteller, soothsayer, charmer, diviner, or caster of spells, nor one who consults ghosts or spirits or seeks oracles from the dead. Anyone who does such things is an abomination to the Lord." In another version (the King James) it explicitly uses the term "wizard" as a condemned practice and in 1 Samuel 15:23 we see mentioned "the sin of witchcraft." In II Chronicles is the account of a man who "wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord" because he "used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards." It doesn't get much more direct then that. You believe the Bible or you believe J.K. Rowling. As we recall, Rowling told an interviewer she was given the idea by an entity that popped into her head. We wonder what that could have been, but we do not wonder about her books. However cute, to embrace Potter is to expose our kids to the energy of darkness. We realize that many of you have done so unknowingly, and so that's excused; we know you meant no harm. But you know now, or will if you open up Scripture. Whenever we have books or see movies involving the occult, there is the potential for infestation. Often unrecognized, spirits are allowed to attach themselves to people who willingly expose themselves; let's not forget that the child behind the case in The Exorcist became possessed after playing with a "harmless" Ouija Board. Hopefully, Potter will quickly fade. But it doesn't look like he will. It looks like it could be one of the biggest movies ever. And it couldn't come at a more spiritually vulnerable time. During a moment when the Lord is calling us back-- and specifically calling us to guard our youth -- here we are sending what can only be described as the occult's version of a tidal wave.

155 posted on 11/17/2001 4:37:55 AM PST by DreamWeaver
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Khepera
So you like Harry Potter?

Not sure yet, K, but I am going to see it on Tuesday.

Harry Potter Daily Roast Review


156 posted on 11/17/2001 4:44:39 AM PST by jjbrouwer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: IvecrossedmyRubicon
So when did she become a "self-proclaimed witch"?

First I've heard of it. I saw her interviewed, she didn't mention it... Did Falwell pass that on to you?

So what music do you listen to? Ever sing happy birthday? Did you check to see if those who wrote them were atheist before hand??? Slippery slope…

157 posted on 11/17/2001 5:03:15 AM PST by DB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Phantom Lord; wwjdn
Do you also believe the teachings of "the church" fully and completely? For many many many years "the church" would kill people for questioning their teachings. Such as their teaching that the sun revolves around the earth and that the earth is flat.

I am not Roman Catholic and do not "follow the church" or look to the Pope and his predecessors/successors as God’s human leader of world Christianity. They may not be the only folks who follow the church but they are the first ones I think of. I do not think Catholics are "Bad" or "Evil" so don't start calling me a Catholic basher because I am not. Jesus was killed in part because he did not follow the teachings of the church.

As for the rest of the passages in your inquiry from the Old Testament. I am not an Orthodox Jew and these particular passages from the Mosaic Law which was directed to the Jewish people. Jesus came to fulfill the law and takes our sins on his shoulders to be killed but rise again in three days. He did this because man could not live by the laws of God and had become hypocrites following the traditions of man and not God. I do not know why Orthodox Jews do not follow all of these laws but as for me, Jesus died so that I would not be held to the mosaic laws that where handed down to the Jews. You need to ask the Jews about these laws.

158 posted on 11/17/2001 5:25:41 AM PST by Khepera
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 141 | View Replies]

To: betty boop
What all these “fantastic” works have in common, for all their imaginative flights, is a tie to reality as human beings actually experience it.
I specifically chose the science fiction pieces I did, because they include a faux religion in the Jedi's use of the force. As far as I know, there is no force that surround all humans and can be used by humans to move objects, to sense occurrences, to talk remotely, to see the dead, to allow them to perform super-human acts.

I find little difference between Luke being indoctrinated into the spiritual battle between the Jedi and the Stiths, and Potter being indoctrinated into the world of witchcraft. Both are imaginary flights of fancy.

Is Potter based on existing mythology more directly? Without doubt. It still remains mythology, however, and something I have a hard time seeing as a threat.

Now the flying monkeys in the "Wizard of Oz", now those I have a problem with (especially since their uniforms look a little too much like West Point uniforms lol).

159 posted on 11/17/2001 7:10:01 AM PST by Hugh Akston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 153 | View Replies]

To: betty boop
In conclusion: I’m not saying to any parent, “Do not let your children read these books.” All I’m saying is, if your kids are reading these books, then ask them to tell you what they think about Harry Potter and his various (completely and totally unlikely from the standpoint of realism) exploits. You are responsible for the moral upbringing of your children; don’t let J. D. Rowlings usurp that role by default or “neglect.”
Great advice for books beyond Rowlings, as well. Lord knows, there is a lot of liberal propaganda of all types in literature (particularly kids books), and besides, kids like having their parents involved (even if they resist).
160 posted on 11/17/2001 7:12:23 AM PST by Hugh Akston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 153 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 101-120121-140141-160161-171 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson