The horror... When I was a kid, I wanted to learn spells even though I hadn't read Potter. After reading Tolkien, I got myself a staff like Gandalf's and pretented to zap folks (they were orcs, naturally) with fire. I also thought that by peering through a colored marble I could see a magical world beyond our own. Not to mention my longing for a time machine...
--former kid
All the more reason to watch Bugs Bunny, chug Coke, guzzle MinuteMaid orange juice and buy Barbies, IMHO.
How Strange! Thousands of children lined up outside bookstores waiting for them to open so they can buy a book? In the children's world awash with television, internet and video games, how can a mere book create such a demand? It seems like magic.
It is! The hero of the book is Harry Potter, wizard in training. The book is the 4th in the Harry Potter series claimed by some Christian leaders to be innocent fictional fantasy. Others, such as ex-witch William Schnoebelen, see them as training manuals for a new generation of sorcerers.
Readers of the Harry Potter books are "...immersing themselves in the magic world-view that does not fit with the Bible," Schnoebelen points out. The plot is different than good Christian fiction where the good and Godly win out over evil. "The Harry Potter books, in common with most horror and fantasy material, present a godless universe, one in which the most powerful wizard wins," says Schnoebelen.
"Our youth are awash in a culture that promotes evil, occultism, lust and power for its own sake. The magic world-view is all around them. It is promoted in Pokemon, in television, movies and music. More critical, it is often promoted in classrooms."
Yes, many teachers are ignoring the dark side of the Potter books and using them in class simply because it promotes an interest in reading. But John Andrew Murray writes on a Focus On The Family web site for teachers: "It is the world of witchcraft found in Harry Potter that is the greatest threat of all. This world...is presenting occult practices in a way that is attractive and fun." This "desensitization to witchcraft" can only "lead to serious spiritual consequences in the future."
The author, J. K. Rowling, claims that the book series will end after the 7th book to be released in 2003. In the meantime, movie rights have been sold to Warner Brothers who hopes to make billions of dollars promoting the Harry Potter craze. Soon we will see cartoon spin-offs, theme-park rides and interactive games.
So Harry Potter, born wizard, raised by dull, useless, boring, relatives (who resemble fundamentalist Christians) attends an exciting school for wizards where he learns that power is the ultimate moral choice, irrespective of good or evil. In the process he experiences episodes of astral projection, levitation, blood sacrifices, animal sacrifices and a baby boiled in a cauldron.
He deals with werewolves and vampires, and learns to cast spells, lie, cheat on homework, and that death is just the "next great adventure."
For Bible believers who are admonished to avoid even the "appearance of evil" the Harry Potter craze is just another wave in the ocean of evil washing over our land. Soul winners must use it as another opportunity to stand against Satan's strategy and witness to Biblical truth.
"If I could go to Wellsley, I might be able to do spells and potions and fly a broomstick." Hillary, age 12.
"It would be great to be an Attorney General because you could control situations and things like citizens." Janet, age 11.
"I'd like to go to wizard school and learn magic and put spells on people. I'd make up an ugly spell and then it's pay-back time." Donna S., age 9.
"I feel like I'm inside Billy's world. If I went to White House I'd study everything: spells, counterspells, and defense against the dark arts." Monica, age 10.
"I liked it when the bad guys killed Vince." George S., age 13.
"The Clinton's are very clever. I couldn't put them down. When I was scared I made myself believe that they were supposed to be funny so I wasn't so scared." Maureen D. age 11.
Sorry guys, this was just too easy.
My goodness--what a fabulous opportunity for parents to--scary thought--actually talk with children about the difference between fantasy/dreams and reality--and to remind the children that they (the parents) are there to protect them. I suppose the folks opposed to Harry Potter fantasy are also opposed to Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. Leaves nothing to the imagination, literally.
It is truly sad to see an adult believe fantasy IS reality.
"J.K. Rowling confirms as the series progresses that more characters will die to emphasize the dastardly nature of evil. She says that only after careful consideration did she decide to include so many deaths to accentuate the deepening conflict between good and evil forces and the resulting victimization of innocents."
I heard in an interview that as the books progress to number 7, there will be more darkness, evil and even sexual secenarios. Well, it's "only natural" the kids are growing up and "hormones will be hormones & libidos will be libidos". Will there be any unwanted pregnancies that will be "spelled" away? Stay tuned.
I was disturbed. I have heard the "what about Snow White and the Wiz of Oz" arguments and they don't hold water. The older movies were fairy tales. The stories were not as "modern" as the Potter series are. I have told my children fairy tales as I am sure many of us have but I have always told them the truth about the tales, that they are not true and that they are make believe. That is what made them fun. The movies of these tales follow the traditional fairy tale patterns with "Once upon a time" beginnings and "Happily ever after" endings. Potter doesn't.
The HP stories play upon reality more than they do fiction. They are targeted to reach kids on a level that is all too real to them. Real situations are used. Real problems are used ( peer pressure, not liking a teacher, homework, or whathave you ).
I know that kids are smart and I am not underestimating their intelligence and their abilities to sort fact from fiction. I wasn't on the "Pokemon is evil" bandwagon nor anything before it. However, I was disturbed at Tolken's ability to integrate reality with fantasy on such a level. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn tales were about children who lied, stole and so forth but there was a "normalcy" to them. They more aptly did justice to "boys will be boys" rather than mystifying juvenile behavior.
Whether a child is 5 or 15 there remains the ability to impress them with examples found in stories and movies. How many of us can say that when we were younger we read a certain book or saw a certain movie that left a lasting impression on us or, in some cases, that changed our lives, our way of thingking or believing?
I went into this Potter stuff agreeing to be completely objectional. I came out of it deciding that it was not for MY kids. I try to be very discerning over what I allow into my home and what I allow my kids to be part of. Not because I am a religious fanatic but because I feel that, regardless of what experts may say, my children are impressionable and "real" sorcery isn't something that I wish for them to become impressed with.
I was disturbed. I have heard the "what about Snow White and the Wiz of Oz" arguments and they don't hold water. The older movies were fairy tales. The stories were not as "modern" as the Potter series are. I have told my children fairy tales as I am sure many of us have but I have always told them the truth about the tales, that they are not true and that they are make believe. That is what made them fun. The movies of these tales follow the traditional fairy tale patterns with "Once upon a time" beginnings and "Happily ever after" endings. Potter doesn't.
The HP stories play upon reality more than they do fiction. They are targeted to reach kids on a level that is all too real to them. Real situations are used. Real problems are used ( peer pressure, not liking a teacher, homework, or whathave you ).
I know that kids are smart and I am not underestimating their intelligence and their abilities to sort fact from fiction. I wasn't on the "Pokemon is evil" bandwagon nor anything before it. However, I was disturbed at Tolken's ability to integrate reality with fantasy on such a level. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn tales were about children who lied, stole and so forth but there was a "normalcy" to them. They more aptly did justice to "boys will be boys" rather than mystifying juvenile behavior.
Whether a child is 5 or 15 there remains the ability to impress them with examples found in stories and movies. How many of us can say that when we were younger we read a certain book or saw a certain movie that left a lasting impression on us or, in some cases, that changed our lives, our way of thingking or believing?
I went into this Potter stuff agreeing to be completely objectional. I came out of it deciding that it was not for MY kids. I try to be very discerning over what I allow into my home and what I allow my kids to be part of. Not because I am a religious fanatic but because I feel that, regardless of what experts may say, my children are impressionable and "real" sorcery isn't something that I wish for them to become impressed with.