Posted on 11/24/2001 2:08:47 AM PST by kattracks
Edited on 05/26/2004 5:02:25 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
November 24, 2001 -- Is Harry Potter the spawn of Satan?
That's the opinion at one Christian school in southern Australia, where parents voted yesterday to forbid students from reading about the bespectacled wizard and his preteen cohorts.
The vote was just part of a widespread anti-Harry backlash by religious conservatives angered by the best-selling books' blatant celebration of witchcraft and the occult.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
If the people, who pontificate against the HP books, lived their lives according to what they are preaching here, I might believe in their sinerity. I hghly doubt that this is true. : - )
Oh, and EVERY man and boy named Nicholas, or a variation of same, was / is also named for / is the devil.
Woodkirk... wood = wood, trees, etc. kirk= church. wooden church. Fine with me. LOL But IF you are nemed John, Nicholas, Harry, or a variation / femine variation / last name ( Harrilson, Nicholas, Nicoles, etc. ) then you too are nemed for or are the representation of the devil , by your logic; such as it is. LOL
I recently became aware of Featured Films for Families (http:www.familytv.com/index_usa.asp)who make exciting movies....adventures, science fiction and even animated....specifically to give families good, entertaining movies without the political correctness of bloody gore and perverted sex.
My family loves these films.
Rather like curious children being led into sin by parents that should know better...who's sin do you suppose God will count it as?
"Of such is the kingdom of heaven!"
Please go here, and read this article: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/577876/posts?page=11
I think you will find the views of several religions informative. I think the information your getting (and believing) is naive and hypocritical. It doesn't serve any useful purpose to condemn something you don't even know about. It just shows an ignorance bias (meaning, lack of knowledge regarding the subject).
There are much more important issues that need attending. I admit I skip by most of the Harry Potter threads, because I find them ridiculous. But after seeing the movie, I know how poorly slamming this movie is serving Christians as whole. And as a Christian, I resent being piled into the stereotyped Christian who would judge this movie or those attending it without really knowing what I'm talking about. There are quite a few Christians who have seen this movie and know that LIES are being spread around about it.
It's as innocent as all the other movies listed above, and the scores of others that are great family entertainment!!
In closing, your analogy about the apple, has nothing to do with anything I mentioned in my response to you. I will repeat, God must have had one heck of a great imagination to have "created" this Universe.
To deny creative thought, imaginations, and enjoyment, is a sin in my opinion. They are gifts from God. I'm sorry you can't see that. But would rather argue about something you've never even witnessed firsthand. Thats extremely closed minded.
Trust me, there are issues we discuss in this family that DO require us judging, to the extent that we say and TEACH they are wrong. Things like Homosexuality, Abortion, Murder, stealing.
We know that we can love a Homosexual as a person, but we must always admit and advocate that Homosexuality is a sin. We have to constantly try to help them know God. They can be forgiven and should either abstain (be celebate) or be the way God intended them. We don't say they are going to Hell, that isn't OUR job. We leave that, the judgement, to the Father.
We KNOW that Abortion is the murder of innocent helpless babies,.. but we can still love, and try to turn to God and Jesus the mothers and fathers who had abortions. They can be forgiven.
All murderers can be forgiven, there is NO sin that cannot be forgiven by the Father.
There are just so many issues, that require our time and energy. We deliver food to the Homeless on a routine basis. We do Christmas with them. We dont' buy a lot of material things for our kids and grandkids ( I made embroidered pillow cases this year for the wee ones, and homemade goodies will be made for the parents and the kids to share). We buy things for Foster kids and for the homeless.
I mention all that, because so many who proclaim to know so much, to condemn such innocent things like the show in question, sit so judgemental on such ridiculous things. Profess to be so all knowing.. and yet don't follow the word of Our Father. They don't help those less fortunate. They don't LEAD people to God, but rather turn people away from God by acting so pious. Its the old "Holier than thou" attitude. I personally think it repulses people. "Love" and "examples of caring, loving and giving" are what bring people to God. Not this judgemental hateful diatribe that has followed this movie. Its just ludicrous!!
I know that movies like this one, and the others I mentioned above are innocous. They are good family fun. That anyone see's evil in it is a stretch of the imagination. But then again, the loudest naysayers, haven't even seen the movie. Nuff said!!
Yes I did. To me there is a big difference between a fantasy that is good against evil,and one that teaches REAL spells..and talks about REAL people involved in witchcraft
I do not need to read HP to know what the word of God says about witchcraft..
We had very firm rules about what was allowed in our home...no sexual material (like playboy),no "new age" material eithor books or music,no heavy metal....and no witchcraft (Horoscopes etc.) no tatoos. We had lots of rules that were best summerized as "garbage in garbage out". Put in those things that are pleasing to God..and you raise a Godly family (which we did)
Have you sat down and read the entire bible with your children? My guess is not.But you seem to be expending alot of energy to defend HP.Do as you like with your kids..but you need to know that all things are not spiritually neutral.
I attend a Nazarene church..the denomination would leave it to you...our Pastor doesn't let stuff like HP in his home..nor do his kids "celebrate" halloween....Yes I would consider myself a fundamentalist..
What a bunch of CRAP!! There were NO REAL people depicted in this film. There were NO REAL SPELLS uttered. For crying out loud. Do you "read" the posts you respond to, or do you just respond?
Have you sat down and read the entire bible with your children? My guess is not.
There you go again... JUDGING without Knowledge. That is the "epitomy" of ignorance. And btw, being led like sheep is not serving our Father very well. Yes, we have read the ENTIRE Bible with our children. The King James version, and the New English version. We are getting ready to buy the newest version which I hear is even "stricter" than the previous two in its translation of Gods Rules in the Bible!!
But you seem to be expending alot of energy to defend HP.Do as you like with your kids..but you need to know that all things are not spiritually neutral.
Say what??? I happen to think your serving Satan quite well, but diverting our attention away from things that truly need our attention. You may be well intended,.. but your misdirected. Next time, please take the time to "read" someones post. Your answers are benign and irrelevant. "Spiritually Nuetral".. what the heck are you talking about regarding my post??
I can assure you, that we don't "Celebrate" Halloween. We have a party at our church called the Fall Harvest. Our kids DO go trick or treating, and guess what? They STILL don't believe that Goblins and witches are REAL. They don't think that dressing up as cartoon characters and getting candy is evil. I happen to think you would have to sit down and be teaching that it is something, before kids would think that. And we don't teach them that it is devil worship, but rather a time of year for kids to dress up and go get free candy from nice neighbors. The joy on kids faces,..and the elderly as wee ones come knock on their door is so worth it!!! I don't care what it started out as.. (All hallows), the fact is, that as a kid I did it,.. I laughed and had fun. I never knew that some called it anything else until I was an adult. I know what it was to me as a kid,..and I still grew up to be a pretty decent person.
Do I know that there are misguided folks who try to conjure up evil spirits? Yes. I think there ARE aspects of evil that are real. Like Murder. And I feel that the beauty of God is that he gave us free choice. Thats how we either go to heaven or suffer eternal damnation. We choose how we live, rather that be a life of good, or evil. Evil DOES exist.. but it isn't with real live witches. Those who become shamans, or witches are misguided souls. They ARE possessed, but I feel it is more in their minds and souls than anything that you could reach out and touch, that is made up of solid matter. It is mental. It is in their souls and hearts. Have you actually SEEN a demon?? I don't mean the actions of someone falling on the floor and flopping all over the place,..I mean SEEN a demon?? Because you won't!! You will SEE evil behavior.. just like you'll SEE good behavior. The deeds that result from those are "evil" or "good". It is wise to know the difference in my humble opinion and experience. To suggest otherwise is wrong. And all kids grow up and figure it out. I happen to think thats why so many leave their faith. Because they never SEE these things that they were taught were REAL. Its so important to explain it right, because one day they grow up, and if you are percieved to have lied to them,.. they will never believe anything else you tell them. So teach them reality,.. the truth, and they will stay true to the Word. In MHO.
Good Grief!! Tell me one flying witch you ever saw. Tell me one goblin, or devil you've SEEN.
Evil is in peoples behavior. Just as the Spirit of our Father is in our hearts and souls. It is SEEN by our actions.
If we follow the word of God, if we are bathed in the blood of Christ, then we FEAR no evil.
In fact, I would wager to say that FEAR is evil!! Our Father tells us constantly to NOT FEAR EVIL.
I will choose to BELIEVE with all my heart. I will continue to "teach" our kids and grandkids the difference between right and wrong. But I will never be so petty and so judgemental as some professed Christians claim to be. We teach with Love and Joy the Love of our Father. We teach that eternity is at stake. We explain that this life is but the blink of an eye compared to eternity. Why would anyone want to suffer forever? So we teach that God Loves us so much that He gave His only Begotten Son for us. He gave us FREE will. We choose our destiny's. We teach that life can be so joyful here on earth, if we choose His path.
If you think that teaching "fear" of things that "aren't" real brings anyone to our Lord you are sadly mistaken. If you think your kids won't hear about Harry Potter, if you think they won't know the difference from fact or fiction, then I will pray for you. Because if your teaching them that Witches are REAL (not saying there are not misguided people who think they are witches, just that you should be teaching your kids that they are mentally imbalanced and need our prayers, not that they are REAL, that they can fly or do spells). They are mentally imbalanced and deserve our prayers. I suppose you think those who practiced being witches or were percieved to be in Salem deserved their fate?? Come on!!! There will always be misguided and mistaken people in this world. The only danger is to themselves. They will know eternal damntion. I won't be the one to judge them.. God will.
I know that there have been people who do evil things. They are misguided to think that by sacrificing a person, that they will garner favor from Satan. Trust me, I know those kinds of evil are real. There are pedophilles, they are evil. There are murderers,.. they are evil. WE do need to warn our children of "true EVIL". But to warn them that things like this movie are evil, only diminishes our words when we try to warn them against REAL evil. We have discussed with our kids the danger of some who try to conjur up evil by killing chickens and burning them in a circle of stones,... we warn them that to worship anything evil, perils their eternal soul. But this is the little boy crying wolf. Trust me,. I've seen this movie and read this book and you haven't.
You and I will never agree on this subject. But at least I can say I've seen the movie. And if you've seen "The Wizard of Oz" then you should be ashamed of yourself. Because the Harry Potter show was no different. In fact, I remember seeing Dorothy do a spell with those little red slippers. But I'd have to think for a bit to remember any spells done on the Harry Potter movie. They might have done one to open a door. Thats the only one I remember. It wasn't ingrained into my mind the way Dorothy's was on "The Wizard of Oz".
I wish you could see how ridiculous and hypocritical you are on this subject. But if you never read the book, or see the movie, you will never KNOW how ignorant your stand on this is. But then, your Minister said so .. and thats enough for you .. right? Now thats scary!! I could expound on that,.. but I won't. But I would caution you to remember what the Bible says about simular things regarding "following" false leaders, idol worship etc. God gave us a brain and the ability to "reason". But how on earth can you do that with a closed mind?
A closed mind is like a parachute that won't open... dangerous!!
Sadly, that you watched all those other movies, then condemn this one, is just blatantly hypocritical.
I think that is sad. I think it shows a weakness of faith,.. not strength in it. There are real tangible things we need to warn our children about.. but this isn't one of them.
I mean no disrespect to you by discussing this. I just feel strongly that we do a diservice to Christianity by acting this irrational! We become fanatical like the Taliban. So threatened by a couple thousand year old statues of Buhdda, that they destroyed them. I would never worship that statue, thats not my belief,.. but I'm sure not threatened by it. Those are just dangerous ways to think. And one day, if that kind of radical thinking continues,..then we won't be able to have this discussion. We won't be able to pray at all, or share our belief in Christ in a public way.
It is better to bring people to Christ with Love, not by condemning or being so judgemental. Thats just MHO
Now,.. on to bigger things. Like a trip to town to get some things for those less fortunate than us (which I do often and had already planned for this season). Energy better spent! And please do me a favor and read the whole post.. don't take my words out of content. Remember that a computer doesn't convey tone inflection or facial expressions. I mean you no disrespect in giving you my view. I'm NOT judging you, I'm giving you my opinion, and to sum it up,... I don't think all the hoopla over this movie warrants this much attention. I'm voicing my opinion to YOU, as I think the whole "Christians are worried about Harry" business, doesn't serve Christianity well at all!!!
God Bless!!
Could be it is God's
Deuteronomy 18:14
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].Jeremiah 29:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that [be] in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
Jeremiah 27:9
Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:
27:10For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.Malachi 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
Revelation 22:15 For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
You seem to spend an aweful lot of time defending HP..makes me wonder why???
I am a Bible-thumper, and I agree. At least I suppose that I am a Bible-thumper - I believe the Bible is the Word of God and is true. So if that means that I am a Bible-thumper to some, I guess I'll wear the mantle.
I have not seen Harry Potter. However, my feeling is that it is probably not half as bad as a lot of the unadulterated swill that is spewed out from Hollywood. If I am wrong, I'll gladly retract.
And even lower on the food chain, some people have such goofy convictions that they have to justify them, to themselves and others, by forcing everyone else to go along with them.
If a parent wants to interfere with their kids love of reading, fine, more power to them. But when they start burning books, or trying to get them banned from libraries, it’s time to point them out as the idiots they are
Who is advocating that? Who is burning books?
Why is this so personal with you? It really does make me wonder why all the energy expended to defend this book..
Unfortunately these things are real..they are not make believe..God believed in them enough to put warnings about them in His word..
We do no service to anyone when we fail to warn of the potential harm of something like this..I do not call that love..LINK
Weren't the witches usually the villians, with the heroes struggling to overcome the nefarious mischief caused by these sorcerers?
(Gal 5:19 KJV) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (Gal 5:20 KJV) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Gal 5:21 KJV) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
(Rev 21:8 KJV) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Some people don't like fantasy. That's okay, but tryng to twist the HP series, into some dire evil, that will turn unsuspecting children away from their own Christian or Jewish ( or whatever ) beliefs, is REALLY illogical. There is no proof of that at all. If it were true, past generations would all have been trying to follow in the steps of the likes of Merlin, the good witches in " THE WOZARD OF OZ ". and any or all of the wizards, witches, shapeshifters, and fairies, found throughout much of extant litterature. That hasn't ever happened . : - )
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