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Pastor Decries Harry Potter message
Alamogordo News | 12\23\01 | James Matise

Posted on 12/27/2001 7:56:38 AM PST by Wiley Sr

The Harry Potter fiction series, widely heralded by critics as exceptional literature and by teachers for tuning millions of children into reading, is being condemned by Christ Community Church pastor Jack Brock as evil.

Harry Potter is nothing but witchcraft, Brock said. Its evil hidden behind the face of an innocent boy with little glasses.

Brock, who will be giving a sermon this Sunday entitled, The Baby Jesus or Harry Potter? said the church plans to hold a holy bonfire Dec. 30 to publicly burn Harry Potter books and other so-called unacceptable material.

The service begins at 6:30 p.m. and afterwards we will conduct a burning, he said.

Why does Brock find Harry Potter so offensive? The simple part is the story takes place in Hogwarts Boarding School, he said. All the teachers are witches and wizards, and they teach witchcraft.

If we hired someone who was into witchcraft or teaching witchcraft at (Christ Community Church) school, no one would come, he said.

In the book, written by British author J.K. Rowling, Brock said Harry Potter is labeled as being a wizard who wields good magic, and fights those who wield bad magic, something Brock also said is misleading.

Its (magic) all evil, he said. What she (Rowling) has done is make Harry look good and Voldemort (the villain) evil, but they both come from the same source. You can't call good evil, or evil good. That's what it is all about.

Brock said the witchcraft in the book is capturing the minds of young kids, who have a hard time dividing between fantasy and reality, and make them more prone to dabbling in evil practices.

Though Brock could not recall hearing any actual reports of children engaging in harmful practices as a result of reading Harry Potter, he said the books could inspire them to learn about real witchcraft practices such as Wicca, which he termed an abomination.

The greatest danger is these children are enamored with Potter and they go on the Internet to learn more about the book, and they're directed to other places where they can see information about Wicca, he said.

Brock went on to say that although the Harry Potter books are works of fiction, they are essentially teachings in Wicca.

The teachers are reading Harry Potter in school and that's a religion, he said.

Brock said he has not personally read any of the books, nor has he seen Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the movie theaters.

I've seen video clips and reviews, he said. Readers Digest and other magazines are carrying titles about the author such as The woman who bewitched the world, and The wizard behind Harry Potter.

When asked why children's tales featuring magic such as The Wizard of Oz and C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia were considered acceptable material, Brock said it was because the wicked witches were beaten and the characters did not learn to use magic.

When reminded of Dorothy's magic red slippers in The Wizard of Oz stolen from the Wicked Witch of the East and the magical gifts given to the heroes of C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Brock said yes, but that was good magic.

Brock said on Dec. 30, other items, such as pornography and Heavy Metal records that exalt Satan will go into the fire with Harry Potter, depending on what items the congregation plans to dispose of.

Brock said he was not concerned with any public image the book-burning might give himself or the congregation.

As far as I'm concerned, the church is not out to make people look good ... were making a statement against evil, he said. The problem with most churches today is that nothing is said because they'll get people upset. This will get them thinking. Pastor Brock can choose to burn Harry Potter books at his church since that is his Constitutional right, he said. One can also go to the Public Library and choose or simply not choose to read Harry Potter books.

Let each person be fully convinced in their own mind regarding what they think is right and let them choose, Preston continued, but let no one take away that right to exercise ones right to choose.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial
KEYWORDS: christianlist
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To: FreeReign
You just -- publicly -- did. By describing your book burning bout, you've now made it public. It isn't so bad being politically incorrect now is it?

Touche'! OUCH!

101 posted on 12/27/2001 10:40:45 AM PST by Seruzawa
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To: Phantom Lord
Ain't America great! You're free to think anything you want to think! Of course, some things are true regardless of what you think but you're free to think it anyway.

And, no, you're not going to hell if you read Harry Potter. Only if you don't repent of it.

102 posted on 12/27/2001 10:41:27 AM PST by babylonian
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To: babylonian
Other than the Bible, are any books truly safe to read that wont require me to repent later?
103 posted on 12/27/2001 10:47:44 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: Phantom Lord
If sarcasm is all you have to offer, I'm unimpressed.
104 posted on 12/27/2001 10:52:05 AM PST by babylonian
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To: Central Scrutiniser
Another Poster:Book burning is a fascist endeavor

Fascists burn books -- book burning is fascist. Fascists brush their teeth -- teeth brushing is fascist.

Poor logic, since everyone (save a few) brushes their teeth, but not everyone burns books, trying to point out logical fallacies by committing another (except in the case of reductio ad absurdium) is a poor way to argue.

What are you taking about? I was sarcastically simpifying somebody elses false logic -- get it -- unless you believe that all people who burn books are fascists. Then you I could see your confusion.

Rational people don't feel the need to go to the media to tell everyone that they are going to burn books, this pastor is not rational, in fact he is having the opposite effect by pulling this stunt.

Where in this article did it say that this pastor went to the media? This news article -- Ad Ignorantiam -- you.

105 posted on 12/27/2001 11:11:29 AM PST by FreeReign
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To: babylonian
There was little to no sarcasm in my post. And reading Harry Potter is not going to send me to hell regardles of wether or not i repent.

And I suppose that my wife is going to go to hell too, unless she repents for being jewish. Well, now that I think about it, she will probably end up there anyway! LOL

But maybe she is the one who is on the right path and us Gentiles are the ones who are wrong. Maybe radical Islam is the right way. Maybe Buddhists have it right. I have no idea which is right, but with each one claiming to be the only true one and then sub groups within the larger group claiming they are the right way and that their fellow believers are straying from the path and are not properly practicing the true religion and are going to hell I have a hard time believing any of them are right.

I am sure you believe with all your heart that you are truely on the proper path. And another christian believes just as strong that his way is the only true way and that you are going to hell unless you change your ways.

So, who is it that is truely right?

106 posted on 12/27/2001 11:21:27 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: Nate505
Some nutzoid in Berkeley probably thinks the US is an evil country and burns a flag to protest, while the majority of the population thinks he is a scumbag. Just like the majority of the population thinks Harry Potter isn't a tool of the devil, and the pastor is an idiot for making a public spectale out of burning the books. In their minds the protest is valid, and it my mind it is valid enough to not ban it in anyway, but the form of protest tends to turn most people, including myself, off.

I can't speak for the majority of the country but I would think that the Berkeley flag burner is a S*bag because he burns a symbol of not just any country but our country.

Again I can't speak for the pastor in this article, but if he thinks that witchcraft is the work of the devil and that this book glorifies witchcraft and that he wants to send this warning to his flock, then I say let him go burn the damn book -- who cares. To criticize him for this belief is to criticize all faith based religious beliefs which is something I have no interest in and I wonder why anybody else does.

107 posted on 12/27/2001 11:22:53 AM PST by FreeReign
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To: Wiley Sr
Being humorless isn't the same thing as being serious.
108 posted on 12/27/2001 11:33:14 AM PST by Grut
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To: babylonian
Eloquent.
109 posted on 12/27/2001 11:41:33 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg
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To: Phantom Lord
I have no idea which is right...

Keep reading. Maybe you'll figure it out. It's right in front of you.

And no, I don't believe your Jewish wife is going to hell. I think the Jews serve a special and sacred purpose in God's plan, and thus are deserving of protection by Christians.

Buddhists? Now that's a different story entirely.

110 posted on 12/27/2001 11:52:24 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg
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To: spoosman
Big deal. I am not impressed with people who are reactionaries, and who can't make distinctions.

Make what distinctions exactly?

111 posted on 12/27/2001 11:54:41 AM PST by Nate505
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To: FreeReign
I can't speak for the majority of the country but I would think that the Berkeley flag burner is a S*bag because he burns a symbol of not just any country but our country.

So would I, and the majority of the country. However, he and some of his friends may feel that our country is bad and feel justified by their actions. But the rest of the country would feel he is a nutjob.

Again I can't speak for the pastor in this article, but if he thinks that witchcraft is the work of the devil and that this book glorifies witchcraft and that he wants to send this warning to his flock, then I say let him go burn the damn book -- who cares.

I don't care that much, except that I think he is an idiot nutjob as well, and is publicaly being an idiot nutjob....

To criticize him for this belief is to criticize all faith based religious beliefs which is something I have no interest in and I wonder why anybody else does.

That's where we disagree. I don't consider criticizing this idiot for burning a relatively benign book the same as criticizing all faith based religious beliefs.

112 posted on 12/27/2001 12:01:38 PM PST by Nate505
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To: Phantom Lord
Why is it you've never cracked a Bible and now all of a sudden you want to ask me all the questions it answers?
113 posted on 12/27/2001 12:10:18 PM PST by babylonian
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To: Phantom Lord
And let me tell you, magic is not real. None of the 'magic' in the Harry Potter movie is real. None of it. Zero.

Some Christians would have you believe otherwise, that kids are running around with owls and brooms and what-not. In fact, all they are doing is arousing kids' interest in HP. The kids are probably like "this must be real if all these adults are flipping out"

Something I forgot to mention, manytimes book/flag/cd burning is done to draw attention to a group and their cause is irrelevant, and I think you make two very good points about the exposure/donations.

114 posted on 12/27/2001 12:19:46 PM PST by texlok
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To: texlok
In fact, all they are doing is arousing kids' interest in HP.

While the record industry and many bands fought Tipper Gore and the PMRC, once the industry caved and agreed to the infamous "Warning Label" many bands admitted in interviews they were now adding lyrics to songs that would get the album a warning sticker because they knew it would increase sales.

Many of todays "classics" (books and movies) were treated exactly the same as Potter is being treated today. I doubt Potter is ever going to become a classic. But the history of todays classics is not all mom and apple pie as one would think.

115 posted on 12/27/2001 12:32:52 PM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: RnMomof7; Khepera
I think it is foolish myself,it is poor symbolism and a media event that will lead to more Potter books being read ,not less (the forbidden fruit thing) But as long as it isn't the Government banning or burning books..I consider it free speech.

Well, I have to largely agree.

This is one of those nice book burnings by private individuals, not a bad book burning by the government.

Actually, I think the quality of modern literature would improve substantially if only we had more book burnings, a wonderful old custom. I would include a quite a number of Christianish books in my own list of books most deserving of immolation.
116 posted on 12/27/2001 12:38:55 PM PST by George W. Bush
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To: George W. Bush
Lets get us some matches for a little Ronson fluid style critique of the Quran. I used to burn all kinds of stuff in my wood stove.
117 posted on 12/27/2001 12:44:41 PM PST by Khepera
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To: Khepera
"Harry Potter is teaching witchcraft" I've got a 11 year old daughter and a 7 year old son and they both know that witches are make believe. Do you really believe in witches? It was people with your attitude who use to burn women at the stake because they thought they were witches. You need to grow up and lighten up. Start a hobby, lifes too short.
118 posted on 12/27/2001 12:52:43 PM PST by kempo
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To: kempo
Khepera has a hobby. A non stop attempt to besure that no one is having any fun, any where, at any time.
119 posted on 12/27/2001 12:55:28 PM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: Ol' Sparky
Buy your own flag or your own book and do what you want with it.

My flag and books are another story entirely.

120 posted on 12/27/2001 12:55:56 PM PST by Britton J Wingfield
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