"Harry Potter"

Ayn rand Institute ^ | 11/13/02

[RJCogburn]

The movie adventures of child-wizard Harry Potter will continue on November 15. Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

"It is true that Harry lives in a magical, fantastical world, but what's important is that he is a hero who wins through intelligence, effort and courage," said Dr. Yaron Brook. "Throughout the series, Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident. He has friends who share his values and he earns the respect of his teachers. Aren't these the character traits all parents want their children to possess? I know they're qualities I actively try to instill in my two boys."

Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential. What is fundamental is the abstract meaning being conveyed during the course of Harry's magical adventures. "The books are, in short, fuel for a child's maturing mind. As vitamins and minerals are essential to a child's healthy physical development, so literature with this view of the world is essential to a child's healthy mental development."

[power2]

Also, I personally reserached how children are effected by Harry Potter. One of the most interesting things I turned up was the Scholastic message board. Children were posting there, sharing with each other how Harry Potter had gotten them interested in spells and other aspects of the occult.

Please don't think that what children see doesn't effect them, and deeply. Visuals effect adults, we all know that. Even more so for children.

AMEN Brother!!! That is my main concern with Harry Potter as well, that it opens a door of interest to that which most of the debaters on this thread agree is forbidden in scripture...witchcraft, the occult, etc. The bulletin board you mention in your post is an excellent example; I've also read that book stores have moved books on witchcraft and the occult to the front of their stores due to the tremendous increase in interest in those subjects as a result of the Harry Potter books/movies. I believe that there are many Harry Potter "toys" this year that will encourage kids to "play" with witchcraft and the occult.

Face it, folks. It is common sense that just because a book or movie is fiction doesn't mean it can't sway an impressionable and/or young mind to try something in the occult, "just for fun". For many, maybe even most, Harry Potter will only be a fun escape...for some, Harry Potter will lead them to dabble where the Lord clearly told us not to dabble. I won't take that gamble with my kids; if you want to go ahead.

[ET(end tyranny)]

Ah yes, the ten-year old who helped beat up that poor black man in Michigan(?), certainly did know right from wrong now, didn't he...

Wow! I didn't realize that this 10 year old had read and viewed Harry Potter books and movies. Can you provide a source?

[HairOfTheDog]

Do you believe spell-casting magical witches and wizards really exist?

[Prodigal Son]

I personally hold to a different standard.

Well, your standard is not right, says I. Since you pinged me out of the blue for no apparant reason, you obviously want to gnaw on this bone. Let's gnaw on it.

Have you seen the movie? Let's start right there.

Also, as I have said, God was sitting with me in that theatre and enjoyed the movie. Are you saying he didn't?

[Jael]

Thanks for your post, it was so refreshing.

[JenB]

Well, to support my claim that Harry Potter is not going to harm us, how about 1 John 4:4? You know, "Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world"?

[JenB]

Oh, yes, of course, I use magic routinely to curse my professors, improve my looks, and charms the guys. It's all thanks to Harry Potter, too! /end sarcasm.

[ET(end tyranny)]

The movies also taught that people NOT involved in witchcraft were stupid. I can't understand a Christian parent exposing their innocent children to the anger and mayhem in Harry Potter.

You've GOT to be kidding. I've seen the first two movies and they do not suggest that non witches are stupid.

As for your long tedious list, are those supposed to be in the books/movies or is that list from portions of the bible?

[Jael]

I actually know a few.

[Jael]

"Well, your standard is not right, says I. Since you pinged me out of the blue for no apparant reason, you obviously want to gnaw on this bone. Let's gnaw on it."

I pinged you because you had posted on the thread. I assumed you would be interested in the foul acts of the movie and *might* consider giving the facts a fair hearing.

I assumed wrong.

Blessings.

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

[lizma]

...and her mother supported her decision.

YIKES!!!! How can you blame a book when there is one very screwy mom at the helm??

Sounds like you are doing the democrats "poor victim" response instead of calling the mother on her lack of personal responsibility in rearing her child.

I'm sorry but the only "craze" that the Potter books caused around here was the reading craze.

Maybe you should consider moving???

[Prodigal Son]

Have you seen the movie?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

...

Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential.

does he feel that way about the bible too?

[HairOfTheDog]

Actually, The fact that a person, 10-year old or not, does wrong, does not necessarily prove they didn't know right from wrong. Many know right from wrong and do wrong anyway. That is the definition of criminal. Not knowing right from wrong is the very basic definition of insanity.

[HairOfTheDog]

You actually know people who can perform magic and cast spells?

[CharacterCounts]

I actually know a few.

You know a few people who claim to be witches. Did any of them actually ever cast a real spell; Like turning a prince into a frog?

[Jael]

Jen, that is true for those who are saved. Many children are not. So they would be harmed by the exposure to the violence of the film and it's presenting the occult in a positive light.

But can you find anything in Scripture that would make you think that God would want his children supporting the occult? And exposing innocent children to such?

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them.


8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:


9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)


10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.


11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.


12  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.


13  But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.


17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

[Redleg Duke]

We took our ten-year old to the movie this evening. It was a delightful fantasy! We all enjoyed it, but on the way home, I ruminated about how the "Fundies" will be ranting and raving about it.

I like a hero who is honest, loyal and courageous. It was sad though to realize that Richard Harris is no longer with us. He was very good in this movie.

[keats5]

"I repeat, children who have firm Christian groundings will not be threatened by Harry Potter. They may not enjoy the books, either, but they will not need to fear them."

Yes, but so many kids have no firm Christian groundings. Today, 115 kids went to see the movie as part of their public school field trip. Those kids who did not join the field trip were instructed to stay in study hall all day. Virtually all the kids who did not see the movie did so because of their religious beliefs. (Whether the posters here subscribe to those same beliefs is beside the point.)

Christains differ in their opinions about Harry Potter. Some think the books are classic fantasy tales. Those Christians who oppose Potter do so for one basic reason. The movies make witchcraft appear attractive. The Bible clearly forbids witchcraft. To teach a child that witches can be good sends the opposite message. All these comments about how the Potter movies teach great values miss the point. People have the right to believe their Bible forbids witchcraft, and they in turn have the reponsibility to teach their children that witchcraft should never be taken lightly.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

...

Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential.

does he feel that way about the bible too?

(not as though he should, but i wonder if he even tries to be self consistent)