[Quietly]

As conservative Presbyterians, we don't "do" Santa Claus or Halloween, but don't freak at anyone who does. We skipped Harry Potter during its first frenzy, but eventually got the books from the library, then bought them and the movie. (I have a 13 yr old and an autistic 10 yr old.)

We find we enjoy Harry Potter, the books and the first movie. There's nothing particularly exceptionally good or evil or "phenomonal" about it one way or the other. We're not going to fight crowds to see it right away, but before it leaves the theaters I'll go with my 13 yr to see it. We don't see the hoopla one way or the other. Just doing a Harry Potter shrug.

[Lurking2Long]

Save the money you would spend on the film and put it towards a Concordance; then, look up the words "occult" and "sorcery" and "enchantments" and "witchcraft" and see what the Bible has to say about it.

THEN, tell me there's nothing wrong with Harry Potter!

[50sDad]

Interesting you mention Santa. We have stuggled, with our two dear girls, to sort our way through that. One of the Christian bookwriters gave us our plan:

Santa is a game many people play with their children. You and I, dear child, know it is a game. We may give you a present marked "from Santa", that you can enjoy the game. But we won't lie to you, and tell you he exists, because later on, you would find out that we, your parents, LIED to you. How could you belive that Christ was true, if we told you He lived, and then lied to you about other things?

Santa is a game, dear child. Don't tell other kids and ruin their fun. It is their parents responsibility to decide when to tell them. We won't lie to you.