Harry Potter

[martha]

Originally posted by icelle
i just choose to not have my daughter view the harry potter movies because of all that witchcraft deal.

Does she enjoy The Wizard of Oz?

[cell]

she's never seen it

[martha]

You're not mean; you're consistent. Big difference.

[spanisheyes]

Originally posted by martha
You're not mean; you're consistent. Big difference.

Exactly...nicely said Martha.

Chris

[filledeperle]

I'm Catholic, therefore Christian, and I see nothing wrong with Harry Potter. I think its great that those kids are serious about reading.

I think those radical Christian groups feel threatened by Harry Potter because those books are more popular than any Bible-like book. Their message isn't getting across to kids, kids prefer something that's fun and doesn't put the fear of hell into them, something those people love to do, and they're afraid of that. Their message isn't working and they're jealous! Ha-ha!

What makes these fanatics seriously believe that Harry Potter would make so many kids want to be witches and wizards? Kids know the difference between what's fiction and what's not. Its ridiculous. They really have no sense of reality sometimes. There have so many books on witchcraft, vampires, violence, and on and on, and nothing has happened. No one mimics what they read or see on TV. Not unless you're nuts.

[nbcrusader]

Originally posted by filledeperle
I think those radical Christian groups feel threatened by Harry Potter because those books are more popular than any Bible-like book. Their message isn't getting across to kids, kids prefer something that's fun and doesn't put the fear of hell into them, something those people love to do, and they're afraid of that. Their message isn't working and they're jealous! Ha-ha!

What makes these fanatics seriously believe that Harry Potter would make so many kids want to be witches and wizards? Kids know the difference between what's fiction and what's not. Its ridiculous. They really have no sense of reality sometimes. There have so many books on witchcraft, vampires, violence, and on and on, and nothing has happened. No one mimics what they read or see on TV. Not unless you're nuts.

1. What message isn't getting across because of the existence of Harry Potter books?

2. Kids may be able to understand that Harry Potter is fiction. But kids are frequently taught that evil is just fiction.

I don't understand why some people get upset when you prefer that your children not read Harry Potter?

[brettig]

What foray said.

HP doesn't grab me at all, seems an inferior and cliched substitute for LOTR and others. I'm a Christian and I've avoided much of it, not for any deep-seated fear that it may be witchcraft's clandestine recruiting tool, but because I find it rather underwhelming.

[filledeperle]

. What message isn't getting across because of the existence of Harry Potter books?

2. Kids may be able to understand that Harry Potter is fiction. But kids are frequently taught that evil is just fiction.

I don't understand why some people get upset when you prefer that your children not read Harry Potter?




I was talking about their fanaticism. Meaning, be against the world, its evil and full of sinners; be holier than thou, be close-minded. I think those people want to control and convert others to their point of view, and maybe when they see Harry Potter be so popular, that might mean people are thinking for themselves, and not listening to them.
I was reading the website wayoflife.org before writing this. It was the one that bashed U2 that was posted as a link somewhere on this board. I explored that site and what they said about Harry Potter was really off the wall. Those were the people I was referring to.
As for the last question, I agree that Potter may be too scary for some kids, but I think its wrong to discourage them from reading it if people think they'll be inspired to practice witchcraft. I don't loose sleep over it, but I find it irrational.
And BTW: if some people are against their kids reading or seeing Harry Potter because it inflicts with their beliefs, that is OK. I don't get all upset about it. I just don't like the ones who go around protesting, banning and even burning those books.

[nbcrusader]

Originally posted by filledeperle
I was talking about their fanaticism. Meaning, be against the world, its evil and full of sinners; be holier than thou, be close-minded. I think those people want to control and convert others to their point of view, and maybe when they see Harry Potter be so popular, that might mean people are thinking for themselves, and not listening to them.

God tells us we live in a evil world (Romans 1:18-32). And since we are all sinners, the world is full of sinners. We are not to be part of this world (1 Peter 2:11), but to be a light in this world (Matthew 5:14).

I am troubled by the response to the anti-HP people who paint the world as this lovely, innocent place and we can relish in stories of evil, sorcery and witchcraft because such things really don't exist.

Originally posted by filledeperle
As for the last question, I agree that Potter may be too scary for some kids, but I think its wrong to discourage them from reading it if people think they'll be inspired to practice witchcraft. I don't loose sleep over it, but I find it irrational.
And BTW: if some people are against their kids reading or seeing Harry Potter because it inflicts with their beliefs, that is OK. I don't get all upset about it. I just don't like the ones who go around protesting, banning and even burning those books.

Banning or burning does not accomplish anything constructive. I�ve always maintained that subjects like HP are training opportunities for children. I find it interesting that we can teach children to be careful of what they eat, but we are blind to the thoughts and images that can fill their heads. HP aside, some of the commercials on FOX aired during the Sunday football broadcasts are disturbing.

[melon]

I'm not condemning anyone here, but I will give my subjective viewpoint.

Quite frankly, assuming that children will be irreparably harmed by Harry Potter is nonsense, to me. In fact, now HP has been turned into a forbidden fruit for indulgence. It is the same principle as to why I think that the 21 age for alcohol is irresponsible. I've been familiar with alcohol since a young age, and, in quite contrast to the fearmongering media, I have zero desire to abuse alcohol. In fact, when do I start craving things? When I'm told I can't have them. I would be interested in knowing figures for teen alcohol abuse and alcohol abuse for those who are 22-23-ish.

In my view, we are a society that should be able to enjoy everything in context. We should be able to play very violent video games--with knowledge that it is fiction and unacceptable to reenact in society. Likewise, HP can be enjoyed under the same context--that it is a fictional work that can be enjoyed as long as one does not compromise their moral beliefs. I think this is quite a simple proposition; and, likewise, I don't think HP is even the point of all the hoopla. It is just another excuse for the religious right subordinate hegemony to flex its muscles against their perception of the dominace of the left. "Control" is the real excuse.

Melon

[RavenStar]

I just have one little question about this. Why is it that witchcraft is "bad"?

[nbcrusader]

Originally posted by RavenStar
I just have one little question about this. Why is it that witchcraft is "bad"?

�The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

This is just the simple answer. A longer theological understanding would get you to the same conclusion.

[RavenStar]

But if the witchcraft is being used for good then why is it bad?

[nbcrusader]

Originally posted by RavenStar
But if the witchcraft is being used for good then why is it bad?

Because our concept of "good" always falls short of God's concept of good.

Also, when God gives a clear command, He expects us to follow it as given, even if we think we are doing something "better". Aaron's sons learned this the hard way.

[RavenStar]

but shouldnt god give you some reason for not practising witchcraft?

[nbcrusader]

God is sovereign. That means He doesn't have to answer to anyone.


God doesn't do something because it is good, it is good because God does it.

[DebbieSG]

witchcraft is taking things into your own hands, and it is based on usurping power from the earth, in defiance to following God's plan for our lives. we throw things out of balance when we try to control things for our own benefit.

the "light" side of witchcraft may allow you to do good, but you never know what unintended consequences you create, and can't be responsible for. and what's to keep someone, once they tap into this power, from using the "dark" side as well, and punishing people who they don't like?

it's an ultimately unsatisfying enterprise, because the heart finds rest only in God.

[bonosloveslave]

Originally posted by DebbieSG
witchcraft is taking things into your own hands, and it is based on usurping power from the earth, in defiance to following God's plan for our lives. we throw things out of balance when we try to control things for our own benefit.

the "light" side of witchcraft may allow you to do good, but you never know what unintended consequences you create, and can't be responsible for. and what's to keep someone, once they tap into this power, from using the "dark" side as well, and punishing people who they don't like?

it's an ultimately unsatisfying enterprise, because the heart finds rest only in God.

Well said

[Blacksword]

Think of witchcraft as the One Ring. You may want to do good with it and may even do good with it but you are toying with somethng far more powerful than yourself and that you have very little knowledge in. I'm not big into the whole evil spirits thing, being a natural sceptic but my father (who is a minster) has been involved in some spiritual healing groups where occasionally some really nasty junk happens. It hahppens very rarely but he has attested such spiritual things to me. My dad's a rational person by nature (he trained as an engineer before becoming a minister) and I trust him. He may be prone to exaggeration in some areas but never on core faith issues. There's stuff out there that is well beyond our keen and the no witchcraft thing is there to protect us from it. Not everyone who tinkers with it will get hurt but who knows what it could do to you without your knowledge. Atleast that's my rationaization of the forbidden nature of witchraft thing based on what I know. Still a tad sceptical but the Big Guy has our best interests in mind and I'm inclined to trust him.

As to HP in general I feel in most cases it's harmless as long as a child knows that evil is real (though usually not in the magical form) and the stories are fiction. Children are smarter than we reailise. But I think every parent here who opposes HP is holding it back out of love so while I find you reasoning spurious I respect your intent. I can't see too many close minded high and mighty fanatical types hanging out at a U2 forum.

[Sparkysgrrrl]

There seems to be a big misunderstanding as to what witchcraft is. Just like Christianity, there are many forms of it, and it's practisted many different ways.
The basic credo is "do as ye will but harm no others"
You do not use spells and such for hurting others, and you don't use them to impose your own wishes on another being. Just like those who read the bible, you don't pray to God to kill someone just because you don't like them. There are those who practise christianity in a bad way, and those that practise witchcraft in a bad way, but it dosen't make the them bad altogether.