Harry Potter...

[BrotherJesse]

Dear friends,
Seeing as there is no topic related to Harry Potter, I'd thought I'd start one. Now, heed this rule : Please, I hope this topic will not to turn into an insulting one. You can explain why you think Harry Potter is Satanic and evil, but you MUST respect those who like the series. Such as myself. I like the good VS evil piece in the books/movies. Good always wins. Not to mention Harry Potter teaches about friendship, being true to yourself, and sticking together.

However, I do understand that Harry Potter also teaches about Witchcraft. Yes, I admit that it does do that. What you all must know is that I do not practice what I read/see/hear from Harry Potter. I stopped playing the PS2 video game of the Chamber of Secrets because of that. You basically were practicing witchcraft through a video game.

QUESTIONS I AM ASKING BAPTISTBOARD.COM:
-----------------------------------------

1.) Why do you think Harry Potter is Satanic and Evil?

2.) Are there good qualities about this series?

3.) If not, then why are so many teens/little kids drawn into it?

4.) If Harry Potter gets kids to read who before never would pick up a book, does this mean it is evil and Satanic?

5.) Would Jesus Christ hang out with those who read Harry Potter in order to bring them to HIM?

6.) Is it okay for a Christian to use Harry Potter for the one purpose: Evangelism....?

7.) Where in the Holy Bible does it say that you can't read about something that deals with Witchcraft...if you do not practice it?

8.) Take me for example. I read Harry Potter and talk on a Harry Potter forum. However, I do not practice what I read/see/hear from the films and books. I don't walk up to a book, pull out a stick and yell "ACCIO!" (A spell for levitation). So, with this being said...am I doing the right thing? If the only reason I like Harry Potter is for using it to bring others to Jesus Christ and I do not practice what I see/read/hear from the series, then where's the harm?


If you all could answer these questions as clearly and detailed as possbile...I'd appreciate it. I know this is a debate board, but if we can refrain from judging those who like Harry Potter, I'd appreciate it. Thank you! Enjoy!

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

No offense Bro. Jesse, but to take your logic a little further.

If you read Playboy Magazine and watched pornographic movies and did not practice what you read/saw/heard. Would that make it all right?

"Lead us not into temptation."

Blessings,
Sue

 

[BrotherJesse]

Sue,
I don't see where the temptation is....??? I'm not tempted to do witchcraft. Heck, I don't even want to do witchcraft! Jesus Christ is my one true addiction. Like I said, if I use Harry Potter to bring people to Jesus Christ, thus, winning souls for Heaven, where's the problem? It's not like I am going to practice witchcraft.

I don't even know how to do witchcraft! Thank the LORD I don't know how to do that stuff. Dang, I don't even have a kettle to brew stuff in. So I could not, will not, would not practice witchcraft at ANY circumstance. My pastor likes Harry Potter and she's a woman of God! She see's nothing wrong with it if I use it for Online Evangelism.

You still have yet to answer my questions....Peace!

 

[Jim1999]

Harry Potter is a very successful fictional series and has drawn children back to reading something. That has to be good. I don't think it resembles or advocates witchcraft anymore than does many Walt Disney pictures and books.

The explanation is up to the parents.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

BrotherJesse:
First of all, I used to be on a marine mammal/sea turtle rescue team, so watch out for that sea turtle. They can inflict a very nasty bite....

My only problem with Harry Potter is that the author made him a sorcerer. He is not an honor student, he is not a football/soccer star, but a sorcerer.

You state that you are not inclined to practice witchcraft when watching/reading Harry Potter, but what about the unsaved world? Would you consider them to be "baby steps" towards witchcraft/paganism? Does it not glamourize this?

As a kid, I loved the Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis, who was a Christian. In my teens, I loved J.R.R. Tolkien, also a Christian (and a good friend of Lewis). Read/watch these and contrast them to Harry Potter. Do you see a difference?
(That is not a leading question, by the way. I am interested in what you have to say.)

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

1.) Why do you think Harry Potter is Satanic and Evil?

Because he is a sorcerer and they are condemned in the Bible.

2.) Are there good qualities about this series?

Possibly, but then Satan usually slips some good qualities into evil to make it seem all right.

3.) If not, then why are so many teens/little kids drawn into it?

The same reason they are drawn to any new book or movie...the hype.

4.) If Harry Potter gets kids to read who before never would pick up a book, does this mean it is evil and Satanic?

It's not Harry Potter that gets kids to read. It's their parents.

5.) Would Jesus Christ hang out with those who read Harry Potter in order to bring them to HIM?

Why wouldn't he? They didn't write the book. The book was written for money. I remember what he did to the moneychangers in the temple.

6.) Is it okay for a Christian to use Harry Potter for the one purpose: Evangelism....?

It is never right to do wrong to do right.

7.) Where in the Holy Bible does it say that you can't read about something that deals with Witchcraft...if you do not practice it?

I don't know, but I do know the Bible condemns withcraft; so why mess with it?

I have answered your questions, now; will you please answer mine?

If you read Playboy Magazine and watched pornographic movies but did not practice what you read/saw/heard. Would that make it all right?

Thanks!
Sue

 

[Jim1999]

Sorry, but this reminds me of the mythical Jesuit debate about howm many devils could dance on the head of a pin. Muchado about nothing.......It is a fictional novel.......the things that kids like, and no different to the Roman Catholic's writing,,,,JRR Tolkien, or even the Anglican's Narnia series. At least in my mind.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[RomOne16]

I read Tolkien when I was a kid, and loved the series. I have read the first Harry Potter book and I found it to be very entertaining and well written. My son who was 11 when he read it, loved it too. We both read the book prior to the movies being made or the hype.

Sure, some kids are now into Harry Potter simply because it's popular, but I think the majority of those who have read the books have done so because the books are wonderfully written page turners.

I think it's great that BrotherJesse is using his interest in Harry Potter as an opportunity to reach other teens for Christ.

God can use anything for His glory!

 

[BrotherJesse]

Why mess with it? If it brings glory to Jesus' name and brings people to HIM....what's the problem???

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Okay Jim, I will ask the question: what is wrong with Tolkien?

 

[Jim1999]

I was just pointing out that he was Roman Catholic to his dying day. He was not presenting the fundamentals of Christianity as we know it, even though the terminology was there.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Grasshopper]

Throw in " The Wizard of Oz" "Bewitched" and " I Dream Of Jeannie" and I'm sure countless more. I would bet most of the adults in our churches today grew up watching these, yet did not affect them one bit.

 

[Jim1999]

I rubbed a lamp and guess what?........Nothing,,,,Was I ever disillusioned!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Headcoveredlady]

Originally posted by Grasshopper:
Throw in " The Wizard of Oz" "Bewitched" and " I Dream Of Jeannie" and I'm sure countless more. I would bet most of the adults in our churches today grew up watching these, yet did not affect them one bit.

This is not true for everyone. I watched these ridiculous shows too and it paved the way for me to dabble in witchraft. It was those shows and others like it that planted tiny seeds in my heart.

I would never allow my children to watch such nonsense. I want their hearts to be filled with Jesus' Word. They will need to prepare for the coming persecution against Christians.

 

[Jim1999]

There is an old saying, "Don't be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly value." One day we must face the world, when our shelter is lifted, and we better be prepared. I lived a sheltered life in Christian boarding school, right through to university. Then I had to make the adjustment all at once. That is not easy either. We are not of the world, but we are in it.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[BrotherJesse]

Amen Jim1999!

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Originally posted by Jim1999:
>>I was just pointing out that he was Roman Catholic
>>to his dying day. He was not presenting the fundamentals
>>of Christianity as we know it, even though the
>>terminology was there.

I can't remember who it was, but The Lord of the Rings was voted the greatest literary work (fiction) of the twentieth century. I would wholeheartedly agree with this consensus.

The fact that Tolkien was Roman Catholic doesn't bother me whatsoever. The fundamentals of Christianity were not presented per se; as exhibited by the fact that Christ never went to Middle Earth. The fundamentals are quite evident in the underlying message of the story. In contrast, I have not heard anyone tell me that this is the case with the Harry Potter series.

It was Tolkien that fueled my imagination in high school. I tore through the trilogy, and as an adult I still have a passion for the story. Moreover, I really enjoyed the movies. I cannot wait to meet J.R.R. Tolkien in Heaven. Actually, I will probably meet him while I am tagging along with C.S. Lewis - for a few thousand years!!!

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Originally posted by Headcoveredlady:
>>I would never allow my children to watch such
>>nonsense. I want their hearts to be filled
>>with Jesus' Word. They will need to prepare
>>for the coming persecution against Christians.

What?
How can we prepare for this?
[This may be a good topic for a new thread.]

 

[Jim1999]

My point was and is, we read a work of fiction for its reading value, and not for whatever Christian overtones it may possess. Tolkien was a Roman Catholic and not a fundamental Christian. We don't consider this when we read him. Either we like the fictional work or we don't. Simple as that. The same applies to Peter Rabbit and Harry Potter books. In my opinion.

As to meeting Tolkien , Charles Dickens or John Milton, in heaven, that is not my decision to make, thank God. I can only offer a subjective opinion on the literature.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[BrotherJesse]

Jim1999,
You seem to be the one who likes Harry Potter for what it is: Fiction and Entertainment. I wish to thank you for sticking up for the series. Thank you Jim. You are a welcome to me. Finally someone likes Harry Potter.