Harry Potter

[sneakattack]

Do you guys think that Harry Potter is demeaning towards Christianity? Why or why not?

 

[antares434]

I'll take the bait. The answer is, No. It is not "demeaning" because you can't demean Christianity. Witchcraft is a sin though. It's plain as day in the scripture ... Deuteronomy 18.

 

[Green Man]

Good afternoon[smile].
No, I do not. How could it? Religion of any kind isn't even mentioned within the books; as far as the stories are concerned, all of the characters might as well be Atheists.

 

[jasoncran]

the magic in potter isnt really close to the real deal of wicca and other types of occult things that use casting of spells.

 

[Nacho]

Does reading those books strengthen your relationship with Jesus?


Your answer to that question will give you the answer to the question as to if you should be reading those books.

God Bless

 

[EricTheBaptist]

Take a hint from a former Wiccan. Yes it does strengthen your relationship with Jesus.

 

[ronniechoate34]

Take a hint from a former Wiccan. Yes it does strengthen your relationship with Jesus.

Bulloney!

 

[Deavonreye]

Harry Potter is fantasy. Nothing more. None of the spells are remotely close to reality. It is silly to "demonize" a work of fiction.

Having said that, . . . it is silly to "demonize" those who follow Wicca or call themselves Witch. If you believe that Satan has had a hand in these books, or these paths, . . . please support your claim with viable/credible evidence. Otherwise, it is just opinion. . . . . of which you are free to have, but holds no weight over what is actually true.

I'm not a big book reader, but have watched all of the Harry Potter movies and enjoyed them quite a lot. I may read the books, now, to get some of the back story.

 

[jcp988]

It's just a fiction book, it's not going to bring down Christianity or anything!

 

[EricTheBaptist]

Bulloney!

It did for me. It allowed me to see that evil truly does exist and therefor come to the conclusion that there must be a God.

 

[AKJVReader]

Ok if you put yourself in the shoes of children who are reading and watching Harry Potter would it be acceptable to do that if you were a child and would you let them see Harry Potter casting spells?

 

[Rhea]

Ok if you put yourself in the shoes of children who are reading and watching Harry Potter would it be acceptable to do that if you were a child and would you let them see Harry Potter casting spells?

I'm surprised about discussions of dangers from a fictional kids' book. I think most of the kids know it was made up. No, I think ALL of the kids know it was made up. When I read that book to my son at age 5 he knew it was made up.

It surprises me that people are concerned about their religion's ability to compete against a novel. I thought they felt their religion had more proof than that.

Mightn't one be more concerned that reading about Jacob in the bible would lead them to think it's okay to have sex with their servants? (based on the bible having inherently authority as right and good in their lives, as opposed to a contemporary fictional work.)

 

[theLords]

I'm surprised about discussions of dangers from a fictional kids' book. I think most of the kids know it was made up. No, I think ALL of the kids know it was made up. When I read that book to my son at age 5 he knew it was made up.

It surprises me that people are concerned about their religion's ability to compete against a novel. I thought they felt their religion had more proof than that.

Mightn't one be more concerned that reading about Jacob in the bible would lead them to think it's okay to have sex with their servants? (based on the bible having inherently authority as right and good in their lives, as opposed to a contemporary fictional work.)

Nice try, but your (purposeful?) deceit is not going to fly (nor is your attempt to undermine Biblical authority):

Genesis 30:4-6 (KJV)
And she [Rachel] gave him [Jacob] Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

 

[jasoncran]

the idea of why the wives of jacob did that isnt declared ok but shown that was the way of things in the time of Jacob. in any polygamist marriage that is shown in the bible that is to be the case. polygamy was never accepted by the lord. just allowed but not to be the norm. all the mentioning of it was cast in a bad light.

jesus went to adam and eve when talking about marriage and divorce.

the staff will not tolerate attacks of this manner.

 

[Rhea]

Nice try, but your (purposeful?) deceit is not going to fly (nor is your attempt to undermine Biblical authority):

Genesis 30:4-6 (KJV)
And she [Rachel] gave him [Jacob] Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her. And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son. And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.

There is no deceit there, nor was I attempting to undermine the bible, actually. I was sincerely thinking that in the eyes of a Christian Harry Potter couldn't hold a candle to the authority of the bible so why the big worry about it?

However, your reply does bring up the idea of one person giving another person over to a man for ownership. But that is discussed within religion and is accepted/rejected there.

Still doesn't give a contemporary fiction account any power against the bible. I remain curious why HP would be fearsome to Christianity.

 

[theLords]

There is no deceit there, nor was I attempting to undermine the bible, actually. I was sincerely thinking that in the eyes of a Christian Harry Potter couldn't hold a candle to the authority of the bible so why the big worry about it?

However, your reply does bring up the idea of one person giving another person over to a man for ownership. But that is discussed within religion and is accepted/rejected there.

Still doesn't give a contemporary fiction account any power against the bible. I remain curious why HP would be fearsome to Christianity.

It seems the world is in love with ancient people and ways of life or whatever peculiarity was practiced there in, but as soon as some "strange" cultural custom is found in the Bible it's a reason for complaint. HBO is getting big ratings on a show about polygamy and no one judges that, but once it's found in old Biblical practices suddenly it's time to judge. Current cultures still practice polygamy and they are applauded for holding on to their ancient cultural practices. People now a days PAY other women to give birth to their child, we have sperm and ovum banks, where people get paid to contribute and others pay to buy, and yet when a barren women in the Bible uses a surrogate to give birth to children which she will raise and be the mother of, people get upset. No where in the Bible is it shown that the women "given" to Jacob (or whatever man) was being forced to take a husband and bear a child against her will. It's nothing but speculation aimed at putting down Biblical Christianity. It's not going to fly on a Christian forum, though.

Also, the fact that Harry Potter interests children in magic and such behaviors is worrisome for Christian parents. The Western world may not believe in the supernatural realm, but the Western world does not rule the world and it's a serious concern for Christian parents with small, influential children.

 

[Rhea]

It seems the world is in love with ancient people and ways of life or whatever peculiarity was practiced there in, but as soon as some "strange" cultural custom is found in the Bible it's a reason for complaint.

I was not complaining, for the record. I was merely comparing one book to another for possible effects on children's morals.

HBO is getting big ratings on a show about polygamy and no one judges that,

I'll judge it.
Theater is art.
Movies are entertainment.
Television is furniture.
(We don't watch TV at all, there not enough worthwhile there to bother having it. So there's my judgment on that show. Never seen it, it doesn't seem important enough to bother.)

but once it's found in old Biblical practices suddenly it's time to judge.

Now there's an interesting topic. Are all books judged by the same standard? I would judge a diet book differently on its recipes than I would judge Harriet the Spy on its recipes. One is a book claiming to have recipes that will be both popular and healthful. The other is just mentioning recipes as a way to color the tale. I will tend to judge them through different lenses - don't you?

Wouldn't you want the Bible judged as a moral book? Or do you consider it just a fiction tale of old cultures? I tend to judge the bible for its moral value, because thats what its supporters claim it is for. It seems it would be insulting if I only judged the bible as a fiction story no more to be remarked upon than Herodotus' "Peloponnesian War" is for its recipes.

So, I confess, I do hold the bible to the standard its followers claim for it. It never once occurred to me that it would be wrong to do so. But if you would rather it occupy my bookshelf next to "Bold Pirate Love" then.... welll, no I won't do that, despite your opinion, that would be the wrong place for it, to me.

Current cultures still practice polygamy and they are applauded for holding on to their ancient cultural practices.

I abhor the way they have a double standard and hold women as property.

Also, the fact that Harry Potter interests children in magic and such behaviors is worrisome for Christian parents. The Western world may not believe in the supernatural realm, but the Western world does not rule the world and it's a serious concern for Christian parents with small, influential children.

Is this because there have been so many cases of children suddenly accomplishing spells? The western world doesn't believe in the magic of Harry Potter because we didn't think it actually existed - do you think it's really happening? Kids are learning magic from that book with its goofy Latin spells? "Ridiculoso!"

 

[theLords]

I was not complaining, for the record. I was merely comparing one book to another for possible effects on children's morals.



I'll judge it.
Theater is art.
Movies are entertainment.
Television is furniture.
(We don't watch TV at all, there not enough worthwhile there to bother having it. So there's my judgment on that show. Never seen it, it doesn't seem important enough to bother.)



Now there's an interesting topic. Are all books judged by the same standard? I would judge a diet book differently on its recipes than I would judge Harriet the Spy on its recipes. One is a book claiming to have recipes that will be both popular and healthful. The other is just mentioning recipes as a way to color the tale. I will tend to judge them through different lenses - don't you?

Wouldn't you want the Bible judged as a moral book? Or do you consider it just a fiction tale of old cultures? I tend to judge the bible for its moral value, because thats what its supporters claim it is for. It seems it would be insulting if I only judged the bible as a fiction story no more to be remarked upon than Herodotus' "Peloponnesian War" is for its recipes.

So, I confess, I do hold the bible to the standard its followers claim for it. It never once occurred to me that it would be wrong to do so. But if you would rather it occupy my bookshelf next to "Bold Pirate Love" then.... welll, no I won't do that, despite your opinion, that would be the wrong place for it, to me.


I abhor the way they have a double standard and hold women as property.


Is this because there have been so many cases of children suddenly accomplishing spells? The western world doesn't believe in the magic of Harry Potter because we didn't think it actually existed - do you think it's really happening? Kids are learning magic from that book with its goofy Latin spells? "Ridiculoso!"

Thank you for being the moral police of the world with your abhorring, oh high and mighty one. ;) You judge what you know not. There are many who are abused within polygamy (as with any practice) and still others embrace and enjoy the act of polygamy, by choice.

Your only m.o. as far as judging the Bible is to make sure we see your disdain for it's inward contents.

If you would bother going back and re-reading what I said, I stated that small Christian children can interested with witchcraft from watching/reading Harry Potter. The Western world does not rule the world, nor is it the center of it. Many people across nations believe in the supernatural.

 

[Rhea]

Out of curiosity, what about my post made you think I felt I was high and mighty?
I'm surprised by the hostility.

More to clarify my statement on polygamy. I didn't say I abhorred polygamy - I don't, actually. I said I had a problem with their double standard. I do not know of a single culture that practices polygamy without a double standard. Whether some like that is not relevant. They can love their polygamy, but it would be more natural without a double standard. If there is a culture who allows polygamy but does not have a double standard, I would be open to learning about that. I abhor double standards, though.

You accuse me of having an m.o. on the bible, but I don't think I've shown that I have disdain for it, I've merely compared it. If it compares unfavorably, that's your opinion, I didn't state that. On Purpose. In fact, didn't I go to great lengths to say it occupied a higher shelf than HP such that it could not even be damaged by HP?
Again, I'm kind of surprised by what seems like a hostile reply.

But thank you for your clarification on witchcraft as it relates to some cultures. It is good for me to get a better picture of how the reading of witchcraft can be interpreted by some. That is interesting discussion.

 

[theLords]

Out of curiosity, what about my post made you think I felt I was high and mighty?
I'm surprised by the hostility.

More to clarify my statement on polygamy. I didn't say I abhorred polygamy - I don't, actually. I said I had a problem with their double standard. I do not know of a single culture that practices polygamy without a double standard. Whether some like that is not relevant. They can love their polygamy, but it would be more natural without a double standard. If there is a culture who allows polygamy but does not have a double standard, I would be open to learning about that. I abhor double standards, though.

You accuse me of having an m.o. on the bible, but I don't think I've shown that I have disdain for it, I've merely compared it. If it compares unfavorably, that's your opinion, I didn't state that. On Purpose. In fact, didn't I go to great lengths to say it occupied a higher shelf than HP such that it could not even be damaged by HP?
Again, I'm kind of surprised by what seems like a hostile reply.

But thank you for your clarification on witchcraft as it relates to some cultures. It is good for me to get a better picture of how the reading of witchcraft can be interpreted by some. That is interesting discussion.

How silly of me to note your hostility towards the Bible after such comments in a thread about Harry Potter:

Mightn't one be more concerned that reading about Jacob in the bible would lead them to think it's okay to have sex with their servants? (based on the bible having inherently authority as right and good in their lives, as opposed to a contemporary fictional work.)

However, your reply does bring up the idea of one person giving another person over to a man for ownership. But that is discussed within religion and is accepted/rejected there.

You're right. There's absolutely no maligning of the Scriptures within these posts. :