Should Christians be watching harry potter movies

[(THE)]

Maybe when I was a Christian I went to a church that was... I don't know the word. But most people there don't believe in witchcraft, or they didn't count Harry Potter as witchcraft..

Did they believe in the Bible? Because the Bible addresses witchcraft (see Deut. 18:10, 2 Kings 9:22, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Micah 5:12, Nahum 3:4, Galations 5:20...) and is clearly against it. The Bible isn't against things that aren't real, is it?

As for Harry Potter, my issue has never been with whether the wizardry in the series was "real" or "pretend." My issue is with Christian parents willingly exposing their children to subtle hints that sorcery can be harmless or even good, when their very Bibles speak against magic.

If christian parents would bring there kids up in the correct doctrine of Christ,,,,,they would have no need to worry about Harry potter,,,,pokemon yugioh or non e of that stuff.....

Heck christians introduce there own children the biblical wizardry anyhow,,,,magical apples and talking snakes,,,literal trees that give power,,,,blah....

 

[Dude named Louis]

I feel very strongly that Christians should NOT be watching Harry Potter movies.

I finally went to see one (the last one) and it was terribly boring. That's why they should not watch.

 

[JoJo]

 

[HFGirl]

I'm a born again Christian. I love Jesus.

I'm also a filmmaker and I like to watch other films. T.V. shows and films that openly bash Christians and make them out to be fools, are what I can't stand. I would love it if Christian filmmakers could make big budget films that glorify God, but that's another story.

I don't think there's anything wrong with watching Harry Potter as long as you don't go overboard. If you're the kind of person that's going to start looking for a coven to join right after watching the film, then you really don't need to be watching.

Now if you have children, as long as you explain to them that it's only entertainment, make believe, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. What I don't like is if your children can quote chapter and verse from any movie or book or music cd, but couldn't tell you a thing about Jesus.

As long as there is balance and your children know that the most important thing is that they have a relationship with Jesus, I think it's okay. I would want the child to be at least 10 though before letting them see a lot of these movies.

I would rather have my children involved with the church and engage in movies only once in a while.

 

[Nick]

As long as there is balance and your children know that the most important thing is that they have a relationship with Jesus, I think it's okay

 

[Lifesong]

I think the main reason why the Harry Potter series is an invisible rock on a Christian's path is the way it is so appealing. It draws you into its world and paints the users of the occult to be amazing, fun and enjoyable - it pulls you into the world of witchcraft without you really noticing it, and paints it as completely harmless.

So many Christians attempt to justify the fact that Harry Potter is fine because its good vs evil and its all fantasy and therefore not real; this however is completely untrue. The bible clearly states that the forces of witchcraft should not be found among you in Deuteronomy 18:9-12:

"There shall not be found among you anyone who.. practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord.."

No matter if the books are fiction or not, the subject is witchcraft and the characters are people who practice witchcraft. If you have the books and films, you still have fictional characters who practice witchcraft - fooling yourself into thinking it is fine because its fiction is quite frankly, ludicrous.

However, I am very much against arguments that go along the lines of "Harry Potter entices people to delve into the subject of Witchcraft" because its completely flawed and although possibly true in some cases, is not really a solid basis to fight against Harry Potter.

Now putting all the above aside, Harry Potter is amazingly written and the movies are enjoyable to watch, but I do not feel it right for Christians to watch it and feel that it is fine, because its not. I'm not saying you can't watch them, I'm just saying that it could possibly be a hindrance in your walk with God and that they are not fine/good according to the Bible.

[I have had many problems with Harry Potter as it has drawn me towards the occult in the past, and although I have met some wonderful people from the Harry Potter community, it has done me more harm than good.]

 

[Nick]

I am a big Harry Potter fan, own all the books an DVD's. I don't find that it has hindered my walk. I am not worshipping the movie or the witchcraft that it practices - just simply watching a good, entertaining movie. Perhaps it has hindered your walk - fine - different people struggle with different things. But I don't think that this is a one size fits all senario. The Deuteronomy passage you quoted would refer I believe more to practical witchcraft, not magic in fiction.

 

[Lifesong]

It all falls down to how you interpret scripture - I believe the passage refers to all aspects of witchcraft, because quite honestly, I could never see Jesus reading or promoting the books and I do feel they can cloud your judgement when it comes to possibly darker things. But hey, its all my opinions (:

 

[NestForASparrow]

I don't see too much wrong with a Christian seeing the movies. Just teach your children that magic is not real or something that they should look up apart from the series.

 

[NJBeliever]

I don't see too much wrong with a Christian seeing the movies. Just teach your children that magic is not real or something that they should look up apart from the series.

Right, but unfortunately, magic is real. And much of Harry Potter is taken from a real book on witchcraft. And many of the concepts are Satanic.

I agree with lifesong. If something is completely glorifying the occult, which at its core is satanic, how can we support it. harry Potter is a complete celebration of witchcraft, something that God hates. If we are instructed to die to ourselves and let Christ live in us (Galatians 2), how are we doing this by financially supporting and exposing our children to something that is so completely promoting the occult? It's mind-boggling to me in light o what the Bible says.

It's one thing to go a film and not know what the content is going to be. It's one thing to go to a film and there is a magician in it but it's not the focus of the film. Harry Potter is just 100% witchcraft aimed at children.

I write all this as someone who watched the original Matrix film 5 times theaters and easily 30 times in my lifetime.The same for parts 2 an 3. I also owned several box sets of the entire series, autographed copies of scripts and spent numerous hours discussing and dissecting the films. And all those DVDs went to the trash once I realized that the films are promoting gnosticism like crazy. And thata their message is all about salvation through self while mocking those who would "cling to religion" (to quote our President). So I know what it's like to love a movie and have to deal with the inner conflict when you learn its contrary and even hostile to our great faith in Christ Jesus.

 

[Nick]

And much of Harry Potter is taken from a real book on witchcraft.

What is the title and author of this book?

As for the rest of your post, I think it comes down to personal conviction. I have read all the books and own all the movies and absolutely love them - they are a great series. I have never been tempted to go into witchcraft. I don't think too many people do. IMHO I think you're making too much out of this. I just want to be entertained, and Harry Potter has done that well for me.

 

[Clémentine]

I have lots of Christian friends and some family members who are into the books or movies. To me they seem harmless. I don't believe a book or movie has such influence that it can cause an otherwise happy, faithful, well balanced person to abandon their faith, especially one that doesn't even represent an actual alternative religion but complete fantasy. There is nothing in HP that is used in real Wicca. I think if anyone is interested they should watch the films and discuss with trusted people, then make a decision about whether it's something that is good for them or worthwhile.

 

[TaemJ]

jason
you call me a homophobe if you wish, been called that in uniform(army) and will wear it proudly, but those who know my testimony know that isnt true at all.

You just said you don't watch movies and TV shows that have gays in them.. even if its never mentioned in the movie that they're gay. I guess you aren't a homophobe.. I guess the correct term is bigot.

Jojo.. 99% of the books you listed that contain witchcraft comments are from the old testament. The old testament also says if you rape a married woman in public and no one hears her scream, you both get stoned.. but if you rape a virgin.. you have to pay the father 50 coins.

Seriously. All I can think of to say is grow up. The only way witchcraft can exist is that some guy is running around saying he's a witch and catching things on fire with matches.. or sacrificing animals on altars.

 

[TaemJ]

I don't see too much wrong with a Christian seeing the movies. Just teach your children that magic is not real or something that they should look up apart from the series.

Right, but unfortunately, magic is real. And much of Harry Potter is taken from a real book on witchcraft. And many of the concepts are Satanic.

I stopped right there. LINK ME TO A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF SOMEONE DOING REAL MAGIC. And don't link me to special effects or magic tricks.

We're on the internet. If magic was real, I could google videos of it.

Unless of course magic is just the act of being an idiotic teenager who kills animals and puts 666 on his arms and listens to slipknot.

And seriously.. Harry Potter is 90% candy and making things sparkle and float.. 10% fighting evil.

 

[jasoncran]

jason
you call me a homophobe if you wish, been called that in uniform(army) and will wear it proudly, but those who know my testimony know that isnt true at all.

You just said you don't watch movies and TV shows that have gays in them.. even if its never mentioned in the movie that they're gay. I guess you aren't a homophobe.. I guess the correct term is bigot.

Jojo.. 99% of the books you listed that contain witchcraft comments are from the old testament. The old testament also says if you rape a married woman in public and no one hears her scream, you both get stoned.. but if you rape a virgin.. you have to pay the father 50 coins.

Seriously. All I can think of to say is grow up. The only way witchcraft can exist is that some guy is running around saying he's a witch and catching things on fire with matches.. or sacrificing animals on altars.

i'm no bigot buddy, one can hate the sin, not the sinner, ever loved a man, and had sex with a man, i have and did. i was bisexual. i dont want to support the glorification of that sin, and i also will add that most shows today are so hedonistic that i feel the need to cut the tv off, so i dont watch tv, my choice. kindly educate yourself about some here that were in a sin, and want nothing to do with that sin, and wont enable others to do it.(ie handshake and its ok to be a lbgt. i wont "bless" them or any sin like that.)

 

[Nick]

cause calling someone a bigot is really a loving Christian thing to do and be a great wittness. :gah