Twilight

[Aero_Hudson]

God's Word also says that one is not to practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, turn to those with familiar spirits, seek after spiritists/mediums, or be defiled by them. Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:31.

Good thing I don't do any of that then, huh?

Great! Now give heed not to promote worldly devices that condone such practices whether in a fictional setting or not.

And make sure to think and promote those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praise; and the God of peace will be with you.

Check. Check. Looks like I am good. Last I checked, watching a movie and having appreciation for God providing someone with the talent to create moving stories and images does not equate with condoning evil practices. God gave us the ability to discern our environment and understand what is truly damaging and what is not. We should use this God given ability before we start labeling things evil that we might actually be able to get closer to God with if we try.

Just my additional 2 cents.

 

[Solo]

God's Word also says that one is not to practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, turn to those with familiar spirits, seek after spiritists/mediums, or be defiled by them. Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:31.

Good thing I don't do any of that then, huh?

Great! Now give heed not to promote worldly devices that condone such practices whether in a fictional setting or not.

And make sure to think and promote those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praise; and the God of peace will be with you.

Check. Check. Looks like I am good. Last I checked, watching a movie and having appreciation for God providing someone with the talent to create moving stories and images does not equate with condoning evil practices. God gave us the ability to discern our environment and understand what is truly damaging and what is not. We should use this God given ability before we start labeling things evil that we might actually be able to get closer to God with if we try.

Just my additional 2 cents.

Movies that condone evil practices that are designated as evil in God's Word are not of God. Those who are devoted to God Almighty recognize the dangers, especially to the youth of society.

Is Harry Potter Harmless? Let us see what a non-profit Christian Research Team that creates Christian movies tells us.

• Is “Harry Potter†Harmless?
  
  The reading phenomenon known as “Harry Potter†is sweeping the globe, and it truly has an international presence as readers in 200 nations, in over 40 languages, indulge in this series. A U.S. consumer research survey reports that "over half of all children between the ages of 6 and 17 have read at least one Harry Potter book". With the financial backing of Warner Brothers, Mattel, Coca Cola, and Scholastic, Inc., Potter is sure to be a force to reckon with for years to come. Public school educators and many parents in America are thrilled with a series that has captured the imagination of children like no other in history, prompting a revived interest in reading. Reading is a good thing, but not all is as innocent as Potter fans would have others believe.
  
  This series of books by British author J.K. Rowling focuses on the plights of young Harry, who is selected to attend the prestigious 1000-year-old Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry himself is an orphan, his parents (practitioners of “white magicâ€) murdered by the evil Lord Voldemort (a master of the “Dark Arts†[1]). But "when Lord Voldemort, the most powerful Dark Wizard for a century turned the curse that had killed so many witches and wizards on Harry Potter, it rebounded upon Voldemort, ripping him from his body, and his powers gone, barely alive, he fled." [2]
  
  Young Harry is given a strange marking on his forehead. "Through the sacrificial goddess magic of his mother's love, baby Harry is saved and his blood is given magical powers. Unable to kill Harry, in revenge, Voldemort sears a death curse of a lightning bolt on Harry's forehead." [3] (Some have criticized the imagery behind the lightning bolt itself [4].) Rowling, a graduate of Exeter University in England, is very familiar with occultic practices, using elements and philosophies behind "pagan religions, celtic religions, the religions of the druids, witchcraft, [and] satanism." [5]
  
  Little is said during the time Harry's parents are killed until he is around 10 years old. At the age of 11, Harry travels to Hogwarts, where he and and other students are taught by the faculty, all accomplished wizards and witches, how to properly use magic tools, spells and rituals.
  
  One such tool is a tail feather from the powerful, mythical Phoenix bird. The school Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, owns such a bird, a symbol of resurrection. Both Harry and Lord Voldemort uses the tail feather in their wand, perhaps symbolizing, as some critics say, that the source of their powers come from the same place, even though Potter and Voldemort are enemies, one using “white†magic and one “dark artsâ€. The wand is only one of many magical items used and studied.
  
  A Fantasy World
  
  Children are understandably fascinated with the kind of power that Harry and others in his world possess. Author JK Rowling says,
  
  [list:12jkmx2v]"The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me." [6]

Certainly power is appealing, especially “white†witchcraft like this that is made to look so innocent.

Even some Christians leaders agree that it's “just fantasy†and generally acceptable for the Christian reader, including Chuck Colson of Breakpoint, the editors of World Magazine, and Connie Neal (author of What's A Christian To Do With Harry Potter?) [7] However, occult experts, Marcia Montenegro of Christian Answers for the New Age [8] and Caryl Matrisciana, author of Gods of the New Age [9], disagree with their Christian peers. Both have personal experience in the occult before becoming Christians

As one example among many, Caryl points to a chapter in the fourth book entitled "Flesh, Blood and Bone".

• "Harry is magically transported with his friend Cedric to a dark, scary graveyard. There, Harry is tied to the headstone of Lord Voldemort's father's tomb by Voldemort's slave, Wormtail—a shapeshifter who takes the form of a rat. A slithering snake, synonymous with the presence of Voldemort, circles around Harry. Following an order to kill from a voice of unknown origin, the slave utters a death curse. In shock, Harry witnesses the murder of his friend Cedric." [10]

Perhaps all of this sounds a bit scary, but nothing to be concerned about. Potter fans say that this world is just make believe and has no bearing on the real world. While a few Christians don't even like to read or see classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Lord of the Rings, or Chronicles of Narnia due to the mere presence of evil, most Christians recognize the good vs. evil element as being clearly delineated. Evil is evil, and good is good, and good is promoted while evil is not.

But in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The “good†guys practice “white magicâ€, while the bad guys practice the “Dark Artsâ€. Readers become fascinated with the magic used (explained in remarkable detail). Yet God is clear in Scripture that any practice of magic is an “abomination†to him. God doesn't distinguish between “white†and “dark†magic since they both originate from the same source.

• "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, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you."
  Deuteronomy 18:10-14

Furthermore, if one were to use the reasoning that such objectionable material can be included in fantasy literature, then "that line of reasoning would tell you that you could include in fantasy any violence, pornography, whatever you wanted, and still defend those books by that very same statement." [11]

The problem is, witchcraft is not fantasy; it is a sinful reality in our world.

• "J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has gone through an awful lot of research. She is very accurate (otherwise we would have witches all over the country and the world saying 'this is not a true representation of our religion'.) This is a true representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic. And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children's literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and extremely provocative reading. and it just opens up children to want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful." [12]

Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged studies elements of Rowlings's imagery and writings, including the use of the “Potter†name in Pagan religion [13], shapechanging [14], meditation [15], human sacrifice [16], feminine power, Wicca (the religion of witchcraft) [17], the tools, spells and curses used in witchcraft [18], Christian youth and their involvement [19], communicating with the spirit world, reincarnation, situational ethics in witchcraft, the lightning bolt as a power symbol, broomsticks and witches' hats as phallic symbols, dabbling in divination and sorcery, recruitment, teaching children dark arts, Scholastic Inc.'s involvement, and more.

We can be sure that this video by Jeremiah Films, while probably the first of its kind to deal with Harry Potter from a biblical cautionary perspective, will not be the last. The Christian Booksellers Association's 13,000 member annual meeting in 2000 had a noticeable lack of anything Potter.

• "Clara Sessoms, who manages Living Water Christian Books in Marion, Ind. [says] 'I don't think people fully realize what they're dealing with, and I think anyone who knows anything about spiritual warfare knows those books can open the door to spiritual bondage.' 'And I think it's worse that children are the target,' said Jessica Ruemler, a buyer for Living Water. 'It opens the doors for young minds. You put sorcery in, what do you expect to get out?'" [20]

Many concerned parents agree. According to the American Library Association, the best-selling Harry Potter series has topped the list of the nation's most frequently challenged books for two years in a row. Complaints rose 37 percent in the past year. [21] Author John Andrew Murray believes that…

• "With the growing popularity of youth-oriented TV shows on witchcraft—'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch;' 'Charmed;' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'—a generation of children is becoming desensitized to the occult. But with Hollywood's help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially reaping some grave spiritual consequences." [22]

Potter has caused quite a stir in many nations, with several Australian Christian schools supporting a banning of the books. "Dr. Chas. Gullo of the Christian Outreach College, a private school in Queensland state, said he read one chapter from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and was exposed to four murders. 'It was pretty gory,' Gullo said in Brisbane's Courier-Mail newspaper." [23] Rev. Robert Frisken of Christian Community Schools Ltd in Australia says: "The ordinary person is typified as being bad because they have no (magic) powers, and heroes are the people who are using the occult. Good finds itself in the occult, which is an inversion of morality for many Christian people" [24] Even many non-Christian parents have been concerned due to the greatly heightened fear that their younger children have after reading Potter's books. [25]

While some practicing Wiccans flatly deny any link between Potter's world and theirs [26], the evidence is undeniably clear that Potter promotes an interest in magic and the occult. Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God's Word, the Bible.

Author Richard Abanes has written a book called Harry Potter and the Bible. He says that the movie and books not only teach anti-Christian lessons on the occult, but also moral relativism, and desensitize children to profanity and off-color humor.

So, what is a Christian to do? Ask, seek, and knock. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your family in taking a biblical worldview of morality, seeking to please God (and not conform to man). Seek out what the Bible says about the occult (be sure to read our other articles) and how Christians are to react to it. And knock on the doors of your friends who may also be unsure what to do with Harry Potter. We highly recommend obtaining a copy of Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged to share with your family, your church, and others.

Retrieved from http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html[/list:u:12jkmx2v]

 

[Aero_Hudson]

God's Word also says that one is not to practice divination or sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, turn to those with familiar spirits, seek after spiritists/mediums, or be defiled by them. Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:31.

Good thing I don't do any of that then, huh?

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html[/url][/list:u:14hj5zil][/quote:14hj5zil]

Glad to see you chose a 100% objective source. ;)

We will have to agree to disagree. What is evil or ungodly is not as clear cut as you want to make it Solo. If this were the case, one could make an arguement that any piece of fiction is unGodly and evil and should not be consumed.

 

[Solo]

We will have to agree to disagree.

You are correct. There is no unity between us.

 

[Aero_Hudson]

We will have to agree to disagree.

You are correct. There is no unity between us.

I wouldn't go that far. We disagree on this issue.

 

[seeking_angels1]

okay I am a twilight fan. I think the movies and book series are excellent some people may disagree, but i know tons of people who are fans. so the person who posted the first review on here, i think did go a bit over board.

 

[Feldew]

Harry Potter is fantasy entertainment. Harry Potter at least has lessons like the importance of love and friendship and stuff like that.

Twilight is about...cheap 'romance'. With vampires.

Vampire stalkers. I wonder how many teenage girls are perfectly alright with that creepy guy next door staring into their window at night now because Edward Cullen did it. Dx

 

[izzy]

Harry Potter is fantasy entertainment. Harry Potter at least has lessons like the importance of love and friendship and stuff like that.

Twilight is about...cheap 'romance'. With vampires.

I would have to agree. Harry Potter had a few problems with some dark and possibly morally ambiguous things, but it generally had good moral lessons and Harry Potter only conquered because of the support of his friends and the love of his parents, not because of some innate superhuman ability.

My opinion on Twilight, however, is that it has nothing good to offer. Bella is a self-obsessed, brooding, sulky girl who lies to her parents, manipulates people, and centers her purpose in life around some vampire (Yes, I did read two of the books). Plus, it turns out she has a special, superhuman power even before she becomes a vampire in the end. We've already had enough of Nietzsche's übermensch, if you ask me. The Bible, in contrast, is full of stories of normal people overcoming evil through God's help, and often having to sacrifice what they craved most in order to do what is right. That's the foundation of a every good story, but it is not the foundation of Twilight.

I do, however, realize that a lot of people do not see Twilight this way and I'm not going to push them to change to the point that they refuse to talk to me at all. This is not an essential to salvation, so I think those of us against Twilight should allow some liberty, while still raising our concerns in a loving manner.

 

[NJBeliever]

Harry Potter is pure witchcraft indoctrination. not to mention it is strewn with references to the antichrist.

Twilight is also occultic. And sadly, many Christians are getting into it. They are even starting christian vampire novels. Ugh....

 

[izzy]

Harry Potter is pure witchcraft indoctrination. not to mention it is strewn with references to the antichrist.

Twilight is also occultic. And sadly, many Christians are getting into it. They are even starting christian vampire novels. Ugh....

Are you serious? They are writing Christian vampire novels? While I can think of a few ways one could write a book with vampires in it and explore Christian themes, vampirism would have to remain a curse instead of being the pill for everlasting love that Twilight makes it. I would hope that any Christian fantasy concerning vampires would try to correct the twisted picture that Twilight gives.

It's been a while since I read Harry Potter, but I never saw any mentions of the Antichrist. Could you clarify where it does this in the books?

 

[makingwisethesimple]

Anne Rice who was pretty much the mother of vampire novels rediscovered her Catholic faith a while back. Subsequently she has written a trilogy of fictional books of Jesus' life - excellent read. She's also exploring the idea of writing Christian vampire novels.

 

[NinaMMitchell]

I didn't read the entire post, b/c it was just too long, but what I did read, I have to disagree. It's not that bad of a story. I just want to point out, not that it really matters, that the main characters (the Cullens) in the story do not drink human blood, they feed on animals, because they don't want to kill people. And also, Edward and Bella do not have sex until they are married, because Edward, the vampire, had a religious conviction. I think it's just a story.

 

[Cheyenne K]

I think the article may have been making more of than what was really there. However I don’t believe that Twilight is necessarily a good book by any means. What bothered me most was how it was being placed as ideal readings in various Church groups. It’s not even an ideal read, let alone for any religious groups.
As far as religion goes, Edward constantly says how he believes he is soulless, a monster, damned, etc. and yet he makes no effort to do anything about it. It would be the equivalent of someone saying, “Well, I’ve already sinned and I’m always going to be a sinner, so let’s do it some more.†I have thought this in my past, and do not like the idea whatsoever. Also how Carlisle “saves†the others from death by turning them into vampires. Yeah, okay.
Then come other issues. It is a book that portrays what may as well be two obsessive stalkers drooling over each other’s beauty, with one of them being thoroughly abusive and controlling. Edward seems to feel he needs to control every aspect of Bella’s life to “protect†her. If he really loved her, he would at least let her do certain things of her own volition. In the book, he does anything but. On the subject of her protection, he repeatedly tells her he could kill her, is bad for her, dangerous, etc. Yet, he watches her, outside her window while she sleeps. If he really believed he was such a danger, he would not do this and put her in danger - never mind how creepy and thoroughly immoral it is.
Then is Bella. Bella is far too dependant and says a message to the female gender about their own independence, which is not a positive one. When Edward leaves, she goes practically insane and even jumps off a cliff to hear his voice. Hmmm…Schizophrenic? Extreme? Too dependant? Why no, according to Mrs. Meyer, this is “true love.†Throughout the series, she proves herself to be extremely shallow as well. She has a lot of disregard for any family ties or values and disrespectfully calls her parents by their first names. She also strings along a boy who is later in love with her, knowing she has no intentions of ever being with him. And aside from all her personality faults, I was rather disturbed to find Mrs. Meyer’s cameo as Bella. Give or take twenty pounds, and there you go! One in the same.

If someone would have told me 25 years ago, that one day a popular series of "vampire romance" books would be accepted and promoted by evangelical ministries, I wouldn't have been able to believe it. That's why I was shocked to read this article by Christian documentarian and researcher, Caryl Matrisciana & Paul Villanueva, Click Here which documents the glowing reviews of the occult book series by evangelical publications such as: Campus Life, Focus on the Family, Christianity Today, Christian Teen, and Christian Stay at Home Moms Magazine. All gave glowing testimonials, and some even suggested that the "Twilight" series could become the basis for Bible discussions and studies!

So, yeah, great material for Christian readings and studies. 2