Harry Potter to be or not to be

[Zceiv]

All right was listen to this raideo for Way of the Master, the guy on radio (this was on net) was slamming Harry Potter, saying that christans should not read it cause it has magic in it. Then he just slammed the book left and right making claims about what happens in Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheniox, and yet it was very clear that he had never read the book.

So I though I'd throw this up here and see what other people think on the subject. Do you guys thing that Harry Potter is ok for Christans? I for one don't see the problem in it. While yes there lots of magical elements with in the story line but the magical elements are designed as a prop for the story line more then it is about being the focus of the story. There other books that christans read that while may not be as dark but have almost a magical element to them (chornicals of Narnia, Lord of the rings to name a few.).

The message or what the author is telling has nothing to do with magic but more to do with love and friendship, about Courage, and about good vs evil. The author never intended for any one to read this and go "Hey thats cool think I want to be a witch or Wizard". The author wanted to tell a that delt with with all the things that I have said above but also about what it means to go from being a child to teenager to young adult. It was about the trials and tribulations that all kids go through. In many ways every single one of the books major plot theme sort of reflects the experience children go through growing up.

Now while I don't suggest any one reading it or watching the movies if they don't feel its right for themselves or there children but I do feel that there is no harm in the Harry Potter series. I find it rather disturbing that some christans would attack the novels with out first reading it. This guy isn't the first person to attack Harry Potter, the pop him self attacked the novel claiming it leads children away from god, I can pretty much say that he has never read the novels, so how can a christan slam a book with out ever having read it. There is a line in the new Harry Potter movie (some what spoiler alert) were Voldmort is in Harry Mind and Harry is being attacked and is lossing, then he sees Ron and Hermonie. Then he tells Voldmort that he pittys him for he will never know what love is or friendship. To me this is the very essence of what the books are truely about.

Any way I'd like to hear your thoughts and feelings are on the subject?

I read all of them exept the last one thats comming out. I loved the book it honestly depend on your view in my class people were slamming it and it was mentioned that lord of the rings has magic in it (people claim its a christian novel) all they did was defend it.

But if you have problems with it I wouldnt recommend read any books with magic in it cause that just wouldnt make sense

[Guest LadyC]

But if you have problems with it I wouldnt recommend read any books with magic in it cause that just wouldnt make sense

agreed.

[georgesbluegirl]

I guess my quesion is this: why read them?

I've heard people say why NOT to read them, and I've heard people say why it's OKAY to read them, but I haven't heard anyone say why they would. Just for entertainment? I mean, if there's a chance, no matter how small, it could be destructive to a person's (of any age) spiritual growth or relationship with God, why take that chance? I don't understand.

Because overwhelmingly, the books teach something deeply good.

Of course for me, that was ultimately a secondary motivation. I read them because I received the first one for Christmas years and years ago (my parents heard about it on NPR, actually, so I got it a few years ahead of the craze, and didn't even know there were supposed to be seven books at the time). I was delighted by the amount of fun the books were, mostly, and my delight hasn't ceased as the books have matured. They're well written. As books, LotR rank much much higher - I have great respect for the genius of Tolkien. But I will always love these books - partly because I started reading them when I was about Harry's age in the first book, and while there's a bit of a lag since the books didn't come out one-a-year, I sort of grew up with him.

[Guest LadyC]

it teaches something good.... ok, i'll buy that. however i have to ask. are the "good" values it teaches more important than what scripture teaches? are the "good values" really worth putting our children's spiritual health at risk?

[sweetycakes]

There is nothing 'good' about Harry Potter

[nebula]

i just think we are putting our children at unnecessary risk, spiritually speaking, when we allow them to watch, read, or listen to things that open doors to the occult.

Actually, I'm not arguing that.

I was pointing out how the issue is more complex than one book series.

The Wizard of Oz, classic Disney movies, Halloween, etc. are all avenues that introduce children to the occult.

We can't avoid them, nor can we be guaranteed to keep our kids away from them just because we don't allow them in our homes. Unfortunately, you cannot protect your children inside the public school.

"Just avoid" isn't the surest policy to keep them from being attracted to the occult, you know?

[georgesbluegirl]

Okay, how about this. God also tells us via the Bible not to worship other gods; would you worry about your kids seeing a movie where some of the characters were Hindu? Maybe you would - but if you did, couldn't you have a conversation along the lines of "these are the good things to take away from the story. Remember that this isn't what we believe, we believe..." I think if you're worried about it then you could frame a talk that way. That way your kids aren't cut off from a good story and you have the opportunity to really talk about the faith you claim.

[sweetycakes]

Okay, how about this. God also tells us via the Bible not to worship other gods; would you worry about your kids seeing a movie where some of the characters were Hindu? Maybe you would - but if you did, couldn't you have a conversation along the lines of "these are the good things to take away from the story. Remember that this isn't what we believe, we believe..." I think if you're worried about it then you could frame a talk that way. That way your kids aren't cut off from a good story and you have the opportunity to really talk about the faith you claim.

But why bother with Harry Potter in the first place?

These people....J.K Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, are in it mainly only for one thing......to get rich off YOU.

And they don't care how they do it.....if if promotes witchcraft, or goes against what God says....as long as they make their millions.

Don't buy the books, I say. Consign them to the rubbish bin, where they belong.

Along with all the filthy content they contain.

[chin]

i'm reminded to come out from among them and be ye seperate. it means what it says. jim

[georgesbluegirl]

Okay, how about this. God also tells us via the Bible not to worship other gods; would you worry about your kids seeing a movie where some of the characters were Hindu? Maybe you would - but if you did, couldn't you have a conversation along the lines of "these are the good things to take away from the story. Remember that this isn't what we believe, we believe..." I think if you're worried about it then you could frame a talk that way. That way your kids aren't cut off from a good story and you have the opportunity to really talk about the faith you claim.

But why bother with Harry Potter in the first place?

These people....J.K Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, are in it mainly only for one thing......to get rich off YOU.

And they don't care how they do it.....if if promotes witchcraft, or goes against what God says....as long as they make their millions.

Don't buy the books, I say. Consign them to the rubbish bin, where they belong.

Along with all the filthy content they contain.

Because the premise of my argument is that the books are worth reading and do promote good values. I know their ins and outs well enough to make that statement confidently.