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NO
WISDOM OR DISCERNMENT
Subject: Re: Newsletter 30 _Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001
From: Fran
Well, hey
if that's the case, how about no more Discernment? How about no
more Wisdom from Above? How about no more Understanding of the
Holy? How about no more Knowledge of the Truth? How about no more
Insight into the Realm of the spirit?!! So what, do you just take
a marker and blot out the Holy Scriptures of the LORD that speak
on witchcraft, demonism and possession? Do you just blot out what
the Holy Spirit reveals in His Word about exactly why Hell was
created? Namely for satan, the rebellious angels who followed
him and all other CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE! It's amazing. Folks
will just nod and smile and say, "Oh its just a fairy tale!" And
then you want to justify rebellion against Christ and TWISTING
THE SCRIPTURES by saying that "oh well Paul used Zeus, so we can
use Harry Potter!" And then on top of it you attack the vessel
of the LORD in Pastor Hagee, who is simply WARNING America of
the insidious nature of THE DEVIL and his tactics that can indeed
cause souls to turn forever against G-D and wind up burning in
the ETERNAL LAKE OF FIRE. Sure some movies and books and stories
and music can provide inklings of spiritual truth and understanding,
but IF you BELIEVE JESUS, then you know what? Somewhere along
the Way, you will be accountable to draw the line on the side
of HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, and not the world's wisdom or the world's
self justification or penchant for SIN !! So it's all "fairy tale"
right? Okay so then go ahead and let your children learn PRAYER
through INCANTATION through DEMONIC SPIRITUAL FORCES so that they
become immersed and under the dominion of DEMONIC STRONGHOLDS
and WICKEDNESS! And then once they have learned this and incorporated
it all into their spirits and souls and minds and bodies, tapping
into unseen forces for which you will have NO CONTROL OVER, since
you have NO FAITH in the WORD OF THE LORD WHO TELLS YOU TO SHUN
ALL EVIL AND BE HOLY AS HE IS HOLY, then you can go back and REALLY
READ THE BIBLE and LEARN just what the LORD CHRIST has to say
about how HE WILL JUDGE all of these things in FIRE. But of course
then it will TOO LATE for ALL who allowed themselves to be DECEIVED
and BOUND, but you will never be able to stand before the LORD
Jesus Christ and say, "I was never told! I never knew!" Oh no!
You will never be able to say you were never told. Who knows maybe
even tonight someone who's thinking on these things will follow
that little nudge in their spirit and actually pick up their Bible
and read in Gospels how Jesus cast out demons and even legions
of demons and unholy spiritual forces from within human beings,
and maybe, just maybe they'll realize, "Wow, if Jesus had to do
that, then maybe those things are really real!" Yeah, wow! Maybe
someone will really get it, that that's just why He had to die
and shed His Holy Blood on the Cross... 'cause of SIN on the earth,
and the real Adversary who hates Man (and our children) and wants
to see them destroyed with him in the Fire forever. Maybe someone
will decide they don't want to be thiefed out of their inheritance
in Christ! "The thief does not come except to steal and to kill
and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that
they may have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
In Christ in Prayer and Praise,
Fran
Response;
Thank you Fran for sharing. Needless to say I am squarely with
the Apostle Paul in this matter. I simply do not make the same
connections that you make. In fact, it seems to be you are judging
me. Oh well, I am glad that you are at least a follower of Jesus.
-David
TOLKIEN
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Paul Walton
In your latest
newsletter, you say, ".Although Tolkien himself may not have been
a Christian, there are Christian values that are still presented
to readers in his story. " Tolkien WAS a Christian! He and CS
Lewis were good friends, and part of the 'Inklings' literary group
in Oxford.
Paul Walton
Response:
You are so very right. Tolkien was a Christian. Thanks. -David
CAN
ENCOURAGE KIDS INTO WITCHCRAFT
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: tim
God takes
bad stuff (inc. satan) all the time and uses it for something
good / constructive. Harry Potter CAN encourage young people into
witchcraft etc. I know of 3 teenage girls into it already (one
cast a spell on her hampster and healed it). However, we need
to be balanced. Shunning the film will do no good... a less extreme
approach is needed. We need to educate young people that watching
the film can turn one person onto witchcraft, or be a source of
harmless entertainment to another person. (personally, i think
the film looks naff, give me "the matrix" anyday!). I agree with
Jen. As a youthworker this film can be a valuable tool for teaching
young people kingdom values etc. However, in the wrong hands it
can be used to stir up an unhealthy interest in the occult. "Im
right, im right! right?"
- chandler bing (hehe)
Posted by rubberbullets
HARRY
POTTER IS SPIRITUALLY DESTRUCTIVE
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: Bethany Renfrow
Mr. Bruce,
I appreciate a platform from which I may express my thoughts.
I do believe that Harry Potter is dangerous, but I am not afraid.
The reason I would not go see the movie or read the books (I have
read summaries of the books) is because I believe that these things
are spiritually destructive. As a Christian, I strive to live
according to the guidelines set forth in the Bible. I have not
read passages in the bible where it said that practicing witchcraft
was ok. The Harry Potter series would lead someone to believe
that Witchcraft, sorcery, the occult, are all ok. (I
am curious. Do you think the same about Cinderella and Peter Pan?
If not, why not? -David) However, I have read passages
in the Bible that strongly condemned those practices (Deut. 18:10-12
& Revelation 9:20-21. There are no good witches! That is a deception.
My goal in
my response to this Harry Potter phenomena is not to alienate
anyone. I simply want to put forward God's truth.it is powerful
enough to do the rest. I have every intention on presenting God's
truth with love and compassion, not in the manner of a so-called
witch hunt. (Good for you -David)
To me, Harry
Potter is so clearly against God's word that I find it hard to
actually use it for the Glory of God. I am excited for the opportunity
to speak God's truth concerning the occult. I have encountered
many different people and have been able to converse with them
concerning spiritual matters because of Harry Potter. (Great,
wonderful. Go girl go)
I must respond
to an e-mail you received in which the author emphasized the fact
that we are dealing with fiction. I would assume by that statement
that the author really is ignorant of the occult. The research
I have down concerning J.K. Rowling reveals that she has done
her research. Many aspects of the occult and witchcraft portrayed
in the books are based upon real practices of the occult. Children,
or adults, are deceived to think that the occult practices in
the Harry Potter books are fictitious. Those practices are based
upon real practices by real "Witches" and real pagans.
(Riding brooms, for example?)
Please let
me reiterate that I am not afraid nor am I screaming at every
child I see with a Harry Potter book. (Good!
-David) As a Christian I cannot simply be defensive in
this matter, I must also be offensive. I will not simply remove
myself from all things Harry Potter. I will take every opportunity
to speak God's truth concerning this matter and I will do it,
with God's help, in a way that is honoring to God. If my motives
were to simply prove people wrong I might use the screaming tactic.
Because my motives are to see people living in as much freedom
as possible and in a relationship with Jesus Christ I will converse
with love and respect with everyone I encounter.
Sincerely,
Bethany Renfrow
Response:
I appreciate the manner in which you disagree with me. You seem
to be a kind and considerate woman. Thank you. -David
IT
IS WRITTEN
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001
From: joseph
I don't quite
know who you are or how I got on your mailing list and I would
generally just cancel out of your e-mail but I'm trying to be
loving towards a fellow Christian. I don't know if you receive
any opposing points of view as loving, but I guess I'll try. On
Harry Potter " the positive values".........the bait on the end
of a fishhook is edible and good but NOT REALLY. The devil comes
as an angel of light or so IT IS WRITTEN in 2:Cor.11:14. IT IS
WRITTEN is good enough for me, Jesus used it as a weapon against
evil in Matt.4: 4-6. IT IS WRITTEN is a guide throughout scripture,
God even wrote it down for Moses. The Word is to be received not
as restrictions or rules but as a relationship......The Word is
a Person. Jn.1:1. See Ps 40:7,8 This Word or book is written of
the Lord and to do God's will he had to have the law in his heart.
The people of the Word may seem narrow and restricting but are
they really. It is the rebellious people who want to "add" to
the word.........LIKE the devil, Eve etc. IT IS WRITTEN in Matt.
7:14 " narrow is the way that leadeth to life". If as in Gal.5:9
" a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump", what good would a
little truth be in a whole lot of leaven? {Re. Jen's "positive
value"]. Yes, God speaks through ordinary people but it always
must line up with IT IS WRITTEN.
Response:
I agree with you about the power of the Word of God. And I believe
Harry Potter can be used positively. Thank you for the gracious
way you write you disagreement. I appreciate that. -David
HARRY
POTTER
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Janis
The only
thing I dislike about Harry Potter is the books have language
in them. Do you know if the movie has any language in it?
Thank you,
Janis
Response:
Does it matter? The language in the book is mild to say the least.
I hear far worse from High School students. Just a note: Both
Mark and Paul used interesting language in the Bible that is not
carried forward in translation. -David
ABOUT
HARRY POTTER...
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: HEVPLACES
I thought
that you had better discernment than to think that Harry Potter
could be harmless, fictitious, and in line with the teachings
of Jesus. What??????? Does not the Word of God call witchcraft
an abomination? Is not witchcraft and it's followers becoming
more common and accepted in our society? How could it be harmless
for anyone, especially little children to be brainwashed by their
agenda? The story may be fictitious, but the things they promote,
teach, and portray are very real! This movie, like the books,
take advantage of the innate nature within us for the supernatural
that can only be fulfilled in the power of the Holy Ghost, and
gets kids blinded by the powers of the occult which leads to demonic
oppression and possibly possession. I know, some people think
this is nonsense to believe these things, but if you read your
Bible, there is a lot of evidence to support what I am saying,
and for that matter if you read the paper or watch the news, it
looks like this is quite true! As far as the teachings of the
movie being in line with Jesus, which Jesus are you referring
to? Surely not the Christ, the Son of God, who in his own words
declared that he came to do the will of the Father, the same one
who called witchcraft an abomination. That same Jesus cast out
demons (that you probably don't think exist). The Bible warns
us in 1 Timothy that in the last days men would give heed to seducing
spirits and doctrines of devils, you my friend, are a living example
I presume. Whatever happened to discernment? Doesn't anybody read
their Bible anymore? If they did, it's not a question of whether
or not their kids should see this garbage, it's a question of
how can we let anyone from 2 to 102 see this deceptive fairy tale?
I feel so strongly about this that I am hereby canceling my subscription
to your newsletter. I pray that nobody agrees with your nonsense
about this movie and that it bombs at the box office.
JUST
LIKE STAR WARS, PETER PAN, AND CS LEWIS
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: CC
I view Harry
Potter, the way I viewed "Star Wars" when it first came out and
all its subsequent movies....a work of science fiction...a fairy
tale. Like C. S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" or Disney's
Peter Pan. Just because I enjoyed "Star Wars" it doesn't mean
I'll start worshipping R2-D2 or Princess Leia....incidentally,
I was only 8 years old when I first saw "Star Wars" and I'm still
very much a faithful Christian who is very much active in her
church.
Hollywood Jesus, you rock!
C.C.
Remarks:
I totally agree with you. Right on! -David
BANNING?
HARRY...
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
The way I
look at it is this: You Ban Harry Potter...you have to ban all
movies and cartoons with witches and ghosts...like "The Wizard
of Oz"..."Bedknobs and Broomsticks" Most of the Disney Classic
re-tellings of fairy tales...including Snow White and The Seven
Dwarves...and or "Cinderella"... This is virtually impossible
since we have all grown up with such "dangerous materials" and
we're not all serial killers.
Okay, sorry
for the sarcasm, but making a witch hunt out of Harry Potter is
scapegoating and unfair. I agree with Hollywood Jesus....take
the positive and remember....its just a movie....DO NOT GIVE IT
MORE POWER THAN IT REALLY DESERVES! Incidentally, Tolkien, the
writer of the upcoming "Lord of The Rings" and the Hobbit Trilogy...was
actually a great friend and colleague of C.S. Lewis (the great
Christian writer) and it is rumored that he was a devout Christian.
C. C.
Remarks:
Yes, except a Fundamentalist attack on Lord of the Ring. It is
just amazing to me. I totally expect an anti-Disney attack on
any future 'Cinderella" movies as well. It is just insane.
It is a witch hunt. -David
BALANCE
AND TACT
Subject: Harry Potter Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Pastor Brendon"
After reading
several of the emails you received I felt it was important just
to mention a couple of things. I feel badly for the parent who
wrote about their child being the victim of "scare tactics" unfortunatly
there are many Christians who don't seem to understand the words
"balance" and "tact". While I believe there's no need to be yelling
in the streets the evil of Harry Potter, I also believe we need
to be aware that any supernatural power that doesn't come from
the Lord is not to be promoted. If I remember right, Moses did
some pretty "cool" stuff in Egypt! Yet his power came from God!
Again, I don't believe chasing down Harry Potter T-shirt wearing
kids,and telling them they're going to hell is a good thing. I
do believe when asked by our children, we should make it clear
that it's the Lord we need to rely on for our strength!
Response:
Thanks -David
LOVE
THE BOOK
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Tracee Steen
Thanks for
your article. The only reason I felt slightly bad about reading
a Harry Potter book was because I'm 31 years old and I ENJOYED
it sooo much! I know that the books are written for children,
but I seriously found it to be a very interesting and creative
read. I agree that all truth is God's truth. As adults we are
able to take what life hands us (stories, movies, the arts, books,
etc.) and filter it through a grid that we have developed as we
have learned about God's truth from His people, His Word, and
His church. Once the truth has been filtered through that grid,
we make a judgement for ourselves and for our young children,
as to whether or not we allow them to experience that particular
truth. That's how I look at Harry Potter, and Amercian
Beauty, and the naked statue of David.
Sincerely,
Tracee Steen,
Vernon, B.C.
 Response:
I so agree with you. It is very sad that the Evangelical community
can no longer create great art such as the statue of David or
the Sistine Chapel (please note the full frontal male nudity in
the art). All we can produce is Thomas Kinkade isolationist art.
Our moral codes have become greater than the grace that saves
us. I am waiting for the post-modern church to emerge where image
is viewed in a new and redeeming light. May the Holy Spirit move
in a powerful and mighty way to liberate the Church from the modern
era.-David
HYSTERIA
OVER WHAT?
Subject: Satanic_Hysteria_Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Don Dawson"
I caught
the end of A&E's Biography last night, and the subject for the
night was Satan. It's interesting to note that the authors of
the show claim that for about 250 years no one even paid attention
to a person called Satan -- it was enough to consider evil as
an idea without personalizing it. Not until the atomic age with
its major cultural shifts did that change. Now we have all of
the apocalyptic types out there claiming that there's a devil
under every rock. I think the most profound piece or recent literature
about the subject is the song "Garden of Allah" by Don Henley.
He was inspired by a book I can't recall, but the message of the
song has "The Devil" coming around to try and stir up some trouble,
but instead he finds that humanity is doing enough already and
he's out of a job. If we truly keep our focus on Christ, "running
for the prize," then these outside distractions are meaningless.
If, however, we constantly get turned aside by them, we have lost
our direction. Nietzsche once said "He who fights with monsters
should see to it that he does not become a monster. When you gaze
long into the Abyss the Abyss also gazes into you." Profound words
to ponder, indeed.
Response:
Ohh! I really like your thoughts. Wow! -David
HARRY
POTTER, LORD OF THE RINGS SATANIC
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Pastor Bob
Dear David,
I appreciate your web site and for someone who's been interested
in media I'm thankful for you comments and critiques. But I would
like to suggest that you do not react as well. I read comments
from articles and letters posted on your sight that tend to label
and categorize more conservative Christians in a negative light.
Isn't this the same type of tactic your supporters accuse your
critics of using. If this is truly a forum for open discussion
lets not belittle those who have contrary opinions. (Yes
you are right. Curtousy is a good thing. But I speak my mind just
as you do. -David)
Concerning
the Harry Potter issue I'd like to make a few comments and ask
a few questions. I was deeply involved in the counter culture
in the sixties. I dabbled in witchcraft and similar types of occult
phenomena. I was pulled in by the mystery, beauty and popular
promotions of these things on a curiosity level at first. Later
I discovered the reality of the demonic and turned to Christ.
Had I not been led to Him by Christians who opened my eyes to
deception I might still be snared. I believe that many youth are
very impressionable and can be influenced by the messages that
are conveyed by these excellently produced and crafted movies
(Harry Potter, LOTR).
Paul says
to reprove the works of darkness. Under
his ministry in Ephesus witch craft articles were burned. (You
are suggesting that Paul would burn Harry Potter and Lord of the
Rings. Hmm, I so disagree with your direction -David) Was
this not a renunciation of the occult that was radical? I have
personally been saddened by the Mike Warnke types but that still
does not mean that there are not issues here. That's why I'm concerned
when people write expressing what, in my opinion appears to be
a belittling attitude towards fellow Christians with a different
view. It's like "don't have concerns here, you're just narrow
minded. You're uninformed and anti- art, media and movies". (There
is real evil out there, but Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings
is not it. My point with Mike Warnke and the baby sacrificing
hysteria of the 80s is that the certain Christians create a false
world of Satanism that just does not exist. They lie and promote
hysteria. This is wrong and sinful -and can I say satanic. Remember
the Devil is the father of the lie. Can you understand that. Real
evil is obvious -David).
So I have
a few questions for you. When David says he will set no wicked
thing before his eyes does this not suggest that watching or giving
agreement to portrayals of things that are clearly forbidden in
scripture is a violations of this heart felt commitment. (This
has to do with not placing a false god in front of his eyes -following
false gods. In Hebrews 12:1-2 Paul admonishes us to keep our focus
on Jesus, and yet in Acts 17:16 Paul carefully viewed the idols
in the Athens. Point: As a Follower of Jesus we do not become
isolationists that do not view culture, rather we see culture
through Jesus googles -David).
How can we
indorse movies that portray wizards in a positive light when the
Bible forbids wizardry? (Reviews are not endorsements
-David) I've interviewed a woman who's husband committed
suicide through the partial influence of Dungeons and Dragons.
The originators of D and D say that they created the game through
the influence of Tolkien's literature. (Oh
good grief, what are you doing here. Your experience is so untypical.
I met a man who claimed to have became suicidal after reading
read the book of Leviticus, should I use your logic to dismiss
the Bible? -David) Should we not warn people about these
things? I personally agree with you concerning the way Christians
can get on campaigns that are uninformed (i.e., y2k error and
blaming God for the world trade center bombings) but I believe
that there are some real issues with Harry Potter and LOTR which
need to be exposed. (Oh well, go for it. To
me you are spinning your wheels) I greatly appreciate Don
Richardson insights and I believe that much of non-Christian literature
has elements that can be quoted to open people's understanding
to God's word. But the Apostle Paul did not endorse pagan religion
(he was not an iconoclast either). Yes he quoted Greek philosophers
but did not buy into there worldview when it disagreed with the
scriptures. Hollywood contains great story tellers and I believe
we can learn much from there approach to this craft but to take
up their message I believe is dangerous (Why
do you seem to catergorize all Hollywood screenwriters as dangerous
here. There are some wonderful people in Hollywood who are truly
making a difference -David).
Sincerely,
Bob
Response:
For the record, I highly recommend LOTR. -David
HARRY
MAY NOT BE A BED OF ROSES, BUT...
Subject: Newsletter_30_
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Brian
David Bruce,
First, thank you for the corrections and apology from the previous
newsletter. Second, I may be taking a very middle-of-the-road
position, some might even say "riding the fence," but this debate
has developed two distinct sides and I believe there is more to
it than a black or white, it's either good or bad, issue.
There are
occult experts (not the Hagee's, et.al., but actual experts in
occultism) who have made repeated notation of references to the
presence of witchcraft and occultism and they shouldn't be completely
ignored or trashed in some sort of reverse witch hunt.
(What occult experts? Can you site some literature and research?)
Their opinions are valid and they are trying to give godly information
for concerned parents. (Again, who? I would
be very cautious about "Christian" experts selling books
on the occult. It has been my experience that popular "experts"
like David Hunt, Bob Larson, David Wilkerson, Hal Lindsey and
Mike Warnke have turned out to be alarmist with less than credible
foundation. So again, who are you referring to? -David).
Not being an expert, I take what they (?)
say and checked it out myself, read all (all?)
the books and researched the terms and references. As far as I
can see, there are several direct references to occult practices
in the books (and most likely will be in the movie), but they
are only references.
However, witchcraft
is not taught in these books; it's not explained. And unless you
know what to look for you'll probably miss all cultic references.
I will not go so far as to say kids wont become interested in
the occult because of reading these books; I'm sure there will
be some that do, but I'm also sure that those same kids would
become interested in witchcraft or the occult by reading the Chronicles
of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings. (Are you
masking a CS Lewis and LOTR bashing with carefully selected words
here? Are you using the term "kids" to add a sense of
danger to the works of CS Lewis and LOTR? Using words like "kids"
and "children" can be manipulative. I am not sure of
what you are really saying here. Can you be a little more clear?
-David)
It comes down
to this. If you are a parent, you will have to check out for yourself
what is in the book/movie before you let your kids read/see it.
(Good idea. -David) You know your child
best and you know how you want him/her raised. You may discover
that your 7-year-old shouldn't see the movie, not because of the
witchcraft, but because of the scary troll; you may find out that
your 10-year-old shouldn't read the book because it is very violent.
You may realize your curious 12-year-old will probably seek further
explanation of witchcraft. You may even find a good story with
time-honored principles easily backed by the Word of God. You
may discover that parenting is hard work (true
-David) , but the joys of knowing you did all you could
do to raise them in the admonition of the Lord is...as they say...priceless!
Thanks, Brian
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