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THEY
WOULD THINK I WAS A HYPOCRITE
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001
From: "John Howard"
I want to
thank you for this website. My name is Esther and I teach at a
Christian Elementary School. I teach with many people who have
extremely conservative views and sometimes I feel that if I open
my mouth and disagree with them concerning certain issues they
think I'm a hypocrite or maybe not even a real Christian. The
truth is is that I am a real Christian and I was raised in a Christian
home and even went to Christian school my whole life, but I was
also raised to think for myself and to not just follow the pack
"blindly" as so many Christians are wont to do. My parents love
books and taught me to love books. We often read the same books
and then had big discussions about them. They were interested
in what I was reading. At the same time they didn't put limits
on what I could read. They just made sure they were aware of what
I was reading. As a result if I started to read something that
I didn't understand or that made me uncomfortable I didn't just
continue to read it, I brought it to my parents and we discussed
it. Books were not banned at our house - they were discussed.
If we decided together that a certain book was not appropriate
then I didn't read it (and I didn't have a problem with that).
I applaud my parents for approaching books in this manner and
I plan to do the same when I have kids.
I know this
is supposed to be about Harry Potter, and I really am about to
get to the point. My dad is a big fan of fantasy and science fiction
(even though my mom is not) and because I him, I am also a big
fan of fantasy and science fiction. The earliest fantasy I remember
were fairy tales. Then I started reading the Oz books. The Chronicles
of Narnia were other early favorites. By the time I was in middle
school, I was reading all of my dad's fantasy books and discussing
them with him. (Oh by the way - my dad is the one who got me interested
in the Harry Potter books. He bought them and read them and then
gave them to me to read) I always knew that the things that happened
in these stories were fantasy and make-believe and could not happen
in real life. I never once thought I could actually walk into
my wardrobe and enter Narnia or that there really was a big magical
book that could tell me what was happening everywhere all the
time (like Glinda's book in the Oz stories). I also was never
interested in becoming a witch. I read stories full of witches,
wizards, and magical spells, but they never made me interested
in the occult. I knew that the things in these books were make-believe
and not real!!!!!! And that is exactly what Harry Potter is. The
things in this book are make-believe and not real. I don't believe
that there are kids out there who really think that if they point
their finger at someone and say a few select words that that person
is going to turn into a frog!! I also don't think that there are
kids who believe that they can actually fly on a broom and play
quidditch. The whole idea of kids thinking this stuff is real
is ridiculous - even to a kid. The kind of magic practiced by
the characters in the Harry Potter books is the flashy and fun
make-believe magic that even little kids know is not real.
Now there
are some people who have expressed concern that certain practices
such as astrology and crystal balls and fortune telling that are
examples of "real magic" that are practiced by people today are
mentioned and condoned in the Harry Potter books. It is true that
these practices are mentioned in the books. In Book 1, the centaurs
Harry meets in the forbidden forest are astrologers - they study
the planets and stars in order to foretell the future. In Book
3, Harry takes a divination class where he learns about crystal
ball gazing and reading tea leaves and other kinds of fortune
telling tricks. True these practices are mentioned - but they
are not condoned!!!! They are actually made fun of and not accepted
as serious magic. The centaurs are depicted as scared creatures
who read the heavens to find out the future but are too scared
to do anything about it or help people in trouble. The first two
centaurs Harry meets are unwilling to tell him anything or help
it at all. The third centaur, however, does decide to buck the
system and help Harry despite incurring the wrath of his fellow
centaurs. Astrology is not depicted in the books as serious magic
and none of the other characters is even shown to use it. Therefore,
astrology is not condoned in the Harry Potter books. Divination
is also made fun of in the books. All of the other professors
consider the divination class to be a joke and the divination
professor to be an even bigger joke. Professor McGonagall tells
Harry not to be concerned that his professor saw Harry's imminent
death in the tea leavers, because divination is inconsistent and
imprecise at best. Because the other professors don't take divination
seriously one cannot say it is condoned in the books. I think
children who read these books are also going to not take fortune
telling and astrology seriously.
Some people
are concerned that Harry Potter is immoral because he often breaks
rules and sneaks out at night in order to solve the various mysteries
that are always going on. These people also say that Harry never
gets punished for doing this. But if you have read the books you
know that he does get punished. He is always getting caught and
getting into trouble. He constantly loses points for his house
because of his little escapades and in the context of these books
losing points is a very big deal!!! Sometimes Harry and his friends
get hurt because of decisions he makes. And while things always
work out for good in the end, Harry does have to deal with mistakes
he has made. I think that the books are very moral and that there
is a clear sense of right and wrong in these books. Harry does
have to deal with the consequences of his actions and I think
that is a major theme of these books.
These books
are not evil. If the bad characters won in the end or succeeded
in getting Harry to come over to their side, then yes these books
would be evil. But evil never wins in the Harry Potter books -
good always does. Evil does exist in our world and we are in a
constant struggle against it. I think that is one reason I like
fantasy so much. I also think that is why so many well known Christian
authors (such as C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and George MacDonald) wrote
fantasy stories. Good fantasy always depicts strong opposing lines
of good and evil and evil always loses in the end. Also, there
are no blurred distinctions between right and wrong in good fantasy.
Harry Potter is good fantasy. Many books, and tv shows, and movies
for children and young adults have very blurred lines of right
and wrong and good and evil. Things that are good and right don't
always win in these stories. In many stories for kids that are
written and produced today the characters go against society and
established rules and make up their own rules. Many stories for
kids today are also not very moral. Divorce, sex outside of marriage,
and breaking established rules are condoned in many books that
kids read and in many shows they see. I think that I would much
rather have my kids read Harry Potter and other good fantasy books
than have them read many of the other books that are out there.
In conclusion
I want to say that the Harry Potter books are not evil and do
not condone evil practices or anything connected to the occult
or to Wicca. I think that people should actually read the books
(and read with an open mind - not a mind narrowed by naysayers)
before they say how awful and evil it is. I apologize for writing
such a long message. When I feel strongly about something I tend
to go on and on about it. Thank you for a Christian website that
doesn't squash people for having differing opinions about certain
subjects.
God bless you.
Response:
I agree! -David
HARRY
POTTER
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
From: Sue Mosher
I've read
the first book and I took my 10 year old son to the movie. (He
has read the 2nd book, too.) Anyway, we had a great conversation
about how the theme of Harry Potter is power. Harry was powerless
at first (in his closet) then became very powerful as a wizard
with natural talent. There was the evil power of Valdemort and
the selling out of the teacher (I forget his name) to receive
Valdemort's power. There was the good power of friends with different
talents working together, not unlike Paul's example of the body
with many parts. All in all, I found Harry Potter (at least the
first one) to be a great story of good winning victory over evil.
By the way, why are the wizards in Harry Potter any different
than the wicked witch in "Snow White" or the witches in the "Wizard
of Oz"? What about "Bewitched" or "I Dream of Jeannie"? Was there
an uproar when those shows were on TV? (I was too young to know
if there was.)
=====
"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in
your power to act." Proverbs 3:27
THE
HARRY POTTER PROBLEM
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
From: "dtm"
I have been
a christian for over 13 years. I also only spent 14 hours reading
the firs harry potter book. I loved it. How can any one want to
ban i book that quotes theat the love between two people can over
come all evil. is that not what jesus christ died for?
If youre going
to remove any books from the shelves, it should be the moddern
magasines that tell people that to be beutifle you neen to by
our product There is nothing rong with paganisum. I have practiced
healing and sutch (NEVER going near black arts) all my life. I
terned to Christanity because it made sence. God is God nomatter
how you look at it (i.e. alla buda e.t.c.), and from hime every
thing groes. No religiouse text or picture should be taken off
the shelves of class rooms, insted a deeper feeling and understanding
should be tought!
Ps it may
interest you to know that last year I was dumped by my girle friend
because she got a mesage from god saing that I was the sporne
of satan. she also toled me that people should only go out if
they plan on getting married. she later went on to go out with
some one ells. you would think that this would dampen my relationship
with God but it didnot. i now have full faith that i have a purpouse
and that here views were diew to a lack of propper knolage.
Yours Sincerely
Daniel Shortland
THE
WITCHERY
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Wed, 5 Dec 2001
From: Ashley
Hi there Dave,
I'm Ashley, I'm 16 and I like doing research on movies /books
or anything that causes a stir, I stumbled across this site by
an ex - astologist and occultist, I think maybe you should download
the 43 minute sound clip about what he says about Harry Potter,
its quite interesting and informative. heres the link: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/
yours in Christ
Ashley
Response:
Bogus nonsense. Urban legends. He is way off base. He truly believes
that this nation will suffer because all the kids who read Harry
Potter will become witches. That's one third of the children of
America. These children are going to take over America, perhaps
the world. He claims that Harry Potter will lead to drug use.
He says witches uses broom sticks as dildos. What? So, how did
he use the broom stick as a male witch? Oh my gosh. He thinks
that the subject of death is a sure sign of evil. His man is a
liar and the truth is not in him. He was a witch? I wonder. He
also believes that Star Wars is witchcraft. He believes that the
author of Potter is in league with Satan and communists. And says
that I (and other like me) have the intelligence of a lima bean.
-David
"PROFESSING"
CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT VIEW IT
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2001
From: "Charles"
I totally
believe that Harry Potter should not be watched by "professing"
christians. I also believe that the witchcraft in the movie opens
doors to which makes magic appear harmless and fun. I do know
that God can use all things for His glory, but what about those
people who are not looking for God? 1John 2:15 states: " Do not
love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the
world, the love of the Father is not in him." Shouldn't those
who know God and His word be teaching His truths? Or is it okay
to let people believe that God thinks sorcrey and witchcraft are
alright? Also, Revelation 3:15,16 states: I know your works that
you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I
will vomit you out of My mouth." Isn't about time that people
become radical for God instead of saying we are christians and
then watching something that is displeasing to Him.
Response:
You go to far. This is a Fantasia type film, or Mary Poppins.
It has nothing to do with the scriptures you quote. Unless, of
course, you mean to say Mary Poppins is satanic. In which case,
I would not know how to respond to you. PS the witch hunts are
over. RIP -David
POINTING
TO THE TRUTH
Subject: Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 04 Dec 2001
From: Aaron
Hi, just a
quick note to thank you for your efforts. I appreciate your site
for your focus on how Christians can use pop culture as a bridge
to speaking about Truth and sharing the Gospel.
While I have
mostly stayed away from the whole Harry Potter controversy, one
thing concerns me as I read through some of the posts regarding
the film. While we may disagree with both the message and tactics
used by those who attack this film, we should not stoop to insulting
them and calling them names. Some name-calling may be appropriate,
but I do not believe Jesus would approve of us calling our brothers
and sisters in him morons, etc.
I appreciate
your attempts to engage in rational dialogue regarding so controversial
an issue. God bless you and your ministry. Aaron
Response:
Good point and thank you. -David
HARRY
POTTER AND MEDIA SCARES
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001
From: "Stuart Wheeler"
David,
That the HP books are well written is clear. That the film, with
actors, actresses, production teams, locations (and budget) of
such an outstanding calibre, could not fail to be both artistically
and commercially successful, is beyond question. The fact that
HP has already and will continue to exert an incalculable influence
over our cultural life today, is what lies at the heart of the
problem about HP within the Christian community. As Bible-believing
Christians, we know that there is a network of spiritual enemies
waging war against the Kingdom of God, and we know that our enemy
is attempting to orchestrate opposition, futile though that is,
to the will of God. It is too tempting for Christians to believe
that all evil (including the WTC tragedy), all cataclysmic events,
real or anticipated (including the Y2K scare), anyone who has
become obscenely rich and successful (eg Procter and Gamble),
and any phenomenon that has captured the imagination of a disproportionate
number of people (the Beatles, Monty Python's Life of Brian, Harry
Potter,etc) must be part of this network of evil, orchestrated
by our enemy. What we don't understand, has to be rationalised
by being squeezed into a conspiracy, whose existence I would certainly
not deny, but whose scope has become exaggerated.
Job's 'Comforters'
were sharply rebuked for seeing God's judgement in Job's sufferings,
and, although God told Job he had been speaking about things he
did not understand, when he proclaimed his own innocence and the
injustice of his troubles, He did not give any reason for them
happening, nor did He contradict what Job had said. Jesus did
not support the attempts of some of His contemporaries to rationalise
the deaths of the people crushed by the Tower of Siloam as being
Divine Judgement: He said that they were no more or less sinful
than anyone else, we are all corrupted by sin, but God has mercy
on whom He has mercy, and no one can truthfully say they understand
this; it's one of the Mysteries of God.
So, can we
see the orchestration of the enemy at work in the case of the
Harry Potter media avalanche? Perhaps. Not in the content of the
original work or of the film, necessarily, but perhaps in the
way some Christians' response to it has been fanned into flame,
drawing ridicule from the media, and, more importantly, diverting
Christians from what they should really be doing as the night
draws near: sharing their Savior with a lost generation. But should
we allow our response to go to the other extreme? Harry is a teenager,
making decisions in his day to day life, as we all do, some decisions
are good and noble, many are selfish, deceitful, hurtful, dangerous
and potentially destructive; he has no Savior to guide his decisions
or protect him in a dark and oppressively evil world, so he uses
sorcery. No, I would not seek spiritual truth in HP, any more
than I would seek it in the Beatles or Monty Python. I would rather
check out God's word. But each individual should use their own
judgement about whether they want to see the film or let their
children see it (with them). And perhaps we can use this media
issue as an opportunity to talk to others about our faith.
Response:
Thanks for your insight. I appreciate it. -David
TOLKIEN
A CHRISTIAN?
Subject: Newsletter 30
Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2001
From: LKJ
Jen sees this
positive value, she wrote me the following email: I am sure that
Tolkien's (Lord of the Rings) work will come under fire as has
Harry Potter but I believe in this case that the story is what
you take away from it. I have read the Hobbit and the Trilogy
at least 7 or 8 times now and every time I have learned more from
it. Although Tolkien himself may not have been a Christian, there
are Christian values that are still presented to readers in his
story. My understyanding is that Tolkien was a devout Catholic
and dear friend of C.S. Lewis (a renowned Christian author)
http://www.tayloru.edu/upland/programs/lewis/articles/seland.html
http://www.tayloru.edu/upland/programs/lewis/articles/seland.html
http://www.scriptorum.org/l/kolbitar.html
http://www.scriptorum.org/l/kolbitar.html
Response:
Yes, as a matter of fact, Tolkien was the one who God used to
lead CS Lewis to the Lord. -David
SPIRITUALITY
AND TOLKIEN
Subject: Lord_of_Rings and
Newsletter_30
Date: Sat, 01 Dec 2001
From: Chuck
If I remember
correctly, in C.S. Lewis' "Space Trilogy", he actually identifies
the wizards of Middle Earth as visiting angels, here to help folks
out.
I also seem
to recall something by Tolkien himself, hidden in the appendix
of Book III to that effect.
I could be
wrong. It's been a long time since I took a course on LOTR in
college.
I get a kick
out of all the hub-bub over "evil" wizards and witches by folks
who are obviously ignorant (literally - no insult meant) of the
things they criticize. For example, major parts of Harry Potter
evolve around Christmas time & traditions. Silly...
Response:
Good insight. Thanks. And I think you are right about CS Lewis.
-David
WICCA
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2001
From: Holly
Harry Potter
is just a hollywood version of the true religion on wicca. twisted
and bent for the audiances enjoyment. It is not a tool to recruit
new wiccans, it is simply a book that is to be read. And if your
children do become interseted in another religion then let them.
Would you rather have them grow up to be open-minded to new ideas
or close-minded in thier ways?
Response:
I agree that Harry Potter is not a tool to recruit for the Wiccans.
HP has hit at the core of a cultures quest for spirituality in
a postmodern culture. -David
YES
YES YES
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positively
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
From: Beth
YES YES YES!
Read (Wheaton
College English professor) Alan Jacob's article, "Harry Potter's
Magic" in FIRST THINGS for the reason why Harry Potter can be
used positively.
http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0001/reviews/jacobs.html
But be forwarned.
Jacobs is not of the Church AGAINST Culture School of Christian
Life: he doesn't think that we have to prove our allegiance to
Christ by bashing everything that isn't directly listed (with
approval) in the concordance.
Jacobs seems
to be a graduate of the Justin Martyr School of Christian life:
we don't need to disparage what is good to establish the One who
is Good; we don't need to reject what is true in order to point
to the One who is True.
And it is
not a matter of not being able to recognize what is good and true
in the world, because Romans 1:19-20 teaches that we can indeed
know what is good and true apart from special revelation. In fact,
Paul says that it is precisely BECAUSE we can know God's power
and character (Good, as true, etc) from general revelation that
humankind is in trouble! We know it, but because we are in rebellion
against Him, we refuse to recognize, glorify and thank God for
it.
If Harry Potter
shows us something true and good, it can only be because it is
a reflection of Him who is Truth and Goodness itself. Sure, it's
wrapped in an unusual package, of witches and wizards and dragons
and magic and the stuff of fairy tales...but nowhere yet have
I read anything in the books or seen anything on the screen that
would say those things are the product of SATAN'S power or character.
Until I do, I say to all Christians, "Harry Potter is not off-limits;
in fact, he may even assist us to better see Christ!" The scandal
of Harry Potter is not that he is a wizard who is able to do "magic."
It is that Christians refuse to see that the magic of Harry Potter
can be used to bear fruit: to direct us further on, to what C.
S. Lewis called the "Deep Magic:" the love and power of Jesus
Christ. But, then again, Jesus is used to being a stumbling stone...
"The stone
the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done
this, and it is marvelous in our eyes." Therefore I tell you that
the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a
people who will produce fruit. He who falls on this stone will
be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed."
(Matt. 21:42-44)
Lord, deliver
us, from falling on this Stone, like the unbelievers do, and from
being crushed by it, because we have refused to bear fruit.
Yours in Christ,
Beth Bilynskyj
Response:
Right on. Thank you. -David
THE
HARRY POTTER SCARE
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2001
From: Miss Stella
I'm just gonna
tell you this once...
Harry Potter
is NOT Evil!
He has become an architypical good guy, fighting against the evil
oppressors of the world!
...and he
gets children who have no interest in books whatsoever to read!
If one takes
into account the graphic details in the books, one would think
'oh, my, its satanic!'...but that's because the world (in most
places) has been taught to fear all things in the world of mysticism...and
I'm just gonna say that if you do, I KNOW you're a Muggle :)
Ms. Rowling
has good intent in her books and they can be geared towards children
as well as adults. There are many symbolic things within the books...some
plain to see, others you have to dig a bit to understand... I'm
not sure if I've put up a good argument or not, but I'll stick
by Ms. Rowling's side until everyone has gotten over their 'occult'-phobias...
After all...where
would our Christmas trees and our Easter bunny be if Christianity
hadn't merged with the Gael traditions, hmm?
((And, really,
if you Christians knew what you're getting yourselves into with
your children dancing around the May Pole, geesh! ;o) ))
-Ashley E."ccentric"
Wilson
Official Reader Of Books,
Honorary Mugwump,
Two-Cents Putter-Inner...
17,fm,Va,Usa...
tempus_magus@yahoo.com
Response:
Thanks I appreciate your thoughts. Do you think that maybe Christmas
will suffer the same attack as Halloween has when certain Isolationist
Christians discover it's true origins? It staggers my mind to
think of what's next. -David
THE
SPIRIT OF ANTI-McCARTHYISM
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001
From: Gary
...the spirit
of anti-McCarthyism (liberalism) now controls you, and you don't
even realize it...
11 And for
this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
...i, of course,
disagree with every point you make - enjoy it while you can, purveyor
of lies, it will not last!!!...
Response:
McCarthy was the master of the 1950s communist black listing witch
hunt. And you equate McCarthyism with God? What? We follow Jesus
not McCarthy. You base your concept of honesty on being in line
with McCarthy? Interesting. 1 Corithians 1:11-13, 17 comes to
mind. Perhaps McCarthyism is the strong delusion of the end times.
God bless you Gary. I hope your eyes will refocus on Jesus and
not Senator McCarthy (Hebrews 12:1-2). -David
GOD
GAVE US MINDS
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001
From: Butson
I too am tired
of the "witch-hunt" atmosphere that pervades Christian culture,
now focusing on Harry Potter. As a friend and I were discussing
this summer, we may not think it's prime reading for many Christian
kids, but so much depends on the spiritual maturity of the kids
and the parents. If you are sincerely convicted that it's dangerous,
don't read it. But be careful not to engage in hypocrisy by reading
your kids fairy tales or even (gasp) the Chronicles of Narnia.
The Potter series has managed to engage many adults as well as
kids by solid writing and good storytelling. If the content is
so reprehensible to you, my Christian sister or brother, I respect
your perspective, but please be gracious in your criticism.
FamilyLife
Today of Little Rock Arkansas had a good two day series on
the issue back when the Harry Potter movie first opened. The folks
on the panel demonstrated reasonable and grace-filled attitudes
for those parents concerned and confused over the issue. They
reminded the listeners that we are not filled with the spirit
of fear but of love and self-control, as Paul states in his letter
to Timothy. Not all Christians are lighting the torches to get
the fires going (as in the witch-hunts, that is); God gave us
minds. Let's use them to His glory.
GRANDFATHER
SPEAKS
Subject: Potter Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
From: Jos. H. Bryant o.d., o.c.
Hello, I have
6 grandchildren from the age of 6 up to 17 and their general opinion
is that Harry Potter is either great fun to watch or it's just
silly "fairy-tail type stuff" as the 14 year old said. Sa, for
the Satanic thing? We are aware that there are some in and out
of the ministry that will use any means available to fatten their
purses. I feel this applies to most of the "televangelists" and,
unfortunately, some of the more established churches. My family
has a very stong Christian Ethic that we all live by and we're
rarely affected by those who would have people buy into there
particular "ism". We don't do yoga or pay any attention to Buddha
and we're not expecting a spaceship to come along and take us
to Heaven. We're just plain old fashioned Christians and it works
just fine for us. We pray for those not so enlightend by The Word
of God. We also don't look at popular entertainment media to provide
any insghts to the Bible. Thank you for your time.
Keep The Son in your eyes!
<>< Jos. H. Bryant o.d., o.c.
WE
READ ALL 4 HP BOOKS TOGETHER...
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
From: Pam
I agree with
your "witch-hunting". My son is 9 years old and we have read all
4 H.P. books together. Granted, there are some parts of the books
a little violent for my taste and I do believe a 9 year old is
too young for a few of the violent parts. But as I read the book
to him, I would glance ahead and skip over the bad parts. We went
to see the movie. I thought it was very well done and Harry is
a very lovable boy. He's a good boy considering all he has had
to go thru. He is a hero and our hero in the book is a good guy!
My sons (two of them) are so grounded in the Lord, I do not fear
they will ever think about witchraft, satanism, etc. because of
this book or movie. They love the Lord too much to give that evil
a second thought. They know the Lord so evil is distasteful to
them. I made sure they understood and we talked about the witch/evil
part before I took them to see the movie. When God lives in your
heart and you have professed Him as your Lord and Savior, and
truly mean it with all of your heart, you won't WANT to do those
things!! I think people like John Hagee don't give our children
enough credit for loving their Jesus with all their hearts! As
parents we need to focus more on praying every day for our children
that they remain in God's hands. The old saying goes "Don't worry
about anything (Harry Potter, etc...), Pray about everything (your
children)!" If he is referencing non-believer children, this gives
us as believers an opportunity to reach out and teach them about
God. Thank you! J Pam
Response:
Thank you Pam. -David
ANY
ATTENTION HE CAN GET
Subject: Newsletter_30 Satanic_Hysteria
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
From: David
David:
I agree that there is a lot of hysteria in the American Christian
culture. I believe that C.S Lewis wrote something about giving
the devil too much attention or ignoring him being equally dangerous
(check the Screwtape letters). Sometimes it seems as if people
find devils behind every doorstep. But at the same time we do
need to be sober enough to know that there are evil influences
in the world. And be aware that these forces intend to do all
men harm. But we have to remember that the apostle John wrote
that "greater is he who is in you than he that is in the world."
So while we should not ignore evil, we do not need to fear it
-- or get hysterical about it. When things like 9-11 happen, we
try to make sense out of it, we try to make it fit our constructs
or world view. These events were perpetrated by people who thought
that what they were doing was right, that they were actually doing
the will of God. They had created a world view that said that
evaporating 5000 people was okay, that they would be rewarded
with doe-eyed maidens feeding them grapes in paradise because
they had killed infidels (at least I think that's how the thinking
goes -- check my facts). But are they the real enemy? Or is the
real enemy the one who came up with the idea that murder in the
name of God is a good thing? Did not Hitler's death camps reflect
a similar world view? And what of other atrocities in our own
time -- Rwanda comes to mind. Or Bosnia-Herzegovina, or Indonesia
or the Philippines? Just a few musings.
David
Response:
You make a very good point. We have had a series of false insights
by isolationist Christians: Harry Potter satanic takeover of children,
God judged America on 9/11, Y2K fall of America, Disney boycotts,
Dogma movie, Satanist killing babies in the 80s, etc. etc. I am
really sick of the nonsense which basically communicates the idea
that God hates nonChristians, sinners, homosexuals, atheist, wiccans
etc. I hope all of these false cries direct people to a better
way of relating to the world. However, I fear you are right. People
construct ideas of God according to their hatred and intolerance
of others. Hateful world views need to be put aside. "For
God so loved the world that He gave..." -David
NARNIA
IS GOOD
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001
From: KEN
I just want
to remind people of one thing....The Chronicles of Narnia books
and movies are wonderful. They are rich in imagination and we
don't have to search for ways to find Jesus in them. Why do we
always feel like we have to submerge ourselves in everything that
hits the theater or bookstand?
Response:
I am sad to say that already isolationist Christians are beginning
to attack TRR Tolkien (Lord
Of The Rings) and CS Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion Witch
and the Wardrobe) for witchcraft. It really makes me feel so sad.
We are in the midst of a gigantic witch hunt. I never thought
I would see such a thing in my life time. I really thought we
were more enlightned than this. Even sadder is the fact that televangelist
and certain radio "ministries" are joining in on these
attacks against CS Lewis, LOTR and HP. Anything to line the wallets.
-David
NOT
ALL CHRISTIANS ARE ON A WITCH HUNT!
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
From: T Webb
I thoroughly
enjoyed Harry Potter as a work of fiction. As a Christian adult
who has read many works of fiction fantasy I felt no pull toward
witchcraft, demons, or magic. A relative gave me a book to read,
The Bible and Harry Potter. It scared me to death and I couldn't
finish reading it. I was very glad to hear your point of view
and glad to know not all Christians are on this particular witchhunt!
Thank You!!
Response:
Thank you. And right you are. Most Christians are not involved
in this insane witch hunt. And that makes we happy. Jesus smiles
too. -David
HARRY
POTTER ..LOTR..
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
From: Justin
First of all
I would like to thank you for such a wonderful (and much needed)
site. I think it is a breath of fresh air to the christian community
reguarding movies and entertainment. First of all I would like
to address the current issue that seems to be on every christians
mind: Harry Potter. I have never read the books, never really
payed much attention to all the hype behind them, and I honestly
never had any desire to read them..until now. I saw the film and
loved it, it reminded me of being a kid again, and transporting
myself into a eye popping world of fantasy. I grew up on fantasy.
My first film experinces were E.T and Return of the Jedi, so I
think I was in good company with Harry Potter. As for the whole
debate on whether it is satanic or not. I would like to say that
I STRONGLY feel that if you have nothing better to do with you
time that rant and rave about how evil Harry is and how the author
is leading all of our children into the occult, then wake up!
You should sit back and take a good long look at yourself, and
then ask Jesus to forgive you for the way you are acting. If your
going to dismiss Harry Potter, shall we forget Tolkien and Lewis
as well? (I should also point out that the latter two were devout
christians..some people need to research before they draw conclusions)
The magic in Harry Potter is nothing but fantasy and in researching
I conclude that the author was very much influenced by Tolkien
and Lewis. These books can teach our children moral lessons of
self-sacrifice and the value of friendship, which were things
I got out of seeing the film. The Bible says train up a child
in the way he should go, so if your actively teaching your child
the things of God and teaching them the Bible, then they will
be strong in the Lord. What are they gonna think if they see you
pointing fingers at something you should not be so concerned about?
And yet we wonder why hollywood and the media has such a negative
view on christianity! im just sick of the self righteous, legalistic
, close minded christians who have nothing better to do than point
fingers and jump to conclusions! I honestly think if we really
truly searched the scriptures instead of holding on to "our" ideals
and what "we" were taught, than we would see what God truly wants
us to see. We have missed so much. Think of all the people whos
lives were touched by the ministry of a christian rock band, and
then then think of all the people who think christian rock is
satanic. scary huh? see the problem??? we dont look before we
leap. i am a 21 year old christian guy, who loves movies, and
loves to read. I thank God for people like David who can see Jesus
in Hollywood and in entertainment. I think alot of people can
follow his example.
God bless you guys
Justin
Response:
Thank you. -David
WITCHCRAFT
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
From: Astrid
I feel that
at least one point of confusion about witchcraft is that it is
poorly defined in most cases, and lumped together with sorcery
and enchantment in others. I believe they are all of the same
genre, and have to do with rebellion , as is pointed out in 1
Samuel 15:23, in the Old Testament . In this context the rebellion
is against God , in fact all rebellion is by definition against
the Almighty and Omnipotent God. So giving children a look at
what we must confess is a superficial , fanciful idea of what
it means to have powers to transform, change, destroy and create
are , shall we say, at least questionable and at most perhaps
rebellious. So what we should do in all fairness as reasonable
Christian adults is to tell children the truth about God , as
their Father and creator, and stop messing around with fantasy
and untruths. And heed the warnings given in the Book of Revelation,
which state that in God's supreme justice, witches and sorcerers
who are rebelling against God will never, therefore, get into
Heaven. Period. Train up a child in the way he should go and he
will not depart from it.
Response:
You are right. Rebellion against God is the issue. Harry Potter
is NOT about rebellion against God. -David
TOLKIEN
Subject: Newsletter_30 Tolkien
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001
From: Charity
One of your
commenter mentioned how Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have
definite spiritual aspects. This is true -- and I am personally
counting down the days until the film premiers... but she also
claimed that "Tolkien himself may not have been a Christian..."
I would like to make a short correction. Tolkien *was* a Christian.
In fact, it was his influence that gave CS Lewis insight into
the Christian faith, and ultimately converted him. He would be
insulted to think that his books -- and himself -- were secular.
I've only just discovered "Hollywood Jesus," and look forward
to coming back.
God bless your ministry,
Charity
www.charitysplace.com
Response:
Thank you. And you are right Tolkien was a Christian. -David
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