FORMER
ASTROLOGER SPEAKS AGAIN
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2002
From: "marcia"
Dear David,
I have no idea if you read responses to your response (to my letter
on HP on page 4 of Comments under "Former Astrologer Speaks"),
but I find your response rather odd. You say:
Response:
You bring up curious points. Are you promoting yourself here?
Are talking hats, giants and flying broomsticks really real
and dangerous? Did we see the same film? Hmm. I do not agree
with you. However, thanks for sharing. I know many will agree
with you. -David
Why would
you ask me if I am promoting myself just because I wrote a comment?
Do you ask that of others? Is that not an ad hominem argument?
Attacking my character with no basis is rather unchristian, it
seems. I happen to have a ministry, Christian Answers for the
New Age, and am a missionary who speaks in churches and conferences,
and I've been on radio shows speaking on the occult and New Age
due to my background. I am also a seminary student working on
a degree in Apologetics. Before trusting Christ, I was President
of the Astrological Society in Atlanta, GA, and chairperson of
the Board of Astrology Examiners for 3 yrs. (and on the Board
for 4 yrs.). I was involved in the occult and the New Age for
most of my adult life, which was quite a few years. My "curious"
points in my letter are not curious at all; they are based on
fact. I was very clear that while some things in HP are fantasy,
other things are not. I pointed these out -- the runes, divination,
astrology, casting spells, and scrying. I stated there is an amoral
worldview in HP and I document it. Good and evil in HP are not
absolute, but two sides of the same coin. This is symbolized by
Harry's connection to Voldemort and in other ways. I also found
it interesting that the movie leaves out Dumbledore's statement
to Harry at the end of book one, "To the well-organized mind,
death is but the next great adventure." Did they not want parents
who had not read the books to hear this line? Was this line too
strong for the kiddies? If so, why is it okay in the book?
I appreciate
the fact that you publish comments and take the time to respond,
but I would appreciate it if you would either explain or retract
the statement about me promoting myself. My ministry has to do
with promoting Christ, and taking Him to those lost in the New
Age and the occult.
Sincerely, Marcia Montenegro
http://cana.userworld.com
Response:
I did not attack your character. It was a question. Also, I see
no harm in self promotion. I was just wondering if that was what
you were doing? Nothing "unchristian" about wondering.
I have no statement to retract. Do you think you are being a little
sensitive? And after reading your latest email I am still wondering
if this is self promotion -which is okay. -David
COMMON
MISCONCEPTIONS OF WITCHCRAFT
Subject: Harry_Potter
Date: Sat, 05 Jan 2002
From: "Alisa Webb"
With all due
respect to this site and those who have posted, I wish to comment
on the usage of the term "witchcraft".
The term "witch",
in modern society, has become somewhat interchangeable with the
term "Wiccan". As someone of that faith, I am saddened by the
lack of tolerance some Christians have of things they do not understand.
A true "Witch" is not evil. They DON'T perform rituals in the
name of satan, nor do they try to influence others to their way
of thinking. In old times, witches were an accepted part of society.
I think many
Christians automatically hated the Harry Potter books and movie
because of the references they had to Witchcraft. They are fully
entitled to their opinions. However, I don't remember this much
fuss over the T.V. movie "Merlin", which portrayed the life of
the famous mythical wizard. What is the difference? The difference
is the common MISCONCEPTION about the word "witch".
I understand
that many Christian parents are concerned about what their children
read or watch. But when it comes right down to it, PARENTS, not
a book or a movie, are going to mold a child's values.
Response:
Thanks for your insight! I hope other Wiccans respond. There is
a lot of misconception out there. Please feel free to keep your
comments coming. I appreciate your participation. -David
THOUGHTS
FROM A BRIT
Subject: Newsletter 30
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002
From: Steve Kennedy.
I am a teacher
in an inner city primary school and wondered if I could contribute
something to the HP debate. In my opinion there is a spiritual
dimension to movies as in life that can be good and uplifting,(Chariots
of Fire) or very troubling and evil (The Exorcist.) As a child
Fantasia scared me to death with the 'Night on Bare Mountain'
sequence and I had difficulty getting to sleep for days.
Personal experience
does not always count for much in today's tolerant world, however,
I have known several very damaged children in the inner-city who
have exhibited spiritual behaviour of a foul nature. One boy,
the son of spiritist parents had real problems with 'unseen presences'.
So why my concern about Harry Potter? Isn't that just a fantasy
medium for a spiritually searching generation? Well I know that
is possibly where you are coming from, but my concern is for those
whose childhood is so seriously damaged that it takes on some
deeper significance. The bible notes Christ's healing of a demonised
child that was being destroyed. Some things are no different today.
Should we not speak out for the vulnerable, however unpopular
in today's culture?
I remember
the days of Dungeons and Dragons and several of my work colleagues
getting very obsessed by it and one becoming an apprentice witch
searching for spiritual reality. I had great opportunities to
share about the Lord's power to redeem. Wonderful for young people,
but not always easy for children in an abusive situation.
Harry Potter's
portrayal of evil as something good, even if done through the
fantasy medium of flying brooms, is my concern, especially when
targeted at children. The first film maybe in the family film
tradition, and that doesn't make it right, but by the fourth book
in the series there are quite disturbing parts which one British
paper commented as being unsuitable for Children (The Independent).
And doesn't the devil come as an angel of light? (2 Cor 11v14.)
Traditionally, in most works of fiction, witches were not seen
as a force for good. Indeed C.S. Lewis notes that a witch in the
community was considered to be a genuine source of spiritual barrenness
to the women.
Having seen
what the consequences can be for undiscerning people who have
come out of a background of the occult, both young and old, isn't
there a place for prevention, warning and discernment about the
realities of witchcraft, no matter how tastefully and cleverly
marketed.
Anyway, I
suppose the final thing to say is that any spiritual interest
aroused could be used to discuss the claims of Christ and the
fate of the two magicians, Simon and Elymus, in the book of Acts.
I hope that is a useful contribution to the debate.
Steve Kennedy.
POOR
ROWLING
Subject: Poor Rowling Newsletter_30
Harry_Potter
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002
From: Jeff Harvey
When I first
looked into the whole "Harry Potter" phenomenon, I read the bogus
interview that was supposedly held with it's author. She was made
to look as a sapient trickster whose sole objective was to deceptively
draw in the youth of America to her dark world of witchcraft and
sorcery. Fortunately, I found out that this article was as fictitious
as the Harry Potter books themselves. Personally, this type of
blatant sophistry has done more damage to our reputations as Christians
than attempting to do accurate research.
The articles
that I read from reliable sources that actually did interview
Rowling portrayed a much more accurate portrait of a woman who
had thought of and then scripted a story that she would have enjoyed
hearing for herself. Simple as that. It's a fun story: simple,
fulfilling all children's (as well as adults') desire to be special
and to be seen for their own uniqueness.
She had no
agenda when writing this story (aside from selling it), but we
were quick to make one up for her. She is now the one having to
endure these attacks on her character. I, however, am glad that
she's now able to live without welfare and has had a new start
to her life.
My father
is a pastor and was chastised by other Christians for letting
me read the stories of JRR Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. If it weren't
for such stories, however, I would have never learned to love
reading novels. They had spiritual overtones and magic, yet they
did not cause those who read them to join Wicca or leave their
faith.
Look at what
the world has thrown at us before: Dungeons and Dragons, Star
Wars, countless music videos, all with a much stronger and more
harmful message of witchcraft, magic and dangerous philosophical
viewpoints. Harry Potter is innocent in comparison with much of
what we have seen before.
I would encourage
those looking into the whole Harry Potter issue to simply do that,
look into it. Research it for yourselves and don't buy into the
hysteria of the moment.
PHEW,
AT LAST...
Subject: harry_potter
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2002
From: Helen
It's nice
to see that there are some Christians out there in cyberspace
who don't want to make me feel guilty for loving Harry Potter!
It's true that magic features in many stories - good and bad.
Arabian Nights tales, fairy godmothers, Narnia (!)... all over
the place. I used to fantasise I was the fairy godmother from
Cinderella, which would probably have struck most people as cute.
Magic is fun as a tool of the imagination - it is blatantly obvious
to most people who have enough knowledge that Harry Potter and
real witchcraft are incredibly dissimilar.
But most of
all, the thing that excites me is the comparisons with the message
of Jesus... who knows, maybe someone will hear the gospel and
think 'Hey, it's like Harry Potter!' and it will make sense.
(On an aside,
of course parents should be careful - if they aren't being careful
on matters aside from Harry Potter I want to know why.) I find
the sensationalist regard of Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings
for that matter, a bit misguided at best. Love this site, keep
up the good work.
Thanks, Helen
-<:Punctuality is the thief of time:>-
Response:
Thanks for the kind words. -David
HOW
CAN YOU DISPUTE GOD'S WORD?
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Thu, 3 Jan 2002
From: "Carol Carlini"
David,
After reading many of the comments about Harry Potter, and all
issues set aside accept the following word of God taken from His
Word the Bible,
Deuteronomy
18:10-12
"There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or
his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one
who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one
who calls up the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable
to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your
God will drive them out before you."
How can any
human being created by God Himself not heed God's word and choose
not to enter into any thing at all that has to do with or makes
trivial the power of witchcraft and satan.???
I don't understand
with all the Great Christian films and fantastically written Christian
children books why any parent would choose things such as Harry
Potter. There is just too many good things out there to choose.
So why pick such things that our very own Lord stated He DETESTS.
Response:
All the great Christian films? Hmm, I missed them. Do you have
a list? I do not disagree with the Bible. But, I do disagree with
your application of scripture. My views are posted elsewhere on
this passage. Apples and oranges. -David
HARRY
POTTER COMMENT
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Spota
Dear David:
I just stumbled upon your website today searching for reviews
of the Harry Potter movie. I believe that we should be tolerant
of the differences of opinion among brothers in Christ -- however,
I was surprised at the "tone" and sarcasm of your answers. If
you like the film -- that's o.k. -- but you seem to take it a
step further, and really feel it necessary to DEFEND it. Something
about your manner of response deeply bothers me. I wonder if we
are reading the same Bible, because from your comments, it is
difficult to see the fruits of the spirit in you.
I looked at
your website because it had "Jesus" in the title and so I thought
it would be from a Christian perspective. Surprisingly, you seem
combative against Christians, and often "slam" them.
Response:
Actual I thought the movie was weak and I do not defend it as
great film making. It is reaction against it that I find curious.
More specifically, it is the witch hunting by certain Christians
that I dislike. Your comments are couched well, but your remark
"I wonder if we are reading the same Bible" is as much
a "slam" as anything I might say. Welcome to the club.
-David
MOM
SAYS DANGEROUS
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2001
From: Spota
I agree with
your opinion that SOME Christians look for devils behind every
bush -- however, I do have some reservations about introducing
concepts of witchcraft to young children. As a teenager, I was
very interested in the supernatural... God, as well as the occult.
I read lots of astrology books, had my tarot cards read, and was
interested in communicating with the dead. I think you will agree
that all of these things are forbidden by God. What began as an
innocent curiosity became an obsession with me -- I began to believe
what my cardreader told me, and every time I had a problem or
question, I couldn't wait to consult her.
As an adult,
I became a born-again Christian. Based upon my background, I am
alarmed to hear parents telling their kids that witchcraft and
satanism is "just fantasy" or "just pretend". If you do not believe
that Satan is alive and real -- you are mistaken. I don't believe
he is just focused on bad people, or evil people -- he has already
won them. I believe that Satan's last frontier is the Church --
and the minds of our children. That is who Satan came to kill,
steal and destroy -- the children of God.
I do not want
to return to the days of witchhunts; however, I believe that we,
as Christian parents, must be careful to analyze the books and
movies we are allowing our children to consume. There is a Black
Dog and a White Dog in all of us. Whichever one you feed grows.
Response:
Thank you for being a concerned mom. Harry Potter, to me, is fantasy
and in no way underscores anything I know of Witch Craft in the
real world. Apples and Oranges. -David
JUST
SAY NO
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Thu, 27 Dec 2001
From: Wendy Pirtle
Harry Potter
is about witchcraft. The first verse I could find on God's view
of the subject was Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch
to live." While we do not put witches to death in our present
culture, that does not mean Christians should be ambivalent toward
witchcraft. Verse 19 states, "Whosoever lieth with a beast shall
surely be put to death." (What does bestiality
have to do with Harry Potter? And how does the fantasy "witchcraft"
in Harry Potter connect with the pagan witchcraft mentioned in
Exodus 22:18? The same Exodus chapter also says that we are to
stone a non-virgin bride to
death (verses 20-21). Further it commands
a rape victim to marry to marry the rapist! (verse 28). The chapter
is extremely
problematic. It is especially difficult
to make a direct connection such anceint Israelite laws and modern
day fantasy/fairy tales. Would you advocate killing non-virgins?
Would you advocate victims marrying their rapists? Of course not.
I am sorry to be so blunt. But I get tired of scripture being
used out of context. The verses you carefully selected and use
against fairy tales and fantasy, come from a text that has a very
different context and self apparent application, indeed.
Apples and oranges. -David)
Deuteronomy
18 has a whole list under the heading of "Abomination to God":
making children pass through fire, divination, soothsaying, observing
omens, enchanter, witch, sorcerer, charmer, medium, wizard, necromancer;
also man lying with man as with a woman. Seems quite clear to
me. (Perhaps to you. But I say nothing of your biblical list in
Harry Potter. I know Christians have a long history of taking
things of paganism and turning them to the use for God's glory.
But I believe Harry Potter is trying to use Christian values to
make it's not-so-subtle wickedness more palatable to us. I choose
not to allow it in my life or my children's lives. Just as I explained
that we don't support Pokemon because it is wrong to make your
pets fight. (I appreciate your motherly concerns.
Bravo! Please do watch being overly protective. -David)
There are
so many wonderful things in literature and film that are truly
worthy that I see absolutely no reason to be entertained by questionable
material.
(Is Lord of the Rings and CS Lewis okay? What about the fantasy
wizards in those books? Do you forbide Star Wars? Are the Wizard
of Oz, Peter Pan, Cinderella, and Mary Poppins unfit for your
children? Etc. Etc. Etc. -David)
Wendy Pirtle
HARRY
POTTER, TOLKIEN ETC
Subject: Newsletter 30
Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2001
From: Bob Hanson
Dear David
I've just visited your site for the first time and was encouraged
by the positive attitude you show towards popular culture in general
from a Christian perspective. As a British Christian, I'm sometimes
alarmed by a spirit of hysteria and judgmentalism that we sometimes
see among American Christian responses to the media and current
affairs. Attitudes like that shown in your site are reassuring
evidence that there is more to the picture than we are sometimes
shown.
A brief note
on Tolkien for the benefit of Jen who writes: "Although
Tolkien himself may not have been a Christian, there are Christian
values that are still presented to readers in his story."
Tolkien was himself a believing Catholic and a good friend of
CS Lewis: in fact, Lewis cited him in "Surprised by Joy" as being
an influence on his own conversion to Christian faith. Both writers
had a love of mythology and a surprising respect for pagan traditions.
Lewis chose to express this (and this is from vague memory rather
than an authoritative quote!) by suggesting that we should not
simply see Christianity as the One True Faith among other utterly
wrong faiths, but as the Best Possible Faith among faiths created
by humans earnestly striving to interpret the world and, sadly,
missing many aspects of the Truth. In CS Lewis's sci-fi trilogy
("Out of the Silent Planet", "Voyage to Venus" and "That Hideous
Strength") he suggests a fictionalised hierarchy of the angelic
beings whose most holy and powerful members have special responsibility
to each of the planets of the solar system, though all beneath
God, and implies that the ancient Greeks and others were misinterpreting
a glimpse of this in ascribing to those powerful angels the status
of gods. Both Lewis and Tolkien and, indeed, others of their Christian
academic circle, were wondering whether the pagan religious worldview
was originally born out of a real awareness of God, and maybe
a real sensitivity to the presence angelic spirits too, that had
inevitably become distorted and unbalanced by the fallen nature
of the world. The ancient pagans may have been granted a glimpse
of the glory of God, but sin led them into tragic misinterpretation.
Something of this view is what informs "The Lord Of The Rings",
whose Valar should not be seen as Norse and Greek-style gods but
as powerful angelic beings given responsibility for the mortals
of Middle Earth. (I hope I don't give the impression that I'm
unhealthily obsessed with this stuff!)
As for Harry
Potter, I have very little fear that the film or the books will
draw children into Satanism. The stories are aimed squarely at
older children - over sevens, say - who are well able to tell
the difference between fantasy and reality, but still have the
enviable ability to wholly suspend disbelief and fully enjoy magical
fiction. The characters in the books and film show excellent qualities
of loyalty, determination and a sense of fairness and right. The
evil characters are seekers of power for themselves - the most
dangerous element of real-life occultism. The witches and wizards
only disapprove of the non-magical world of us "muggles" for its
materialism, banality, status-obsession, unfairness and so on:
Christians are concerned for these very things. The bad wizards
scorn the weakness of muggles, the ones wish to protect them (this
all comes out in the fourth book, if you haven't read it). They
are wonderful, exciting stories which I hope one day to share
with my own children.
Sorry to have
gone on so long!
Bob Hanson
WE
AS CHRISTIANS SHOULD NOT SUPPORT SUCH WITCHCRAFT
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2001
From: matthew
I am an 18
year old born again christian living in NZ. While reading some
of the thoughts by christians it promted me to write in. Harry
Potter in blatant witchcraft and sould not be supported by any
christians. Here are a few snippets from an email I received from
Jim Schofield of godisnowhere.org Ministry. The full email can
be found as an attachment.
POTTER-CRAFT:
REAL OR FANTASY?
Potter defenders
claim that Rowling's books have nothing to do with real-life occult
or witchcraft. Not only is this patently untrue, but Rowling admits
that she has done extensive research into real-life witchcraft,
pagan religions and other aspects of the occult, stating several
times in interviews that roughly one third of the witchcraft in
her books is real.
The title
of the book refers to an object revered in real occult circles
as the Philosopher's Stone. If there's any doubt as to whether
it is the same thing, note that in Canada and some parts of Europe,
the book itself is instead named The Philosopher's Stone. This
object, in the book, is said to grant its creator and wielder
unlimited wealth and power and immortality -- things Satan typically
offers in tempting us to corruption. The real-life version does
the same thing. In the book, it was created by a man named Nicholas
Flamel. (Side note: Nicholas is a name often associated with Satan
in folk lore, but this could easily be coincidence.) The book
says that Flamel "turned 665 last year." Odd that the author doesn't
want to say what his age is this year. The book lists his wife
as Perenelle. What's frightening is that Flamel actually existed.
His wife was named Perenelle. Modern witches and other occultists
believe he was probably the only person in history to succeed
in making a real Philosopher's Stone! He was born... 666 years
before the publication of Rowling's book.
Most of the
other adult wizards in the stories are named after real-life figures
in the history of witchcraft and the occult. Prof. Minerva McGonagall
is named for a pagan deity, godess of agriculture and weaving.
Prof.Sibyll Trelawney is named for the pagan fortuneteller of
that name in ancient Greece. Professor Vablatsky is clearly named
after and inspired by turn-of-the-century major occult figure
Madame Bavlatsky. Even Harry's friend, Hermione, is named for
a figure in Greek pagan mythology. Rowling also refers to people
with similarly pagan names like "Circe" and "Morgana" and "Cliodna,"
the last of whom is a banshee worshipped as a pagan goddess of
beauty in Ireland and Scotland. Rowling also refers to books within
the story which, unknown to most Potter readers, are actually
real! These include Arthur Edward Waite's Standard Book of Spells
(for those who don't know, Waite designed the most famous Tarot
cards which most people think of), Eliphas Levi's A History of
Magic, and even one book by Adalbert Waffling called Magical Theory.
The real-life "mad" Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburt wrote this
book and was a mystic who claimed he could see the future and
read thoughts. He sold amulets made from his own hair, skin and
nail clippings, and even set up an altar for the purpose of his
own worship. He invoked demons through mystical prayers. He was
convicted of sorcery in 745 A.D. and condemned to imprisonment
for the rest of his life. This is one of the real people who Rowling
uses as a source of knowledge and enlightenment in the Potter
books for her fictional students to learn from.
NO INSTRUCTIONS
INCLUDED?
Some Potter
defenders claim that Rowling portrays magic but doesn't really
show how to do it, per se. This is only a halfway adequate defense.
While she rarely teaches specifically how to practice witchcraft,
she often does demonstrate some of the details of real magic and
occult practices. In one book, Harry visits a magic store and
sees a "Hand of Glory," which was cut off a murderer while still
being hanged, then pickled and so on; specific directions are
given for how this talisman is made. Another student with his
father shows interest in buying it. The shop owner replies, "Ah,
the Hand of Glory. Insert a candle and it gives light only to
the holder. Best friend of thieves and plunderers. Your son has
fine taste, sir!" Rowling also often refers to astrology and describes
Harry and other students getting their charts done by Prof. Sibyll
Trelawney, who also teaches in detail how to scry using a crystal
ball, mirror and other means, explaining how to achieve an altered
state of consciousness with similar instructions to what one will
find in a real-life book on the subject. Similar instructions
are given regarding reading of tea leaves and other such means
of divination. POTTER ETHICS Also troublesome are the ethical
values portrayed in the story. Harry consistently lies, cheats,
steals, and generally disobeys the rules any chance he can get.
Worse, he is not only rarely punished but usually rewarded by
the professors and other adults in the stories.
Most of the
time, the "voice of reason" is Harry's friend, Hermione, who keeps
warning him not to break the rules and defy authority. Just like
all other characters who believe in following the rules, she is
portrayed in a negative light, although only at first because
she is soon changed by her friendship with Harry and coming up
with her own schemes to get into trouble and lie about it afterward.
CHILDREN DON'T
TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, DO THEY?
According
to an Aug. 4, 2000 article that appeared in the British publication
This Is London, the Pagan Federation has had to appoint a new
youth officer to deal with a "flood of inquiries following the
success of the Harry Potter books." Children are known to send
in messages such as:
"I like Ron,
Hermione, and Harry a lot. Professor Dumbledore is great too...
I would love to be a witch or a wizard." -- 14 years old
"I like what
they learned there [at Hogwarts] and I want to be a witch." --
10 years old
"I thought
the story really made you feel like you could be a witch or a
wizard." -- 11 years old
"This book
is amazing and contains magic spells I wish I can do in the real
world." -- 12 years old
"I think Harry
Potter books are absolutely fine! I like how they can use witchcraft
for fun/good purposes." -- 11 years old
"I wish Hogwarts
were real because then I could go and learn magic instead of quadratic
equations." -- 13 years old
The Harry
Potter books aren't just about "fantasy magic" ala Lord of the
Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia. They are about real witchcraft
and occult, portrayed as happening in the real and modern world.
The ethics and morals portrayed in the books Even Rowling admits
this. As Christians, should we support the indoctrination of children
via these manuals of pagan.
Jim Schofield
godisnowhere.org Ministry
Response:
Harry Potter is real witchcraft? Talking hats and flying broom
sticks? I don't think this is real witchcraft. The so-called article
from you mention is totally bogus. A lie. Constructed by liars.
Hmm, who is the father of lies? But, thanks for you thoughts.
-David
LET'S
BE HONEST
Subject: Harry Potter Newsletter_30
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001
From: Greg
All I can
say is that the most dangerous error is that which is closer than
the truth. The fact of the matter is that maybe Harry Potter does
portray certain "good" points/values but it still is not founded
on the truth. Jesus made it quite clear that it is the Truth that
will set you free. I would never encourage ANYONE to go and watch
Harry Potter and open themselves up to the demonic. Are you unaware
that the lady who wrote the books is a witch herself? How would
this movie or these books help young people in their walk with
God. Lets be honest, trying to pull out the good points is a shoddy
cover up for compromise.
Greg Cockrell (Administrator)
Covenant People Family Church
Response:
"Let's be honest" you say? Well the author is not a
witch. Where did you get that urban legend? You need to be honest.
She is a Presbyterian Christian. And how does your deceptive letter
"help young people in their walk with God"? "Lets
be honest" indeed! Go see the movie and be informed. Also,
the witch hunts are over. The day of accusing people of witchcraft
are over. -David
CONGRATULATIONS
ON A GREAT SITE
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
From: "Matt Seargeant"
David:
From time-to-time I drop in on your site and each on each occasion
I am treated to a rational discussion on the media and religion.
THANK YOU!
I am a fairly
liberal United Methodist pastor and enjoy reading the reviews
and comments on various films.
I was intrigued
to find most of your reviewers had positive comments on the Harry
Potter film. I have read all four books and found the film to
be well done and entertaining. It may not be Shakespeare, but
neither is it satanic.
Again, thanks
for your site and your work!
Matt
Response:
Thank you for the kind words. -David
RESOURCES
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
From: Bill Turner
Dear David:
If you want a good resource on Harry Potter from a UK guy, try
Confronting the Harry Potter Culture by Rev Dr Mark Stibble.
It is available from Word and Spirit Resources 37 Quickley Lane,
Chorleywood Herts. 5AE UK. I found this very helpful and well
researched on the CS Lewis issue and not a knee jerk fighting
fundy response! Great web site. God bless: Deep in the UK jungles:
Bill Turner.
Response:
Thanks! -David
IT'S
LIKE SATAN IN THE GARDEN
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
From: CJP YOUTH
I have read
and understand all your reviews about Harry Potter. The central
truth however is that although there are "Christian themes" in
this movie and in the books they do not excuse the fact that witchcraft
is the central theme. You see, even Satan himself often plays
on our values to make wrong things seem right. For instance, in
the Garden Satan used what Eve knew as the "Goodness" and "Willingness
of God to give us all good things and not harm us" in order to
confuse her and led her into doing that which was wrong before
the Lord. The truth is when you read the books and Harry is saying
spells- your child and/or you are reciting them along with Him
and others and thus possibly inviting true evil spirits, curses,
and hexes (which by the wayare very real) into your home and your
child/your life. I say, if you want good values in the movies
your children watch- then let them see movies that also do not
conflict the spiritual truth: You cannot mix what is bitter with
what is pure and expect that the bitter will simply disappear.
Instead, it will in fact, only make what was pure now bitter.
Response:
This is a "Mary Poppins" type film. Relax. Flying brooms
and talking hats are not to be equated with the fall of humanity
in the garden. Apples and oranges. -David
SLICK
FLICK
Subject: Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
From: Grim Stripper
I think all
Christians who are upset over the Potter mania should calm down.
My dad for example, he has never read a single Potter book but
during the initial days when book 4 was coming out there was a
flurry of comments, reviews and criticism, notably was 1 article
"Harry Potter may spark a rise in satanism" in the new. And my
dad immediately proceeded to give me a lecture on God and occultics
and where we as Christians stand. In my mind I was thinking "does
he know what he is talking about?"
Also during
the filming of the movie, many Christians were upset that parts
of the movie would be filmed in a church. They wrote letters to
the newspaper saying it was blasphemy and stuffs. In my mind they
are potraying a negative image of Christianity, its as if we were
still in the dark ages and practicing witch huntings
I think in
this new millenium Christians should be more rational and more
tolerant of others who differ from us
Response:
Amen! -David
READ
THE POSTINGS
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001
From: Ken
Greetings
Hollywood Jesus--
I've been reading through the postings on Harry Potter and I find
them fascinating dialogue. I can see both sides of the story,
and though I haven't read the books or seen the movie YET I am
leaning more towards the "pro-Potter" side. I'm sure I'll have
more to say once I see/read it. I've always loved the world of
fantasy, and I think it's God will for us to be creative and use
our imaginations. And yeah, the devil is powerful and deceiving,
but Jesus is the creator of the universe!!!!!! I'd like to think
He has more power.
One thought
that has flashed into my brain, using my imagination, don't you
think it would frustrate the devil greatly if people, especially
children, could actually use "witchcraft"/magic for fighting against
him? It would be like a taste of his own medicine. I like the
image of the devil on a leash, getting to a certain point and
then getting choked. When devil-inspired hatred caused millions
of Jews to die in World War II, he must have thought, "At last
I have them!" And then...the Nazis were defeated, Hitler shot
himself in the head and the Jews regained the state of Israel
like God said they would. "Drat!" said the devil. When Jesus was
crucified, the demons partied, and then...
If Harry Potter
was a story about kids using witchcraft to fortell the future,
bully other kids, or kill people, I think there would be much
reason for concern. Otherwise, I'd say probably not. I'll get
back to you once I've seen it.
Praise Jesus!
Ken
SMOKING
POT
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001
From: juliana diaz
In order to
truly understand the dangers of advertising witchcraft in a positive
light, I believe we need to look at those who have been involved
in witchcraft and how they began. While it is true that we can
learn Godly principles from almost any story, we must not negate
the power of a whisper. Satan is not an idiot. He knows that most
people do not change their lifestyle over night, but over time.
People who are addicted to heavy drugs usually start out smoking
pot. Not to say Harry Potter is like smoking pot, but how are
we going to protect our children from opening the door to witchcraft
to their lives. As adults, we can appreciate the value of Biblical
principles in a worldly story because we have learned Biblical
principles. Instead of leaving our children at the mercy of "I
hope they see the value in this", why don't we take that time
to teach them the principles we know so well. If you want to protect
your children from a journey of deceit, you don't have to sign
any petition or join any witch hunts, just make a decision not
to open that door in their life. If parents can't even say no
to peer pressure, how in the world are we going to teach our children
to?
Response:
And as parents why don't we enter into the world of fantasy with
them? We don't need to protect ourselves from Harry Potter, but
rather we parents need to protect ourselves from ourselves. -David
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