Outrage?

[alatar]

Or is it that the Christian scriptures state that one should not dabble in witchcraft/sorcery (Deuteronomy 18:9-11, Galatians 5:19-21, Leviticus 19:31, Leviticus 20:6 ) and the oft quoted verse regarding permitting witches/sorcerers to live (Exodus 22:18 and similarly Leviticus 20:27).

Is it that Christians fear that their children will somehow turn to witchcraft, being influenced by the Potter books, and though no one would stone witches today, these children would have gone over to the dark side, and be an affront to the Christian God?

[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by alatar

Is it that Christians fear that their children will somehow turn to witchcraft, being influenced by the Potter books, and though no one would stone witches today, these children would have gone over to the dark side, and be an affront to the Christian God?

Most Christian parents fear only that their children may at some point in their (likely) adolescent life, dabble in witchcraft, or something associated therewith, and thus render themselves unprotected against the wiles of the evil one. The ramifications of that could lead to anything from addiction to some sinful pleasure, to bondage, to turning away from the faith and die unsaved. That's actually in keeping with orthodox Christian teaching.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Originally Posted by alatar

Is it that Christians fear that their children will somehow turn to witchcraft, being influenced by the Potter books, and though no one would stone witches today, these children would have gone over to the dark side, and be an affront to the Christian God?

The fear is more for the fact that they will go to Hell. People anger God, rather than offend him, with any kind of Sin. And no one who sins can enter heaven, as shown in 1 Corinthians 6: 9 - 10:

9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

But even if all these sins have been committed, grace is still granted. Christianity is not about following rules, because no one can possibly follow them all. And besides, breaking one commandment is as bad as breaking them all. To follow Christ is to be forgiven, not someone who follows a load of rules to the letter. That doesn’t mean we can still go out and sin. If you are a true Christian, you won't want to, because it angers God.

Besides, there is blasphemy all over the place these days, and no one seems to care. If you insult any other deity, you are thrown in prison or something (perhaps not so extreme, but you see what I’m getting at), but it’s some how okay to insult (for lack of a better term) the Christian God. I hear people saying "Oh my G**" and shouting Jesus' name as a curse. This is all blasphemy and that is an insult to God. Sin, angers him. Witchcraft is a Sin. It angers God.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

But even if all these sins have been committed, grace is still granted. Christianity is not about following rules, because no one can possibly follow them all. And besides, breaking one commandment is as bad as breaking them all. To follow Christ is to be forgiven, not someone who follows a load of rules to the letter. That doesn’t mean we can still go out and sin. If you are a true Christian, you won't want to, because it angers God.

So what then exactly is the issue with the Potter series? As I understand it, the books may promote interest in witchcraft and may also blur the lines between good and evil. If all of this can be forgiven (that is, even if one were to become a witch then recant), then why the outrage?

Aren't Christians (I use them as an example as I am more familiar with this religion and group) supposed to "be in the world yet not of the world?" To me this means that Harry Potter and ilk could be used as a way to evangelize, as seemingly there are many people who have read the books. I know that LOTR has been and is used in this manner too.

Thoughts?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

So what then exactly is the issue with the Potter series? As I understand it, the books may promote interest in witchcraft and may also blur the lines between good and evil. If all of this can be forgiven (that is, even if one were to become a witch then recant), then why the outrage?

How would you feel about a series that promoted rape and murder as something good and fun for kids?

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

How would you feel about a series that promoted rape and murder as something good and fun for kids?

Is that how you see it? I've not read the books, and so did not see it as something that extremely felt. There are many dangers out there, and as a parent I think that it's my job to screen what my children will read, view, etc. However, one day I won't 'be there' to guide them, and they will have to make a selection/choice using their own wits. Hopefully I will show them by guidance and by example that some choices are unhealthy.

But I'm not sure that by 'banning' these books in my household (my kids aren't at the reading age yet, and so this is hypothetical) is doing my children a service. Would it not be better to read them together and show my children that, although Harry is a witch (or whatever he is), he (in my worldview) is just a fantasy person and that the world does not work thus.

I mean no disrespect, but there are parts of the Christian Old Testament that I would not want my children reading until they were older.

My children own the first movie and have watched it a few times. I don't know the difference between the books and the movie, but the movie has made no impact in regards to my children and increased interest in witchcraft. LOTR has, however, produced an interest in swordplay (but that is most likely my doing).

Anyway, my point (if there in one in this post) is that there is a lot worse out there, and if we teach our children to be discerning, along with guiding them and helping them to mature, then we would be doing a greater service to them than by just seeking to get HP banned, as there will always be something else on the horizon that will require banning.

Note that if this 'discussion' should be moved to PM, that would be fine.

Cheers.

[Kath]

How would you feel about a series that promoted rape and murder as something good and fun for kids?

Where on earth do you find that in Harry Potter! Any murdering is done by the baddies in the book and as such it is shown as being repellent. And I don't remember anything about rape in it.

[Lalwendë]

I had a response all typed up but really all I want to ask is why are we all getting so worked up about the vague possibility that a story might, just possibly, maybe, at an outside chance, lead someone into 'witchcraft'? Do people even know what 'witchcraft' is?

[Hookbill the Goomba]

I was giving an extreme example. I did not say that it was actually in Harry Potter, but its the same thing in God's eyes.