In response to a recent post on a dearly beloved friends blog(feel free to read it here)....I am going to voice my OPINION on the whole Harry Potter debate. I have held my tongue for a very long time, because I really felt it was up to each parent....and though I might not agree with their choice, I was not going to condemn them . This is an area that I have struggled with for a LLLOOONNNGG time. Not only with Harry Potter...but....dare I say it?? Narnia....Lord of the Rings......the list goes on......and I will admit that I have justified the Narnia and Lord of the Rings for years......but I am finding more and more...that I don't feel right about that.
Harry Potter has brought all of this to a head for me. I guess it comes down to this:
"When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who:
* practices witchcraft
* is a soothsayer or a sorcerer
* interprets omens
* conjures spells
* is a medium or a spiritist
* calls up the dead
For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord…." (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)
All "these things" are demonstrated in the Harry Potter books. These stories are every bit as spiritual as Christian literature, but the spiritual power they promote comes from other gods. If you treasure God's truth, may I suggest you encourage your children not to read these books? I know such parental intervention sounds grossly offensive, in fact, downright muggleish, to children who love Harry’s magical world and reject Biblical absolutes. Yet, just as "progressive" leaders fear the influence of Biblical truth on budding world citizens, so Christians parents need to guard their children against all kinds of occult "counsel:"
Either we believe the Bible for what it says or we don't.......There are so many other books that my child can read that involve or encourage-"relationships, laying your life down for those you love, choosing the hard road, doing the right thing even when it is painful, trust, discipline, faith, failing and then getting up again and becoming a better person, in a word, redemption. This book is about finding out your purpose and then fulfilling it, even when you don't have all the answers and allowing others to walk along side of you because none of us can do this thing called "life" alone.
PLEASE DO NOT GET OFFENDED HERE:
I wish parents would read the Bible with their kids with the same enthusiasm and passion as they have the Harry Potter books! Then maybe our kids would be running around praying for people instead of casting spells on them!!! Maybe our kids would be just as excited about the fact that the KING of KINGS lives in their heart and wants to use them to do even more powerful things that Harry Potter could even dream of doing!!! Maybe their kids would want to emulate real hero's !!
Our kids see enough and hear enough of things that they shouldn't without me adding to it with things that "aren't that bad"
"Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial" 1Cor 10:23
Remember, this is spiritual warfare. God's enemy fights as hard as ever to win the hearts and loyalties of our children -- and he has added all kinds of high-tech tools to his armory.
To resist his strategies, they first need to understand the Biblical world view. That's why God told His people long ago to base all conversation -- day and night -- on His unchanging truth:
"These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit... walk... lie down, and when you rise up." Deut. 6:6-7
Everything we say must reflect the reality of God, His love and sovereignty, His promises and His warnings. To prove that our God is far greater than the pantheon of alternatives, our lives must demonstrate faith in the midst of difficulties and His triumph in the midst of turmoil. This is possible, not by our own strength, but by His power and grace. Then, seeing His greatness, children learn to trust His promises.
P.S. Just for the record, I told Tawni when she turned 13 that the choice was up to her if she wanted to read it, and the Lord the Rings she still has yet to see or read as well. I gave her the facts as I saw them and told her she can make this decision for herself. Many people that I know, love and respect do not feel there is anything wrong with the book.....but I have to stick with my convictions.
Harry Potter has brought all of this to a head for me. I guess it comes down to this:
"When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who:
* practices witchcraft
* is a soothsayer or a sorcerer
* interprets omens
* conjures spells
* is a medium or a spiritist
* calls up the dead
For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord…." (Deuteronomy 18:9-13)
All "these things" are demonstrated in the Harry Potter books. These stories are every bit as spiritual as Christian literature, but the spiritual power they promote comes from other gods. If you treasure God's truth, may I suggest you encourage your children not to read these books? I know such parental intervention sounds grossly offensive, in fact, downright muggleish, to children who love Harry’s magical world and reject Biblical absolutes. Yet, just as "progressive" leaders fear the influence of Biblical truth on budding world citizens, so Christians parents need to guard their children against all kinds of occult "counsel:"
Either we believe the Bible for what it says or we don't.......There are so many other books that my child can read that involve or encourage-"relationships, laying your life down for those you love, choosing the hard road, doing the right thing even when it is painful, trust, discipline, faith, failing and then getting up again and becoming a better person, in a word, redemption. This book is about finding out your purpose and then fulfilling it, even when you don't have all the answers and allowing others to walk along side of you because none of us can do this thing called "life" alone.
PLEASE DO NOT GET OFFENDED HERE:
I wish parents would read the Bible with their kids with the same enthusiasm and passion as they have the Harry Potter books! Then maybe our kids would be running around praying for people instead of casting spells on them!!! Maybe our kids would be just as excited about the fact that the KING of KINGS lives in their heart and wants to use them to do even more powerful things that Harry Potter could even dream of doing!!! Maybe their kids would want to emulate real hero's !!
Our kids see enough and hear enough of things that they shouldn't without me adding to it with things that "aren't that bad"
"Everything is permissible- but not everything is beneficial" 1Cor 10:23
Remember, this is spiritual warfare. God's enemy fights as hard as ever to win the hearts and loyalties of our children -- and he has added all kinds of high-tech tools to his armory.
To resist his strategies, they first need to understand the Biblical world view. That's why God told His people long ago to base all conversation -- day and night -- on His unchanging truth:
"These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit... walk... lie down, and when you rise up." Deut. 6:6-7
Everything we say must reflect the reality of God, His love and sovereignty, His promises and His warnings. To prove that our God is far greater than the pantheon of alternatives, our lives must demonstrate faith in the midst of difficulties and His triumph in the midst of turmoil. This is possible, not by our own strength, but by His power and grace. Then, seeing His greatness, children learn to trust His promises.
P.S. Just for the record, I told Tawni when she turned 13 that the choice was up to her if she wanted to read it, and the Lord the Rings she still has yet to see or read as well. I gave her the facts as I saw them and told her she can make this decision for herself. Many people that I know, love and respect do not feel there is anything wrong with the book.....but I have to stick with my convictions.
8 comments:
Well as a father here ... I will say that Chronicles of Narnia is not about Majic and Lord of the Rings is not about majic and BOTH the authours were proclamed born again christians infact good friends one of which lead the other to the Lord.
Is Harry Potter's authour a proclaimed christian ... no she is proclaiming to have extensive knowledge of witch craft and uses actuall speels in her books...
Is just proclaimiing to be a witch make you a witch...is proclaiming to be a christian make you a christian??? I believe the Bible says that our lives and how we live them are our greatest testament. Actions speak louder then words is what I think he was saying. I'm no theologin but a simple country bumkin with an opinion.
Narnia I must say really does not have withccraft in it an Lord of the rings yes it does and as such Is in question.
An while I am rambiling why the snot don't this have a spell check for us simpiltuns???
Love yall no matter your opinion!!!
Jim
Jim, your spelling is atrocious. What were you, public schooled?!?!
Just one little pipsqueak in on your comment, Jim: JK Rowling DOES claim to be a Christian.
Sundee, your post was well thought-out. I know many won't agree with your conclusions, but I respect you for articulately publishing them.
Sundee - I totally appreciate your heart on the matter and I too have stood quietly along side the Potter-Mania quietly, but I suppose I didn't take it to heart as much as some.
I don't know that I care if my kids read Harry Potter. I think I'd care more if they asked me how to help them cast a pentagram to summon up a help to get them out of a bad grade in school. The 'actual' spells of witchcraft are often little more than poems of prayer and intent. Not so very scary.
Yet your point is well made and well taken. We just have to remember the battle is the Lords!
We also have to remember that we are the parents and responsible for what we allow our kids to come into contact with. If we tell them the Bible says witchcraft is an abomination ...but then let them read books that promote it, let them run around casting spells on people ....what are we saying to them?? That they can just disreguard the parts of the Bible that they think are silly or old fashioned??
Most of the sex on TV is fake...so should we allow our kids to watch that...after all its not "real" ?? No way...we don't let them watch (I HOPE) because we don't want them to imulate that, we don't them to think it's ok to hve sex with anyone and everyone....It's our job to teach them right from wrong....to show them why it is wrong....and how they can avoid it.
The spirit world is not something to be "played" with....but this makes it seem so harmless...just childs play.....Witchcraft is one of the few sins that God calls an ABOMINATION. Thats a pretty strong word.
Sundee,
you know I had to respond to such a post. Although, I personally think as a parent, you should do what you feel is right. (As long as it is not stuff like putting out your cigarette on the kids arm, or locking her up in a closet.) I am always curious about people who quote the old testament and selectively take some things but leave out others. I found an old letter, purportedly sent to Dr. Laura, which sums it up. But that being said, you are the parent and are trying to do what is right for your kid.
Dan
Here it is:
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
By the way, what do you mean by this, "Yet, just as "progressive" leaders fear the influence of Biblical truth on budding world citizens, "
Well, it is written in more places than just the Old Testiment. I had a huge post with tons of arguemnts (must have got that from my brother) but I decided I can argue with people till I am blue in the face. The main reason I stay away is Gods word. Plus I think it is a dangerous thing to play with....I did give Tawni the choice when she turned 13. I waited because she is very sensative to scarey things....she couldn't watch Beauty and the beast until she was almost 10 because "the beast" scared her to much!
Sundee, you are quite right, though I have to agree that narnia and lord of the rings were brill.Jk rowlins is just writing for the money and is as deluded and decieved as we all once were.I don't allow harry potter in my house ,then nor do I allow the simsons.My kids understand that witchcraft is both blatent and disuised in so called harmless things,yet they also know that the (magic) the must wade through in this world is pitifull in comparison with the power of the king of kings within them.As for rowlins claiming to be a christian mamak,lets not forget that so does the pope and half the world.Down with Harry Potter ,but first lets work on down with gossip, faultfinding ,unforgivness and all the other (little sins) that God himself mentions afore witchcraft
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