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RESPONSE
TO NEWSLETTER #30
HARRY
POTTER
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Janis
The only thing I
dislike about Harry Potter is the books have language in them. Do you
know if the movie has any language in it?
Thank you,
Janis
Response:
Does it matter? The language in the book is mild to say the least. I hear
far worse from High School students. Just a note: Both Mark and Paul used
interesting language in the Bible that is not carried forward in translation
(shit =dung). Even Jesus used "dung" to make spiritual points.
Do you remember the name of the prophet that God told to cook his food
with human "dung." Have you read the Song of Solomon? Some times
I think our moral codes are thighter than God's. -David
ABOUT
HARRY POTTER...
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter_Is_Dangerous
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: HEVPLACES
I thought that you
had better discernment than to think that Harry Potter could be harmless,
fictitious, and in line with the teachings of Jesus. What??????? Does
not the Word of God call witchcraft an abomination? Is not witchcraft
and it's followers becoming more common and accepted in our society? How
could it be harmless for anyone, especially little children to be brainwashed
by their agenda? The story may be fictitious, but the things they promote,
teach, and portray are very real! This movie, like the books, take advantage
of the innate nature within us for the supernatural that can only be fulfilled
in the power of the Holy Ghost, and gets kids blinded by the powers of
the occult which leads to demonic oppression and possibly possession.
I know, some people think this is nonsense to believe these things, but
if you read your Bible, there is a lot of evidence to support what I am
saying, and for that matter if you read the paper or watch the news, it
looks like this is quite true! As far as the teachings of the movie being
in line with Jesus, which Jesus are you referring to? Surely not the Christ,
the Son of God, who in his own words declared that he came to do the will
of the Father, the same one who called witchcraft an abomination. That
same Jesus cast out demons (that you probably don't think exist). The
Bible warns us in 1 Timothy that in the last days men would give heed
to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, you my friend, are a living
example I presume. Whatever happened to discernment? Doesn't anybody read
their Bible anymore? If they did, it's not a question of whether or not
their kids should see this garbage, it's a question of how can we let
anyone from 2 to 102 see this deceptive fairy tale? I feel so strongly
about this that I am hereby canceling my subscription to your newsletter.
I pray that nobody agrees with your nonsense about this movie and that
it bombs at the box office.
JUST
LIKE STAR WARS, PETER PAN, AND CS LEWIS
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: CC
I view Harry Potter,
the way I viewed "Star Wars" when it first came out and all its subsequent
movies....a work of science fiction...a fairy tale. Like C. S. Lewis'
"The Chronicles of Narnia" or Disney's Peter Pan. Just because I enjoyed
"Star Wars" it doesn't mean I'll start worshipping R2-D2 or Princess Leia....incidentally,
I was only 8 years old when I first saw "Star Wars" and I'm still very
much a faithful Christian who is very much active in her church.
Hollywood Jesus, you rock!
C.C.
Remarks:
I totally agree with you. Right on! -David
BANNING?
HARRY...
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
The way I look at
it is this: You Ban Harry Potter...you have to ban all movies and cartoons
with witches and ghosts...like "The Wizard of Oz"..."Bedknobs and Broomsticks"
Most of the Disney Classic re-tellings of fairy tales...including Snow
White and The Seven Dwarves...and or "Cinderella"... This is virtually
impossible since we have all grown up with such "dangerous materials"
and we're not all serial killers.
Okay, sorry for the
sarcasm, but making a witch hunt out of Harry Potter is scapegoating and
unfair. I agree with Hollywood Jesus....take the positive and remember....its
just a movie....DO NOT GIVE IT MORE POWER THAN IT REALLY DESERVES! Incidentally,
Tolkien, the writer of the upcoming "Lord of The Rings" and the Hobbit
Trilogy...was actually a great friend and colleague of C.S. Lewis (the
great Christian writer) and it is rumored that he was a devout Christian.
C. C.
Remarks:
Yes, except a Fundamentalist attack on Lord of the Ring. It is just amazing
to me. I totally expect an anti-Disney attack on any future 'Cinderella"
movies as well. It is just insane. It is a witch hunt. -David
BALANCE
AND TACT
Subject: Harry Potter Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Pastor Brendon"
After reading several
of the emails you received I felt it was important just to mention a couple
of things. I feel badly for the parent who wrote about their child being
the victim of "scare tactics" unfortunatly there are many Christians who
don't seem to understand the words "balance" and "tact". While I believe
there's no need to be yelling in the streets the evil of Harry Potter,
I also believe we need to be aware that any supernatural power that doesn't
come from the Lord is not to be promoted. If I remember right, Moses did
some pretty "cool" stuff in Egypt! Yet his power came from God! Again,
I don't believe chasing down Harry Potter T-shirt wearing kids,and telling
them they're going to hell is a good thing. I do believe when asked by
our children, we should make it clear that it's the Lord we need to rely
on for our strength!
Response:
Thanks -David
LOVE
THE BOOK
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Tracee Steen
Thanks for your article.
The only reason I felt slightly bad about reading a Harry Potter book
was because I'm 31 years old and I ENJOYED it sooo much! I know that the
books are written for children, but I seriously found it to be a very
interesting and creative read. I agree that all truth is God's truth.
As adults we are able to take what life hands us (stories, movies, the
arts, books, etc.) and filter it through a grid that we have developed
as we have learned about God's truth from His people, His Word, and His
church. Once the truth has been filtered through that grid, we make a
judgement for ourselves and for our young children, as to whether or not
we allow them to experience that particular truth. That's how I look at
Harry Potter, and Amercian Beauty, and
the naked statue of David.
Sincerely,
Tracee Steen,
Vernon, B.C.
 Response:
I so agree with you. It is very sad that the Evangelical community can
no longer create great art such as the statue of David or the Sistine
Chapel (please note the full frontal male nudity in the art). All we can
produce is Thomas Kinkade isolationist art. Our moral codes have become
greater than the grace that saves us. I am waiting for the post-modern
church to emerge where image is viewed in a new and redeeming light. May
the Holy Spirit move in a powerful and mighty way to liberate the Church
from the modern era.-David
HYSTERIA
OVER WHAT?
Subject: Satanic_Hysteria_Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Don Dawson"
I caught the end
of A&E's Biography last night, and the subject for the night was Satan.
It's interesting to note that the authors of the show claim that for about
250 years no one even paid attention to a person called Satan -- it was
enough to consider evil as an idea without personalizing it. Not until
the atomic age with its major cultural shifts did that change. Now we
have all of the apocalyptic types out there claiming that there's a devil
under every rock. I think the most profound piece or recent literature
about the subject is the song "Garden of Allah" by Don Henley. He was
inspired by a book I can't recall, but the message of the song has "The
Devil" coming around to try and stir up some trouble, but instead he finds
that humanity is doing enough already and he's out of a job. If we truly
keep our focus on Christ, "running for the prize," then these outside
distractions are meaningless. If, however, we constantly get turned aside
by them, we have lost our direction. Nietzsche once said "He who fights
with monsters should see to it that he does not become a monster. When
you gaze long into the Abyss the Abyss also gazes into you." Profound
words to ponder, indeed.
Response:
Ohh! I really like your thoughts. Wow! -David
HARRY
POTTER, LORD OF THE RINGS SATANIC
Subject: Newsletter_30_Harry Potter
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: "Pastor Bob Maddux"
Dear David,
I appreciate your web site and for someone who's been interested in media
I'm thankful for you comments and critiques. But I would like to suggest
that you do not react as well. I read comments from articles and letters
posted on your sight that tend to label and categorize more conservative
Christians in a negative light. Isn't this the same type of tactic your
supporters accuse your critics of using. If this is truly a forum for
open discussion lets not belittle those who have contrary opinions. (Yes
you are right. Curtousy is a good thing. But I speak my mind just as you
do. -David)
Concerning the Harry
Potter issue I'd like to make a few comments and ask a few questions.
I was deeply involved in the counter culture in the sixties. I dabbled
in witchcraft and similar types of occult phenomena. I was pulled in by
the mystery, beauty and popular promotions of these things on a curiosity
level at first. Later I discovered the reality of the demonic and turned
to Christ. Had I not been led to Him by Christians who opened my eyes
to deception I might still be snared. I believe that many youth are very
impressionable and can be influenced by the messages that are conveyed
by these excellently produced and crafted movies (Harry Potter, LOTR).
Paul says to reprove
the works of darkness. Under his ministry in
Ephesus witch craft articles were burned. (You are
suggesting that Paul would burn Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Hmm,
I so disagree with your direction -David) Was this not a renunciation
of the occult that was radical? I have personally been saddened by the
Mike Warnke types but that still does not mean that there are not issues
here. That's why I'm concerned when people write expressing what, in my
opinion appears to be a belittling attitude towards fellow Christians
with a different view. It's like "don't have concerns here, you're just
narrow minded. You're uninformed and anti- art, media and movies". (There
is real evil out there, but Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings is not
it. My point with Mike Warnke and the baby sacrificing hysteria of the
80s is that the certain Christians create a false world of Satanism that
just does not exist. They lie and promote hysteria. This is wrong and
sinful -and can I say satanic. Remember the Devil is the father of the
lie. Can you understand that. Real evil is obvious -David).
So I have a few questions
for you. When David says he will set no wicked thing before his eyes does
this not suggest that watching or giving agreement to portrayals of things
that are clearly forbidden in scripture is a violations of this heart
felt commitment. (This has to do with not placing a
false god in front of his eyes -following false gods. In Hebrews 12:1-2
Paul admonishes us to keep our focus on Jesus, and yet in Acts 17:16 Paul
carefully viewed the idols in the Athens. Point: As a Follower of Jesus
we do not become isolationists that do not view culture, rather we see
culture through Jesus googles -David).
How can we indorse
movies that portray wizards in a positive light when the Bible forbids
wizardry? (Reviews are not endorsements -David)
I've interviewed a woman who's husband committed suicide through the partial
influence of Dungeons and Dragons. The originators of D and D say that
they created the game through the influence of Tolkien's literature. (Oh
good grief, what are you doing here. Your experience is so untypical.
I met a man who claimed to have became suicidal after reading read the
book of Leviticus, should I use your logic to dismiss the Bible? -David)
Should we not warn people about these things? I personally agree
with you concerning the way Christians can get on campaigns that are uninformed
(i.e., y2k error and blaming God for the world trade center bombings)
but I believe that there are some real issues with Harry Potter and LOTR
which need to be exposed. (Oh well, go for it. To me
you are spinning your wheels) I greatly appreciate Don Richardson
insights and I believe that much of non-Christian literature has elements
that can be quoted to open people's understanding to God's word. But the
Apostle Paul did not endorse pagan religion (he was not an iconoclast
either). Yes he quoted Greek philosophers but did not buy into there worldview
when it disagreed with the scriptures. Hollywood contains great story
tellers and I believe we can learn much from there approach to this craft
but to take up their message I believe is dangerous (Why
do you seem to catergorize all Hollywood screenwriters as dangerous here.
There are some wonderful people in Hollywood who are truly making a difference
-David).
Sincerely,
Bob
Response:
For the record, I highly recommend LOTR. -David
HARRY
MAY NOT BE A BED OF ROSES, BUT...
Subject: Newsletter_30_
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Brian
David Bruce,
First, thank you for the corrections and apology from the previous newsletter.
Second, I may be taking a very middle-of-the-road position, some might
even say "riding the fence," but this debate has developed two distinct
sides and I believe there is more to it than a black or white, it's either
good or bad, issue.
There are occult experts
(not the Hagee's, et.al., but actual experts in occultism) who have made
repeated notation of references to the presence of witchcraft and occultism
and they shouldn't be completely ignored or trashed in some sort of reverse
witch hunt. (What occult experts? Can you site some
literature and research?) Their opinions are valid and they are
trying to give godly information for concerned parents. (Again,
who? I would be very cautious about "Christian" experts selling
books on the occult. It has been my experience that popular "experts"
like David Hunt, Bob Larson, David Wilkerson, Hal Lindsey and Mike Warnke
have turned out to be alarmist with less than credible foundation. So
again, who are you referring to? -David). Not being an expert,
I take what they (?) say and checked it out
myself, read all (all?) the books and researched
the terms and references. As far as I can see, there are several direct
references to occult practices in the books (and most likely will be in
the movie), but they are only references.
However, witchcraft
is not taught in these books; it's not explained. And unless you know
what to look for you'll probably miss all cultic references. I will not
go so far as to say kids wont become interested in the occult because
of reading these books; I'm sure there will be some that do, but I'm also
sure that those same kids would become interested in witchcraft or the
occult by reading the Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings. (Are
you masking a CS Lewis and LOTR bashing with carefully selected words
here? Are you using the term "kids" to add a sense of danger
to the works of CS Lewis and LOTR? Using words like "kids" and
"children" can be manipulative. I am not sure of what you are
really saying here. Can you be a little more clear? -David)
It comes down to this.
If you are a parent, you will have to check out for yourself what is in
the book/movie before you let your kids read/see it. (Good
idea. -David) You know your child best and you know how you want
him/her raised. You may discover that your 7-year-old shouldn't see the
movie, not because of the witchcraft, but because of the scary troll;
you may find out that your 10-year-old shouldn't read the book because
it is very violent. You may realize your curious 12-year-old will probably
seek further explanation of witchcraft. You may even find a good story
with time-honored principles easily backed by the Word of God. You may
discover that parenting is hard work (true -David)
, but the joys of knowing you did all you could do to raise them in the
admonition of the Lord is...as they say...priceless!
Thanks, Brian
BOOKS
AND ACTS 19
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Mark
I'm mostly a seeker,
sometimes more seriously than other times, rather than Christian in the
sense that Christians around me seem to be defining Christianity. I teach
world literature, New Testament Greek, and the Bible at a small private
college. I'm wondering how Acts 19, specifically the part where the Christians
(I'm guessing it's the Christians, although the pronouns aren't specific)
or maybe the newly converted Christian/Jews burn their books on witch
craft, fifty thousand pounds worth of books. Does that seem to indicate
that people who want to follow God and Christ should burn books like Harry
Potter? Or books that are about witchcraft?
I'm opposed to any
destruction on knowledge, of course, even really wicked knowledge. That's
my humanist background. The cure for bad books is good books. But from
a Christian perspective, reading Acts 19, is that what the message is?
Response:
The burning of the books was a public expression of a changed life from
a magic religion to be followers of Jesus. They burned their own
books (symbols of thier old life stlye) and praised the name of Jesus
(the name of their new Lord) in public. This passage does not give license
to conduct witch hunts as is going on with Harry Potter, nor is it an
encouragement to burn non-Christian books. -David
POOP
IN THE BROWNIES
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001
From: Thomas
Dear David,
A mom got into a discussion with her children about attending a particular
movie. They told her that the movie wasn't that bad, had only a few swear
words, a couple of objectionable scenes, but had some good messages along
with the bad messages. Besides, it was very popular and all the kids were
going to see it. The mom said she would think about it, but she had a
treat to make for them and went into the kitchen. A little while later
she came back into their room with a plate of fresh-baked brownies. "Come
and get em" she told them.
As they approached
the plate, she continued, "by the way, I added a special ingredient this
time. I mixed in a little bit of Harry's (the family dog) poop with the
batch." Each child immediately pulled back, not even touching the delicious
looking treats. "Oh, come on," the mom continued. "There's only a little
bit of poop in it. The rest is the usual good stuff. I have the best nuts
and most expensive chocolate. I gave the four extra sifting and baked
at just the right temperature."
Still the kids would
not touch them. "I don't understand, you're willing to put a little poop
in your eyes through this movie but not put a little poop in your mouth."
Mom made her point. And this is my point. You railed against "fundamentalists"
for pointing out the poop in entertainment. Phillipians 4:8 tells us to
focus not ONLY on the "positive" but on the righteous. Not ONLY on the
"good" in something, but what IS "good". Now, can "good" be shown even
if something has evil in it?
Of course, God can
and does show Himself in many areas outside of Scripture, but He will
never negate or contradict the Principals He laid out in Scripture. Scripture
is to be our measure, our first reference. Just because Paul quoted a
portion of a "poem", does not mean that this whole poem is worthy of quoting.
No, he quoted the part that illustrated the point he was making to make
the Scripture connect with those to whom he was speaking.
I think the problem
here is that most people do not like being told what they can and cannot
do. Hagee, Falwell, Robertson have some legitimate points to make about
the state of our culture. We should be discerning and cautious.
As a mature adult,
a scene where the couple falls in love only after having sex is a message
I know as false. To my 12 year old son, that message is not as clear and
it may be totally missed by my 3 year old daughter. We need to be discerning
and not embrace everything that comes down the line.
We are to be salt
and light to the world. We ARE Jesus to the world, and while He loved
all, in that love He also told others things they did not want to hear.
Sometimes we have to do that, sometimes we have to turn from something
that has some good because it has just too much poop to eat around, but
is it necessary to eat it at all? There are many alternatives and choices
we have to make. Even if something is "popular" does not mean it is good
for us. Just because it is "fun" does not mean it is okay for us to do.
Just because we can do something does not mean we should do it. And that
is the point of the messages of sirs Falwell, Robertson, Hagee.
Sometimes we have
to deny ourselves a brownie because there is just too much poop in it
and I am glad someone pointed it out before I took that bite. What is
important is our love and growth in God, not the pleasures we put in our
eyes. I use this adage: will what I am putting in my brain increase my
relationship with my Lord or pull me away from Him. That is something
only I can answer, but I can measure something through Scripture to help
me determine this.
Response:
Too bad there are sinful people in the church. Poop in the brownies. Better
not go to church. Your logic has a huge flaw, because there is poop in
everything. Despite all the evil in the world -major poop in the brownies-
Jesus came. Jesus specializes in transforming poop into fertilizer for
growth. Please teach your 12 year old son how to process poop. He will
see films and listen to music. Teach your son how to process. Please do
not be a Thomas Kinkade isolationist Christian. Go ye into all the world
-poop and all- and take your son with you, teach (disciple) him with the
wisdom of God. -David
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