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MORE
RESPONSES ON HARRY POTTER
WITCHCRAFT
AND CHRISTIANS
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: L. Glenn
Dear Mr. Bruce:
This is the first time I have looked at your site, and was disappointed
at your favorable opinion of the Harry Potter series. It did reflect the
controversy swirling around the Harry Potter books and current movie,
especially within the "Christian" community. Your opinions reflect
relativistic logic and an acceptance that Christian truth can be established
through non/extra-biblical sources. Scripture does not support your opinions.
(You are so wrong about my thinking. -David)
Some like yourself
try to justify your anti-biblical argument by saying that God used this
or that scenario to interact with or teach man. True, He can, such as
using an ass to communicate to Balaam the false prophet. If your position
is valid then you would accept that Satan is a force for good because
he can quote scripture, as he did when Jesus our savior was being tried
in the wilderness; or, that Job came out better from his trial than he
was previously. God used Satan in Job's case, yet Satan only used evil
and loss to work on Job. So perhaps evil and Satan are good and God is....?
No, God is the ultimate in righteousness and goodness and He tempts no
man with evil, nor does He sanction witchcraft, sorcery, spiritualism
or those who believe evil is good. (No argument here.
-David)
Some claim that a
great deal of highly regarded fantasy would have to be thrown out were
Harry Potter to be relegated to the rubbish heap. Those who hold this
opinion do not comprehend the that none of the other fiction takes place
in the "real" world, that the other fantasies do not set the
scene in a school of witchcraft, give vicarious lessons in witchcraft,
or uphold witchery / wizardry as a desirable goal. The wizards of these
other fantasy pieces are either phony, the end of their line, or as a
player in a drama.
Some professed Christian
personalities and other prominent people have jumped on the Harry Potter
bandwagon. However, these people seem to have set aside the authority
of the Bible to vaunt their own opinion. Since Christianity is a religion
based upon the validity of the Bible, the supremacy of God and of Jesus
Christ one must look at what the Bible has to say, what God through His
inspiration has said, not what people, whoever they are -- whatever their
station, have to say. These people, no matter their sincerity, cannot
offer, give or assure forgiveness of sin or salvation; nor, do their opinions
supersede or negate God's judgments and laws. (True.
The Bible is always the final word. I do not disagree with you. This is
strange because you seem to disagree with me. I see no difference between
us, except in our different views of HP and what a Christian is. You seem
to suggest that Christians who view HP differently than you do are not
true Christians. -David)
The Holy Bible, the
only complete source of Christian truth, says, "There shall not be
found among you anyone who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one
who interprets omens, or a sorcerer.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.
And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also,
many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and
burned them. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and
murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.
These examples from
the Law (Torah) to Revelation show there is no controversy in the Bible
about evil practices and beliefs. (HP is not this,
however. -David)
If we believe in God,
and we believe that the Bible is the word of the Living Almighty God who
will judge all mankind ('humankind' would be a better
word -David), it is not our opinion or belief that counts, it is
His sole opinion; and He in His book has nothing good to say about witchcraft,
sorcery, divination, magickal practices etc. You say, "Point: Harry Potter
can be used to point to the positive truths." The Bible says, "Can
two walk together, unless they are agreed?" and "what communion
has light with darkness?" You cannot agree with God and with the
occult, or Harry Potter and his creator. (Again. The
Bible is always the final word. I do not disagree with you. This is strange
because you seem to disagree with me. I see no difference between us,
except in our different views of HP and
what a Christian is. You seem to suggest
that Christians who view HP differently than you do are not true Christians.
So sad -David)
You said, "Statement:
Harry Potter will not advance the cause of Satanists. Harry Potter will
not increase the ranks of so-called wizards and witches." However, the
Bible says, Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, And
when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 20:11 "Even a child
is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right." Children
learn by reading, seeing, mimicking, and through play (Harry Potter toys,
Ouija boards, Dungeons & Dragons ad nauseum.)
In summary, the Bible
continues: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather expose them.", it does not say embrace, promote, encourage
or support the works of darkness. Mr. Bruce you need to rethink your position
in light of the Holy Bible, not what is convenient or popular. Harry Potter,
witchcraft, sorcery, divination, mediums / spiritualism, psychic readings,
magick and related practices are of darkness. No Christian should have
fellowship with these practices. Witchcraft is sin, sin brings eternal
death --is Harry Potter really worth risking your eternal life for? (Non-sense.
HP does not equal eternal death. God will NOT burn people forever just
because they read HP. Nonsense. Your view of God's justice is somehow
wrong to me. -David)
L. Glenn
PS: If you are going
to offer and try to establish a theological or doctrinal position or opinion
use a real translation rather than a paraphrased text. (The
translation I used is not a paraphrase. Unlike the old Living Bible which
is a paraphrase, the New Living Translation is not as you state. It is
a translation. You do not know theology or biblical matters very well.
You are very limited in your experience and understanding. May God bless
you and work with you in expanding your heart to be inclusive of Christians
that think different than you. The difference between you and I is that
I can rejoice that you follow Jesus, whereas you can not celebrate my
life in the same way. So sad. If you are intolerant toward certain brothers
and sisters in Christ, I wonder if you are even more intolerant toward
nonChristians. -David)
GOOD
LESSONS IN HP
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Lori
I have read all the
Harry Potter books so far. Because of all the controversy I wanted to
be sure before I allowed my son to read them. I have to say they are positive
in a lot of ways. There's a good lesson in each book (sometimes more than
one). He also has enjoyed them. Isn't that why the books are listed under
"science FANTASY"? Thanks for listening!
Response:
Thank you. -David
WHEN
IN DOUBT --LEAVE IT OUT
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Wendy Hamil
David: I just finished
reading various opinions about Harry Potter books, and I wish to share
this rule of thumb with you and others. This is not original, but I have
always discovered this rule to be practical and safe. When followed I
have never had any regrets. It is old but true,"WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT
OUT".
I am aware that witchcraft
is practiced throughout the world, and personally, I want no part of it.
It opens the gate to hell!! I don't even read my horoscope any more. As
parents and grandparents I believe we have a responsibility to protect
our children, and many people are letting their children read the Harry
Potter books and view the movie without personally learning what this
is about.
I think a person should
pray for the Holy Spirit to open their eyes and ears before they begin
the search, and before they let the children read the books or view the
movie.
We all know satan
is the biggest deceiver of all and many Christians will be deceived. He
is not worried about the unbelievers, his great concern are believers.
I believe our schools
should practice the same policy about permitting the children to read
the books. Since some consider them to be witchcraft, which is a religion,
then they should not let the children read them. Do public schools allow
the Bible, Curran or other Books of Faith to be read? I am a Christian,
and would like to say I am not in favor of audible prayers being said
in public schools. If one religion is allowed to pray aloud, then allow
all religions to pray aloud. THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT FORBID OR PROHIBIT
ME FROM PRAYING ANYTIME......WHEN I PRAY SILENTLY. I am in agreement for
a period of silent prayer in public schools.
So, if Harry Potter
is going to be read in public schools....let's dust off the Bible and
encourage the students to spend the same amount of time reading it as
they do Harry Potter. There are Bible for all age levels, and many may
be surprised how fascinating the Bible is.
Thanks for letting
me share my opinion.
Wendy Hamil
Thanks for allowing me
Response:
You are welcome. -David
A
WONDERFUL TOOL
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Linda
I think the new Harry
Potter movie is wonderful and I also think that the whole Harry Potter
series is the age old tale of good versus evil. Isn't it amazing that
in the movie the one thing that keeps Harry from harm in the end is the
Love of his Mother that she put into him just before she died! Harry is
a wonderful tool to teach our youth and adults as well, that the things
of true value are not made of gold or silver but are instead the relationships
we have with our fellow human beings.
Response:
Thank you. -David
WAKE
UP AND SMELL SATAN!
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: mike
My dear friend I am
not sure how I got your page, but I am glad I did. I address you in love
sir, not in hostility.
You too have been
duped by the devil, like thousands of others. There is nothing, hear me
son, nothing positive about witchcraft in any form. You quote Paul, so
listen to him here: "Finally, brethren (Christians) whatever things are
true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things
are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,
if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate
on these things." (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). Read about Samuel if you think
witches have anything positive to relate, read 1 Samuel 28 through chapter
31. You quote Scriptures, so let me give you one. You need to use the
whole chapter of Acts, not just an excerpt. I can take one sentence of
Scripture and interpret it to mean just about anything. Paul said in verse
22 of that same chapter of Acts you quote, " I perceive that in ALL things
you are VERY RELIGIOUS. (Emphasis mine.) The people had been duped into
believing there were numerous gods, so it was a bit sarcastic in a sense
when he made this statement to them, that you use in your quote.
Call me a holy roller
if you like, as the one lady did John Hagy. After all, that is how Satan
fools everyone else. Take "holy" away from Christianity and you end up
with religion. The difference between religion and Christianity is heaven
or hell. Consult Christ about it in Matthew 15: 7-9: "Hypocrites! Well
did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'these people draw near to Me with
their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from
Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments
of men.'" One more bit of advice, if you happen to still be reading this:
Satan can sugar coat his antics with children, and even puppies or kittens
if he chooses and try to lead us to believe there is nothing "wrong with
it." Popular opinion is not always the right opinion. It is not what you
think, or what I think that counts. It is what God says in His Word. All
of His Word. Not just bits and pieces.
I guess some "Christians"
may say the Exorcist was a "teaching movie" as well, huh?
May God continually
be merciful and gracious unto you and yours!
In His Service and at yours:
Rev. Michael S. Ingo,
Associate Pastor, Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Response:
Thank you for sharing. I wish you had been more being "merciful and
gracious" in sharing your opposing view. I would have appreciated
such kindness and heart. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace
..kindness" "The works of the flesh are strife, quarrels, factions,
malice", etc. as you well know. We may disagree, but we still follow
Jesus and are part of the same family. -David
LOVE
IS MORE POWERFUL THAN BAD MAGIC
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry_Potter_Can_Be_Used_Positivel
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Dale Bare
Hello, just read your
article on ol' harry. I read the books with my 13 year old son and took
him to see the movie. in the story it was love that was more powerful
than all the evil magic. and loyalty and friendship was the most important
virtues. as for an innocent dying. what is our faith built on but the
horrible death of our savior. It is sad to see Christians up in arms over
such trivial things. And not emphasizing the good news of Gods Love.
Your bro Dale Bare
Response:
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience. You are a great father.
Thank you for loving your son as you do. -David
THE
PROBLEM OF CRYING SATAN
Subject: Newsletter_30 Satanic_Hysteria
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: "Barbara"
I think that people
who "cry Satan" keep a lot of people from Christ - so in reverse, maybe
they are serving Satan themselves with their irrational behavior.
Response:
Amen to that. You are so right. What is a nonChristian to think with isolationist
Christians falsely predicting the Y2K crisis, the so-called fall of America
on 9/11, the gay bashing Disney boycott, the Pokemon is demonic craze,
the so-called baby sacrifices by Satanist, Family Radio's end of the world
in 1994 prediction by Harold Camping, the return of Jesus in 1988 by Hal
Lindsey, Satanic back masking in Rock records, etc? And now what? Harry
Potter? Legos? Lord of the Rings? CS Lewis? Satan has an easy job of making
the church look ridiculous. Isolationist Christians make us all look stupid
and ignorant to out side eyes. Jesus is not pleased. Thank you, I totally
agree with you. I pray that the insanity will stop! -David
68
YEAR OLD READS HARRY POTTER
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: "Barbara"
I'm 68 and I've read
all the Harry Potter books (the first two twice). I always have them on
loan. I think they are a great deal like C.S. Lewis's "Tales of Narnia".
I wish more young children were like Harry, Ron and Hermione. Even in
the fourth book where one of the good students is killed by the evil of
another, that "stuff" happens in the Bible and happens daily in life.
It is how we deal with "stuff" that makes the difference. Harry deals
with things honestly, it doesn't get better than that.
Response:
Thank you. -David
THE
HARRY POTTER QUESTION
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: "Raven
Rivers"
Hello :)
I am trying to verify
a quote by JK Rawlings in a supposed interview on July 17, ?, with the
London Times. It is a damaging quote to say the least and truthfully I
doubt she said it. I have tried to find The London Times on the internet,
but am having a difficult time finding it. Is there even such a newspaper?
The article that mentions the quote by Ms. Rawlings was sent to my sister-in-law
who is the editor of our website by well-meaning friends of ours in Paris,
France. They are evangelical christians. I am a born again christian,
just so you know, and although I don't agree that Harry Potter has something
good to offer christian children, I also don't agree with all this negative
hoopla surrounding the books and the author. I also don't believe the
books are overloaded with subliminal messages being sent to lure unsuspecting
children to their doom. I am 32 yrs old and I grew up feeding my reading
hunger with Robert Lynn Asprin's Myth Adventures and C.S. Lewis, and Tolkein,
and Roger Zelezny and the like. Although I did eventually drift into the
occult, I believe it was mostly due to the lack of parental supervision
on my reading material than the influence of evil messages in the books
I read.
This is the case with
Harry Potter. If you are going to allow your child to read these books,
then be prepared to discuss them from a reasonable christian perspective
and not hysteria. Children are naturally curious. Personally, I found
it disturbing to see parents taking their children to the bookstores at
midnight and joining in THAT frenzy as they pushed and shoved to get one
of the books. It's like the mess with the Pokeman trading cards. So, as
parents we have the responsibility to keep things in check without making
it such a taboo that it becomes even more enticing to the child. It's
not easy keeping that balance.
Anyway, if you can
in any way shed some light on the quote I would appreciate your help.
Once I verify the truthfulness of the article in question, I will be writing
one of my own on the dangers of all this hysteria and how, if as Christians
we continue to cry wolf...no one will listen to the truly important things
we have to say and the warnings of the real dangers out there. :)
Thank you for your
time.
P.S. I am reading
now the article by Terry Mattingly...I think I have my answer ;) I am
sending this to you anyway. Think of it as a long hello! lol Thanks again.
Response:
The quote is bogus. Major urban legend. A lie. And we all know who the
father of the lie is. Sadly, this urban legend is being spread by Christians.
-David
AFRAID
OF SATAN
Subject: Newsletter_30 Harry Potter
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: "Al & Lisa"
I am the mother of
two boys ages 8 and 10. My feelings on the Harry Potter situation is that
I'm afraid it will open some doors that need not be opened in the mind
of a child. Sometimes all it takes is for the curiosity to be built and
Satan takes it from there. My 10 year old gets lost in his stories as
I did at his age and I really don't want to encourage the witchcraft and
sorcery aspect in his life until he has a better foundation in Christ
under him. I am preferring to stick to the positive aspects in his life
for now. We will deal with life's lessons as they arrive. This is one
Mom who is not bashing Harry Potter but also not allowing it at this time.
Sincerely, Lisa Ouellette
Response:
Thank you for being a concerned mom. However, remember; "Greater
is the One who is in you than the one who is in the world." -David
TRUST
GOD, NOT WIZARDS
Subject: Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Bell
I have no desire to
read a book about wizards and witchcraft. I don't believe you can label
it fantasy, in regards to the occult. I trust God and the bible!
Response:
I am glad for your commitment to God. -David
SOMETHING
GOOD?
Subject: H.P. Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Arpi
Mr Bruce, how can
we turn HP into something good? What would you (Jesus) do? I think Christian
movie makers must come with a good alternative. To all Christians who
want to read the books and/or see the movie: pray about it and tell your
children the alternative. While you read pray so the Holy Spirit can guide
your mind. Pray also that all non believing children will not be influenced
negatively by HP.
Arpi
VARIOUS
THOUGHTS
Subject: H.P. Newsletter_30
Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001
From: Arpi
Mr. Bruce, Your views
on Harry Potter are very interesting and I agree that we can use HP for
something good. Anyway I do believe that HP is bad influence for children.
Children can be influenced easy and occultism, whichcraft and magic are
things that the Bible warns us about. Why is it that we protect our children
from hard violence, soft and hard porn and not from occultism? To my opinion,
The HP idea make us think that it's ok to use magic to control people
while Jesus learned that we can do nothing without the Father. Jesus learns
to love our enemies and pray for them and that revenge belongs to the
Father. The Bible teaches also that the words we speak can influence everything
(life and death are in the power of the tongue) so I believe that children
(and adults) who want to imitate HP and speak incantations they can put
someone, withour knowing, in bondage.
I think poor Harry
has a big trauma and needs help. I would love to see that in the future
Harry would meet some good Christian people tp pray with him, tell him
about Jesus, how him Gods love. Further that he turned to God, asked forgivness
and leave the whichschool and started telling the other students and teachers
there about Jesus. And instead of using dark powers he started to use
the power of the Holy Spirit and Gods Word to destroy the works of the
devil. Wouldn't that be great? What an influence would that be for all
children!
I think that satan
is laughing about it, clapping his hands, because Christians are being
undivided and attack each other. Instead of critics, ungodly reactions
and speaking fear, Christians stood stand up and PRAY. The prayers of
righteous men can do much, because the power of God is much greater.
I think HP can be
use positively by showing, in the light of Jesus, the differences between
the power of occultism and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Arpi
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