I've heard from a few different people now (religious figures) that the premise for HP is anti-Christian. I know that HP is wholesome family entertainment that works to inspire desirable qualities of humanity, but considering the fact that it is set in a magical world, it is clearly in violation of what the bible preaches. Thus I've seen rallies by church groups to have families avoid the HP films altogether.
Have they gone too far? It's a national, no, a global phenomenon that has children fantasizing about magical gifts and creatures. Unfortunately, most kids recognize the human aspects of the film, but walk away only dreaming about magic. Are the religious groups correct in the negative influence that they see HP projecting unto children?
i'm unclear on why you think that anyone should dictate to people who believe that Harry Potter is against their religion. If they believe that their religion calls Harry Potter evil, who has the right to tell them otherwise?
It's the same thing as telling Hindus that they are wrong to call eating beef anti-Hindu. Only one who has no religious beliefs can condemn the Hindu belief without hypocrisy... and there are very, very few people like that.
As long as they don't try to control the lives of non-believers, let them call Harry Potter an agent of evil. You have no right to try and control their beliefs.
| Indi wrote: |
If they believe that their religion calls Harry Potter evil, who has the right to tell them otherwise?
|
There's a big difference between calling HP anti-Christian and calling it evil. People may call me anti-Christian because of my religious beliefs, but I would take great exception to being called evil because of them. It simply is not true.
Having said that... the way I see it, there is nothing in HP on the use of magic (on the part of the good guys) that makes it anti-Christian. The bible is full of magic and the only magic that is seen as evil is the magic that derives from sources other than YHWH (ie. so-called "false gods" and demons)... this is the main thesis in Sol Nigosian's great book "Occultism in th Old Testement" (though I think it holds true also for the New Testament). In HP is there anything saying where the source of magic derives? That it doesn't derive from YHWH?
Take care,
EyvindPeople can be free to believe what they wish to believe. However, in my opinion, to cull all fiction because it contains things that are not real, and thus must be evil, seems to be very narrow minded in my opinion. There is a difference between reading a book or watching a movie in which fantastical things happen to enjoy the entertainment, and watching a movie in which fantastical things happen and assuming that they must be true. The former is a manifestation of creativity, the later is simply foolish.
Well, it's true the the bible is against all the magic stuff, but HP is always a good child in his story, he mainly want to help people who need, and try to "destroy the devil"(As G.W.B) in his fight against Voldemort; and that's the christian teaching.
My thinking is that HP is as antichristian as some presidents of the christian world
Ps :is out subject a good expression to tell people that we are maybe discussing about an other subject thant the first one?
I guess I'd think of 'turning water into wine', or 'feeding 5000 people on 3 loaves and fishes', a form of 'magic'. Declaring it to be fact because it's in the Bible is probably far more dangerous than anything that's printed in a Harry Potter children's novel.
Hypocrites - the lot of them.
HP is good, clean fantasy fun. Nothing more, nothing less.
The Bible? Now that's the most dangerous work of fiction ever written.
This is relevant to the topic so i'll quote it. source stated at the end of this post
| Quote: |
Seizing on the phenomenal success of Harry Potter books and films, the Church of England has published a resource guide advising youth leaders to harness the frenzy to promote Christianity, the Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday, July 18.
"These sessions draw parallels between events in the world of Harry and his friends, and the world in which we are seeking to proclaim the gospel to young people," Owen Smith, youth worker at St Margaret's Church in Rainham, Kent, writes in the guide.
The resource -- "Mixing it up with Harry Potter" – offers creative ideas for using the Potter books as a basis for Christian teaching.
It uses film scenes to prompt discussion about moral choices and extracts from the books to demonstrate the power of words and their impact on others.
From theological concepts such as sacrifice and mercy, to everyday issues such as fears and boasting, each of the 12 sessions provides a basis for an hour's discussions and activities.
The sessions include Bible verses that present the Christian perspective on the theme, and prayer activities drawing on the topic.
The guide is designed for use with 9-13 year olds and will be available for churches to purchase from a range of Christian and general booksellers.
......................Smith, 24, and church leaders rushed to Potter's defense against earlier accusations by evangelicals for glamorizing the occult and attracting children to the idea of witchcraft.
"The magic in the books is simply part of the magic that J. K. Rowling has created, in the same way that magic is part of the world of Christian writers such as C. S. Lewis," reads the resource guide.
"To say, as some have, that these books draw younger readers towards the occult seems to me both to malign J. K. Rowling and to vastly underestimate the ability of children and young people to separate the real from the imaginary."
|
So harry potter isn't considered anti-christian by some as it is being used to promote christianity.
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1184649019235&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout
Peace. I don't think Harry Potter inspires children to use magic...
I think it inspires them to use thier imagination.
and I don't think Jesus would mind that at all.....
The thing that gets me about this topic,
is that while Christian Orgs consider Harry Potter anti-christian
They FULLY supported the Chronicles of Narnia which also feature
magic (lucy's magic potion, the Queens magic chocolate, the magic coat closet etc etc)
so it seems rather hypocritical to me.
| KronikSindrome wrote: |
is that while Christian Orgs consider Harry Potter anti-christian
They FULLY supported the Chronicles of Narnia which also feature
magic (lucy's magic potion, the Queens magic chocolate, the magic coat closet etc etc)
so it seems rather hypocritical to me. |
Actually, it's not the magic itself that's the issue, it's other things. Too many churches dislike it when authority figures are killed off or authority in general is disrespected, or when younger generations take on authority. Throw in the magic, and it becomes a given that Harry Potter is thus evil...
Sidenote: Narnia had a lot of Christian symbology in it (Aslan=Jesus, for example); because of that, there isn't much of an issue. Also, most practitioners of magic would be quick to point out that biblical miracles aren't magic; they aren't expressions of the person's own will, but that of God's will.
HM | GSIS wrote: |
The Bible? Now that's the most dangerous work of fiction ever written. |
Yep...anything that implies that humans aren't the end-all/be-all of existence or that you can love your enemies can be dangerous...
HMI don't know if it is anti-christian, but atleast there is nothing christian in it. Witches and wizards are against the Bible and all sorts of witchcraft is stricktly forbidden. Harry Potter is all about this thing, so at least I don't see anything christian in it!!! 
This question is very funny (at least for me !)
It seems that some people only interest is to find if everything in the world is OK with their religion.
They have probably a lot of free time or are paid for that (like people from the church)
I think it is a way to find that a lot of things are against your religion, then feel as a victim, then complain, and so on (a lot of people like to feel as victims and complain)
Why not just enjoy your life !
Many people like HP, let it be so and if you don't (like myself because I don't feel young enough) just don't read the books and don't watch the movies.
| ktak1 wrote: |
I've heard from a few different people now (religious figures) that the premise for HP is anti-Christian. I know that HP is wholesome family entertainment that works to inspire desirable qualities of humanity, but considering the fact that it is set in a magical world, it is clearly in violation of what the bible preaches. Thus I've seen rallies by church groups to have families avoid the HP films altogether.
Have they gone too far? It's a national, no, a global phenomenon that has children fantasizing about magical gifts and creatures. Unfortunately, most kids recognize the human aspects of the film, but walk away only dreaming about magic. Are the religious groups correct in the negative influence that they see HP projecting unto children? |
I own and have read all of the Harry potter books, well I just started reading the new one, and I own all of the movies and have seen the new one in theaters, I even own a couple of the games.
I may not be a child or a Christian...
But I think this is completely ridiculous! Harry potter is a good hearted fantasy book series. There is no where in any of the books or movies that has anything to do with religions, god, devil, heaven, hell, or any beliefs like that. Well other than a stick that you wave and say a Latin based word and something magical will happen.
I’m sorry to say this but if anyone’s kid will find a stick, wave it at somebody and say “expeto patrollum” and expect a silver stag/horse to come out and knock somebody over... well that parent needs to teach their kid the difference between reality and fantasy.
And what is wrong about fantasizing about something mystical, magical, and more to life? There is absolutely nothing wrong to dream about being a superhero, or saving lives because they have powers to do good deeds. Or even to pretend to be a super villain, the villain always loses, ask any kid, they will tell you that.
I mean what’s next are they going to say spider man is morally wrong because his powers were man made by a radio active spider and they should have been from god, because he isn’t fighting for Jesus to come back to life, so are they going to rally against that too?
If anybody is going to say that an obviously fake fantasy book, which actually wasn’t intended for very little children it was supposed to be for maybe a tad bit younger than preteens up to any adult age. If any parent is going to worry about their child watching/reading HP it should be about the progressing violence.
Also I plan to save my books so in the hopefully near future when I have children I’m going to read these books to them. I want my children to have a big imagination and fantasies. It is part of growing up.personal opinion: who gives a $h!# what bible thinks.
And since when has the bible got the right to tell us what is right and what is wrong? as far as im concerned the bible tries to take too much control of peoples lives. Everyone has the right to and should use it all the time to decide for themselfs, without influence.
HArry Potter is an awesome book! 
| The-Nisk wrote: |
personal opinion: who gives a $h!# what bible thinks.
And since when has the bible got the right to tell us what is right and what is wrong? as far as im concerned the bible tries to take too much control of peoples lives. Everyone has the right to and should use it all the time to decide for themselfs, without influence.
HArry Potter is an awesome book! |
i'm completely with you lol!Well, it's really quite difficult to say. The issue I see is that Harry Potter opens doors in peoples' mind. The very same doors that open, Satan could use to influence the child (in theory).
Exodus 22:18 [KJV]
Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
Which means, kill witches. I suppose it is up to the reader to determine what a witch is, but other Biblical translations call is sorceress or "woman who does evil magic" etc. In terms of Harry Potter, I'd suppose it means the intent of your spell, since this particular Bible verse seems to be singling out only evil women.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 [KJV]
There shall not be found among you anyone ....that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
The clear link to Harry Potter in this verse is divination. The King James Version clearly forbids the use of divination in these two verses, so I suppose one could interpret it as anti-Christian here.
Galatians 5:19-22
Calls the following "acts of sinful nature"
"adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft..."
Because sin is evil, I suppose one could assume that Harry Potter promotes evil.
According to Revelations 21:8, the sixth circle of Hell has been reserved for "sorcerers" [KJV]
One can infer from that that people who use magic in the sense of sorcery are going to Hell, according to the Bible.
==========
The links are there, but they are (for the most part) weak. At any rate, Jesus forgives, so if it becomes a problem, ask for forgiveness and repent.
I could argue how the rock on my front lawn is anti-christian.
Majority: No.
Majority of Christians: No, but I will probably pre-read and give context to questionable material while my child reads it.
Majority of stricter/orthodox/extreme/right-wing Christians: I won't gamble my child on it.
| KronikSindrome wrote: |
I don't think Harry Potter inspires children to use magic...
I think it inspires them to use thier imagination. |
Exactly.
I have all 7 books and have read them all and will probably read them again and again. I also plan to have the movies so we can watch them when we want. I don't have a problem with magic being in the books, I just teach my children that it's all pretend. That being said, we can now watch good clean movies and I don't have to worry about bad language, nudity and things like that.its crap, its a bloody fantasy novel about witches and wizards for christ sake.the book sare awesome, what if i deciced to protest the bible because my belief is the god is not real therefore the bible contradicts my belief?
its ludicrous, its a book dmmit. god people so rediculously strupid.
sorry about my typing its my mlunch break so im typing withone hand and eating wit the other
What balderdash! Why can't people just leave fiction to fiction instead of messing up religion with it?
Why bash Harry Potter anyway when on 80% of childrens' shows and CARTOONS the "heroes" have some sort of magic or superpowers at their disposal? Isn't that the same thing?
I know...! Let's light up some torches, raid television studios and force them to destroy all those cartoons because they are "teh evil" and teach children that magic is good, and thus Jesus is bad!
Stop... being... ignorant...!
people are so mindlesly stupid, its drives me insane
| Soulfire wrote: |
Well, it's really quite difficult to say. The issue I see is that Harry Potter opens doors in peoples' mind. The very same doors that open, Satan could use to influence the child (in theory).
|
I think Soulfire hit it right on the head there.
Not that I agree, but that was pretty much a big part of the argument the pastors from my old church gave.so are them types suggesting that satan is controlling JK Rowling?
Harry Potter is like so much other literature not like the real life. There could be nothing wrong with a litle fantasy story. Of course the harry potter books don't follow the bible. It hadn't been a succe then. Think of it as a story like all other movies and all other cartoon papers etc.
I have avoid the films myself but not of any religios reason. I have done that becaouse I want to read all the books before I see any of the movies because otherwise it could destroy the pictures I have build in my head of how it look like. I will read the last book when it is released in swedish at the end of this year.
Harry potter is not "evil" Lol when I first found out about this I absolutly could not believe peoples ignorance to even assume this. It is a Fantasy story created to Capture the imagination of people of all ages.Much like any other story. Everyone needs to just stop hating on others religions and beliefs. Believe what you want and stop saying everything is evil ;P Because everything that is said to be evil in my honest opinion is a dumb as me saying my sock is evil....i mean come on. Its a Childrens Fantasy book thats all 
there is no mindwashing secret message from satan in it. A Book | jadeyfalconis wrote: |
| Harry potter is not "evil" Lol when I first found out about this I absolutly could not believe peoples ignorance to even assume this. It is a Fantasy story created to Capture the imagination of people of all ages.Much like any other story. Everyone needs to just stop hating on others religions and beliefs. Believe what you want and stop saying everything is evil ;P Because everything that is said to be evil in my honest opinion is a dumb as me saying my sock is evil....i mean come on. Its a Childrens Fantasy book thats all there is no mindwashing secret message from satan in it. A Book |
Agreed.
The books them selves are just a form of entertainment. I hardly doubt it is possible to allow such a thing happen to children Until I see them spinning heads and speaking in backwards Latin with the book in there hands then I think its just in the air to cause a curfufle. 
It's a sad state of affairs when people like to claim that something is evil based on a report in a satirical newspaper. For full details: http://www.snopes.com/humor/iftrue/potter.asp
I agree , did'nt Moses do "magic" in the old testament? If not magic then what was it? Power of GOD? Well what would you call that then? People are just too bored with their own lifes nowadays and have to start somthing over nothing to get excitement. Would'nt the practice of treating people , that donate more money then others , better be called UNCHRISTIAN ?? Or the fact that the churches are building bigger and more technology based places of worship , costing tons of loot when there are still starving people around the world. Whats better ? Bigger churches or fed people? i don't know you tell me whos being hypocrital here. rofl it is if they want it to be but then again i can't speak for a religion I'm not part of.
is that link for real?
it cant be real
is it?
Actually, the article is satirizing a small trend, rather than the small trend being based off a satirical article...Yeesh...
HM
