Harry Potter: for those of you who are interested...

[olde_fashioned]

For the record, I am utterly opposed to Harry Potter and other books involving and glorifying witchcraft. THIS is a link to Doug Phillips' blog, that explains the dangers of Harry Potter much better than I ever could.

Comments

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I don't know if you're aware that there are some serious differences between the Catholic doctrine and Protestant teachings. Many commands in the Bible are blatantly ignored by the Catholic church, including not to worship/pray to other gods (i.e. Mary and the saints) and the issue of graven images. Many Catholic churches are now embracing homosexuality, which is Biblically reprehensible.

I don't think it's safe to use "other Christians" as a guide to how to live one's life. We are all sinners, and as such we can be misled. We were given the Word of God for a reason and that is what we ought to live by, not the word of man.

Just because a person is a good Christian doesn't mean they aren't sinners. Do you suppose that any good Christians have committed adultery? King David is just one such example. And yet he is repeatedly held up as an example in scripture. Does this mean adultery is okay with God?

There is a Christian bookselling catalogue called God's World Book club. When Harry Potter first came out, this company sold them in their catalogues for a while. Eventually they quit selling them, and published an apology for not "looking more closely" at the materials represented in the novels. Just because a "conservative" Christian shop sells something today, doesn't mean that it *is* conservative and Christian.

[musesong.livejournal.com]

No, I agree with you about not using other Christians as a guide. Plus, I am aware that there are many different Christian sects, some of them having a more fundamentalist and conservative approach to the Bible etc, others being more liberal.

Although Religious Studies is not my forte, I have studied at University level the period of the Reformation so yes am aware of the differences between Catholicism and Protestant faiths. I also had a brief overview on a course about the Victorian period which included other schisms, specifically in the Church of England.

It is also true that a conservative Christian bookshop in England conservatism will be different to that of those in the USA. Plus, as I said I think it's fairly unlikely they'd sell Rowling even though they did sell Tolkien, Lewis and Stephen Lawhead (who wrote Arthurian fantasy).

I know Wiki is not always a reliable source though it can provide a good overview. this article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_and_Christianity) looks at the way homosexuality is regarded within Christianity and it is far from only the Catholic Church who are not condemning it. There are a number of prohibitions within the Bible that people no longer follow.

So much of this comes down to whether the Bible is considered the word of God or whether it is seen as inspired by God.

Here is something that may surprise you. When the Harry Potter books first appeared many witches and pagans were not at all happy with the portrayal of magic and witchcraft within its pages. Probably there still are many who hate the frivolity of the books but with attempts to ban the books and book burnings has given her a status.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you!

For the record, I am one of those Christians who interprets the Bible literally, i.e., if it says "thou shalt not" then I believe we shouldn't. If it condemns something, then I am against it. I believe the Bible is the unerring, inspired Word of God, and therefore is not to be doubted or altered. He gave it to us for a reason, and I think we ought to use it.

I've never been to England (I presume you live there?) so I am not familiar with the "typical" Christian English stance on sorcery and the like. I believe however that witchcraft is very popular in the UK due to the druid influences and such.

You're right, I wasn't aware that pagans and witches were against HP when it first came out. I suspect that it was rather for the "fun, harmless, cute" manner it's portrayed rather than they were against the content in and of itself.

Are you suggesting that movements against the novels have made them into a sort of martyrdom? I am utterly opposed to HP but I don't think I'd go so far as to ban them. There would only be some other series to replace them, and banning the product doesn't eliminate the market's desire. It's rather like treating the symptoms as opposed to the illness.

[musesong.livejournal.com]

I did understand from your userinfo that you are interpret the Bible literally.

My own position is that the Bible has been translated so many times with bits voted out. I just do not have that much trust in all those folk to be unerring in their translation skills and judgement especially in terms of politics of the era.

Yes, I live in England though I was raised in the United States. I wouldn't say that witchcraft is popular but perhaps more tolerated> Part of this might because we are a quite secular nation compared to the USA even though we don't have the division between Church and State. It probably also is because of the legacy of folklore and that country women who were midwives and healers were seen as using benign folk magic.

I'm not quite sure why there was a reaction against the books by certain pagans. It may have been the 'cuteness' or because the magic portrayed in the books is so implausible.

However, yes there were moves to ban the books (stil ongoing) and highly reported book burnings back in 2001 did give her and the books a kind of martyr status.

As strange as it may seem I would agree with you that dabbling with magic is potentially dangerous and can open someone up to spiritual attack.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

May I ask you a question? If we are to suppose that the Bible is the inspired, sacred Word of God (whether or not you do, please bear with me for example's sake), don't you think if God would go to all that trouble to inspire men to write His word, that He would be able to ensure it was protected and kept whole throughout the millenia? Quite frankly, I think the idea that God can create a universe and raise people from the dead but not keep His book from being edited by mere mortals ridiculous. But that's just me.

I think the US is getting far more liberal and less Christian than it used to be, sadly. I don't know about England, though.

That is one of the core reasons I'm opposed to these books. People just think it's harmless and fun or a good story, but they don't realize that they're opening themselves up to a dangerous thing. We're giving our children these books without even telling them what they are.

[musesong.livejournal.com]

Happy to answer questions.

May I ask you a question? If we are to suppose that the Bible is the inspired, sacred Word of God (whether or not you do, please bear with me for example's sake), don't you think if God would go to all that trouble to inspire men to write His word, that He would be able to ensure it was protected and kept whole throughout the millenia? Quite frankly, I think the idea that God can create a universe and raise people from the dead but not keep His book from being edited by mere mortals ridiculous. But that's just me.

I have to admit that it would be a real stretch for me to ascribe this kind of editorial control to all versions of the Bible. Plus, what about other scared texts throughout the world. Would you really say it is just the Bible with this inspiration. behind it?

Plus, there certainly has been a lot of corruption in the Church. Indeed, this was what inspired the Reformation in the 16th Century.

I think the US is getting far more liberal and less Christian than it used to be, sadly. I don't know about England, though

It depends what you consider Christian. It used to be mandatory to attend church in past centuries if you wished to keep your place in society and church also had a huge social function.

That is one of the core reasons I'm opposed to these books. People just think it's harmless and fun or a good story, but they don't realize that they're opening themselves up to a dangerous thing. We're giving our children these books without even telling them what they are.

Do you not thing that for some kids this will make the books more attractive? Forbidden fruit and all?

Still I do think that parents do have a responsibility in terms of monitoring what influences there are in their children's life though being aware they are doign to come into contact with the outside world through peers eventually.