HOW CHRISTIANS WARMED TO HARRY POTTER

[John81]

August 17, 2011
HOW CHRISTIANS WARMED TO HARRY POTTER [Excerpts]

After praising the "Harry Potter" books in 2001, author Connie Neal said that she opened her inbox to see death threats scattered among the reactions from fellow Christians. The one time the California-based writer found her book, "What's a Christian Got to Do with Harry Potter?," at a Christian bookstore, it was on the occult/New Age shelf.

In its early years, "Harry Potter" was a litmus test of orthodoxy for some conservative Christians, who expressed concern over its portrayal of witchcraft. A Christian lawyer sued a public library for encouraging young readers to check out the series. Texas Pastor John Hagee called the books a "precursor to witchcraft." In 2005 a Canadian website published a letter opposing the books written by Pope Benedict XVI when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. (In 2009, the Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano published a favorable review, seeming to reverse course on the series.)

The hysteria has largely died down, and not many religious leaders asked their flocks to avoid the final movie, which opens today. Potter observers cite a few possible reasons for the waning concern, including a natural desire to move on to other entertainment issues, but also an interest in the themes that unfolded.

Christians today are certainly not universally enchanted by the series. Over time, however, more readers have begun to express praise for its honest depiction of fear, loneliness and sacrifice as Harry faces the evil wizard Lord Voldemort. Many Christians have cheered the portrayals of loyalty, courage and love, as the main character repeatedly risks his life.

"These books are not written for people who have a mechanical faith," says John Granger, author of "Looking for God in Harry Potter." "For Christians who are consumed with moral elements and symbolism, Potter mania was ironic beyond words." Spoiler detail about the movie aside, the idea that sacrificial love conquers power, including magical power, is strongly suggested in the final book.


(Bailey, How Christians Warmed to Harry Potter, Wall Street Journal Online, July 15, 2011).


[[TBC: "There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses 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" (Deuteronomy 18:100-11).

This popular series glamorized witchcraft, disobedience and magic. "Over time," Christians have moved away from the Scriptures and it is not surprising, though grievous, to see Harry Potter finding favor with some. Connie Neal is also the author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter.]

[MatthewDiscipleOfGod]

I find is sad how many IFB Christians enjoy Harry Potter. God hates witchcraft and that is what Harry Potter is. It doesn't matter that it is fiction. Sin fictionalized doesn't make it any less grievous.

[John81]

I find is sad how many IFB Christians enjoy Harry Potter. God hates witchcraft and that is what Harry Potter is. It doesn't matter that it is fiction. Sin fictionalized doesn't make it any less grievous.

I agree. When the Potter books first came out most Christians, other than the liberals, denounced the books. As the books became more famous more began to accept them. As the books became popular movies, even more accepted them and even embraced them. Some churches even put together Sunday school and VBS curriculum based upon the "positive" aspects of Harry Potter!

Why turn to secular books and movies, which are filled with sin, in order to try and find something good, when Scripture should be our primary source of such. Beyond Scripture, there are many truly good Christian books out there, yet it seems so many Christians today want to try and "find God" in wicked books and movies.

A few years ago a woman was talking with my wife and said she was a Christian too. As "proof" of her being a Christian she began talking about some "Christian romance" books she reads all the time. Towards the end of their conversation, this woman began talking about how much she also loved the Harry Potter books. My wife asked about that and she said those books are okay, our pastor (who turned to be a woman!) said they were okay and used them in their Bible studies!!!

One has to wonder just how many professing Christians are actually biblically born again Christians.

[JerryNumbers]

Like the man said, "We may find out there is not as many of us as we thought."

[John81]

Like the man said, "We may find out there is not as many of us as we thought."

Yes, and that really saddens my heart. There are so many who really think they are right with the Lord yet they have been led astray.

[Dr. Roberson]

our pastor (who turned to be a woman!) said they were okay and used them in their Bible studies!!!

That to me is a HUGE red flag! It tells me I'm not talking to an independant fundamental baptist, but rather a moderate new evangelical or outright liberal christian. (if there really is such a thing as a liberal christian)

This is how many christians in the main line denominations have warmed to witchcraft. The fact that they attend a main line denomination church and reads such filth is what gives credibility to such things. "Well so-and- so goes to that big church in town and they read harry potter, so it must be ok to be a christian and read harry potter." Thats how most worldly people will rationalise thier compromise.

Dr. Roberson

[JerryNumbers]

That to me is a HUGE red flag! It tells me I'm not talking to an independant fundamental baptist, but rather a moderate new evangelical or outright liberal christian. (if there really is such a thing as a liberal christian)

This is how many christians in the main line denominations have warmed to witchcraft. The fact that they attend a main line denomination church and reads such filth is what gives credibility to such things. "Well so-and- so goes to that big church in town and they read harry potter, so it must be ok to be a christian and read harry potter." Thats how most worldly people will rationalise thier compromise.

Dr. Roberson

2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Many there are that do that, measure their self by those members of other churches. Perhaps they're scare to measure their self to Jesus, the one that did set an example for us to follow.

1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Or, perhaps they know no better.