[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

You say that witchcraft is fiction: why the Bible state very clearly that is wrong, wrong, wrong? Have you never heard the saying 'a godly man, doth put down the occult litany of the witch'?

Hi Dr. Niles, I don't mean to say that Witchcraft is fiction. I practice Witchcraft as part of my religion. I mean to say that the 'witchcraft' portrayed in Harry Potter is not real, and I would know. =)

It's not from the Bible but if J.K. Rawlins is a Christian why is she writing about necromancy, demons and various hellish images?

Allegory uses a real story to convey messages about real ideas and situations. Its much similar to what CS Lewis did with the Chronicles of Narnia, though he wrote those with the express intent of drawing children to Christianity, whereas J.K. Rowling has merely said that much of her writing was inspired by Christianity.

As to specifics, there is no mention of demons in Harry Potter; necromancy is portrayed as deeply evil; and authors often employ 'hellish' imagery in their villains, so that the protagonist of the story can overcome what is 'hellish'.

When we hear reports every day about in the Ctholic church about raping boys and such, how can we be sure that Rawlins did not have this in mind when she was writing her so called 'book'?

I apologize, but I genuinely do not understand what you mean... Why would it have anything to do with child molesters...?

Just look at the following Chick Tract if you need more evidence:

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/5012/5012_01.asp

That's an interesting comic; it gives me a bit of insight into the way you all think. I'm not sure its evidence of Harry Potter's influence on anyone though, since the things the girl mentions, like ouija boards and tarot cards, are never even mentioned Harry Potter. As for their 'power', they wave wands and say made up Latin words; a kid can shout 'wingardium leviosa' all day long, and nothing will levitate, because its fiction.

I could see a book series such as "House of Night" influencing kids to be interested in Witchcraft, since the rituals described are similar to rituals practiced by Wiccans (a large branch of the Pagan belief system), but Harry Potter is simply too far removed from reality.

Why don't you open you eyes and think for yourself?

I endeavor to do so on a daily basis =)

[Didymus Much]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

...the book does not describe anything resembling real Witchcraft...

In the interest of clarity (and hilarity ), could you describe this "real" witchcraft, its practice and effects, etc.?

[Bjorn Jensen]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

First: Harry Potter has nothing to do with real Witchcraft. Not even a passing resemblance. It is fantasy, creativity, imagination and wonder

It is witchcraft. Lets say that someone writes a book describing sex with children in an extremely graphic way, and then makes a movie based on that book, and shows hardcore graphic child porn but with special effects. Is that not child porn then?

[Mary Etheldreda]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Hi!

Hi, and welcome to our friendly forums!

I saw this thread linked on another site, and I just couldn't resist!

So glad you decided to join us!

Big fan of Harry Potter, so I don't really understand the aversion to this series. I read the OP's list of rationale, and there are maybe a couple that hold water in your belief system, but they're a bit of a stretch, and the rest just don't really even make sense in the context of your argument...

Well, you do know Harry Potter is a real character, right? You know he never really existed, right? I know someonw who not only existed, but always has and always will! His name is Jesus, and He wants you to know, love, and serve Him!

First: Harry Potter has nothing to do with real Witchcraft. Not even a passing resemblance. It is fantasy, creativity, imagination and wonder - and these are the things you take from your children when you frighten them away from it, and stories like it. And while its a shame to lose out on the fun of reading, losing out on those qualities is a true shame, especially for a child.

Considering there is no one, objective source of what witchcraft is or isn't, there's really no way for you to make such a claim. Well, of course you can make it, but that doesn't mean it's a legitimate claim. As far as things like fantasy, creativity, imagination, and wonder, we don't take these from our children, we simply inspire wholesome sources of such things. We direct them to the Holy Bible! It's full of fantasy, creatifity, imagination, and wonder! Why, it's the most fantastic Book of All Time!

Second: While burning books may bring you some kind of incomprehensible thrill, and while the book burnings of yore may have succeeded in permanently destroying accumulated knowledge, in this day and age of mass printing and digital storage, burning a book does no lasting damage to the knowledge base. So at least roast marshmallows on them or something, so that all those trees didn't die totally in vain, while the rest of us whip out our iPads and read some more Harry Potter.

Eventually, as the word gets out, people will be no more interested in reading Harry Pooter than they are interested in reading Liberaci's autobiography.

Three: If you had actually read Harry Potter, instead of hating something before you even know what it is, you would find it rife with Christian values and metaphors. Almost annoyingly so.

Heehee, that's what they say at NAMBLA - "If you only looked at it the way we do, you'd see child rape as rife with Christian values."

Blech!

Example (SPOILERS AHEAD): the entire climax of the series is predicated on a willing sacrifice of the main character's life to save everyone he loves; a sacrifice which then destroys the evil wizard's power to harm the innocent; the main character then comes back to life, because the evil wizard, in spite of his great power, did not have the power to destroy him, because he had no understanding of the power of selfless love that the main character evoked by giving his life for his friends. Direct metaphor for how Jesus willingly died to save mankind, and thereby destroy the devils power. How can you possibly complain about that? And that's just one example.

Sorry, but Harry Pooter didn't know that his sacrifice would be temporary, nor did he know that it would work. He is not Jesus. Jesus knew from the very beginning of time because He was there (John 1:1-5). There's no value in believing in Harry Pooter like there is in believing in Jesus. If I don't believe in Harry Pooter, I won't spend an eternity in Hell to serve the righteous wrath of a jealous God.

Four: I cannot count the number of Harry Potter Confessions I've read on other sites, from kids who said "My parents wouldn't let me read Harry Potter because its agaisnt our religion, but I snuck a copy from a friend at school and read it anyway." This is the era of the internet; if your kids want to read it, they will find a way to read it. And all you do by banning it, is make it look more desirable and cool; you may as well bow to the inevitable.

Bowing to the inevitable is acknowledging God's Glory!

Five: Harry Potter is just plain entertaining! None of you would know that, since you won't allow yourselves to touch it (because it has cooties and you're not allowed to use your imaginations, I guess?) but there's a reason its so popular! Great storytelling, compelling characters that display excellent dynamic development over the course of the story, a magnificent and vivid setting, plenty of plot twists - you're missing out!

It's terrible writing (subject/predicate, subject/predicate, subject/predicate). It's terrible story telling, and most importantly, it leads children astray by thinking there is more to life than fear and obedience (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

So anyway, one wonders why you need to be so afraid of a story; surely your beliefs are not so flimsy that merely reading a children's book will cause you to lose your religion. So I am mystified by the deep and abiding terror and hatred a children's tale has inspired in a group of supposedly strong and faithful adults...

Anyway, I challenge you to read the books! *dat dat daaaah!* You would see that they are nothing dangerous or subversive, just good story telling - and you can always go on hating them afterwards.

Sincerely ~ your friendly neighborhood Pagan

Friendly pagan, I would encourage YOU to read the Holy Bible! In it you'll find stories that fill the mind with vast imagination (Genesis 6:4), accounts of bravery (1 Samuel 18:25-27), justice (2 Kings 2:23-24), and sacrifice (Judges 11:29-40). And... it just may save your eternal life.

[Dr Laurence Niles]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Hi Dr. Niles, yes, I am aware of what the Bible says about these things, particularly about witches and how we are to be 'dealt with' (I don't hold it against you). As I mentioned, the book does not describe anything resembling real Witchcraft. It is pure fiction.

I certainly don't think that children should engage in murder or sex of any kind.

I am not an atheist, I am actually a polythiest. J.K. Rowling, the author, is a Christian. I have no intention of sending anyone anywhere. Pretty sure JKR only intends to send people to the book store.

Blessed Be and Namaste ~ =)

You say that witchcraft is fiction: why the Bible state very clearly that is wrong, wrong, wrong? Have you never heard the saying 'a godly man, doth put down the occult litany of the witch'?

It's not from the Bible but if J.K. Rawlins is a Christian why is she writing about necromancy, demons and various hellish images?

When we hear reports every day about in the Ctholic church about raping boys and such, how can we be sure that Rawlins did not have this in mind when she was writing her so called 'book'?

Just look at the following Chick Tract if you need more evidence:

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/5012/5012_01.asp

Why don't you open you eyes and think for yourself?

YIC

[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Dear Skyfire,

You certainly seem to be bending over backwards defending that witch author and that satanic crap she writes.

...Just what is your intention here? Are you hoping some innocent Christian Chlid will read your rants and be persuaded to turn away from Jesus?

Are you mocking our beliefs?

YIC

Hi Sammy, I really love Harry Potter, its a wonderful story! =) I am trying to understand your out-of-hand dislike of it. I'd love to dispel some the myths surrounding its negative reputation, but after seeing how I have been greeted (the profile pic is a nice touch!) I doubt that is something I could accomplish here. So I am just trying to understand.

I have no intention of converting anyone to my religion; evangelism goes against the principles of my belief system. I'm just here to talk about a book =)

I would not mock your beliefs, Sammy, that would be wrong. I simply do not understand them.

[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Dear Skyfire,

The math is simple:

1/2 hindu + 1/2 buddhist = 1 hellbound troll

YIC

Hi Sammy, I am not a Hindu or a Buddhist; I am an Eclectic Pagan. The term 'namaste' is a word that roughly means "my soul recognizes your soul". It is a word intended to convey deep respect, and no trolling or disrespect is intended. =)

[Sammy The Penitent]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

and the author of the books seems to have intended the books as an homage of sorts. (Which again is why I don't understand your collective problem with them.)

Dear Skyfire,

You certainly seem to be bending over backwards defending that witch author and that satanic crap she writes.

...Just what is your intention here? Are you hoping some innocent Christian Chlid will read your rants and be persuaded to turn away from Jesus?

Are you mocking our beliefs?

YIC

[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Because they seduce innocent children into a path that will lead to eternal damnation in the fires of Hell. Everyone who doesn't hate children should be afraid of this.

Hi 'Cranky Old Man' (awesome name, lol), the 'witchcraft and wizardry' of the Harry Potter series is fictional. So even if you believe that witchcraft is dangerous, a child is no more practicing witchcraft by imitating Harry Potter, than they are scientist by saying 'Beam me up, Scotty!'

I did read the books. All of them. I also watched all the movies. They were filled with page after page of insults to God. As soon as Sarah Palin implements Biblical law in America the witch who wrote these dreadful books should be burned along with her books.

I'm sorry you didn't like them. I don't recall any insults to Jesus or God in the books. Would you be willing to provide some examples, so I understand what you mean?

You can burn the books, but again, they are available on the internet, so I'm not sure it would accomplish much towards your purpose.

[Sammy The Penitent]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Namaste

Dear Skyfire,

The math is simple:

1/2 hindu + 1/2 buddhist = 1 hellbound troll

YIC

[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

How dare you compare Jesus to damn wizard?

Hi, Ex-Viking, it is an allegory, it uses a real story to convey messages about real ideas or situations. There was no insult intended. I have nothing but respect for Jesus of Nazareth, and the author of the books seems to have intended the books as an homage of sorts. (Which again is why I don't understand your collective problem with them.)

[Skyfire]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Do you know what the Bible says about wizards?

That's right, the same thing it says about beastialism enthusiast, murderers, incestualism and gays.

Hi Dr. Niles, yes, I am aware of what the Bible says about these things, particularly about witches and how we are to be 'dealt with' (I don't hold it against you). As I mentioned, the book does not describe anything resembling real Witchcraft. It is pure fiction.

Do you really think it is okay for children to be shown doing any of these activities? Really?

I certainly don't think that children should engage in murder or sex of any kind.

That's just sick and it shows how far atheists will go to send the vibrant, clean limbed young youths and girls to Hell.

I am not an atheist, I am actually a polythiest. J.K. Rowling, the author, is a Christian. I have no intention of sending anyone anywhere. Pretty sure JKR only intends to send people to the book store.

Shame on you!

Blessed Be and Namaste ~ =)

[Cranky Old Man]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

So anyway, one wonders why you need to be so afraid of a story

Because they seduce innocent children into a path that will lead to eternal damnation in the fires of Hell. Everyone who doesn't hate children should be afraid of this.

Anyway, I challenge you to read the books!

I did read the books. All of them. I also watched all the movies. They were filled with page after page of insults to God. As soon as Sarah Palin implements Biblical law in America the witch who wrote these dreadful books should be burned along with her books.

[Bjorn Jensen]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Example (SPOILERS AHEAD): the entire climax of the series is predicated on a willing sacrifice of the main character's life to save everyone he loves; a sacrifice which then destroys the evil wizard's power to harm the innocent; the main character then comes back to life, because the evil wizard, in spite of his great power, did not have the power to destroy him, because he had no understanding of the power of selfless love that the main character evoked by giving his life for his friends. Direct metaphor for how Jesus willingly died to save mankind, and thereby destroy the devils power. How can you possibly complain about that? And that's just one example.

How dare you compare Jesus to damn wizard?

[Dr Laurence Niles]

Re: 12 reasons Harry Potter should be banned

Do you know what the Bible says about wizards?

That's right, the same thing it says about beastialism enthusiast, murderers, incestualism and gays.

Do you really think it is okay for children to be shown doing any of these activities? Really?

That's just sick and it shows how far atheists will go to send the vibrant, clean limbed young youths and girls to Hell.

Shame on you!

YIC