I have not read any of the books. However, I have seen all of the movies, including the "Half-Blood Prince." I generally do not like to promote things that might have the potential to stir people (of any age) to have an interest in the occult (witchcraft, spells, etc.). However, the Harry Potter does definitely show that good and evil are both real. We live in a culture which has a hard time accepting that what God says is good is good for everyone and what is evil is evil for everyone. So, I do like that the Harry Potter series is not wish washy in this way.
For the record, I also wanted to state that the Bible does not accept any practice of witchcraft (including those done by Wiccans), seances, etc. Therefore, Biblically speaking, there can be no "good" witches or wizards. So, if a person cannot watch a movie promoting good wizards/witches without being sucked into that concept, that person should stay away. I make this warning, even in light of my previous post regarding my praise for the Harry Potter series attempting to show that there truly is good and evil in the world.
Hmm, I'll say Harry Potter doesn't seem immoral to me. From what I've heard, the books become more mature as they progress, and at the end a definite good wins out against a definite evil.
And of course there is the potential to be sucked into the magic element, but that's common to all "fairy stories." C.S. Lewis once received a letter from a confused boy, who when he prayed kept seeing a picture of Aslan in his mind!
First of all, anonymous, we are in total agreement. I really don't see how there's any good in what the Bible clearly does not approve of. And although there are two different "sides", the "side" that is supposedly good, is made up of witches, who definitely don't get their power from God. And since when are witches good?! I love in the old days from whatching disney how at least the witches were on the clear side of evil. It was more black and white. When did people confuse that line? And Joey, like I said, how can witches, who ride on broom sticks(clearly cliche) and use wands, be a definite good?
Deuteronomy 18:10 NIV Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Leviticus 19:26 NIV 'Do not practice divination or sorcery.
And think about this, you know that saying What Would Jesus Do? Apply that to everything you do, it solves a lot of dilemma's. :)
Well, the line between good witches and bad witches was confused seventy years with the release of "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Remember Glinda the Good Witch? And Dorothy: "I thought all witches were wicked."
You could also make the same point with "Star Wars" which featured Luke Skywalker and Darth Vadar using "the Force" for either good or evil.
Now, I am NOT a Harry Potter fan and there's quite a bit to dislike about the books' treatment of magic - using the more creepy aspects of witchcraft like potions and spirits. In fact, I'll clarify my earlier opinion - for some kids, Harry Potter might lead to confusion and unwholesome interest in the occult.
But the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and Harry Potter all use the convention of "magic" to their own ends. Whether or not the Harry Potter series uses the convention appropriately is up to the discretion of the reader.
Hi, if your reading this you're most likely searching for answers about the media and the culture we live in. We don't have the answers but we know someone who does! The God of this universe is the giver of all truths. This blog exists to help you and I search and fight for higher ground. This blog will also provide you with some great sources of Christian media and linkes to other great sites. So join Me(Riley), and Jesse and Troy as we strive to shine in this world of darkness. Ephesians 6:12-For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the rulers of this present darkness.
-Strive for Higher Ground-
Movies: Where to start? Today's movies are so steeped in immorality and sin, that it staggers us! Taking a stand against watching sinful movies takes a lot of guts. It means standing alone amongst your friends and peers, but it's worth the satisfaction of knowing you followed Gods will. But you might be thinking "there's nothing wrong with watching something that the world thinks is okay. I mean its not even real! Who cares if someone was violently slaughtered, their just imaginary characters in an imaginary setting produced for my entertainment." There's something majorly wrong with this sentence. If you think this way, you're conciously accepting, and approving murder for enjoyment! If this sounds harsh, good. We're tired of people looking at this as "no big deal!"
Psalms 101:3(NIV)- I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.
Romans 14:22(NIV)- Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Sexual Imorality: Sexuality in movies is even more serious than violence in movies. There is no excuse for going to a movie that you know will have a negative sexual influence on you. Sexuality has the influence to make you think and act in a way that God didn't intend. Sexual immorality, anything sexual outside of marriage, is harmful to not only your mind, but your body, and your soul.
Matthew 5:28- " But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Lust is anything that you use to fill your sexual desires. So keep a grip on your mind, and your body. Think before you take another glance at a girl, or boy, and make sure the glance isn't taken in lust.
Watch What You Say: The Bible has a lot to say about how you use your tongue. It describes it in James as a "restless evil, full of deadly poison." People, you, I, have trouble thinking before we speak, and most don't even care. But what we say holds power that we don't even realize, so we should really think about what we say before we even attempt to utter a word. Movies and most people nowaday's are bad influences when it comes to matters of the tongue. Cussing, sexual innuendo, and taking the Lords name in vain are common verbal expressions in today's culture, the latter being the worst. If you want to argue that, think about this: the Ten Commandments, the ten biggest things we need to think about, say something about taking the Lords name in vain, alongside murder, adultery, etc. But that doesn't mean that you should still cuss, and such. The Bible talks about unwholesome talk, it's just not in the Ten Commandments.
Ephesians 5:4(NIV)- Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Hi Joey, yes the Redwall series is really cool! So you like Harry P? Oh and just out of curiosity, do me (Riley) and Jesse and Troy know you?
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of the books. However, I have seen all of the movies, including the "Half-Blood Prince." I generally do not like to promote things that might have the potential to stir people (of any age) to have an interest in the occult (witchcraft, spells, etc.). However, the Harry Potter does definitely show that good and evil are both real. We live in a culture which has a hard time accepting that what God says is good is good for everyone and what is evil is evil for everyone. So, I do like that the Harry Potter series is not wish washy in this way.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I also wanted to state that the Bible does not accept any practice of witchcraft (including those done by Wiccans), seances, etc. Therefore, Biblically speaking, there can be no "good" witches or wizards. So, if a person cannot watch a movie promoting good wizards/witches without being sucked into that concept, that person should stay away. I make this warning, even in light of my previous post regarding my praise for the Harry Potter series attempting to show that there truly is good and evil in the world.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I'll say Harry Potter doesn't seem immoral to me. From what I've heard, the books become more mature as they progress, and at the end a definite good wins out against a definite evil.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course there is the potential to be sucked into the magic element, but that's common to all "fairy stories." C.S. Lewis once received a letter from a confused boy, who when he prayed kept seeing a picture of Aslan in his mind!
i have never seen the or read the book but i do not know if you agree but i think both sides are evil
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, anonymous, we are in total agreement. I really don't see how there's any good in what the Bible clearly does not approve of. And although there are two different "sides", the "side" that is supposedly good, is made up of witches, who definitely don't get their power from God. And since when are witches good?! I love in the old days from whatching disney how at least the witches were on the clear side of evil. It was more black and white. When did people confuse that line? And Joey, like I said, how can witches, who ride on broom sticks(clearly cliche) and use wands, be a definite good?
ReplyDeleteDeuteronomy 18:10 NIV
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Leviticus 19:26 NIV
'Do not practice divination or sorcery.
And think about this, you know that saying What Would Jesus Do? Apply that to everything you do, it solves a lot of dilemma's. :)
Well, the line between good witches and bad witches was confused seventy years with the release of "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Remember Glinda the Good Witch? And Dorothy: "I thought all witches were wicked."
ReplyDeleteYou could also make the same point with "Star Wars" which featured Luke Skywalker and Darth Vadar using "the Force" for either good or evil.
Now, I am NOT a Harry Potter fan and there's quite a bit to dislike about the books' treatment of magic - using the more creepy aspects of witchcraft like potions and spirits. In fact, I'll clarify my earlier opinion - for some kids, Harry Potter might lead to confusion and unwholesome interest in the occult.
But the Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, and Harry Potter all use the convention of "magic" to their own ends. Whether or not the Harry Potter series uses the convention appropriately is up to the discretion of the reader.
Really though, Redwall is much better. Eulaliaaa!