Christian Theological/Philosophical Book Club discussion

My opinion is summed up in the book Looking for God in Harry Potter

(I love Harry, and Harry is pro not anti Christian)

Its a fantastic story, I love it.

Also, the Christian themes grow throughout the series and you'd have to be blind not to see the Christ-imagery in book 7.

I have not read it because I am not a fan of Harry Potter, but a pastor I respect a great deal (Jared Moore) wrote a book titled The Harry Potter Bible Study that's available on Amazon. The kindle version is just a couple of bucks and the paperback isn't much more.

Clark

Never cared much for Harry but I loved his girlfriend when she was little. Hermani? Something like that.

Hermione was Harry's trusted friend, but she dated and later married Ron!

Nerd alert.

Lee wrote: "Never cared much for Harry but I loved his girlfriend when she was little. Hermani? Something like that."

:D

Ginny became Harry's wife, and became his gf.

Harry dated Cho before Ginny.

As David said, Hermione was Harry's bff.

It makes me so mad when people talk about Harry being Satanic and evil. It is so NOT.

I mean, the same people who say that about Harry, because there is magic in them, read and support other books with magic in them, like Lord of the Rings, and Narnia.

Bryn,

When I hear someone make a comment like that I try to remind myself that while I disagree with their conclusions, often times their motives are pure (albeit misguided). When someone says watching Harry Potter is evil, the motive is to remain loyal to the Biblical mandate against witchcraft. This is a noble concern and one that is especially relevant in the United States where witchcraft is often presented as a genuine alternative to God Almighty and pulls people away from Christ everyday. I recently spoke to a group of Wiccans about the Gospel of Christ and out of the 30 or so people that were there every one of them had once identified themselves as a Christian.

So their motives can be pure while their conclusions may be off a little. Nothing that liberal amounts of grace can't overcome!

Clark

Clark wrote: "When someone says watching Harry Potter is evil, the motive is to remain loyal to the Biblical mandate against witchcraft. "

Yes, I understand that.

It's the fact that they oftend make judgements before even reading the book, and are hypocritical by reading other books that contain witchcraft, while condeming Harry for containing witchcraft, that infuriates me.

Has anyone read this book?

Harry Potter and the Paganization of Culture

Almost all anti-harry potter people I meet wave it in my face, and I'm debating whether the book's worth my time.

My wife and I have been huge Harry fans for many years. I read all the books and have all the movies. It's fun stuff...

To a point. );

Harry did not WANT magic. It was just part of who he is. To use it or not use it is not an eternal issue in his world - but Good and Evil is. Harry is not defiant of absolute Goodness or God. (i'm agreeing with what was said earlier.)

The only real problem with Harry Potter is that it does make suburban kids lust for magic. I too have met a few Wiccans since the Potter series exploded. People want what Harry had, which is basic Paganism and Witchcraft. People want power and control over others and for their own desires - Harry never seemed to want this.

But then we had the whole Star Wars and the Force issue: did me and my buddies want the force to make us awesome warriors back in the 70's and 80's? You bet we did. :D
But we laughed at the reality of it. Kids today don't laugh - they buy spells and join clubs.

But we must learn to be Godly about art: I don't get my spirituality from Iron Maiden (great band), and I don't get my supernatural appreciation from Harry Potter (great books) - I prefer the Bible.

Great point Rod. We do need to differenciate between real magic, and Harry magic. Real magic isn't in your blood, it's summoned. However, non-christians oftend have trouble seeing this.

So I'll play devils advoate:

http://www.catholicculture.org/cultur...

Your thoughts on ^ link.

I once had a Harry Potter debate in high school speech class. I was against Harry Potter and I constructed my argument so well that the teacher asked me "So, are you for or against?"

Well, I was in US for only two years then. But since then I didn't care for Harry Potter.

I skimmed the article Bryn. It seems a bit fear based to me, but we all speak from our experience and I've never experienced witchcraft like some in the article.

That article had (some) nasty truth to it Bryn.

But can we really have good and evil without Jesus? NO. Very little is worth fighting for - Harry's view's are just as biased as Voldemort's. Truth is not based on pleasantries.

I just heard Uncle Vernon: played by actor Richard Griffiths...just died. It's too bad they cut so many of his scenes out of the movies. Great actor (I really liked him in Ballet Shoes.

Rod wrote: "I just heard Uncle Vernon: played by actor Richard Griffiths...just died. It's too bad they cut so many of his scenes out of the movies. Great actor (I really liked him in Ballet Shoes. "

Oh, that is too bad. Yes I liked him in Ballet Shoes too.

Rod wrote: "That article had (some) nasty truth to it Bryn. "

What points did you agree with?

Rod wrote: "But can we really have good and evil without Jesus? NO. Very little is worth fighting for - Harry's view's are just as biased as Voldemort's. Truth is not based on pleasantries."

What are you saying?

What i'm saying is:

"Are Buddhists any better than Hindu's or Muslim's?"

"Is God going to love and accept Mormon's more than J.W.'s?

Harry was not fighting for the Glory of God or the salvation of the planet. What was he fighting for? Niceness? Basically that and his version of Freedom. This only has meaning if there is an eternity where these things are cherished.

Don't get me wrong - worldly love, kindness, patience, tolerance, freedom are somewhat pleasant things. But do they get anyone to Heaven? Not according to Jesus.
______________________________________________________

Bryn question:
"What points did you agree with?"

Basically that Witchcraft is witchcraft. Which is like saying "Pornography is pornography."
Kind of like someone saying: "oh, but this is GOOD pornography. It helps children understand sex and keeps romance alive in parents."
There is no good witchcraft or pornography.

But I also think there is no perfect art. So we do the best with what's put infront of us. Although anything that steers us away from God is indeed horrible evil.
Harry Potter doesn't distract ME from God. But I could easily see it do this to others.

Fun topic eh? :D

Rod wrote: "Harry was not fighting for the Glory of God or the salvation of the planet. What was he fighting for? Niceness? Basically that and his version of Freedom. This only has meaning if there is an eternity where these things are cherished.

Don't get me wrong - worldly love, kindness, patience, tolerance, freedom are somewhat pleasant things. But do they get anyone to Heaven? Not according to Jesus."

Interesting point.

But I would differ in believing God doesn't value worldly love, patience, etc.

Matthew 25 "[34] Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

[36] Naked, and you covered me: sick, and you visited me: I was in prison, and you came to me. [37] Then shall the just answer him, saying: Lord, when did we see thee hungry, and fed thee; thirsty, and gave thee drink? [38] And when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and covered thee? [39] Or when did we see thee sick or in prison, and came to thee? [40] And the king answering, shall say to them: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to me."

You don't have to intended to do something for Christ, to follow what Christ commanded, and thus bring Him Glory.

And I think worldly love, patience, etc. are amazing things. "Somewhat pleasent" doesn't do them justice.

Rod wrote: "Basically that Witchcraft is witchcraft. Which is like saying "Pornography is pornography."
Kind of like someone saying: "oh, but this is GOOD pornography. It helps children understand sex and keeps romance alive in parents."
There is no good witchcraft or pornography."

Again, I disagree.

There is black magic, that of Satanists. There is white magic, bad but not as dangerous nor destructive as black. White and black power both comes from hell/demons. And then there is imaginary magic, (Harry Potter), in which magical energy is a creation of God. I picture it as an energy God only allows certain people to use, (in Harry Potter these certain people a wizards and witches). Wizards and witches go to Howarts to learn how to use this energy. In itself it's good, but it can be used to do wrong, as Voldomort uses it for.

So real Witchraft is bad, and fake witchraft, is not.

That's how I see it.

However, I do agree there is no harm reading books such as The Mortal Instruments Boxed Set: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glassin which real magic is portrayed positivly as long as it doesn't distract you from God, as you say. I also refarin from reading the spells in such books, as who knows if they're real. But otherwise, for most strong Christians, I think they're harmless.