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Is Harry Potter
A. Evil Incarnate; witchcraft repackaged
17%
 17%  [ 10 ]
B. Just a harmless kids story
53%
 53%  [ 30 ]
C. Gimme da gold!
28%
 28%  [ 16 ]
Total Votes : 56


my-unseen-tears

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:19 pm


I honestly don't believe in either one of the polls. To me, harry potter is a good story, about good kids helping each other out. But, that's me. And i know where i stand with God and being a christian. I know my boundries like any other person. This, i do not believe is a bad thing for my relationship with Jesus. However, they aren't just unharmfull children's stories either. They could be very harmfull, to some kids. I think it's great for some parents not to let their kids watch harry potter. Because it is witchcraft, and it is very clear in the bible that witchcraft is wrong. But if you know that it is wrong, and do not allow the potentually harmfull stuff to get into your system, and start believing in this, i think it is alright. Call me evil, but i don't look at the witchcraft, i just look at the cute lessons(and that cute ron! wink ) and see a good story line. I have felt no guilt by God in watching them. But, i did think that the 3rd harry potter movie was really dark, and do not like it very much at all. But i do like the 1st and 2nd. And, to be perfectly honest, i am going to see the 4th. I love the books, too. Lots of people will disagree but, as i said before, it's not an issue to me. I will probably not let my children watch harry potter, until they are older, and can realize that witchcraft is wrong, but that doesn't mean the movie has to be "evil".
PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:23 pm


DaNcErCuTeE4God
Desensitized nonsense
You see that is the problem with the church today, we know things are wrong, but yet we do them anyways.For example we watch a movie which has a few curse words in it and takes the LORD's Name in vain and we are not appaled, and instead of turning it off we continue to watch it and count it as a good movie. We become spiritually desensitized to what we watch, read and say. This truly is a sign of the end times.

famusamu


Nataku956

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2005 7:38 pm


famusamu
DaNcErCuTeE4God
Desensitized nonsense
You see that is the problem with the church today, we know things are wrong, but yet we do them anyways.For example we watch a movie which has a few curse words in it and takes the LORD's Name in vain and we are not appaled, and instead of turning it off we continue to watch it and count it as a good movie. We become spiritually desensitized to what we watch, read and say. This truly is a sign of the end times.


Its been that way for quite sometime. Even before our time. But this is how life is. I see several movies, what makes them good to me is probably story. Im not for or against harry potter, but like everyone I know its bad too some good to others. This agrument will never end, and I see no point too it. Why are christians agruing amognst themselves for some non sense that man creates and not focus on the glory of God.
PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:38 pm


From what i've read in Harry Potter, the magic they use is not "real" magic...

From what i've studied (feel free to correct me here) the Bible condemns the use of "magic" because the magic users (i.e., witches, warlocks, ect.) are calling upon spirits/demons/gods outside of themselves. Its not so much that God hates these people trying to invoke things, it's that they are invoking things from someone other than God.

God is a jealous God, after all smile . (After seeing how poorly Chaoticpuppets sarcasm was taken, I have decided to add this disclaimer. This is sarcasm. Its true, but not in the sense that is intended in the phrasing.)

Anyway, from what i've read the people in Harry Potter all call upon powers within themselves. I.e., those children had the power to throw fireballs by utilizing some special ability THEY have. they are not using the ability of a fire god to throw fireballs. If all it took to chuck fireballs was to say some sequence of words and wave a wand, God wouldn't have any problem with it.

Methusale


jennnnx3

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:08 pm


i dont like the new pope but harry potter has a lot of devilish things in it!!!
PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:10 pm


What does everyone have against Ratzinger? He seems like a nice guy genuinely interested in bringing the church back together. He is human, so don't expect him to be perfect.

Methusale


Project777

PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:11 pm


Methusale
Anyway, from what i've read the people in Harry Potter all call upon powers within themselves. I.e., those children had the power to throw fireballs by utilizing some special ability THEY have. they are not using the ability of a fire god to throw fireballs. If all it took to chuck fireballs was to say some sequence of words and wave a wand, God wouldn't have any problem with it.

What you're saying is kind of like if God gave you the power to heal people and when that person said "how'd you do that?" you just say "I'm amazing" or something like that, that doesn't glorify God. If God gives you the ability to shoot fireballs, cool, but use it to glorify God, not for a selfish reason.
PostPosted: Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:48 pm


Not to offend or anything (For I believe I am a bit unorthodox in my beliefs), but I disagree with the way you see "glorifying God".

Everyone on this planet has been given a "Moral Code". I believe that to obey the code within you, i.e., to not murder, steal, lie, cheat, ect., glorifies God. I don't know if you consider C.S.Lewis a reliable source of theology, but read the end of "The Last Battle", the last book in the "Chronicles of Narnia".

Quote:
I take to me the services which thou hast done to [Tash], for I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath's sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not


In other words, C.S.Lewis says that anything good you do, ever, is glorifying to God. Even if you didn't have God immediately in mind.

All of that to say that as long as Harry Potter does what he truly thinks is right; as long as in the book series he uses the powers within himself to help people, than I have no problem with the series. IF, however, he should use his powers to do something he feels is wrong, and is rewarded for it, then I would re-think my evaluation.

Methusale


Blue eyed mortal

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:18 am


If you ask me, I think there is too much fuss made on the subject.

I have just finshed reading the sixth HP this morning, and overall it was really good.

But that is not the point.

HP shows a story of good over evil, that kindness, love and friendship conquer over hatred, greed, murder, and fear.

I think the church is taking the magic aspect of HP to much to heart, instead of focusing on its message, which is not "BE A WITCH" or "FOLLOW THE DEVIL" but that good takes over evil anytime.

All my friends love the HP books, and none of them have ever said to me:

"The books are cool. I want to be a witch/wizard now."

I am a devout christan, don't get me wrong. To me, the HP storyline just shows the battle of Hell and Heaven but just in a different way. biggrin
PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:36 am


Blue eyed mortal

I think the church is taking the magic aspect of HP to much to heart, instead of focusing on its message, which is not "BE A WITCH" or "FOLLOW THE DEVIL" but that good takes over evil anytime.
Say that I am making a batch of brownies. Now I love brownies, they are one of my favorites. Now say I go out in the yard, and pick up some dog crap, and just as I am pouring the brownies in to the baking pan, I put that dog crap in the corner. Would you eat it? I think not. Harry Potter is the same way. You asked us to focus on the "good" but the whole batch has been spoiled by divination, witchcraft, and magic; all of which God has commanded us to stay away from.

baptistgirl


Methusale

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:51 am


God has not commanded us to stay away from divination, only divination that uses some power other than him (or humans with the spiritual gift of prophecy) to tell the future/past/present.
PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:32 am


Methusale
God has not commanded us to stay away from divination, only divination that uses some power other than him (or humans with the spiritual gift of prophecy) to tell the future/past/present.
"There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer," Deuteronomy 18:10 HNV

Divination is seeking spiritual help, but seeking it from it from Ha Satan not G-d. The dictionary says: "Divination is the occultic practice of ascertaining information by supernatural means."


There is a clear distintion between divination and Biblical prophesy. One gives G-d glory(prophesy), the other honors Ha Satan(divination).

famusamu


chaoticpuppet

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:27 am


famusamu
Methusale
God has not commanded us to stay away from divination, only divination that uses some power other than him (or humans with the spiritual gift of prophecy) to tell the future/past/present.
"There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices sorcery, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer," Deuteronomy 18:10 HNV

Divination is seeking spiritual help, but seeking it from it from Ha Satan not G-d. The dictionary says: "Divination is the occultic practice of ascertaining information by supernatural means."


There is a clear distintion between divination and Biblical prophesy. One gives G-d glory(prophesy), the other honors Ha Satan(divination).


I must say, at the time a prophecy is said, how would one be able to tell it's a prophecy, and not of a divinatory nature?
PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:53 am


baptistgirl
Blue eyed mortal

I think the church is taking the magic aspect of HP to much to heart, instead of focusing on its message, which is not "BE A WITCH" or "FOLLOW THE DEVIL" but that good takes over evil anytime.
Say that I am making a batch of brownies. Now I love brownies, they are one of my favorites. Now say I go out in the yard, and pick up some dog crap, and just as I am pouring the brownies in to the baking pan, I put that dog crap in the corner. Would you eat it? I think not. Harry Potter is the same way. You asked us to focus on the "good" but the whole batch has been spoiled by divination, witchcraft, and magic; all of which God has commanded us to stay away from.
:

Its a book. Have there been any occults set up inspired by the HP books?

No, there has not. stare

People, get a grip! Its a book, a normal, fantasy book. Magic is shown in LOTR and The chronicles of Narnia, but nobody complains about that, do they?

In the book, Harry, inculding the teachers, all admit that divination is a load of rubbish, so that sets that.
There is really too much fuss made over one flipping book, and that the church should focus on actually helping people, and worrying about things like satism before just getting all worked up about a book.

Stop worrying about the damn book, and get down to things that really matter!!! rolleyes

I've said all I need to say. 3nodding

Blue eyed mortal


Tarrou

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:17 pm


Whoa there. Reality check, people. Harry Potter is a work of fiction whose sole purpose is to tell a story. It is not advocating witchcraft; it is simply laying forth an entertaining plot. If you wish to follow the sort of logic that demonizes any piece of fiction that doesn't conform exactly to biblical proscriptions then you wind up saying that it's bad for Christians to read Faust because the plot revolves around a man making a deal with the Devil. If you can't read a book that depicts witchcraft, then you definitely shouldn't read a book about a man making deals with Satan. Likewise you would have to say that Christians shouldn't read The Grapes of Wrath because some of the things that the character Jim Casy says in that book are far more subversive to the Christian faith than anything contained in Harry Potter. A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain is openly disparaging of the Christian faith and probably shouldn't be read either. Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five shouldn't be read by Christians either by your logic, nor should Hemmingway's A Farewell to Arms because it includes a character saying "All thinking men are atheists." Catch-22 should be avoided by Christians at all costs, they shouldn't read anything written by Baruch Spinoza, nor Shakespeare's MacBeth (and probably a lot of other Shakespearian plays), nor The Iliad and the Odyssey because they contain pagan rituals.

In fact, why not just throw out all literature other than the bible, just to avoid even the possibility of reading non-Christian thoughts? C'mon. God didn't make you stupid so don't act like you are. Reading about people using magic may make a small child go "Ooh neat!" and spend a little time in the backyard waving a stick around pretending to cast spells but that's it. This stuff is supposed to be fun. If God had wanted a race of people that did nothing by praise him and contemplate his dictates then he would have made robots instead of men. You're supposed to use at least some portion of your life to enjoy yourselves. Harry Potter won't turn you from God anymore than Faust will and if your faith is so weak that it would turn you to witchcraft then maybe you should ask yourself whether or not you're actually a Christian.
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*~Let the Fire Fall ~* A Christian Guild

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