Protestantism

» Brother_Jones - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:

Can you discuss a subject without taking pot shots at others?

Look, I was trying to give a little boost to the subject about which it looks like we both know nuttin. I went to sleep in both the Harry Potter movies that I tried to attend. I'm not going to be much help in the thread but I wouldn't worry too awfully much if my grandchild got into the books. Kids love magic and fantasy. I like the C.S. Lewis tales because they seem to deal in Christian themes, but it has been about fifteen years since I read them to my youngsters at bedtime. I guess we will have to wait for migisi to put some sort of spin on the thread.

i am the Lord's oldtimer.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» _Boanerges_ - to address the subject?

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:

Maybe someone here has enough knowledge about the Harry Potter series to address the subject?

I do! but why bother... type Harry Potter in a Google search and you will find 1000's of articles.....

welcome to the 21st century.. where ALL information is at your finger tips.....

-- posted by _Boanerges_

» pink101 - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by Brother_Jones:

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You make some good sense in your post.
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And, I hope Migisi enters and gives us the benefit of any knowledge she may have.
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Your post has already had an ameliorating effect on my thinking which was against the Harry Potter Series.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brother_Jones - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:

Your post has already had an ameliorating effect on my thinking which was against the Harry Potter Series.

I can't remember when the original thread about Harry Potter came about what your positions were. My position revolved around the characters being so complicated and entrenched in mystery and magic that character development took a far backseat. The parents in the movie and first book were mean and surly and never figured into the story line as very meaningful to the kids. In fact, the parents did appear to be the bad guys. And who are the good guys in the Harry Potter series. Well, Harry Potter and his friends. But there is no real explanation about how good character develops. At least in my mind, the Harry Potter concept of heroes is a little shaky.
I know that good literature doesn't have to have a singular mission in mind like trying to help children develop any particular good thoughts or habits or drawing atttention to good role models.

Certainly the Harry Potter series has gotten kids reading more, which is a great thing?...maybe.

i am just an oldtimer for the Lord.

-- posted by Brother_Jones

» Migisi - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:
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There were Potter Fests all over Illinois. This was my third Fest displaying my owls in central IL. Thousands came from everywhere to enjoy the evening. I didn't stop talking for 6 straight hours.
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This kind of Fest was all about family and ~reading~. They had "Shakespeare in the Park" - done by the local theater group (that was neat!), open-air showing of the Potter movies back to back, food booths, kids games and face painting, candle making, live music (modern bands and period music), an inflated castle for kids to play in, a pirate ship to crawl around on, fire and police vehicles to examine and run the sirens, my live owls, and lots of other neat stuff. My booth was sponsored by the local book store and the pharmacy. The public library provided me with lists of books about owls to pass out to the kids - to encourage reading. I did that. Kids had their pictures taken with my owls (I held the owls next to them - mom/dad took the pictures). Some wore costumes which they'd found at a Fest booth. Nobody talked about magic or promoted any kind of occult. It was just clean family fun.
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Frankly, I think discussion about the Potter series being dastardly or demonic... well, it's much ado about nothing, IMO.

-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by Migisi:

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O.K.
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My thoughts were that two things are prevalent in this current craze. One is children struggle to gain control of their day to day existence and I think that is good. The other is that magic gives them the ability to change things almost by pointing their finger and saying a few choice words. And, that isn't so good; but, it can be harnessed and used for good as an object lesson in real life.
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So, it all depends on how far a youngster takes the ideas, doesn't it?
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - In Response To Both

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:
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And on how their parents/guardians guide them into the future.
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It can all be seen as part of society's evolution.
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-- posted by pink101

» EvilChihuahua - My thoughts

In response to In Response To Both posted by pink101:

Just my thoughts on the whole Harry Potter thing.

I only just started reading the books. I wouldn't say that the witchcraft presented in the story is real (I am a former Wiccan after all), for example, real life "witches" don't speak latin when chanting a spell, don't use wands like those presented in the books and, while I never met any "witches" who used broomsticks (let alone for catching Golden Snitches) I do understand that those who do use their broomsticks backwards. The witchcraft presented in the books are far different from what real life "witches' use, however, there are elements of occultism in the books. I wouldn't let a young child read them. In fact, when I have kids I'd only let them read them when they're old enough (the books are pretty violent and dark) and they can tell fantasy from reality. I'd rather start them off with Narnia and eventually Lord of the Rings (yay).

I heard the Rowling is a self-claimed Christian, but I wouldn't exactly say the books are Christian stories like many books and websites claim. If anyone wants to read any Christian books on HP, I recommend Richard Abanes' books. He reviews the HP fad fairly: showing the reader the themes in the series that may be of a concern to them, while at the same time not exactly slamming the books. In fact, Abanes is against book burning.

I think if Christians are gonna be rallying against any children's books, it should Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials". This "childrens" fantasy series (and upcoming movie adaptation) is nothing more than anti-Christian propaganda, which portray Christians as evil drunks and God as a cowardly liar. Pullman hates C. S. Lewis (and is often known as the "anti-Lewis"), and it's obvious that the story is a complete reversal (and, in my opinion, a poorly written rip-off) of Narnia.

-- posted by EvilChihuahua

» pink101 - My thoughts

In response to My thoughts posted by EvilChihuahua:
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So, as an ex-occult member you believe the Harry Potter series is a negative influence on a young child's mind?
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Can you be more specific?
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - Self-Claimed Christian?

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I see that Kim, the EvilChihuahua: makes the following comment, "I heard the Rowling is a self-claimed Christian, but..."(my bold emphasis).
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This reminds me of the comments made by others here who claim to be Evangelicals of one degree or another. Self-claimed Christian? Is there some kind of an ordination required to be made by the self righteous "Christians" among us that a person must be officially declared as a Christian?
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-- posted by pink101