Is it Okay to Watch Potter and Twilight, etc. for research?

[stauros]

I admit that I was on the anti-Harry Potter bandwagon at first, but finally read the books for myself, and saw for myself that they weren't not the demonic books everyone made them out to be, but a series about good triumphing over evil, sacrificial love, responsibility, and abiding friendship among other great themes. Yes, there is the word "witchcraft", but nothing to do with the real thing (and I've read all the arguments).

Yes there is magic, but everything I grew up with in the 80's (Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, He-Man, Star Wars, and those magic kits with the wands, etc.) had a "magic" theme. And there were some Christians back then who had problems with those things. And the magic in Harry Potter is something strictly contained in a world that is fantasy - not something that ordinary people (the readers) can do (that is made clear up front in the first book).

Sure it's "dark", but most stories about good and evil are dark! The Old Testament has some very grim stories. In the NT, Herod killing all those babies is more horrific than anything in a fiction book about a fiction world that doesn't exist. The reality of crucifixion is pretty dark and violent if you ask me. And yet we have no problem letting little kids read the Bible! My point is that the argument against HP for dark themes and violence is not a valid argument.

Just like any fantasy series, Harry Potter is about escapism. It's a imaginative, fiction world not unlike Star Wars, Narnia, Middle Earth, Wonderland, Never Never Land, or the world of Mrs. Whatsit. Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which.

Unlike any other fantasy series, some Christians only decry Harry Potter, but think the other series are perfectly acceptable. That's my biggest problem with Christians who hate Harry Potter. Lack of consistency in their convictions.

[HeIsEnough]

Well, your post kinda sounds like its the best thing since sliced bread.

To be clear, witchcraft is not something to trifle with, so its going to get a negative reaction, warranted or not.

There is a danger of association, if it leads to actual exploration of real witchcraft, and I haven't seen anyone give a good reason why its not a danger in itself. Sort of like your 6 year old walks up to you dressed like a witch, thinking its cool, telling you all the things he/she will do when they grow up. Well, you can discuss the finer points of fantasy and all that, but one thing is for sure, you have a six year old problem on your hands (if one cares about the Lord that is), all in good fantasy fun, correct? I'm not trying to be a killjoy, but there are real issues to deal with, its not all in fun.

Even reading what you wrote, seems to me some young kid could get the idea 'witchcraft ain't so bad, where is that ouji board, lets have some fun...'

I listen to both sides, seems to me both sides are a little off. For me its not that these stories are witchcraft, its the blurring of lines in its use, as if there is a good kind. And even if that is not relevant, the level of knowledge as to playing around with the "dark side" is even made comical or of little or no importance. We see it all the time in this society.

[carol1948]

I'm not a fan of Harry Potter though I did watch most of the first episode and would have classified it as harmless. I've not watched/read any of the Lord of the Rings stuff and have watched a couple Narnia stories. What I see for Christians is the issue of 'obedience' and perhaps 'causing our brothers or sisters to stumble'. There are several passages of scripture (I would have to look them up, but if you have a concordance you can do that yourself) in which we are told to leave it alone. The terms are sorcery, divination, etc.
There's lots of traditional magic stuff (using the term loosely) that Christians are involved in, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are big ones. Ask the Lord for guidance and do what He leads you to do.
I tried to steer my 13-year old granddaughter away from Harry Potter but her mother (my dd) didn't have a problem with it, so I just gave my granddaughter the scripture references and left it at that. She is a Christian, was saved at an early age and is not prone to fads. I don't know if she is still a Harry Potter fan now or not. I think sooner or later I will hear if she has seen this last episode.

[I love Jesus]

I admit that I was on the anti-Harry Potter bandwagon at first, but finally read the books for myself, and saw for myself that they weren't not the demonic books everyone made them out to be, but a series about good triumphing over evil, sacrificial love, responsibility, and abiding friendship among other great themes. Yes, there is the word "witchcraft", but nothing to do with the real thing (and I've read all the arguments).

Yes there is magic, but everything I grew up with in the 80's (Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, He-Man, Star Wars, and those magic kits with the wands, etc.) had a "magic" theme. And there were some Christians back then who had problems with those things. And the magic in Harry Potter is something strictly contained in a world that is fantasy - not something that ordinary people (the readers) can do (that is made clear up front in the first book).

Sure it's "dark", but most stories about good and evil are dark! The Old Testament has some very grim stories. In the NT, Herod killing all those babies is more horrific than anything in a fiction book about a fiction world that doesn't exist. The reality of crucifixion is pretty dark and violent if you ask me. And yet we have no problem letting little kids read the Bible! My point is that the argument against HP for dark themes and violence is not a valid argument.

Just like any fantasy series, Harry Potter is about escapism. It's a imaginative, fiction world not unlike Star Wars, Narnia, Middle Earth, Wonderland, Never Never Land, or the world of Mrs. Whatsit. Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which.

Unlike any other fantasy series, some Christians only decry Harry Potter, but think the other series are perfectly acceptable. That's my biggest problem with Christians who hate Harry Potter. Lack of consistency in their convictions.

I can't believe anyone would ever compare the Word of God (Old Testament) to Harry Potter!

[Rei]

The real world of witchcraft is the problem, or rather someone drawn to exploring it through romanticizing it in popular culture, if that were possible.

Oh yes, I'm well aware it's real. I remember when my youth leader said there was no such thing, and I had a tiny outraged burst.

[Bygrace96]

I think the biggest thing where people go wrong when comparing Harry Potter to Narnia, and Lord of the Rings, is this; Harry Potter was written by a non-christian, the idea was secular, whether its about "Good", or "Bad". Harry Potter is about witchcraft, and although I've never read the books, I have seen a few of the movies from other people watching them. They contain a few swears, bits of sexual references, and pure nonsense. Narnia, and Lord of the Rings on the other hand, are referenced to the Bible, both with Christian writers behind the stories. Though they may contain "magic" its the evil people doing it, not the good (Despite Gandalf). So you see the difference? Harry Potter, everyone is using magic doesn't matter if your "Good", or "Bad" its all secular. Narnia/Lord of the Rings, Only the evil use it (Minus Gandalf). Lord of the Rings/Narnia shows you that magic is evil. Harry Potter gives you the go ahead to do it, its okay whether your "Good", or "Bad".

[Acts5:41]

I try not to do any judging of anyone's walk. James 4:12 - God smacked me over the head with it one day and that pretty much put an end to that.

Fiction is completely like music; we have to let the Holy Spirit guide us.

My husband is Creole (light skinned Black), and grew up listening to a lot of the old soul music. He came to me recently and said "So much of the music is about cheating! I find that very upsetting, I don't think God likes it when I listen to that." In the meantime I had been convicted of some music of my own.

He still reads some talking book with explicit stuff in them (yeah, from the government!). After the series I mentioned, I got pretty careful. I noticed a lot of the fantasy (sword and quest type novels) had a great deal of earth worship creeping in. I found that distasteful and got out of the genre.

Looking at my Kindle is pretty enlightening; my biggest category: history and biography. Then Christian biography...etc. I have some fiction but I try to be careful; what I read is directly input into my brain.

I think God is delighted to answer, if, when we pick up a book, we ask Him "Lord, is this going to be a problem?" - I have done that and gotten "answers". Either a neutral or a negative feeling about the book. Ask Him!

He LOVES to hear from us!

[24thchance]

I never ever liked Casper,bewitched(a good witch--ugh) or any potter series .I have not and will not ever watch them-If all the believer,s in America voted with their $$$ at the box office these movies and ones like them would be a flop at the box office and would rarely be made.

[br1an]

this is a good article about harry potter:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...e.html?start=2

[ComeLordJesus]

this is a good article about harry potter:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...e.html?start=2

CT's support of Harry Potter is one reason I let my subscription end. Where was the Christian discernment?

'Good' magic versus 'bad' magic is the still use of magic/witchcraft, something the Bible forbids. I think Potter, Twilight, and the like are, fueled by Satan, trying to blur that line which prohibits all magic/witchcraft by calling some of it good, and leading to heresy and the Apostasy.

I think CT is one reason that heresy and apostasy is creeping into the Church. So any appeal to CT doesn't sway me! Sorry!

[Christ4ever777]

I think this is one of those issues that are based on personal convictions. We cant judge or look down on people who decide to read Harry potter. I read Harry potter myself and I found it interesting. God isn't going to send me to Hell for reading Harry Potter and whoever thinks that is being silly. These books are works of fiction meaning they arent real. I'm at a point in my life where I have to worry about my walk with Christ and nobody else's. If other christian brothers and sisters decided to listen or read something that not necessarily glorifying God then that's their right and christian liberty to do so. I'm not the holy spirit so I cant tell them their wrong for listening to this or reading that because that's the holy spirit's job not mine.

[ComeLordJesus]

I think this is one of those issues that are based on personal convictions. We cant judge or look down on people who decide to read Harry potter. I read Harry potter myself and I found it interesting. God isn't going to send me to Hell for reading Harry Potter and whoever thinks that is being silly. These books are works of fiction meaning they arent real. I'm at a point in my life where I have to worry about my walk with Christ and nobody else's. If other christian brothers and sisters decided to listen or read something that not necessarily glorifying God then that's their right and christian liberty to do so. I'm not the holy spirit so I cant tell them their wrong for listening to this or reading that because that's the holy spirit's job not mine.

I'm not looking down on people - I have issues of my own. God's dealing me with on those.

I am just saying that I think Harry Potter is dangerous to our souls and our Christian walk. My intent is to warn , not judge!

[stauros]

I can't believe anyone would ever compare the Word of God (Old Testament) to Harry Potter!

I was wondering who was going to take my comparison the wrong way

[stauros]

I think the biggest thing where people go wrong when comparing Harry Potter to Narnia, and Lord of the Rings, is this; Harry Potter was written by a non-christian, the idea was secular, whether its about "Good", or "Bad". Harry Potter is about witchcraft, and although I've never read the books, I have seen a few of the movies from other people watching them. They contain a few swears, bits of sexual references, and pure nonsense. Narnia, and Lord of the Rings on the other hand, are referenced to the Bible, both with Christian writers behind the stories. Though they may contain "magic" its the evil people doing it, not the good (Despite Gandalf). So you see the difference? Harry Potter, everyone is using magic doesn't matter if your "Good", or "Bad" its all secular. Narnia/Lord of the Rings, Only the evil use it (Minus Gandalf). Lord of the Rings/Narnia shows you that magic is evil. Harry Potter gives you the go ahead to do it, its okay whether your "Good", or "Bad".

Sorry, I don't buy it. "Good" people (elves) do magic in LOTR. Narnia and LOTR are fiction and it takes a great stretch of the imagination to see them as "Christian" and somehow referencing the Bible.

Harry Potter does not give anyone the ok to do magic, whether you are good or bad. First of all Harry Potter clearly establishes from the get go that the readers are "Muggles" (meaning "normal humans that cannot do magic"). Further, there is a clear line between good and evil. Also, don't judge the book series by what you saw in one of the movies - which is a director's vision. There are significant differences between books and movies.

I just tire of people saying that Harry Potter is any worse than anything else out there in the fantasy genre.

[stauros]

I think this is one of those issues that are based on personal convictions. We cant judge or look down on people who decide to read Harry potter. I read Harry potter myself and I found it interesting. God isn't going to send me to Hell for reading Harry Potter and whoever thinks that is being silly. These books are works of fiction meaning they arent real. I'm at a point in my life where I have to worry about my walk with Christ and nobody else's. If other christian brothers and sisters decided to listen or read something that not necessarily glorifying God then that's their right and christian liberty to do so. I'm not the holy spirit so I cant tell them their wrong for listening to this or reading that because that's the holy spirit's job not mine.

Absolutely!

[ThePenguin]

CT's support of Harry Potter is one reason I let my subscription end. Where was the Christian discernment?

'Good' magic versus 'bad' magic is the still use of magic/witchcraft, something the Bible forbids. I think Potter, Twilight, and the like are, fueled by Satan, trying to blur that line which prohibits all magic/witchcraft by calling some of it good, and leading to heresy and the Apostasy.

I think CT is one reason that heresy and apostasy is creeping into the Church. So any appeal to CT doesn't sway me! Sorry!

Don't be sorry. I think we've had articles on here about Christianity Today and if I'm not mistaken its apostasy. Just look at the title: "Christianity Today"; it's all about the new touchy-feely emergent Christianity that tickles ears but doesn't save souls.

[I love Jesus]

I was wondering who was going to take my comparison the wrong way

Not at all. I just have an issue with the Holy Word of God being compared to a secular novel that glorifies the occult. There is no comparison to God's Word. Any "violence" or "darkness" contained in the Bible isn't seen as a good thing. God and His servants never use witchcraft in order to solve problems or make things right or to help people.
I really do understand your comparison..I just don't agree with it. That's all. No harm meant.

[Beccasue]

Just my two cents - it is a matter of discernment and the Holy Spirits guiding. This is what concerns me. I read an article written by a former witch - she was of the opinion that things contained in the book are quite dangerous and that many of the spells and the wording contained in the books are in fact based in reality. Her statement was something along the lines of - if JK Rowling was not a witch - she was sure steeped in the traditions and knowledge of the occult enough that she certainly got all the facts right.

The important thing, is that you listen to that inner voice, the Holy Spirit telling you what is right for you, what is wrong. I have read all of the books, I've seen all the movies. There is a real battle there. On the one hand, I can see the positive aspects of love, sacrifice, friendship etc. On the other, is the very dark aspects that are written of as evil, but are very enticing. The Bible does say that something is either of God, or the devil. A thing that is good, cannot be side by side with evil. It just doesn't work that way.

Discernment is key. But I do have to say, if I were not a Christian, it wouldn't be the "good" aspects of the series that drew me, but the bad. That is just my own personal sin nature, in that I have always been drawn to things of the occult prior to becoming a Christian and after I became a Christian, it has been a real source of temptation and a battle for me, because I love a good story. So, some things I am able to read with open eyes and discernment, others I just have to put down and get rid of all together.

I am truly trying to focus on the good, and Godly things, and I find that as I grow, I just don't have the patience or, to put it bluntly, the stomach for a lot of things that I used to be so enamored of.