I just finished reading the book "What's a Christian to do with Harry Potter?" by Connie Neal...it was actually recommended by my English teacher when he suspected that I was testing my beliefs...he's either agnostic or atheist but won't tell me which one. He told me I'd really enjoy the book if for nothing else a good laugh...and that's exactly what I got from it. A big joke.
The book's purpose is to expose the debate on whether or not Harry Potter is appropriate Christian literature. Both sides of the debate are represented by Christians and represent relatively valid points...until you actually think about what they say.
Think about it...there's a whole book dedicated to the argument over a fictional children's story. How petty can we be?
The major argument against Harry Potter is that is portrays the image that witchcraft is real and is okay. Riiiight. Okay seriously how many kids truly buy into that stuff? I can't recall one time that I've walked into a parking lot and seen someone trying to get their broomstick started. and I can't tell you how many times I've seen kids walking down the halls at school with their wands or practicing incantations...oh that's right...none...b/c it doesn't happen. Seriously how many more occult cases occurred b/c of Harry Potter?
Another main argument that is brought up is that in the books the power lies within the person, not in some higher being. But, even in Bible stories like Jonah and the Whale, Noah's Ark, and others the power does lie in the individual with the guidance of a higher being. The same is true of Harry Potter, he wouldn't be able to accomplish anything without the help and guidance of Albus Dumbledore.
As Connie Neal points out Harry Potter is simply a fantastic story composed of other elements of acceptable children's literature...like myths, folklore, and fairy tales. If we condemned Harry Potter for mixing these elements in such a way that promotes witchcraft then why not condemn the Disney Channel for showing movies like Twitches and Halloween Town or shows like the Wizards of Waverly Place?
I'm just really sick of people making up things in order to condemn harmless literature...it's entirely unfair....if a kid wants to read Harry Potter let them...in fact I'd recommend it...then they can see the difference between fantasy and reality....you know the obvious fact that I'm a witch who secretly practices magic to get back at Christianity.
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I agree, it's a stupid debate.
like there aren't more realistic things out there corrupting America's youth...like drugs, gangs, reality t.v. haha
I guess people have nothing better to do with their time then to nit pick at things that aren't even a issue. I mean how dare J.K Rowling or any author for that matter write a highly entertaining series that has a load of underlying issues that kids can relate to .
That lady is some peace of work , to have children world wide reading and actually enjoying themselves so much that they eagerly await the next installment of her wicked literature.
oh yeah seriously heaven forbid that kids do something corrupt like read...I don't get it why people make things into such a huge deal...It's dumb and totally not worth it
The only thing the the book proves is the author can get away with milking some else's cow. Let's not take note that there is a book, no seven books that kids are actually reading. If kids read the books at the same age as the main character, then they are going through the same life changing thing as Harry did. They grew up with the him and his friend and they had the same human problems as every one else.
That would be puberty not some mad wizard trying to kill them.
yeah I know what you mean...but of course that's overshadowed by the wizardry in the books..."showing kids that the occult is okay"...more like showing them that fantasy can sometimes alleviate the pain of life
I you ask any kid if the wizard are real, they will tell you they aren't. If that same kid is smart enough to know what the word occult means then they know that Harry Potter is just a story. Give credit to kids. They are smarter then you think.
I wish more people would give credit to kids...but they just don't...and you're right kids do know that Harry Potter isn't real
but at the same time look at certain worship practices kids engage in...like with Hannah Montana...I mean she's deceiving them with her own identity...and they sell Hannah wigs at Target...how creepy is that...but you don't see people downing her for promoting worship of a false idol now do you? no...b/c people have to destroy things like literature that are long-lasting and can have an extremely positive impact
Sometimes a TV show is just a TV show. It is acting, and her job to entertain the public. Sure she may be big now but that will not last long. What is the false idol she is suppost to be worshiping?
no no...I mean kids are worshiping her...they're obsessed with her and it's quite creepy...but no one says anything about her corrupting children
http://images.ucomics.com/images/pdfs/sadams/godsdebris.pdf
PLEASE read this book. You will never regret it and it will change and enrich your life. If you ever do anything for a complete stranger please just take the minutes it will take to download this PDF or print it off and just start reading it. If you arnt completely enthralled by the second chapter you can throw it in the trash or burn it.
Let me know what you think of it, I know you'll do the right thing and read it.
I downloaded it...only b/c you tend to give me brilliant advice...I'm sure I probably will like it...if ever I have the time to read it...hopefully I'll find time...thank you...keep giving me advice...it's helpful...haha
Do they realize how many books are purely fantasy? That is crazy. Sure I would like magic to be real but it isn't, we all know that... or most of us anyways.
I used to read Angelina the Ballerina. A story about a MOUSE doing all these human things, but I knew better. I am sure most kids understand the difference of reality and fantasy once they can read.
Après la pluie le beau temps. ♥
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I loved that book...you're absolutely right...most children's books are pure fantasy...but I think the reason they are okay is b/c they don't actually portray people using "magic" and practicing "witchcraft and wizardry"...what a sham...haha