Recently, on Facebook, I discussed with my favorite author, a Christian fantasy novelist, the pros and cons of Harry Potter. He had posted something written by a Christian that was in favor of the books. I immediately responded with a hostile tone with my belief that Harry Potter is evil and blatant witchcraft.
Over the course of a night there were about 30 comments, back and forth, to and from. Many people participated, I was the only person against Harry Potter. As far as I could tell, most of the people in the conversation were Christians.
They argued that Harry Potter is just a fantasy tale, the witchcraft described in the books is not the same witchcraft in the Bible, Rowlling's is a Christian herself, there are themes that teach Biblical principles to children in the books, etc. Tried as I might I could not bring myself to the side of seeing Harry Potter as benign or good. Perhaps, I was halted from doing so by my bias against the books.
My argument was that whether or not the witchcraft in the Harry Potter books was the same witchcraft in the Bible, children would not know the difference if they were not properly told. I argued that God can use anything, but just because a Godly or Biblical principle is portrayed in the books, the books teach how to love, forgive, or lay down your life for someone, it doesn't justify the use of witchcraft.
One person said that it could be argued that things in Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and even his own books could be evil if Harry Potter was evil. I acknowledged there are things in stories I enjoy which contain things I don't agree with, things I label as evil. An example is the mind melding in Star Trek. In some of the stories and movies I enjoy there are mythological gods with powers. I know that there is only one God. My faith is not challenged by any of the things I enjoy and I know the truth, so I don't feel I am in danger.
However, I am willing to admit this: I have no certainty that some of the things I enjoy are harmless. In some cases I am exposed to hours of different religions and therefore it could be harmful, for all I know. Because my faith does not waiver and I do not feel challenged I don't think I am in danger, but I am willingly to accept God's correction. That is what I ask of Harry Potter fans. If you feel those books are okay, then at least be willing to question it, admit that you don't have absolute certainty, and be willing for God's correction.
(7/21/2011) I have decided to add more to this blog. Here is an example I can use from my own life to help make my case.
I enjoy Avatar, an anime tv series that was aired on Nikelodeon. The show is about a world consisting of four major nations, each nation dedicated to one of the four elements of nature. About 1 in 4 people from each nation are known as benders and have the ability to bend one of the elements to their whim using a series of martial arts techniques. The Avatar (a young boy named Aang) is a messiah like figure who has the ability to bend all four of the elements, each one he must learn. The Avatar is a reincarnated being able to speak to his past lives for help when he needs too. He is considered the bridge between our would and the spirit world.
This show is loaded with Eastern religion, reincarnation, multiple paths to enlightenment, etc. All of it points to the betterment of oneself. There are many lessons that teach self sacrifice, the giving of one's life for another, praying and finding peace for your enemies, choosing the path of meekness and peace, and there can be parallels drawn between Avatar and Jesus. It can be argued that Avatar is the representation of Christ, each one of the abilities to bend an element is a gift from God and whether we choose to use it out of love or evil is a lesson that can be interrpreted throughout this series.
However, anything can be used by God to reach someone. But, I am certain Avatar was not purposed by its creators as that. We can find a good teaching in a lot of things, especially when we want to and in many cases it IS their to be found. But, I am not going to justify the use of false religions and gods as a means of teaching something good just because it DOES teach something good. The false religions is bad and that is that. Just as there are things about other stories I enjoy that are wrong, there is no justifying the use of those things. Let us admit when we are wrong and when we are right.
Some scriptures to consider:
Deuteronomy 18:10-14
"10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be [a]blameless before the LORD your God. 14 For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so".
Leviticus 19:31
31 ‘Do not turn to [a]mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God."
Ephesians 5:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Over the course of a night there were about 30 comments, back and forth, to and from. Many people participated, I was the only person against Harry Potter. As far as I could tell, most of the people in the conversation were Christians.
They argued that Harry Potter is just a fantasy tale, the witchcraft described in the books is not the same witchcraft in the Bible, Rowlling's is a Christian herself, there are themes that teach Biblical principles to children in the books, etc. Tried as I might I could not bring myself to the side of seeing Harry Potter as benign or good. Perhaps, I was halted from doing so by my bias against the books.
My argument was that whether or not the witchcraft in the Harry Potter books was the same witchcraft in the Bible, children would not know the difference if they were not properly told. I argued that God can use anything, but just because a Godly or Biblical principle is portrayed in the books, the books teach how to love, forgive, or lay down your life for someone, it doesn't justify the use of witchcraft.
One person said that it could be argued that things in Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, and even his own books could be evil if Harry Potter was evil. I acknowledged there are things in stories I enjoy which contain things I don't agree with, things I label as evil. An example is the mind melding in Star Trek. In some of the stories and movies I enjoy there are mythological gods with powers. I know that there is only one God. My faith is not challenged by any of the things I enjoy and I know the truth, so I don't feel I am in danger.
However, I am willing to admit this: I have no certainty that some of the things I enjoy are harmless. In some cases I am exposed to hours of different religions and therefore it could be harmful, for all I know. Because my faith does not waiver and I do not feel challenged I don't think I am in danger, but I am willingly to accept God's correction. That is what I ask of Harry Potter fans. If you feel those books are okay, then at least be willing to question it, admit that you don't have absolute certainty, and be willing for God's correction.
(7/21/2011) I have decided to add more to this blog. Here is an example I can use from my own life to help make my case.
I enjoy Avatar, an anime tv series that was aired on Nikelodeon. The show is about a world consisting of four major nations, each nation dedicated to one of the four elements of nature. About 1 in 4 people from each nation are known as benders and have the ability to bend one of the elements to their whim using a series of martial arts techniques. The Avatar (a young boy named Aang) is a messiah like figure who has the ability to bend all four of the elements, each one he must learn. The Avatar is a reincarnated being able to speak to his past lives for help when he needs too. He is considered the bridge between our would and the spirit world.
This show is loaded with Eastern religion, reincarnation, multiple paths to enlightenment, etc. All of it points to the betterment of oneself. There are many lessons that teach self sacrifice, the giving of one's life for another, praying and finding peace for your enemies, choosing the path of meekness and peace, and there can be parallels drawn between Avatar and Jesus. It can be argued that Avatar is the representation of Christ, each one of the abilities to bend an element is a gift from God and whether we choose to use it out of love or evil is a lesson that can be interrpreted throughout this series.
However, anything can be used by God to reach someone. But, I am certain Avatar was not purposed by its creators as that. We can find a good teaching in a lot of things, especially when we want to and in many cases it IS their to be found. But, I am not going to justify the use of false religions and gods as a means of teaching something good just because it DOES teach something good. The false religions is bad and that is that. Just as there are things about other stories I enjoy that are wrong, there is no justifying the use of those things. Let us admit when we are wrong and when we are right.
Some scriptures to consider:
Deuteronomy 18:10-14
"10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, 11 or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. 12 For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD; and because of these detestable things the LORD your God will drive them out before you. 13 You shall be [a]blameless before the LORD your God. 14 For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do so".
Leviticus 19:31
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Ephesians 5:11
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
Hmm. Harry Porter highlights some real issues within the church. Mainly, what is it okay to spend our time doing? And, what constitutes bad content in media?
ReplyDeleteI personally feel that no one has a rational, biblical argument FOR the reading or watching of Harry Porter. The most common arguments are "it's not real" and " well, you watch ..."
The first argument is just false. Witchcraft is real. Enough said. It's a lame argument to attempt to say that it's not the same witchcraft mentioned in the Bible.
The second argument very well may be true, however it misses the point altogether not to mention almost admitting defeat by itself.
The bottom line is that television, movies, books, and pretty much all forms of media are getting worse and worse. Hundreds of years ago the authors of these works would find themselves beheaded or burned at the stake for their evil deeds.
However, we now have religious freedom and freedom of speech and anyone can right a book, or make a movie about anything they so desire to exercise that freedom. I'm an American and I agree that they should have the right to do these things. On the other hand, I'm first a Christian and I recognize that the world will always be full of all kinds of evils and it is up to us to protect ourselves from their influence.
The sad thing is watching the platform grow for these kinds of works. As long as people continue to inch their way into the gray area of morality and depend on relativism to locate themselves on the moral scale, the platform will grow from being fed with their time, energy, and money. Jesus never used relativism to proclaim what was right and wrong. He never compared Himself to another or His actions to another's actions. Rather, he set some bold definitions without any gray area.
We may not be able to protect others from their own choices, but we can continue to live a life to His glory, guard our hearts and minds, as well as let others know that these things are detrimental to their Christian spiritual health.
But, never forget to do it in Love. And, yes, it's important to first focus on the plank in our own eyes. Let's not give those who we intend to correct a false picture of a correct lifestyle.
Sorry that I'm long-winded. I just have on e more thing to add.
ReplyDeleteAnd, when I say to correct people in Love, what I mean to differentiate can be found in the intention of the corrector.
Do I want to correct this person because I care about them and I see that this thing is bad for them? Or do I want to correct them because I have deemed this thing bad for myself and therefore I must tell this other person it is bad to justify myself and prove that I am right?
Pastor Steve preached several years ago about the difference between discernment and judgement. In short, the difference is Love. Having it or not having it. But, his message showed that more often than not, we don't. It doesn't come naturally to us. Selfishness comes naturally. We have to make a point to love others by seeing through God's eyes not our own.
I'm glad you brought up the discussion, Aaron. It needs to be talked about.
I just got back from watching the last installment. Excellent film. One of the last scenes could easily be found in the pages of our old pal CSL. I didn't go there looking for the Gospel, but without the use of my imagination I saw it minimally but boldly paralleled.
ReplyDeleteLevi, I typically agree with you. On your comment, I mostly disagree :( It's called wizardry and witchcraft in this series, but magic is all over "Christian" writings. Unfair to call this thing this but that thing that (don't start loading your shotgun, yet). It is not okay for something to be acceptable because you label it differently-let's measure all things with the same scale and ask hard questions of ourselves using the same framework we scrutinize others with.
Alan, I have revisited my blog adding a few new things you should read. I do think you wanted to find the gospel in HP. The findings of a parallel to a Biblical teaching in a movie or book does not justify the means to teach that lesson.
ReplyDeleteI didn't read your blog here until I got back from the movie.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot make a fair argument for what you think I was looking for-you're not me! You're weakening your argument by making it personal. You have some great points that I respect but I cannot rightly assume your motive behind them because that's not fair.
I wish you'd have linked me to the update-or is it an update to this article?
The update is just in this article. I added a few things about Avatar the Last Airbender. I noted that I love the anime Avatar the Last Airbender (NOT THAT HORRIBLE M. NIGHT MOVIE) I wanted to make the point that I like something that goes DIRECTLY against my beliefs spiritually...and while it has Christian morals in it, no amount of Biblical based principle can justify the promotion of Eastern Religion and the negation of Jesus.
ReplyDelete