as i rode the bus to my office this morning, I hand carry a copy of "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince". Then, a nun sat beside me and she looked at my book and said, "Don't you know that supporting something that have something to do with withcraft is bad in the eyes of God?"
i do believe that PRACTICING withcraft is a sin, but im just reading something that's just a fiction, created by someones imagination. what do you guys think? do i commit a sin by reading my Harry Potter books?
2006-10-10 16:23:25 · 16 answers · asked by Kian 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
spirituality and sin aside, there are texts that should be rated. I can't read Harry Potter and think "Wow, I so want to find out how to disapparate" or whatever. But, a younger reader might. I think reading Harry Potter is considered a sin because it can tempt a person to practice certain things that are out there. However, most of us see this book as something entertaining but are very aware of reality lol.
At the same time, surveys showed that alot of people got into Wicca because of that movie "The Craft". People can be impressionable so in that way I can see how it can be considered a sin. It may also be viewed as bad to get entertainment from something that is considered evil. I dunno, it's really up to you. Personally I continue to read Harry Potter not because of the magic, but the characters and how they involved overtime. I think I'd still enjoy it without the magic.
PS: Note to the person above me: Chronicles of Narnia is a Christian allegory
2006-10-10 16:42:11 · answer #1 · answered by thedaybear 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm, where to begin. You have nothing to feel guilty about. First, the concepts of good triumphs over evil, friendship, loyalty, courage, and resourcefulness are the main themes of the HP Books. The witchcraft is just the plate it's served on, so to speak. Second, many Christians believe witchcraft is a sin because of an erroneous translation in the (I think) King James version of the Christian Bible. The verse said something close to "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Wonderful argument for burning a witch at the stake, but a lousy translation of the actual text of "Thou shalt not suffer a poisoner to live." I learned this from a preacher who taught my religion class. Quite an open-minded, enlightened (and enlightening) individual. It also seems to be believed by Christians and some other religions that witches worship the Christian devil known as Satan. This is in fact, not true. Witches don't believe in the Devil or Satan or Lucifer (which means morning star and was applied to others as well as Jesus, I think, at various points in the Bible.). Witches practice the three-fold law of return or what is sent out returns to you three-fold. So it would be monumentally unwise for a witch to send out a curse because he or she would get the strength of that curse dumped right back on them three times worse! Witches also may be many religions, not just pagan. There are Christian witches as well, just as Buddists can be Christians. I for one believe that the Divine is part of all of us and infuses us with the ability to change ourselves, which will encourage change around us. Hardly a sin to work on bettering yourself. I use the energy that infuses my being and my environment to cause positive, but balanced changes. I would never dream of belittling another's religion or killing them for not believing as I do. No true witch would do such a thing. The question is, does the same apply to other religions? Actually, the answer is yes, because no true Christian, no true Muslim, no true Jew (the Abrahamic religions) believes it is right to be anything but peaceful and loving representatives of their God on Earth.
Okay, sorry for the rant. Blessings to all and good journeys. I just get a little miffed now and again and have to vent. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
2006-10-10 23:42:22 · answer #2 · answered by Asha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. An older nun probably remembers things being very different when she was younger and rules were a lot tighter. Modern minds are just more critical: we're raised to be, earlier and earlier. I doubt that you would believe everything in a Harry Potter novel as fact, or be tempted to attempt its spells: but because they are referencing a tradition of witchcraft (which stands in opposition to prayer), that nun probably thought she was doing you a favour by pointing out that, yes, God asks us to be wary: but doesn't condemn entertainment!
2006-10-10 23:29:47 · answer #3 · answered by Tree of Jesse 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe it's a sin. I've read all the HP books. And if someone said that to me, I'd read them all again.
Nuns can say some pretty stupid things. They sure are not infallible. I make this killer sauce that my son nicknamed "Magic Juice" because it is excellent on everything. I was shopping for the ingredients with a friend and was telling her how good this "Magic Juice" was. A nun stopped me and said that witchcraft was a sin. I was flabberghasted! And pissed! How ignorant.
2006-10-10 23:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is a fictional book. Read on dude! And I agree If reading Harry Potter is a sin, I am going start to hell.
2006-10-12 01:20:25 · answer #5 · answered by pageantbaby14 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a sin, then I am going to hell. I have read and re-read those books thousands of times and I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan. I will not let go! I am Catholic and those books make me whole!
I agree. I do not believe it is a sin.
2006-10-11 00:02:37 · answer #6 · answered by Norah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that's silly. It's just a story. If you were to refuse to read any book that had to do with wizards or witches, then you couldn't read the Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Oz books...
And yet, the Chronicles of Narnia was written by a Christian!
If you see that nun again, tell her to quit being so judgemental. It's not REAL witchcraft, it's just a story!
2006-10-10 23:39:17 · answer #7 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Harry Potter Books teaches people that doing good, loving, caring, and having good friends are the best thing to do. Is THAT a sin?
no
2006-10-10 23:29:01 · answer #8 · answered by husam 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
NO, if its a sin to read about witch craft its a sin to read ANYTHING except the bible (within it is written about some witchcraft)
~so use your brain about it, if the Lord does not want you to read Harry Potter, you'll feel guilt about it...if you feel guilty, then don't read it
2006-10-12 20:34:38 · answer #9 · answered by Cap'n Donna 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there's anything in the Bible about Harry Potter, so you'll have to ask God that one directly.
Personally, it's loaded with real satanic spells & rituals. I have so many good and pure things that I can try to fill my mind with. Some people read it because it's trendy.
2006-10-10 23:38:34 · answer #10 · answered by megmom 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋