If not, why not? If you feel it isn't against the spirit of Christ, how do you arrive at that?
2006-12-04 12:15:35 · 36 answers · asked by Lovin' Mary's Lamb 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Shelby- you meant accept rather than except?
2006-12-04 16:25:59 · update #1
P.S. My mind wasn't corrupted or my curiosity of the world stunted because we didn't watch T.V. or go to movies growing up. Yep, I'm normal! The first nightmare I had in my life was after watching a very popular M.T.V. video and a horror film which most kids were so desensitized to it didn't bother them. I never dreamed of hell or demons from any sermon preached before that time. I trick or treated but not in gross outfits and sat on Santa Claus' lap (figured out he was fake on my own by about age 4 but held to God's reality always) and I read loads of good books but none were to do with the occult or witchcraft. I no longer believe in celebrating Halloween. I think there are many Christian books and movies out to satisfy young children aren't there?
2006-12-04 16:45:17 · update #2
Spiritism, Sorcery, Magic, and Witchcraft have all been used to describe the books/movies, in which case the correct answers are obvious for Christians to discern. Thanks to all. Quite interesting. Glad I don't have to use the info personally!
2006-12-05 16:05:46 · update #3
My kids are grown, but if they weren't, they sure wouldn't watch that garbage in my home. There's nothing but sorcery and junk in there that gives kids all kinds of ideas to want to dabble with the occult. A resounding NO from me!
EDIT:
Little children are VULNERABLE and cannot readily discern what is fantasy and what is REALITY. That's why God gave them Parents, to protect them!
2006-12-04 12:18:22 · answer #1 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 3⤊ 8⤋
What is the worst that a book or movie can do to a person?
It can give them an idea.
If you are confident that your children are intelligent enough to know the difference between a good idea and a bad idea, then there should be no problem letting them read anything at all, whether it's Harry Potter, Leviticus, the Rig Vedas, Ann Coulter, or the Satanic Bible.
Good writers read everything they can get their hands on; whether or not they agree with the book - they read it.
2006-12-05 01:27:19 · answer #2 · answered by Morningstar2651 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Works of fiction shouldnt have any effect on children. It's up to the parent to instill into the children the values and morals they believe children should have. Restricting access to movies because you're afraid it could corrupt their minds shows that you are not confident in the lessons you have given them.
If you want to talk about how it isn't against the spirit of Christ, Jesus said the most important thing is to treat others with the same love, respect and honour you would have given to you. Watching Harry Potter doesnt defy that, so why would it be a problem?
2006-12-04 12:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by strictlyrouge 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm christian but I don't agree with all that b.s. about not watching Harry Potter, I love the books and the movies.
If we should forbid Harry Potter then why not forbid Snowhite, Little Mermaid, Cinderella.......I can go on and on.
It's just a fantasy and kids should be allowed an escape into enchanted world of good and evil, witches and warlocks, monsters and fairies. If I think that after watching Harry Potter my kid will turn into magic loving, crazed little kid then I have a bigger problem on my hand. People! Give it a rest, IT'S ONLY A MOVIE.
2006-12-04 12:25:03 · answer #4 · answered by enya0301 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think sometimes people over react to movies and books like that. For example, people were saying that 'the matrix' was supposed to mimic the bible just because the wachowski brothers that wrote it stole a couple names from the bible and had a battle of good versus evil. Movies like Harry Potter are just imaginative and odd. I'm a christian and growing up I had a couple of sheltered friends who's parents wouldn't let them see movies along the lines of Harry Potter and once those kids grew up they rebelled horribly. When kids reach a certain age christian parents should begin to teach them to deal with the world and not just hide from it. I like listening to music that doesn't have cussing and I don't like sex scenes or lots of cussing in movies but I'm not appalled and over react when a friend of mine introduces me to something like that. When teaching your kids to deal with it they'll know they can look away or ignore it, but when you completely shelter your children they might freak out or break into an unwanted speech to whoever put on the movie or is listening to the music. Some people don't understand how offensive 'bad' movies and music can be but at the same time kids can't go through life expecting other people to censor their lives for them.
2006-12-04 12:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by keyaccessories 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all The Harry Potter Movies , books and anything else that is close to that is indeed witchcraft and Christians are supposed to shun away from evil.
Some pastors say it is just make believe but let me tell you witchcraft is nothing to play with it . It leads to a open door to the occult .
I have dealt with people in the past things that start fun turn into one thing or the other . I know of a girl that started with Harry Potter and her family now tells me she is into Satanism.
The best thing for Christians is to not get involved with the Harry Potter stuff
2006-12-04 12:31:20 · answer #6 · answered by revfergy 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I don't have a problem with the Harry Potter films. As long as the child is old enough to under stand magic is fantasy in the film. I would rather discuss it in a intelligent manner than ban it. I wouldn't allow any sort of Harry Potter stuff in the house. As long as it is under stood that it is just entertainment. Harry Potter does fight evil in his movies. The world is full of stuff against Christ, and I feel I should help the child process it in a Godly way.
2006-12-04 12:30:54 · answer #7 · answered by Roberto 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I do not have a problem with my child watching or reading certian things. I think it is up to the parents to teach the child the difference between fantasy and reality. To me, reality is God. My children are spiritual beings who love Christ and know Christ. At the same time, they are children and they enjoy Harry Potter and superheroes and things of that nature. But, at the end of the day, they know it is fantasy.
2006-12-05 11:44:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your kids are ready to handle it and not be affected. I once read this book called the Amber Spyglass about God being the nemesis of knowledge and mankind. It went on to say that heaven didn't exist and that God was just the first angel created, and not God at all. When i read it, I realized immediatly that Satan was speaking through Phillip Pullman, the author. One of the Devil's favorite weapons are books, tv, and the media. He can speak through books, movies, and tv shows. Though I haven't read the Harry Potter books, I don't think I ever will because of its witchcraft orientation, but it really depends on the adamance of one's faith. I've heard of kids trying to cast spells and crap after reading those books though, so you might want to be careful.
2006-12-04 12:22:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
People think Harry Potter has to do with witch craft. Honestly, have you read the books? Yes, it has to do with magic, but for God sakes (literally!) it's FICITON! Fiction=fake!. People ban books from their families because they're afraid of them. If God is so great, then Harry Potter, one book series is NOT going to misguide them! The Harry Potter series focuses on good vs. evil, and so far the good side has been Harry and his friends. Every page of the book, you are not reminded that, "this is evil witchcraft", but RATHER - that Harry is trying to defeat an evil killer of the innocent. Anyone who is afraid of Harry Potter hasn't looked into it. They're afraid of losing something they're not capable of losing.
2006-12-04 12:32:15 · answer #10 · answered by Almana 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes they should be able to access it. It's just a book, and if the people against it had actually taken the time to read it they would know that the whole book is about good vs evil. The only underlying message in those books is that if we are going to conquer evil, we have to do it together.
OCCULT: of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
By that definition, Christianity, among other religions, is occult too.
2006-12-04 12:19:23 · answer #11 · answered by adam north 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋