2007-07-22 13:55:12 · 15 answers · asked by R E 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Why would I make my child read the bible? You do know there are other religions out there, right?
2007-07-22 14:25:24 · answer #1 · answered by SITDOWNWALDO 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, that's a strange question. I was brought up in a Christian family and was made to read the bible from an early age anyway, before the books even came out. I think that many children would read the bible in order to read the Harry Potter books, since the HP books are so well written and entertaining.. but definitely not a huge amount.. The bible is quite heavy reading and not all that interesting to a child (depending on age/religion/general beliefs I suppose.)
Also, I'd like to say that reading the bible didn't change my desire to read the HP books in any way, they are just stories, after all! I suppose it depends on whether the child believes what they read in the bible, and what meanings they take from it all. I don't believe it says anywhere in the bible "thou shalt not read the works of J.K Rowling!" and I still don't really understand why some Christians believe that the books are blasphemous/wrong. They are just stories - fictional stories, written to entertain, not to preach heathen beliefs...
( I'm also really sorry if anyone takes offence to this, it's only my opinion :/ )
2007-07-22 14:11:37 · answer #2 · answered by Alice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What does one thing have to do with the other? The Bible has more holes in it than Swiss Cheese. If it was a novel today, it would be rejected by every publisher going. The four Gospels tell four completely different stories of Christ and 33 years of his life are missing. No place does it mention that there were 3 wise men and no place does it say they were kings or even mention them by name. The story of his last days is conflicting in all 4 accounts. No two match. In the Old Testament, there are two or three different stories of Noah - each with a different length of time for the floods. The Christian Bible is a pastiche pasted together by Constantine and the Council of Nicea. They were the worst editors ever. They did a terrible job. At least if you expect people to take the word of a book and believe in it, try and make sure it has some kind of continuity and rings of truth. I have never heard a Christian explain why the 4 Gospels are so different. As a Gnostic, I am aware there are many other Gospels that tell many other versions of the stories and that the 4 included in the New Testament were written down hundreds of years after the death of Christ. What on earth could reading the Bible possibly have to do with Harry Potter? At lease JK Rowling used a continuity editor to ensure she didn't make any mistakes like the 4 Gospels did. Sorry - the question is moot. Pax -C
2007-07-22 14:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
IF it is important to you as a parent that your child be raised knowing and reading the bible than this question is pointless. By the time the child is old enough to read the Bible should already be a part of that child's life. That is your job as the parent. Than any books that the child reads for entertainment would be a personal choice between the parents and child.
Forcing a child to read the bible first before a book like Harry Potter would just make them resent the bible.
2007-07-22 14:12:37 · answer #4 · answered by Hilda C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I don't think you should make a child read the Bible at one sitting. That should be something you do with your child over time at home and in church. The Bible can be quite complex. I love Harry Potter and so does my family but we are Catholic and not crazy fundamentalist who think Harry Potter is evil.
2007-07-22 14:08:29 · answer #5 · answered by just me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harry Potter is secular entertainment. It is not anti-christian, it is not evil. Any belief that the Potter books "glorify witchcraft" is flawed. The entire magical community in the books is fiction. And is populated by good people, bad people, and people that just want to live undisturbed. Just like the real world. It has no basis in "real world" witchcraft or magic. I don't think reading the Bible would impede the enjoyment of this excellent work of fiction. And it should not. I don't recall anyone ever repeating a passage that forbids people from enjoying fiction. It is people's interpretation of the Bible, and preconceived notions about the fantasy genre that put these things at odds.
2007-07-22 14:06:42 · answer #6 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't understand the purpose of a child reading the bible. It is very difficult to understand and would take forever. A parent can be teaching from example lessons the child can learn from the bible. If you encourage a child to read on their own a book that they enjoy, such as Harry Potter, it will be easier to have them read more difficult books as they grow older.
2007-07-22 14:07:44 · answer #7 · answered by thearizonapenguin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Greetings,
It depends on how they are guided with wisdom, knowledge and positive insight.
I've raised 2 sons who are avid readers of Harry Potter along with myself, and we are also Christians. I taught my sons to know the difference between reality and fantasy.
Reading Harry Potter doesn't make being a Christian any less true. It's your personal relationship with your God and having total faith in your beliefs that keeps you well rounded, smile!!!
Great Question!!! I hope you get some great answers!!!
2007-07-22 14:08:26 · answer #8 · answered by Native American Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible would take forever, unless you're into it. I'm a Christian, but I find it very boring just to read right through. Harry Potter is written very well and keeps my attention, so I most likely wouldn't read the Bible first.
2007-07-22 13:59:54 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
i would read both at the same time. harry potter was meant for enjoyment. its not like jk rowling wanted people to worship witchcraft!
2007-07-22 14:07:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋