Christians and Harry Potter?

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VictoryBelle

VictoryBelle

Member
#1
Sep 18, 2015
144
75
28
#1
I'm sure this is not the first or last time this topic will be brought up.

Here is where I stand, I don't agree with it because of the witchcraft. Sure it's meant to be harmless fantasy but I feel there's too many trap doors and pitfalls for that to be true.

I went years without watching or reading anything Harry Potter. But then one day my best friend begged me to watch the movies (and read the books but we'll get to that in a moment) and I thought okay,I'll give it a try. I don't believe any of it is real, it's just made-up stuff. I watched all the movies, through and through. And when I was finished, I talked to God about it and he said to me,

"Now that you've watched them you can put the lies to rest that just because you hadn't seen them you couldn't judge, but go no further with it now. Cease it all, don't watch them again or even try reading the books."

I didn't completely understand why he wanted me to stop at the time. Of course I knew the darkness and witchcraft were a big point but it wasn't until the last couple of years that I realized the weight of it all. What watching and reading things like Harry Potter would have, already had, done to me.

See, I use to watch others shows involving werewolves and vampires with some witchcraft. At the time I ignored it because I liked the story and characters too much to give it up. But God got control of my heart and showed me the errors I had made and the closer I got to Him the more my eyes and heart could see how the shows I had been watching warped my mind in ways I never would have imagined. I started watching anime when I was 9. Harmless though, right? I stopped watching anime for the same reasons now.

What goes into your mind, harmless as you may think, slowly churns inside you until it changes your point of view and warps, distorts, and perverts your mind and soul.

Even if you were to say, still, "this really doesn't affect me at all. I know it's all fake and made up stuff." And maybe that is true for you...but what about the friend standing beside you? You who don't realize just opened the back door to their hearts for the devil to sneak in.

I'm struggling a little today, more like hurting, because so many of my friends from church are HUGE Harry Potter fans, even the Youth pastor. The youth pastor is putting on a game night soon and the main event is a Harry Potter game. I was really looking forward to going until I heard that. Then my heart was convicted, and torn. I wanted to go but it just doesn't feel right to compromise my belief's for a few (though rare and precious) hours to spend bonding with people and making friends. That's why I'm bringing this up right now, it's what is on my heart.

What are your thoughts on Chrisitanity and Harry Potter? Can they really mix or is it like a bad food combination that shouldn't be mixed? And why?

Please he respectful and kind with your responses. No need for rudeness and disrespect on anyone whether they like or dislike HP. Like I said before, my BFF loved HP and though I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to ubstain from it I still loved her greatly and didn't tear her down for it.
 
H

HisHolly

Guest
#2
#2
It's all agents for familiarity.. They will think it's harmless and that's how many will be deceived later... Not just with HP, but magic and the like are in everything now a days.. numbing folks
 
W

WarriorForChrist

Guest
#3
#3
HisHolly said:
It's all agents for familiarity.. They will think it's harmless and that's how many will be deceived later... Not just with HP, but magic and the like are in everything now a days.. numbing folks
Click to expand...
I agree. Even at the Christian bookstore there are books claiming to be from Christian writers but they have witchcraft and sorcery in them.
 
PennEd

PennEd

Senior Member
#4
Apr 22, 2013
12,969
8,674
113
#4
VictoryBelle said:
I'm sure this is not the first or last time this topic will be brought up.

Here is where I stand, I don't agree with it because of the witchcraft. Sure it's meant to be harmless fantasy but I feel there's too many trap doors and pitfalls for that to be true.

I went years without watching or reading anything Harry Potter. But then one day my best friend begged me to watch the movies (and read the books but we'll get to that in a moment) and I thought okay,I'll give it a try. I don't believe any of it is real, it's just made-up stuff. I watched all the movies, through and through. And when I was finished, I talked to God about it and he said to me,

"Now that you've watched them you can put the lies to rest that just because you hadn't seen them you couldn't judge, but go no further with it now. Cease it all, don't watch them again or even try reading the books."

I didn't completely understand why he wanted me to stop at the time. Of course I knew the darkness and witchcraft were a big point but it wasn't until the last couple of years that I realized the weight of it all. What watching and reading things like Harry Potter would have, already had, done to me.

See, I use to watch others shows involving werewolves and vampires with some witchcraft. At the time I ignored it because I liked the story and characters too much to give it up. But God got control of my heart and showed me the errors I had made and the closer I got to Him the more my eyes and heart could see how the shows I had been watching warped my mind in ways I never would have imagined. I started watching anime when I was 9. Harmless though, right? I stopped watching anime for the same reasons now.

What goes into your mind, harmless as you may think, slowly churns inside you until it changes your point of view and warps, distorts, and perverts your mind and soul.

Even if you were to say, still, "this really doesn't affect me at all. I know it's all fake and made up stuff." And maybe that is true for you...but what about the friend standing beside you? You who don't realize just opened the back door to their hearts for the devil to sneak in.

I'm struggling a little today, more like hurting, because so many of my friends from church are HUGE Harry Potter fans, even the Youth pastor. The youth pastor is putting on a game night soon and the main event is a Harry Potter game. I was really looking forward to going until I heard that. Then my heart was convicted, and torn. I wanted to go but it just doesn't feel right to compromise my belief's for a few (though rare and precious) hours to spend bonding with people and making friends. That's why I'm bringing this up right now, it's what is on my heart.

What are your thoughts on Chrisitanity and Harry Potter? Can they really mix or is it like a bad food combination that shouldn't be mixed? And why?

Please he respectful and kind with your responses. No need for rudeness and disrespect on anyone whether they like or dislike HP. Like I said before, my BFF loved HP and though I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to ubstain from it I still loved her greatly and didn't tear her down for it.
Click to expand...
No matter where you go, or what you do, do it with and for the Lord. There are opportunities to share the Gospel in every situation. Christians have freedom, but many are infants in their walk with Christ. You can joyfully be there with your friends without even participating in the activities. It may give you a chance to explain your position in love to them.
 
Th0mas

Th0mas

Banned
#5
Jun 23, 2016
566
5
0
#5
It is unreasonable of a person who says they are a Christian and they speak like saying Harry Potter was the saviour of mankind, Harry Potter is equal with Jesus Christ in power, lets worship him like we worship the God of Jesus Christ.

If you judge a person appears to be beyond being corrected.

Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:15

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Matthew 12:

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."
48 He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?"
49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.
50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

2 Corinthians 6:

17 Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."
18 And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#6
#6
VictoryBelle said:
I'm sure this is not the first or last time this topic will be brought up.

Here is where I stand, I don't agree with it because of the witchcraft. Sure it's meant to be harmless fantasy but I feel there's too many trap doors and pitfalls for that to be true.

I went years without watching or reading anything Harry Potter. But then one day my best friend begged me to watch the movies (and read the books but we'll get to that in a moment) and I thought okay,I'll give it a try. I don't believe any of it is real, it's just made-up stuff. I watched all the movies, through and through. And when I was finished, I talked to God about it and he said to me,

"Now that you've watched them you can put the lies to rest that just because you hadn't seen them you couldn't judge, but go no further with it now. Cease it all, don't watch them again or even try reading the books."

I didn't completely understand why he wanted me to stop at the time. Of course I knew the darkness and witchcraft were a big point but it wasn't until the last couple of years that I realized the weight of it all. What watching and reading things like Harry Potter would have, already had, done to me.

See, I use to watch others shows involving werewolves and vampires with some witchcraft. At the time I ignored it because I liked the story and characters too much to give it up. But God got control of my heart and showed me the errors I had made and the closer I got to Him the more my eyes and heart could see how the shows I had been watching warped my mind in ways I never would have imagined. I started watching anime when I was 9. Harmless though, right? I stopped watching anime for the same reasons now.

What goes into your mind, harmless as you may think, slowly churns inside you until it changes your point of view and warps, distorts, and perverts your mind and soul.

Even if you were to say, still, "this really doesn't affect me at all. I know it's all fake and made up stuff." And maybe that is true for you...but what about the friend standing beside you? You who don't realize just opened the back door to their hearts for the devil to sneak in.

I'm struggling a little today, more like hurting, because so many of my friends from church are HUGE Harry Potter fans, even the Youth pastor. The youth pastor is putting on a game night soon and the main event is a Harry Potter game. I was really looking forward to going until I heard that. Then my heart was convicted, and torn. I wanted to go but it just doesn't feel right to compromise my belief's for a few (though rare and precious) hours to spend bonding with people and making friends. That's why I'm bringing this up right now, it's what is on my heart.

What are your thoughts on Chrisitanity and Harry Potter? Can they really mix or is it like a bad food combination that shouldn't be mixed? And why?

Please he respectful and kind with your responses. No need for rudeness and disrespect on anyone whether they like or dislike HP. Like I said before, my BFF loved HP and though I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to ubstain from it I still loved her greatly and didn't tear her down for it.
Click to expand...
This is "the article" that got so many Christians terrified of Harry Potter. http://www.theonion.com/article/harry-potter-books-spark-rise-in-satanism-among-ch-2413

So few bothered checking out what The Onion was -- Harvard's Lampoon magazine. (It's a joke -- literally!) And it's still running the circles and still ensnaring new generations.

I will worry about the effects of Harry Potter on me the minute I say "up" to a broom and it comes up to my hand. I will worry when I say "Occulus repairus" and my glasses are fixed. I will worry when someone whispers nonsensical words to a snake, and the snake either answers or nods its head. I will worry when I meet Dobby. (Well, maybe not. I really liked Dobby. lol)

I liked HP because, unlike Star Wars, it taught there is real good and real evil. It taught that just because you don't like someone doesn't mean he/she is evil. Sometimes people just don't get along. It taught stick up for friends. It taught not to judge people by appearance and not to think you always know the motive of someone. It taught no one is lesser for being from any group of people. It taught quite a lot about loyalty, honesty, and perseverance.

You may think you heard from God. I thought I did, until decades later when I realized what really happened there. (And, nope. Not satanic either.) Funny, Abraham heard from God so very infrequently, but now everyone thinks it's from God because a thought comes in their mind.

Why would God tell us to avoid fiction that presences many of the good qualities he is working into us already?

If it's about what goes into your mind, then how about Peanuts? You have an avatar of Snoopy, so you probably have no problems with Peanuts. Look how Lucy treated Charlie Brown. Look how Snoopy treated him. Look how everyone treated Charlie Brown. Doesn't that go into your heart too?

I think we have the responsibility to guard our hearts and minds. That's much different than avoiding everything just in case. If I stopped doing anything that might offend the person next to me, then I stop doing everything.
 
U

Ugly

Guest
#7
#7
I say stick with your convictions. Many Christians have the attitude that we are all supposed to be at the same level, spiritually. That simply by being Christian we are immediately granted an instant knowing and complete understanding of the bible, that we are to stop sinning, have all the answers and all be in agreement. Obviously that's religious kookery.
If you feel it's wrong, then it's wrong. Don't compromise that. You have the option of losing 'rare and precious' memories that you may never get back, or you can get them, and the guilt that will come along with giving up your Godly standards to go hang out with some people for a few hours. One is a good time, with guilt added to it, and those memories will not last until you die. One is a spiritual stand that provides you with an opportunity to show God He is worth more than a few hours of your life at a party.
 
M

mar09

Senior Member
#8
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#8
VictoryBelle said:
What are your thoughts on Chrisitanity and Harry Potter? Can they really mix or is it like a bad food combination that shouldn't be mixed? And why?

Please he respectful and kind with your responses. No need for rudeness and disrespect on anyone whether they like or dislike HP. Like I said before, my BFF loved HP and though I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to ubstain from it I still loved her greatly and didn't tear her down for it.
Click to expand...
You were asking and just as with food combinations, i think they dont go together. this is not to say others should not read any of it, but from observations, and most of those i see who watch it are not from church anyway, they like and enjoy it so much. Much like they do other fiction and almost idolize. We know the verse that says to the pure everything is pure... but here, in the philippines i am referring to esp, there is a very popular fantasia show on tv for example, revived recently. Would u believe, it is even in the news daily (because they are promoting it in the channel), and i confess i never saw an episode of the previous year(s) it was shown. Perhaps i am just not a tv person tho we watch news, other.. but still i cannot understand how something so ?? mediocre?? (cant think/find other words) and untrue be such a part of ppl's lives, whether we watch or read it (wc i cannot do much of either anyway).

Thank u for sharing ur ideas. I know it will help esp young ppl sifting thru media and analyzing their faith... may the Lord just put in each one's heart what He intends to be there.
 
Th0mas

Th0mas

Banned
#9
Jun 23, 2016
566
5
0
#9
1 Timothy 4:7

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

2 Timothy 3:

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 28:26

Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.

Psalms 118:8

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans.

James 3:2

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

1 Corinthians 12:

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit
 
V

Vigil

Guest
#11
#11
I read HP, saw every movie, and etc. I sincerely enjoyed them. As things developed I did notice that things were a bit more sinister like dumbledore being gay etc. I struggle with this, cause I enjoy a lot of fantasy, but am unsure if I should watch any of them. And yet these are the kinds of shows that I enjoy the most. (Not just HP, but GoT, The Flash, Gotham, etc.) Some of these shows have gone too far though. I straight out refuse to watch "Preacher" after reading about it. It's nothing but blasphemy.
 
tanakh

tanakh

Senior Member
#12
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,040
113
76
#12
When reading fiction where do you draw the line? Harry Potter is a modern fairy Story. Traditional Fairy Stories are full of Witches Fairies and Elves. As a child I read Enid Blytons books. It didnt turn me into a raving satanist
 
GandalfTheWhite

GandalfTheWhite

Senior Member
#13
Jan 25, 2015
9,213
3,188
113
#13
tanakh said:
When reading fiction where do you draw the line? Harry Potter is a modern fairy Story. Traditional Fairy Stories are full of Witches Fairies and Elves. As a child I read Enid Blytons books. It didnt turn me into a raving satanist
Click to expand...
I enjoyed the Dragonlance books when I was younger but after I came to the understanding that witchcraft is an abomination to God I decided to stay away from it....
 
tanakh

tanakh

Senior Member
#14
Dec 1, 2015
4,635
1,040
113
76
#14
GandalfTheWhite said:
I enjoyed the Dragonlance books when I was younger but after I came to the understanding that witchcraft is an abomination to God I decided to stay away from it....
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So having a name like Gandalf makes Lord of the Rings kosher I assume. Still could be worse.
 
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EmilyNats

EmilyNats

Senior Member
#15
Jul 28, 2016
1,374
204
63
#15
Although I do have an opinion on HP, I will simply remind you of this: Peter told church, I don't remember which one,but he told them that if they even THINK that something issuing,even if it really isn't, it WOULD be counted as sin if that person does it. So let's apply in this case. You think that Harry Potter is brand that God has told you not to associate yourself with it. Even if it's not a sin, if you go and condone it against your better judgement, then it counts negatively against you.
 
EmilyNats

EmilyNats

Senior Member
#16
Jul 28, 2016
1,374
204
63
#16
Oh, and that was Paul, not Peter. My bad!
 
O

OwzK

Banned
#17
Jul 27, 2016
458
7
0
#17
Ya know what? I don't care, I'm Christian and I love Harry Potter, I grew up with it. I only just became a Christian a few years ago, but grew up through my teens with Harry Potter. End of the day, it's just a story I do wish it was real, but life doesn't work like that, it's a story.

I agree with what you say about small stuff like this opening our minds and souls up for the devils to come in, but in general about Harry Potter, it's just a story. It's not like anyone's had any influence to do witchcraft because of it. It is NOTHING like real witchcraft even.
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#18
#18
OwzK said:
Ya know what? I don't care, I'm Christian and I love Harry Potter, I grew up with it. I only just became a Christian a few years ago, but grew up through my teens with Harry Potter. End of the day, it's just a story I do wish it was real, but life doesn't work like that, it's a story.

I agree with what you say about small stuff like this opening our minds and souls up for the devils to come in, but in general about Harry Potter, it's just a story. It's not like anyone's had any influence to do witchcraft because of it. It is NOTHING like real witchcraft even.
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You want Voldemort around? Ew ew ew!

I'll take riding around on Griffons and broomsticks, fixing my glasses that easily, (do you think it corrects the glass itself to change as my eyes get worse?), and freeing House Elves, but I put my foot down with a return of Voldemort. I'm not even sure I'd want to go to Nearly-Headless Nicholus Halloween Party. Rather gross!
 
Fenner

Fenner

Senior Member
#19
Jan 26, 2013
7,507
111
0
#19
I really enjoyed the Harry Potter series, it was fun. You have to do what you feel is right for you. If it bothers you to watch then don't.
 
O

OwzK

Banned
#20
Jul 27, 2016
458
7
0
#20
Depleted said:
You want Voldemort around? Ew ew ew!


I'll take riding around on Griffons and broomsticks, fixing my glasses that easily, (do you think it corrects the glass itself to change as my eyes get worse?), and freeing House Elves, but I put my foot down with a return of Voldemort. I'm not even sure I'd want to go to Nearly-Headless Nicholus Halloween Party. Rather gross!
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Hahahha I'd LOVE it lol. Everything except having Voldermort lol, idk about going to Nearly Headless Nick's party either haha, I bet it'd be REALLY cold plus in the books it said in the parties that they have maggots in the cake. That sounds tasty lol
 
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