Harry Potter and Gabriele Kubik

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Gandalf

Guest
#41
#41
Tintin said:
I don't think witchcraft and demonic-possessed creatures are of God but neither is the HP series promoting such things. Also, reading is very different to agreeing with and inviting such things into your life. That said, I wouldn't go so far as to say all fiction is harmless. Discernment is key.
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Tintin, when Israel made the golden calf it represented YHWH in their eyes. God called them stiffed neck people :) how many times are we “stiff necked” in our approach to God’s will and his word? There are definitely witchcraft and demonic undertones in these books and that is from a former fan of this literature. I am not judging you for not seeing it but as a fellow brother in Christ I am explaining to you the obvious. Is it going to condemn you to hell. How should I know? Can it influence people? Of course it can. In the 90's when D&D was so popular you had people committing suicide when their characters were killed in the game.
 
David_1

David_1

Banned
#42
Mar 21, 2011
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#42
Gandalf said:
In the 90's when D&D was so popular you had people committing suicide when their characters were killed in the game.
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Can you provide documented source that this in fact happened and was not a complete invention of Chick Tracks?
 
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Gandalf

Guest
#43
#43
David_1 said:
Can you provide documented source that this in fact happened and was not a complete invention of Chick Tracks?
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Unfortunately not David. This was in the early 90’s without easy access to internet and google like we have today. I did google it and came up with articles and forums but I can’t verify the validity of the claims from there.
 
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Stella_

Guest
#44
#44
We had a pastor who explained it to me like this. When you take a frog, and put it in a pot of boiling water, the frog lands in the water, gets burnt and jumps out. But when you put the frog in a pot of room temperature water, heat the pot so the water 's temperature is gradually increased, the frog wont struggle and jump - the frog will only realize either when its too hot and jump out, or it will die. This same principle is applied here. If you read these books, your either gradually heating the water, but your content with the heat, or you land in the water and you burn. Once the water gets too hot - you'll stop reading. Most of us have either a high or low "heat" tolerance, and that's okay. Because were all different. Some of us are affected one way, and another person is affected in the exact opposite way. This has nothing to do with the Author's religious views. Purely talented writers expressing their God given talents.
 
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VioletReigns

Guest
#45
#45
Nautilus said:
I'm just going to let the old-fashioned legalist bunch have this thread to themselves. Enjoy being terrified of novels and such.
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That is very gracious of you, dear brother Nautilus. :) And I agree with your point about legalism. I, too loathe anything that doesn't perpetuate freedom in Christ Jesus. The Lord, after all, created us with free will, right?

I was just throwing in my two cents regarding demonic activity. I refuse to glorify "principalities & powers of darkness" by going into detail of the things my family endured in my youth. There were "harmless" occult games and books that were the basis of some of the activity that would eventually cloathe my family in depression, fear and darkness. It took a miracle for deliverance.

Nevertheless, Jesus is Lord of all and His perfect love casts out fear. The Lord's ways are light and life and in Him is no darkness at all. I walk in joy, strength and peace today, rejoicing, singing, abounding every day, praise to the glorious name of Jesus! \:D/

But there's not a bone in my body that will ever be entertained by witchcraft.
 
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AnnaBou

Guest
#46
#46
I loved Harry Potter books and films but I grew out of them. The Chronicals of Narnia and LOTR are both written by Christians with a Christian message but they are also influenced by old pagan beliefs. I've not read LOTR but I have read the Hobbit so I am going by what I have read about LOTR. I can see why they might lead someoner to think there is good witchcraft against bad witchcraft and that might lead people astray. But it is not meant to be real it is like Tom and Jerry talk but that shouldn't mean people think talking mice are real. So I see the dangers in it and there needs to be warnings against witchcraft but there are worse things on TV all the time.
 
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AnnaBou

Guest
#47
#47
BTW it's funny being warned about LOTR by Gandalf
 
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hannahbeth1124

Guest
#49
#49
Gandalf said:
Guys, this is supposed to be a simple. There are two ways in this world, one where we honour God and one where we don’t. You are either for God or against him, no in-betweens :) so if you are sure that witchcraft and demonic possessed creatures are from God then good for you, if you don’t then I agree with you.
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I'm sorry. Maybe I'm confused... Is your name based on the WIZARD of Lord of The Rings? Or is your name, in fact, Gandalf?
 
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Gandalf

Guest
#50
#50
hannahbeth1124 said:
I'm sorry. Maybe I'm confused... Is your name based on the WIZARD of Lord of The Rings? Or is your name, in fact, Gandalf?
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It was my nickname when I attended university. Long story but my friends today still call me Gandalf…
 
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hannahbeth1124

Guest
#52
#52
Well, dear. If your personal convictions now say that these things are not of God, and it's all very "black and white" isn't it your obligation to put a stop to that nickname? I mean it's all well and good to change one's view on things, but if we don't back our act, we, and by extension, our Emanuel are not taken seriously. I find it's also important to remember to come in love when a disagreement over something like this arises between brothers and sisters. [h=1]1 Corinthians 13 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)[/h]13 I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels;
but if I lack love, I have become merely
blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.

2 I may have the gift of prophecy,
I may fathom all mysteries, know all things,
have all faith — enough to move mountains;
but if I lack love, I am nothing.
Gandalf said:
It was my nickname when I attended university. Long story but my friends today still call me Gandalf…
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ForthAngel

ForthAngel

Senior Member
#53
Aug 31, 2012
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#53
David_1 said:
Can you provide documented source that this in fact happened and was not a complete invention of Chick Tracks?
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I used to play Magic the Gathering, a card game, every friday at a local club when I was younger. D&D was also played by some people there. The card game itself I gave up when I realized the nature of it. Summoning demons and other things to fight for you on the battlefield. I was also a fan of D&D when it was implemented into PC games like Baldur's Gate, where you character is a child of a dead god Bhaal (should be able to recognize this name biblically).

These games were captivating to me as a kid and introduced me to real occultism because I ventured away from the games and started wondering about the real stuff. I dunno about suicide cases, but I have seen people model their entire being after a so-called simple and harmless game. Changing the way they dress to the way their character in the game looks, carrying around magic pouches, attempting real occult rituals and magic, etc.
 
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Tintin

Guest
#54
#54
I lost it when Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned. That so called truth concerning D and D is a load of nonsense! I really wish more Christians were critical in their thinking and discerned what they read/hear. I have no words! It would be funny if it weren't so disturbing.
 
Reborn

Reborn

Senior Member
#55
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
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#55
Tintin said:
I lost it when Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned. That so called truth concerning D and D is a load of nonsense! I really wish more Christians were critical in their thinking and discerned what they read/hear. I have no words! It would be funny if it weren't so disturbing.
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Wow? Tintin? Really Brother? Gandalf, makes a simple point. What we personally like is one thing, what we tell others that is okay (just becuase we so happen to like it) and justify it away against Biblical truths is another my man. YOU...may feel that HP can be entertainment, but unfortunately the masses may not have your strong mindset. Remember--Harry Potter is aimed at children with young, impressionable minds. Stories that tell our kids that flying around on broomsticks and using sorcery to fix things is not of the Bible. These things take away from the word and make Christ's miracles seem more like magic to them. Defending our personal likes ( Star Wars, Harry Potter, LOTR ) is one thing, but teaching others that it is okay to like magical places, or "using the force" is another. These things DO NOT have Biblical undertones, and if anything --steer the masses away from Him.
I am afraid there are now more people in the world who follow Lucas...then Jesus.
But look, I am guilty of it all too, BUT I would never tell others to do as I do. I am (or was) a huge Superman fan, but I aware his story is about a "father" who "sent his only son", so that he "may save mankind", yes- another cleverly disguised example of mocking Christ.....if anything, I can not defend liking it, tell others to watch the movies....but pray that I should stop liking it.
 
Reborn

Reborn

Senior Member
#56
Nov 16, 2014
4,087
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#56
I have to add, that I dig brother Tintin. We have PM'd our differences. Although I may not hit the "like" button often on his posts--I actually agree with about 95% of what he tells others. This one seemed different.
 
David_1

David_1

Banned
#57
Mar 21, 2011
1,515
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#57
Tintin said:
I lost it when Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned. That so called truth concerning D and D is a load of nonsense! I really wish more Christians were critical in their thinking and discerned what they read/hear. I have no words! It would be funny if it weren't so disturbing.
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Tintin, I'm going to hold you to these words :p
 
David_1

David_1

Banned
#58
Mar 21, 2011
1,515
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#58
Gandalf said:
Unfortunately not David. This was in the early 90’s without easy access to internet and google like we have today. I did google it and came up with articles and forums but I can’t verify the validity of the claims from there.
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Yeah, look, My mother perpetuated these lies about D&D when I was young, 80s and 90s, and as such I was too scared to play.

Perhaps that saved me from ultimate nerd-dom? LOL

But later on as an adult I researched it and realised it was lies. Part of the Satanic Panic of the 80s and 90s. A lot of hysteria based on rumours.

The trouble is the suicide rate is still high for young men where I come from. Rural Australia. The highest demographic in the world, and the real causes for this are varied, but often include corruption from politicians and large businesses that destroy the economy in the rural areas to favour corporate profits. Which leads to small business ruin and unemployment.

But Christians here on this same forum keep voting for the parties that support unregulated capitalism.

So, please forgive me if I support addressing the real causes of suicide, and not banning of games, based on unsubstantiated rumours.

In regards to abstaining, See my next post.
 
David_1

David_1

Banned
#59
Mar 21, 2011
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#59
For those of you, who want to abstain from D&D and other games, like computer games because of evil imagery etc... I just want to say I support you establishing your boundaries and limits. I understand it being 'too much' at times.

But understand, that enforcing your limits on other people does not always produce the result you desire.

I felt that way about the Warlock class in Warcraft at one time, and switched to shaman. BUt this was when I was in a Christian Guild. Then I saw, one of the popular people in the guild was playing warlock and topping the dps charts. It didn't bother him at all, or others in the guild. But it bothered me. Was I right? was he wrong?

Maybe it didn't affect him the way it affected me?

I think the more important part was being in a Christian Guild together.

Let's not even get into Jesus implementing Curses and controlling/banishing demons in the bible.
 
Angela53510

Angela53510

Senior Member
#60
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
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#60
Narnia- has a type of Christ, Aslan, who creates the world and sustains it. I've read the books nearly 30 times, and every time I find more and more scripture. Not sure about all the Roman and Greek mythology, but coming from a medieval literature professor, it does not surprise me.

LOTR - one of the most well written stories on the planet earth, fiction category. The hero is an example to us all - to obey God and his will in the face of the most overwhelming odds, and in the face of Satan's growing power in a world that chooses to ignore him. Anyone who has not read this series has missed one of the best fiction series on the earth.

Harry Potter - good versus evil. I do take issue with that, because the darkness has already been overcome. I just re-read this series, and enjoyed it immensely. There are lots of Christian references, since it takes place in Britain although the story itself is not necessarily allegorical to Christ.

Can these books do harm to young children or teens? My thought is the parents need to be pro-active, explain the meanings, symbolism. Childhood is an important time for the imagination to flourish. At least there is no swearing, or nudity in any of the above three. At least their purpose is not to corrupt people, but rather to get people to think about good and evil, in a metaphorical sense.

My daughter was raised on Narnia and Harry Potter. She is a strong Christian, helps people for a living, and is kind and loving. I guess these books didn't lead her down the garden path to perdition.
 
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