According to the Telegraph in England, the Church of England is encouraging its youth workers to use the Harry Potter books to promote the gospel. They have published a guide giving their youth leaders ideas on how to use the underlying themes of the Potter books of good vs. evil to relate them to the Christian message.
Anglican religious leaders are now describing J. K. Rowling’s books and movies as “great fun” and the author as a “great storyteller.” These leaders are now claiming that Rowling is no different than Jesus telling parables to get his audience to think about their choices in life. In their opinion, the witchcraft and magic in the Harry Potter series is harmless and is no different than what we see in C. S. Lewis’ books. Owen Smith, who wrote the guide, denies that these books and movies steer kids towards the occult.
It’s rather obvious that like so many church leaders today, the Anglican leaders have either not read the Bible or they have a blatant disregard for what it says. How can they not see that the Potter books do, in fact, promote witchcraft by making it look innocent? Even Wiccans think they use their powers for good. I believe that like so many religious leaders, they are more concerned about getting a larger following at any cost. Jesus told parables to get his followers to think about the kingdom of heaven and submitting to God’s commandments which are a result of God’s love. The intent was to glorify God. Rowling’s series is about using powers that originate from ungodly beings to manipulate other beings to one’s advantage, be it good or evil, to glorify people.
Many of the practices by Harry Potter and his friends or classmates, like casting spells and using chemicals to help or hurt people, are not fiction but happens everyday in the real world of those who actually practice witchcraft. Rowling probably had to have done research on witchcraft (or practices it herself) to have gotten some of the rituals in her book so accurate. Yes, a lot of it is fiction, but there is enough truth about witchcraft that would make a vulnerable child want to seek out more information on how to exercise the powers that Potter and his friends display.
The Bible is the most powerful book in the universe. God’s word has been changing people’s lives for thousands of years and offers what no other religion can–eternal life in the presence of God. But I guess that’s not good enough for religious churchgoers who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. Witchcraft, whether it’s portrayed as good or evil, is one of the things that paves the road to hell (Galatians 5:19-21).
“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept [doctrine] of men:” Isaiah 29:13
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.” Deuteronomy 18:10
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen…” Jeremiah 10:2
–posted by Harry A. Gaylord–
July 22, 2007 at 3:16 pm |
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August 1, 2007 at 12:56 pm |
Ancient Israel fell into the same trap. They seemed to have started young. Isaiah 47:12. However God did not play spiritual adultry with anyone they broke the 1-2 commandents and the rest of them too being involved with that stuff. Much of the main prophets speak rebuke against this stuff to Israel and was the reason they were given over to Pagan Rule and dispersement. Eve committed the same sin in the Garden by trying to get power outside of God and bewitched ADAM to do the same. (1 Sam 15:23. Isaiah 30:9) outline rebellion as witchcraft. If anyone would just sit down and look at how many warnings there are in the TANKH-OT and and Brit Chadasha-NT they would be horrified to meet Jesus Christ on Judgement Day without turning to Him while they have breath and away from this End Time Garden Deception. It operates in marriage and family relationships all the time as God never gave us a law. We should undestand Matthew 7:22, Rev 22:15 and Rev. 21:8.