One More Reason I Don't Go To Church

I know I already posted something today (feel free to read below this post, especially if you don't want to hear (read) my rant on over-bearing Christians), but I went over to my myspace page, and read something my friend had posted about Harry Potter and how wrong he is. Here, I'll even put it on my page for you and add my 2 cents worth to it, too.

Christians Who Endorse Witchcraft
I am addressing this to those of you that inquired about my Harry Potter standing.

Other links.....

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Apostasy/christians-witchcraft.htm

http://www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Wizzards.html


Some Christians are sadly endorsing Harry Potter (the work of author J.K. Rowling); but they should be rebuking her and her works of darkness instead.

In a November 1999 broadcast of his radio series "Breakpoint," author Chuck Colson commended Harry and his friends for their "courage, loyalty and a willingness to sacrifice for one another – even at the risk of their lives." Colson dismissed the pagan practices as "purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic. That is, Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls and turn themselves into animals – but they don't make contact with a supernatural world. … [It's not] the kind of real-life witchcraft the Bible condemns."

"He that saith unto the wicked, Thou are righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them." -Proverbs 24:24,25

And popular Christian publication World Magazine reviewed book one of the series in May 1999, calling it "a delight – with a surprising bit of depth." Author Roy Maynard assured World readers that "Rowling … keeps it safe, inoffensive and non-occult. This is the realm of Gandalf and the Wizard of Id, not witchcraft. There is a fairy-tale order to it all in which, as Chesterton and Tolkien pointed out, magic must have rules, and good does not – cannot – mix with bad."

Even Christianity Today magazine has given positive reviews of the Harry Potter witchcraft series. The sad truth that professed "Christians" are endorsing such Satanic inventions as Harry Potter clearly reveal the apostate times in which we are living. When Christians no longer recognize evil as EVIL, then you know that society has been utterly desensitized to the exceeding sinfulness of sin (Romans 7:13).



Harry Potter Introduces Children to Witchcraft (Wicca)

Set in England, the books chronicle the life of young Harry Potter, whose wizard parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort. Because Harry escaped the death curse of Voldemort, he was given a mark on his forehead – a lightening bolt. On his 11th birthday, Harry receives an invitation to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Each of the four published books represents a year at Hogwarts.

Voldemort is a non-physical "dark magic" being who inhabits the bodies of various characters in the books. Perhaps most notably, Voldemort possesses Quirrell, Hogwarts' "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher.

Voldemort taught Quirrell, "There is no good and evil; there is only power, and those too weak to seek it."

Parents, did you read that? Tens-of-millions of Children who watch or read Harry Potter are being taught that there is "NO GOOD OR EVIL; THERE IS ONLY POWER." Though it is obvious in the Harry Potter series that Voldemort is the bad guy, children nevertheless are extremely impressionable. The advice which Voldemort gives is more readily accepted as a universal truth rather than lies from a bad person. Through the Harry Potter's series, Children are subconsciously being brainwashed by the damnable heresies of Wicca witchcraft. Do you realize that Wicca teaches that there is no good or evil. Wiccans believe that anything is acceptable just so long as no one is being hurt. So according to Wicca, if two married couples are willing to indulge in adultery, it would be acceptable since all parties are in agreement. Wicca totally disregards the laws of God and the authority of the Word of God.

Ironically, I often receive e-mails from Wicca witches arguing that Christianity and Wicca are closely paralleled. You've got to be kidding? Wicca's belief's are NOT even remotely close to the fundamental teachings of the Word of God. The Bible specifies which activities are sinful (e.g., murder, adultery, fornication, homosexuality, stealing, abortion, gambling, drunkenness, witchcraft, lying, bearing false witness, bestiality, etc.). Wicca however does NOT. Wicca does NOT recognize the concept of "sin". In fact, many of the activities which the Bible condemns as sinful are readily accepted in Wicca, such as fornication (sex outside of marriage). Just because someone isn't being hurt doesn't make something right in God's eyes. Wiccans do NOT recognize the Word of God and therefore have no solid foundation upon which their religion is based. As you can imagine, individual Wiccan beliefs vary widely.

In addition, Wicca teaches that there are HUNDREDS of deities (gods) from which you can choose from to worship. The Bible clearly teaches that there is only ONE True and Living God (Deuteronomy 6:4). Wicca and Christianity are two entirely different worlds apart. The elements comprising the Harry Potter Series are far more resembling of Wicca than Christianity. ALL witchcraft is SIN (1st Samuel 15:23). The FACT that the Word of God specifically calls witchcraft a "sin" should settle the issue with every person who trusts upon the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.



Is Harry Potter Harmless?

Many parents, regardless of their faith, may not wish to have their children read about evil non-physical beings who drink the blood of animals to gain power. But the books are marketed to children ages 9-12. For Christians in particular, the acclamation given Harry Potter's world should be extremely disturbing. Harry Potter is of the devil.

Might Harry Potter seem as real as life to his young fans around the world? Do children accept Harry's lessons in practical witchcraft as an open door to an occult reality? Many Christian leaders have denied any such danger, but author J.K. Rowling admits that this happens. In an interview with Newsweek's Malcolm Jones, she said...

"I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore [headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the books’ setting], and it’s not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they’ve convinced themselves it’s true." (-Malcolm Jones, "The Return of Harry Potter!", Newsweek (Online), July 1, 2000, page 4.



Damnit, people! Are you fucking serious. I mean, really? Are Christians really that uptight and bitchy? I may not be the poster child for the way a good Christian should act, but if those people ranting about Harry Potter are, then cross me off the list.

Isn't imagination a good thing? Don't we encourage our children to use their imagination everyday? My 8 1/2 year old son understands that Harry Potter isn't real. Because that is my job as a parent, to teach him what is real and what is not. I don't need some Christian Coalition throwing a fit and doing it for me. When did it become sin to write a book based on fantasy?

Because that is all J.K. Rowling did, people. And she became a billionaire because of it. She has gained what every writer strives for; Not just one, but 7 books that have made children excited to read again. Books that even adults are standing in mile long lines to get their hands on. Hell, I pre-ordered the 7th book months ago. Disney has had witches in their movies for years, and I don't see them beating down their doors at Disneyland to shut them down. What about George Lucas and Star Wars. I mean, that is the absolute good vs. evil, isn't it? Doesn't The Emperor use his thirst for power to overturn the good people of their galaxy. I didn't see any Christian picketers at the openings of those movies.

And how hypocritical can you get. It isn't OK to us your imagination, but it's fine to steal, I mean, tell people to tithe 10% of their hard earned money every year so the church can spread the word of Jesus to the masses. We all know from watching CNN how many of those t.v. ministers spent the churches funds for their own personal necessities, like hookers and blow. What's worse? A made up story about a made up boy who is fighting a made up bad guy or lying to your followers so you can get high and bang a prostitute?

I grew up in the church. My grandfather is a minister, and knows the bible from front to back. And I have never seen him judge anyone. I asked him how he felt about the Harry Potter series, and he has no problem with it. But according to those asshats in the article, that makes him a bad Christian leader. I personally believe that makes him the type of Christian I would listen to. He believes in the Bible and what it says. He doesn't try to interpret it to meet his agenda.

So, I guess I'll get off my soapbox for now. I will tell you I am going to see the new Harry Potter film the minute I get home from vacation. My husband and I are taking our oldest son and my friends daughter, Alexis. Then I am going to read my new Harry Potter book that will be delivered directly to my door by July 25. And I am going to enjoy them. Why? Because they are great books to lose yourself in. To open your mind to and envision a world where I can enchant a broom to sweep for me and my clothes would wash, dry, and fold themselves. And if that means I am going straight to hell, well then, I guess it's better than being stuck with all those assholes, right.