Harry Potter

[cantstopdancin9]

Just to let yawl know from a kid's point of view, I read the book and enjoyed it. I only read it for entertainment. It hasn't changed my view of the faith or any of my other opinions. I still love being Catholic just as much as before I read the book. Only if you take everything out of hand does it become a problem. Know what I mean? -_-

:)

[nikkan_hanil]

No offense to anyone, but I don't like Harry Potter because it invokes demon names, but because it's so darn popular. I hate the mainstream...<_<

[TABBY]

I was actually a bit slow at reading the series it took me about two to three years AFTER the first one was on the market. Before I read them I wasnt really that intrested in reading it...however where ever I went I saw someone reading it....I saw people from young to old reading these books...and then when I aided my kids class I noticed they had HP on the shelves. I wanted to know what my kids were being read...so I then took it upon myself to read the first book. I got done with that book in a day and a half (estemating)...and then I went to the store and bought all four books (the fifth one wasnt out at the time), and I was amazed how well these books are. It is a good read, with good morals. It is all fanatsy...just like star treck, and star wars...

The pheoniminal thing is not only the people from young to old is reading them it is that you can read it again and still get the same enjoyment.

My kids and myself enjoy reading these books, and is waiting for the 6th book....

Edited December 31, 2003 by TABBY

[jmjtina]

I also don't think that any large number of children are going to go run off to the local witch store and buy volumes on pagan worship and black magic, either.

No. Your right. It's probably JUST ONE kid (out of ten) who will go and buy books in pagan worship and black magic. This book is getting darker and darker.

LOTR isn't about BEING A WIZARD. Talk to immaculata or cmom for a while....haha. I just don't think it's worth the entertainment of the majority to lose even ONE kid to the occult.

Cmom said it before.

Harry potter is like milk.

LOTR is like MEAT.

They are different. LOTR has a wizard, but it doesn't show you a wizard growing up, using spells. That ISN"T the point of it. Reading both LOTR and Harry Potter, one is definetly a "classic" and I can term HP as generic in comparison. Patrick Madrid came a spoke to our diocese and FINALLY took a stand to this witchcraft. He has watched HP emerge and He studied latin and told us that one of the phrases Harry Potter says is "By the Head of the Dragon." I don't know about you, but whether you understand it or not, I wouldn't want my kids exposed to be saying that AT ALL. I think we are truly playing with fire from Hell.

Spells and Brews

What are some of these images and their ensuing dangers? In her 1991 book, Ungodly Rage, Donna Steichen shared this insightful quote from a repentant former practitioner of Wicca, Carmen Helen Guerra:

When I was a witch, I performed rituals. I evoked spirits. I called entities. I cast spells, burned candles, concocted brews. The only thing I didn’t do was fly on a broom, but I probably would have figured it out if given time. But where did it lead to? Into darkness, depression, and the creation of an aura of gloom around me. I was frequently under demon attack. The house where I lived was alive with poltergeist activity . . . due to residual “guests” from rituals. My friends and family were afraid of me. I knew I had no future; all I had was a dark present. I was locked in by oaths and “destiny.” But I had power, something I’d always wanted. It wasn’t Satan’s fault. He didn’t exist — or so I thought. I gave it all up, and came to Jesus on my knees. . . . He freed me from the oppression and gave me back my soul — the one I had so foolishly given to evil in exchange for power.6

Does this have anything to do with Harry Potter? You bet. Though it’s all dressed up as sweetness and light, the first Harry Potter book has rituals (for example, “the Sorting Ceremony,” pp. 117-122); spells (Hermione casts the full Body-Bind spell on Neville, p. 273); spirits and other non-human entities (Voldemort inhabits Quirrell’s body, pp. 293-295, and the myriad ghosts of Hogwarts); candles (thousands floating above the tables at Hogwarts, p. 116); and brews (Professor Snape’s potions class, pp. 136-139).

It’s not pleasant to contemplate, but there really are people out there who practice witchcraft, who cast spells and perform rituals, and who see results. J. K. Rowling writes as if their powers can be channeled into good, and that is the great danger of her books. Rituals and spells and brews are used by witches in the real world, and they work because of the power of evil spirits. As such they can never lead to good. Portraying these innately evil practices as if they can be harnessed for good is a dangerous lie.

Rowling further confuses the issue by portraying witchcraft not as a moral issue, but as an issue of heredity. In Rowling’s world, the ability to practice witchcraft is inherited. But in reality, you don’t need to possess a particular bloodline in order to make witchcraft work. All you have to do is tap into evil spirits, turn over your will, and leave Jesus Christ for the world of the occult.

We thus have two falsehoods presented to the children who read these books: first, that their status as a witch is written in their genes; and second, if they’re one of the “lucky” ones, they can use their powers for good. These are harmful lies to teach, because the reality is so different and so dangerous. Just ask Carmen Helen Guerra.

The Church’s Warning

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states unequivocally: “All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health — are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. … The Church for her part warns the faithful against it” (2117).

This is strong language in the catechism, the same language used to condemn lust, fornication, and abortion. Catholics cannot in good conscience take such a warning lightly. If Harry were using lust, fornication, or abortion to save his friends at Hogwarts, would we still think these books were acceptable children’s fare?

It’s important to note that the witchcraft about which Rowling writes stands in stark contrast to fantasy magic as it’s portrayed in Tolkien and Lewis. The good characters in Middle Earth and Narnia don’t cast spells on people, don’t call up spirits and commune with them like beloved neighbors, don’t perform rituals, and don’t mix potions. The good characters at Hogwarts do.

In Narnia, a ring transports you to another world, and in Middle Earth lightning flashes at a critical time to perform some powerful feat. But at Hogwarts, the evil Voldemort enchants a diary to take possession of a girl’s soul. These are vast and substantial differences, requiring us to view Rowling’s witchcraft in a much different light from Tolkien’s and Lewis’s magic.

As Kilroy said once (and thus has become one of my fave quotes too) :

My new favorite Simpson's quote:

Ned Flanders, reading a Harry Potter book to his kids: "And Harry Potter and all his friends died and went to Hell for practicing witchcraft. The end!"

Kids in unison: "YAAAAAAYYYY!!!"

Ned tosses the Harry Potter book in the fire. As it should be.

[cantstopdancin9]

Just wondering, not to be rude or anything, but how many of you that disagree with this book have actually read it? (and i mean from cover to cover) :unsure:

[jmjtina]

:drool:

My precious.

yes, csdancing I have read all books and have seen both movies. I think that is a fair question. I think that's what has made me even more passionate about it.

[Circle_Master]

I've been a Tolkien fan since I was very little. No Tolkien bashing or I'll get you! And yeah, Harry Potter would be milk and LotR meat. I've read lots of fantasy books, I could recommend a bunch that are better than our friend Harry Potter.

[cantstopdancin9]

Just checking hee hee, because my best friend's mother wouldn't let her read the books because of what she heard from other people and she hadn't even read them herself. I do understand the difference between LOTR and HP though. And I also understand that this has effected some children. But then again, I also have to think that almost everything in movies, TV, and books has created the world we have today. It's not just the HP books. There are constantly things that bring people away from the faith or cause people to sin, and out of all those things, I just really don't think the HP books are the biggest problem.

However, I still respect all of your opinions. ^_^

[BLAZEr]

I've read them, I liked them, I'm not crazy. I'm a faithful catholic. I'm concerned about young people. I don't see the problem.

I was looking for a book about superstitions when I was young. I accidentally picked up a book on witch craft. I read it. I didn't ever read another one. I'm not evil.

I think the real issue is whether or not parents are responsible in raising their kids. If you are not providing any moral or religious guidance to your child and all he reads is Harry Potter, then yes, maybe he will go and practice Witchcraft. However, that's probably the least of your worries since they will be equally susceptible to drug and alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, and the entire aray of the culture of death.

The problem isn't Harry Potter it's bad parenting.

Oh, yeah, and both Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Mother Theresa Angela F.D.M. (Franciscan Daughters of Mary) both think the Harry Potter books harmless. Fr. Mitch is an expert on the occult and Mother Theresa Angela is a former Wicca priestess who had a profound Christian reversion and has begun a Franciscan religious community dedicated to pro-life work.

They, along with my good sense, tell me we have nothing to fear from Harry Potter.

[foundsheep]

But momma said

momma said

momma said

LOTR is the Devil

[Circle_Master]

grr :ph34r: :blood:

[foundsheep]

I see no diffrence. To say a diffrence is a sham. Complete Madness.

That is All.

I like the pagan elves and talking trees.

:loco:

[foundsheep]

Wasnt there a wizard making evil orcs for a fiery bloodshot eye?

[jmjtina]

Al, you are mad. :skitzo:

too much..... :heymon:

haha.

Blaze, where in samhill have you been? :wavey:

You are crazy! :fluffy air extraction:

And FS, they are not trees, they are Ents. Can't even get it right even AFTER I correct you.... :P

[Ash Wednesday]

But momma said

momma said

momma said

Medulla Oblongata!!!

You wrong Colonel Sanders!!!!!!!

I have to agree with BLAZEr -- I don't think Harry Potter is exclusively the problem. And if it is, then there are a whole lot of other things out there that are going to lead kids astray as well, some much more dangerous than Harry Potter.

I never really got into Potter, myself. I think of this kid in school we used to call "Toilet Boy" because his last name was Potter, too.