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SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #203B ---- 11/20/01

#1 · November 20, 2001, 2:05 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on November 20, 2001, 2:05 pm
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Together As We
Fight the Good Fight of Faith

A personal letter of encouragement to you, written solely to "lift up hands that hang down".

TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to [email protected] .
TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank message to [email protected] .
IN EACH CASE you will receive an automated request for confirmation which you must answer.
FOR BACK COPIES go to www.welovegod.org/digests/shoulders . Click on "Read Messages"

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #203B ---- 11/20/01

TITLE: "Harry Potter Mania"

My Dear Friend:

Harry Potter is becoming a household word in many parts of the world, including the United States. Diminutive copies of the latest "Cabbage Patch Doll" can be seen walking around everywhere. Dark rimmed glasses, black pants and jacket, and haircuts with bangs have become the latest icons of adolescent boys.

I remember many months ago when the Harry Potter warnings first hit the communications channels. Then came the "it's all a hoax" messages.

However, as more research has come, it appears many of those original warnings had more truth than fiction in them. Now that the movie itself has finally hit the screens of America and has broken all sales and attendance records, and in that the movie is almost verbatim to the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", you can "see" for yourself.

Or, you can trust the judgment of others who have researched the books and have seen the movie.

Normally I wouldn't take the time and energy to send such information. However, I know that many subscribers to "Shoulder to Shoulder" are facing inquiries from church members, friends, and relatives. I am pasting four articles from three sources I highly respect ---- two from Chuck Colson, one from Phil Boatright who writes of research and documentations from Jeremiah Films, and one from author Robert McGee which includes websites. You will find them following my signature below.

I trust these articles will help keep you informed regarding the great dangers of dabbling in any form of witchcraft or occultic activity. Jo Ann and I have been on the "front line" at various times in our ministry trying to help people who have innocently been sucked into that dark world through something they thought was just a fad or something fun. The enemy indeed still comes as an angel of light or a harmless toy. We will continue to see the infiltration of Ouija Board type games, Dungeons and Dragons, back masking of rock music, and the like.

Be blessed in your ministry.

In His Bond and for Kingdom Cause,

Bob Tolliver -- Rom 1:11-12
Copyright November, 2001

Life Unlimited Ministries
[email protected]
Do You Get "Shoulder To Shoulder"?

If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish.

#1 ---- From Chuck Colson

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
Commentary #011116 - 11/16/2001
Fantasy, Fiction, and Faith: The Harry Potter Question

The series of children's books is popular with kids around the world -- but the British author was taking heat from the Christian community. People argued that since the books are full of witchcraft and wizardry, crystal balls and spell-casting, they weren't fit for kids to read.

You may think I'm talking about J. K. Rowling, the author of the hugely popular Harry Potter books and the movie that opens today. But I'm not. I'm talking about C. S. Lewis. Fifty years ago, Christians charged that Lewis was teaching kids witchcraft. Yet today, most Christians -- myself included -- consider the Chronicles of Narnia classics and the Narnia books and movies are in most church libraries.

There are Christians who say that there's no difference between the Narnia stories and Harry Potter. Some say both should be condemned, some say both should be praised. Other Christians love Lewis and yet have major reservations about Harry Potter.

I fit into that latter category and here's why.

There's no denying that Lewis's Narnia tales feature witches and werewolves; the spirits of trees, rivers, and stars; and characters who cast spells -- including characters on the side of good. In this sense, there is little difference between the Narnia stories and the Harry Potter stories. And even in Lewis, these characters should not be treated lightly. Christian parents should exercise discernment with their kids.

The big differences lie in three other critical areas. First, Narnia is clearly not of this world. Lewis posits a wholly other world where the laws of nature are different from our world. Narnian magic is wrong and doesn't work in England. Harry Potter's world, by contrast, is this world. The divide is between the initiated -- that is, wizards and witches -- and everyone else, who are derisively called "Muggles."

Second, Narnia is governed by Aslan and his Father, the Emperor Beyond the Sea. Lewis makes it very clear that he's writing allegory. Aslan is Christ and the
Emperor is God the Father. Harry Potter's world is free from any reference to God.

Finally, the Narnia stories are allegories of the great truths of the Christian faith: the atonement, resurrection, repentance, faith, justification, sanctification, creation and redemption, and Christ's return and our heavenly home. Book Three, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is filled with wise insights into Christian living. Harry Potter, as has been argued by many -- including my friends -- is a moral tale.

Okay, it's a moral tale. But that's all it is. It's a simple risk/reward calculation. Both authors include fantastic and preternatural material. Both series should be handled with care -- especially if your children have an unhealthy interest in the occult. Parents need to be wise and attentive to the bent of their children.

The reward with the Harry Potter books and movie is a moral tale. The reward with the Narnia books, on the other hand, is nothing less than Christian truth embedded in stories that have delighted and stirred the hearts of Christian kids for generations.

My advice? Use all the hoopla today over Harry Potter to introduce your kids to the real thing: C. S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles.

==================
You can order the Chronicles of Narnia in various editions -- books,
audiobooks, videos -- from the BreakPoint Store at Parable.com. Just
type "Narnia" in the search field to browse the full selection.
<www.parable.com/breakpoint>
or start here:
<www.parable.com/breakpoint/item.asp?sku=0064405370>

Copyright (c) 2001 Prison Fellowship Ministries

#2 ---- From Chuck Colson

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
Commentary #011119 - 11/19/2001
Harry Potter: Can a Wizard Teach Moral Lessons?

The hottest film of the year -- perhaps of any year -- opened in theaters Friday. Unless you've been living on Mars, you know that the movie is about a pre-teen wizard named Harry Potter.

Only the battles over church music have come close to generating the controversy we've witnessed over Harry Potter. Some Christians are concerned that the books will lead children into the occult; others, just as sincere, say the books teach their children valuable moral lessons. Some kids say they've used the books to share Christ with friends.

So what is a Christian to think? Should Christian kids read the books and see the movie, or not?

A Christian expert on Potter-mania says, "It depends."

Connie Neal, a veteran youth pastor and mother of three, has just written a book called WHAT'S A CHRISTIAN TO DO WITH HARRY POTTER? Neal says parents must use great discernment in deciding whether to allow their kids to read Harry Potter. For example, kids with an unhealthy interest in the occult should probably not read these books. At the same time, other parents have prayerfully decided that their kids would benefit from the moral lessons the Potter books teach.

Neal's belief that in some cases, it's acceptable and even beneficial for Christians to read secular novels comes from her reading of the book of Daniel. Daniel, you will remember, was a teenager when he was taken away from Jerusalem to live in Babylon. There, he was taught the language and literature of the pagan culture. He studied at a school that trained Babylon's magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers. The actual practice of sorcery and astrology was, of course, forbidden by God. But Daniel not only studied these subjects, he out-performed all his classmates.

One day King Nebuchadnezzer called on his magicians and astrologers to interpret a dream; none could do it. In a rage, the king ordered that all of his wise men be put to death. Daniel asked to see the king, who then asked him, "Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" Daniel responded: "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made
known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days."

Daniel had immersed himself in his culture's pagan literature -- but he didn't defile himself because of his deep devotion to God. As Connie Neal told BreakPoint in an interview, "God put Daniel in Babylon to be a light in the darkness -- and he was.

He was not afraid to read literature that resounded in the hearts of the people with whom he lived. He used his familiarity with this pagan culture to reveal the true and living God." And Neal knows some kids who have done the same in our own post-Christian culture.

Now personally, I don't recommend the Harry Potter books or the movie, but kids are going to see it and certainly hear others talk about it no matter what we say. So teach them to be discerning, to be like Daniel. And Neal's book may be one resource that will help you sort out the issues and give your kids reasons they need to be careful -- how they should
avoid the pitfalls of the Potter craze.

For further reading:
Connie Neal, What's a Christian to Do with Harry Potter. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook/Doubleday, 2001.
<www.parable.com/breakpoint/item.asp?sku=1578564719>

Copyright (c) 2001 Prison Fellowship Ministries

#3 ---- From

Don't Expect Harry Potter Movie To Be Healthy Fare For Your Kids
by Phil Boatwright

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)

"For the first time in his life, my kid is reading. And I owe it all to Harry Potter!"

This is the defense of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series from many an enthused parent, while those who see the books as occultic literature have challenged their appropriateness for school classrooms.

This phenomenally successful book series now has taken movie form. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," a Warner Brothers release about the orphaned boy who attends a boarding school for wannabe witches and wizards, will now attempt to cast its spell in movie theaters.
So, will all those kids who adore Harry and his hex-casting pals want to see the film version? According to many surveys, most certainly.

But is Harry Potter simply fantasy that inspires youngsters, or is it indeed an introduction to witchcraft and the world of the occult? According to a new video from Jeremiah Films, such literature and films that deal with witchcraft are furnishing not just escapist entertainment for young viewers but causing an overwhelming interest in the dark arts.

Jeremiah Films is celebrating more than 20 years in the field of video communications. Using sound, biblically based research, this Christian film company has tackled many tough and sometimes controversial subjects, including American revisionalism, homosexuality and the evolution debate. Their latest project addresses the phenomenon of "Pottermania." What they have come up with is an absorbing and disturbing video, "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged--Making Evil Look Innocent."

In this socially relevant documentary, best-selling authors Robert S. McGee ("The Search for Significance") and Caryl Matrisciana ("Gods of the New Age") discuss the underlining significance of Harry Potter and draw parallels between Harry and true witchcraft. The video confronts the issue of occultic influence on our society and warns concerned parents of the occultic symbols applied in the Harry Potter series.

But before we get caught up in battling Harry hysteria, we need to know if Harry Potter is just a passing craze. If we avoid giving it attention, will it go the way of the Cabbage Patch doll?

The answer, unfortunately, is not for a long, long time.

A U.S. consumer research survey claims that more than half of all children between the ages of 6 and 17 have read at least one of the Harry Potter books. The books have been translated into 40 languages. An Associated Press report estimates that Harry Potter merchandise could generate sales of several hundred million dollars in one year. Jim Silver, publisher of The Toy Book, an industry monthly, said, "It looks like the product has legs and will be a strong seller for the holidays." And Warner Brothers, along with Mattel and Coca Cola, is mounting a global campaign that will keep the Harry Potter franchise alive for years to come. Harry Potter sequels, toys, trading cards, computer games, videos and marketing tie-ins are all aimed at not just the pre-teens of this year, but of next year and each year after that.

The first Harry Potter book was published in 1998, and it would appear that this character will be a part of the school-age culture for quite some time. So, yes, it is a subject that must be discussed with discernment.

Linda Beam writes in an article for Focus on the Family, "Anytime the dark side of the supernatural world is presented as harmless or even imaginary, there is the danger that children will become curious and find too late that witchcraft is neither harmless nor imaginary. In a culture with an obvious trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology, parents need to consider the effects that these ideas may have on young and impressionable minds."

In the Jeremiah Films video Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged, it is stated, "The Pagan Federation is claiming that TV programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch have fueled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children. The organization says it deals with an average of 100 inquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches and claims it has occasionally been 'swamped' with calls."

But isn't witchcraft just a bunch of hooey? Well, the government has given it religious status, granting tax exemption to the witchcraft organization Wicca. At Amazon.com, more than 1,850 books can be found on the subject of witchcraft. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to marketing witchcraft to children. And there are even chaplains in the military strictly for those who follow the practices of Wicca. One TV network finds the subject matter so appealing to the demographic group it seeks that it has dedicated much of its programming space to include numerous shows about witchcraft, vampirism and other supernatural phenomenon, i.e. "Angel," "Charmed," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

For many people witchcraft is not just an entertainment genre. In truth, there are millions of practicing witches worldwide.

Members of Wicca believe in revering the mother goddess, the global environment, feminist practices and nature. This "religion" teaches that there is no absolute truth or sin and replaces the patriarchal male creator God of the Bible with a belief in both male and female gods. It instructs its members to embrace spirits and how to use spells and curses to control their lives and the lives of others.

In her book, "Death By Entertainment," conservative film reviewer Holly McClure states, "My concern for younger children who read these books is the adult-level violence, gore, cruelty, and language along with the scary characters. My concern for the older ones is their getting 'hooked' on the stories and desensitized to witchcraft and the occult practices. Some children will handle this issue without a problem, but others won't."

McClure goes on to answer those who place J.K. Rowling's creation in the same category as the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. "If Rowling's books are truly ideologically on an equal level with The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) or The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkein), then why aren't more witches praising those Christian authors with the same passion and praise as Rowling? It's because they relate to her book through the witchcraft. So if witches connect with these books and praise them for their accuracy with the occult, doesn't it stand to reason that children could become swept up and enamored with the occult in the same way?"

The subjects of witchcraft, divination and other forms of sorcery are mentioned--detested by God, I might add--in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. ("Let no one be found among you ... who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." Deuteronomy 18:10 NIV. "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft...." Galatians 5:20.). One must assume from these commandments that God's Word acknowledges that there is an empowerment to these activities. But Scriptures also make it clear that the powers in question stem from a demonic source. And the Bible is plain about not seeking authority from any foundation other than Jesus Christ ("See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:8-10)

Witchcraft is a reality and Harry Potter exploits a true representation of the dark arts. Both J.K. Rowling's books and the Warner Brothers new film subtly encourage children to learn about casting spells and summon the dark arts as a form of empowerment. Harry Potter is cloaked in adventure, humor and provocative storytelling. His escapades are made to look like innocent morality tales of good versus evil. But in actuality he touts the theory of reincarnation, promotes the use of vengeful spells, and embraces psychic powers to help control his life. Holly McClure adds, "Although Harry represents good, he uses lies and deception and magic to triumph over evil, so the roles of good and bad are blurred."

Surprisingly, there are a few Christian leaders and periodicals such as Chuck Colson and Christianity Today that aren't as concerned about Harry Potter's impact. In "Death By Entertainment," Colson describes Rowling's magic as "purely mechanical, as opposed to occult," explaining that, "Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals--but they don't make contact with a supernatural world." Huh? How can we say it's okay to be entertained by portrayals of black magic, when the Bible instructs us to avoid such rituals?
Our culture is being bombarded by witchcraft and New Age practices. If the Bible is true and correct, God will not long tolerate a country that condones such evil. Can anything be done to counter practitioners of the occult? If so, it will begin by furnishing churchgoing children and teens informative and spiritually sound instruction.
Thankfully, there are tools available to help parents discern the truth behind the innocent look of this children's fantasy. Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged--Making Evil Look Innocent is one documentary every parent should have in the household video library.
For more information about this video, go to www.jeremiahfilms.com or www.therealpotter.com or call 1-800-828-2290 to order it. Author Richard Abanes has written a perceptive book, "Harry Potter and the Bible" (Horizon Books). Holly McClure dedicates a portion of her book, "Death by Entertainment" (Lion's Head) to the examining of Harry Potter and other media mystics that have influenced our popular culture.
That said, I admire the parent who will have the courage to say, "No, you can't go to see Harry Potter!" We call that tough love, kids.

-Pastors.com-

#4 ---- From Robert McGee

Harry Potter's Witchcraft Vs. The Legacy We Leave Our Kids
by Robert McGee
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. (BP)

Parents and even pastors who have found the Harry Potter books harmless rely on the fact that these books are fantasy and therefore conclude the witchcraft presented in the books should be ignored.

The Harry Potter books revolve around the adventures of a character so named. Harry is a child wizard who goes to school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to better access and use the power of witchcraft. The child reader follows Harry while he learns of spells, curses, divination, reincarnation, potions, communing with spirits of the dead and even demon possession--all practices God has condemned.

With this content, obviously proponents of these books need a "fantasy defense."
However, is a book's content really acceptable because it's fantasy? To be consistent with this notion, anything J.K. Rowling, the author, writes in the remaining three books of the Harry Potter series is going to be acceptable, other fantasy witchcraft books are acceptable and in fact even pornographic fantasy books would be acceptable. Do we really want our children to consider all fantasy books harmless? If fantasy is not dangerous, why have we banned Joe Camel or assigned ratings to movies, or why are we concerned about video games or TV shows?

Some argue that because Rowling uses whimsical language as she presents the various elements of witchcraft this makes these books harmless. The incantations Rowling has written are whimsical but the principles of witchcraft are accurately presented. There are many variations of witchcraft practiced today. However, all witchcraft has certain basic principles in common. These principles are accurately presented in the Harry Potter books.

One such principle is that a person can change people, things, themselves and know the future by accessing the force or power of witchcraft. As witches have rejected the God of the Bible, this means they rely on the evil power resident in this world, although they say the power is from within or from nature. In describing the first Harry Potter movie, Warner Brothers claims that the movie accurately depicts witchcraft (Orlando Sentinel, July 10, 2001). The movie is a direct reflection of the first Harry Potter book.

Have those who gain comfort in this "fantasy/whimsical defense" not realized that our children are surrounded by witchcraft propaganda? There is more witchcraft material easily available to our children via the Internet than at any time in history. There are hundreds of websites eager to educate our children about the non-whimsical versions of witchcraft. Some teaching aids used in many public schools directly or indirectly take children to these witchcraft websites.

Also the proponents of these books list classic books that have characters as witches as a defense. They must assume that these books they quote trump Scripture. However, they miss the point in another way. There are no examples in literature in which the child reads about other children learning the specifics of witchcraft. When a child sees the image of Harry Potter on a can of Coca-Cola or one of the other countless products, the child sees a child character, a hero who has almost universal acceptance, who practices witchcraft. How is a child to determine that the power that Harry uses is dangerous, evil and perverted?
God has declared the very practices presented in Harry Potter an abomination (see Deuteronomy 18). When individuals use the power of witchcraft, they are using demonic power and opening themselves up to demons. Unfortunately many Christians appear to believe that God's warnings about witchcraft are worthless, as they have concluded that witchcraft is just a bad use of imagination and nothing else.

Most children and teens do not fear experimenting with witchcraft today. They are surrounded by witchcraft material. They know other children or teens who are experimenting with various witchcraft practices. This is a critical victory for Satan and has put our children in great danger. The pagans are convinced that Christians are ignorant and too passive to protect their children. They also believe we can be easily intimidated by those who accuse us of being a bunch of foolish religious zealots.

Will the legacy of our ministries be that on our watch we allowed the neo-pagans to indoctrinate our children? To find out how you can educate your people about the Harry Potter books, go to www.therealpotter.com. At this website, you will learn how to use a very effective video on this subject both for your church and in your community.

-Pastors.com-

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Together As We
Fight the Good Fight of Faith

A personal letter of encouragement to you, written solely to "lift up hands that hang down".

TO SUBSCRIBE send a blank message to [email protected] .
TO UNSUBSCRIBE send a blank message to [email protected] .
IN EACH CASE you will receive an automated request for confirmation which you must answer.
FOR BACK COPIES go to http://www.welovegod.org/digests/shoulders . Click on "Read Messages"

SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #203B ---- 11/20/01

TITLE: "Harry Potter Mania"

My Dear Friend:

Harry Potter is becoming a household word in many parts of the world, including the United States. Diminutive copies of the latest "Cabbage Patch Doll" can be seen walking around everywhere. Dark rimmed glasses, black pants and jacket, and haircuts with bangs have become the latest icons of adolescent boys.

I remember many months ago when the Harry Potter warnings first hit the communications channels. Then came the "it's all a hoax" messages.

However, as more research has come, it appears many of those original warnings had more truth than fiction in them. Now that the movie itself has finally hit the screens of America and has broken all sales and attendance records, and in that the movie is almost verbatim to the book "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", you can "see" for yourself.

Or, you can trust the judgment of others who have researched the books and have seen the movie.

Normally I wouldn't take the time and energy to send such information. However, I know that many subscribers to "Shoulder to Shoulder" are facing inquiries from church members, friends, and relatives. I am pasting four articles from three sources I highly respect ---- two from Chuck Colson, one from Phil Boatright who writes of research and documentations from Jeremiah Films, and one from author Robert McGee which includes websites. You will find them following my signature below.

I trust these articles will help keep you informed regarding the great dangers of dabbling in any form of witchcraft or occultic activity. Jo Ann and I have been on the "front line" at various times in our ministry trying to help people who have innocently been sucked into that dark world through something they thought was just a fad or something fun. The enemy indeed still comes as an angel of light or a harmless toy. We will continue to see the infiltration of Ouija Board type games, Dungeons and Dragons, back masking of rock music, and the like.

Be blessed in your ministry.

In His Bond and for Kingdom Cause,

Bob Tolliver -- Rom 1:11-12
Copyright November, 2001

Life Unlimited Ministries
[email protected]
Do You Get "Shoulder To Shoulder"?

If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish.

#1 ---- From Chuck Colson

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
Commentary #011116 - 11/16/2001
Fantasy, Fiction, and Faith: The Harry Potter Question

The series of children's books is popular with kids around the world -- but the British author was taking heat from the Christian community. People argued that since the books are full of witchcraft and wizardry, crystal balls and spell-casting, they weren't fit for kids to read.

You may think I'm talking about J. K. Rowling, the author of the hugely popular Harry Potter books and the movie that opens today. But I'm not. I'm talking about C. S. Lewis. Fifty years ago, Christians charged that Lewis was teaching kids witchcraft. Yet today, most Christians -- myself included -- consider the Chronicles of Narnia classics and the Narnia books and movies are in most church libraries.

There are Christians who say that there's no difference between the Narnia stories and Harry Potter. Some say both should be condemned, some say both should be praised. Other Christians love Lewis and yet have major reservations about Harry Potter.

I fit into that latter category and here's why.

There's no denying that Lewis's Narnia tales feature witches and werewolves; the spirits of trees, rivers, and stars; and characters who cast spells -- including characters on the side of good. In this sense, there is little difference between the Narnia stories and the Harry Potter stories. And even in Lewis, these characters should not be treated lightly. Christian parents should exercise discernment with their kids.

The big differences lie in three other critical areas. First, Narnia is clearly not of this world. Lewis posits a wholly other world where the laws of nature are different from our world. Narnian magic is wrong and doesn't work in England. Harry Potter's world, by contrast, is this world. The divide is between the initiated -- that is, wizards and witches -- and everyone else, who are derisively called "Muggles."

Second, Narnia is governed by Aslan and his Father, the Emperor Beyond the Sea. Lewis makes it very clear that he's writing allegory. Aslan is Christ and the
Emperor is God the Father. Harry Potter's world is free from any reference to God.

Finally, the Narnia stories are allegories of the great truths of the Christian faith: the atonement, resurrection, repentance, faith, justification, sanctification, creation and redemption, and Christ's return and our heavenly home. Book Three, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is filled with wise insights into Christian living. Harry Potter, as has been argued by many -- including my friends -- is a moral tale.

Okay, it's a moral tale. But that's all it is. It's a simple risk/reward calculation. Both authors include fantastic and preternatural material. Both series should be handled with care -- especially if your children have an unhealthy interest in the occult. Parents need to be wise and attentive to the bent of their children.

The reward with the Harry Potter books and movie is a moral tale. The reward with the Narnia books, on the other hand, is nothing less than Christian truth embedded in stories that have delighted and stirred the hearts of Christian kids for generations.

My advice? Use all the hoopla today over Harry Potter to introduce your kids to the real thing: C. S. Lewis and the Narnia Chronicles.

==================
You can order the Chronicles of Narnia in various editions -- books,
audiobooks, videos -- from the BreakPoint Store at Parable.com. Just
type "Narnia" in the search field to browse the full selection.
<http://www.parable.com/breakpoint>
or start here:
<http://www.parable.com/breakpoint/item.asp?sku=0064405370>

#2 ---- From Chuck Colson

BreakPoint with Charles Colson
Commentary #011119 - 11/19/2001
Harry Potter: Can a Wizard Teach Moral Lessons?

The hottest film of the year -- perhaps of any year -- opened in theaters Friday. Unless you've been living on Mars, you know that the movie is about a pre-teen wizard named Harry Potter.

Only the battles over church music have come close to generating the controversy we've witnessed over Harry Potter. Some Christians are concerned that the books will lead children into the occult; others, just as sincere, say the books teach their children valuable moral lessons. Some kids say they've used the books to share Christ with friends.

So what is a Christian to think? Should Christian kids read the books and see the movie, or not?

A Christian expert on Potter-mania says, "It depends."

Connie Neal, a veteran youth pastor and mother of three, has just written a book called WHAT'S A CHRISTIAN TO DO WITH HARRY POTTER? Neal says parents must use great discernment in deciding whether to allow their kids to read Harry Potter. For example, kids with an unhealthy interest in the occult should probably not read these books. At the same time, other parents have prayerfully decided that their kids would benefit from the moral lessons the Potter books teach.

Neal's belief that in some cases, it's acceptable and even beneficial for Christians to read secular novels comes from her reading of the book of Daniel. Daniel, you will remember, was a teenager when he was taken away from Jerusalem to live in Babylon. There, he was taught the language and literature of the pagan culture. He studied at a school that trained Babylon's magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers. The actual practice of sorcery and astrology was, of course, forbidden by God. But Daniel not only studied these subjects, he out-performed all his classmates.

One day King Nebuchadnezzer called on his magicians and astrologers to interpret a dream; none could do it. In a rage, the king ordered that all of his wise men be put to death. Daniel asked to see the king, who then asked him, "Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?" Daniel responded: "No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery which the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made
known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days."

Daniel had immersed himself in his culture's pagan literature -- but he didn't defile himself because of his deep devotion to God. As Connie Neal told BreakPoint in an interview, "God put Daniel in Babylon to be a light in the darkness -- and he was.

He was not afraid to read literature that resounded in the hearts of the people with whom he lived. He used his familiarity with this pagan culture to reveal the true and living God." And Neal knows some kids who have done the same in our own post-Christian culture.

Now personally, I don't recommend the Harry Potter books or the movie, but kids are going to see it and certainly hear others talk about it no matter what we say. So teach them to be discerning, to be like Daniel. And Neal's book may be one resource that will help you sort out the issues and give your kids reasons they need to be careful -- how they should
avoid the pitfalls of the Potter craze.

For further reading:
Connie Neal, What's a Christian to Do with Harry Potter. Colorado Springs: Waterbrook/Doubleday, 2001.
<http://www.parable.com/breakpoint/item.asp?sku=1578564719>

#3 ---- From

Don't Expect Harry Potter Movie To Be Healthy Fare For Your Kids
by Phil Boatwright

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (BP)

"For the first time in his life, my kid is reading. And I owe it all to Harry Potter!"

This is the defense of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series from many an enthused parent, while those who see the books as occultic literature have challenged their appropriateness for school classrooms.

This phenomenally successful book series now has taken movie form. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," a Warner Brothers release about the orphaned boy who attends a boarding school for wannabe witches and wizards, will now attempt to cast its spell in movie theaters.
So, will all those kids who adore Harry and his hex-casting pals want to see the film version? According to many surveys, most certainly.

But is Harry Potter simply fantasy that inspires youngsters, or is it indeed an introduction to witchcraft and the world of the occult? According to a new video from Jeremiah Films, such literature and films that deal with witchcraft are furnishing not just escapist entertainment for young viewers but causing an overwhelming interest in the dark arts.

Jeremiah Films is celebrating more than 20 years in the field of video communications. Using sound, biblically based research, this Christian film company has tackled many tough and sometimes controversial subjects, including American revisionalism, homosexuality and the evolution debate. Their latest project addresses the phenomenon of "Pottermania." What they have come up with is an absorbing and disturbing video, "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged--Making Evil Look Innocent."

In this socially relevant documentary, best-selling authors Robert S. McGee ("The Search for Significance") and Caryl Matrisciana ("Gods of the New Age") discuss the underlining significance of Harry Potter and draw parallels between Harry and true witchcraft. The video confronts the issue of occultic influence on our society and warns concerned parents of the occultic symbols applied in the Harry Potter series.

But before we get caught up in battling Harry hysteria, we need to know if Harry Potter is just a passing craze. If we avoid giving it attention, will it go the way of the Cabbage Patch doll?

The answer, unfortunately, is not for a long, long time.

A U.S. consumer research survey claims that more than half of all children between the ages of 6 and 17 have read at least one of the Harry Potter books. The books have been translated into 40 languages. An Associated Press report estimates that Harry Potter merchandise could generate sales of several hundred million dollars in one year. Jim Silver, publisher of The Toy Book, an industry monthly, said, "It looks like the product has legs and will be a strong seller for the holidays." And Warner Brothers, along with Mattel and Coca Cola, is mounting a global campaign that will keep the Harry Potter franchise alive for years to come. Harry Potter sequels, toys, trading cards, computer games, videos and marketing tie-ins are all aimed at not just the pre-teens of this year, but of next year and each year after that.

The first Harry Potter book was published in 1998, and it would appear that this character will be a part of the school-age culture for quite some time. So, yes, it is a subject that must be discussed with discernment.

Linda Beam writes in an article for Focus on the Family, "Anytime the dark side of the supernatural world is presented as harmless or even imaginary, there is the danger that children will become curious and find too late that witchcraft is neither harmless nor imaginary. In a culture with an obvious trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology, parents need to consider the effects that these ideas may have on young and impressionable minds."

In the Jeremiah Films video Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged, it is stated, "The Pagan Federation is claiming that TV programs Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch have fueled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children. The organization says it deals with an average of 100 inquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches and claims it has occasionally been 'swamped' with calls."

But isn't witchcraft just a bunch of hooey? Well, the government has given it religious status, granting tax exemption to the witchcraft organization Wicca. At Amazon.com, more than 1,850 books can be found on the subject of witchcraft. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to marketing witchcraft to children. And there are even chaplains in the military strictly for those who follow the practices of Wicca. One TV network finds the subject matter so appealing to the demographic group it seeks that it has dedicated much of its programming space to include numerous shows about witchcraft, vampirism and other supernatural phenomenon, i.e. "Angel," "Charmed," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

For many people witchcraft is not just an entertainment genre. In truth, there are millions of practicing witches worldwide.

Members of Wicca believe in revering the mother goddess, the global environment, feminist practices and nature. This "religion" teaches that there is no absolute truth or sin and replaces the patriarchal male creator God of the Bible with a belief in both male and female gods. It instructs its members to embrace spirits and how to use spells and curses to control their lives and the lives of others.

In her book, "Death By Entertainment," conservative film reviewer Holly McClure states, "My concern for younger children who read these books is the adult-level violence, gore, cruelty, and language along with the scary characters. My concern for the older ones is their getting 'hooked' on the stories and desensitized to witchcraft and the occult practices. Some children will handle this issue without a problem, but others won't."

McClure goes on to answer those who place J.K. Rowling's creation in the same category as the works of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein. "If Rowling's books are truly ideologically on an equal level with The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis) or The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkein), then why aren't more witches praising those Christian authors with the same passion and praise as Rowling? It's because they relate to her book through the witchcraft. So if witches connect with these books and praise them for their accuracy with the occult, doesn't it stand to reason that children could become swept up and enamored with the occult in the same way?"

The subjects of witchcraft, divination and other forms of sorcery are mentioned--detested by God, I might add--in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. ("Let no one be found among you ... who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." Deuteronomy 18:10 NIV. "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft...." Galatians 5:20.). One must assume from these commandments that God's Word acknowledges that there is an empowerment to these activities. But Scriptures also make it clear that the powers in question stem from a demonic source. And the Bible is plain about not seeking authority from any foundation other than Jesus Christ ("See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority." Colossians 2:8-10)

Witchcraft is a reality and Harry Potter exploits a true representation of the dark arts. Both J.K. Rowling's books and the Warner Brothers new film subtly encourage children to learn about casting spells and summon the dark arts as a form of empowerment. Harry Potter is cloaked in adventure, humor and provocative storytelling. His escapades are made to look like innocent morality tales of good versus evil. But in actuality he touts the theory of reincarnation, promotes the use of vengeful spells, and embraces psychic powers to help control his life. Holly McClure adds, "Although Harry represents good, he uses lies and deception and magic to triumph over evil, so the roles of good and bad are blurred."

Surprisingly, there are a few Christian leaders and periodicals such as Chuck Colson and Christianity Today that aren't as concerned about Harry Potter's impact. In "Death By Entertainment," Colson describes Rowling's magic as "purely mechanical, as opposed to occult," explaining that, "Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals--but they don't make contact with a supernatural world." Huh? How can we say it's okay to be entertained by portrayals of black magic, when the Bible instructs us to avoid such rituals?
Our culture is being bombarded by witchcraft and New Age practices. If the Bible is true and correct, God will not long tolerate a country that condones such evil. Can anything be done to counter practitioners of the occult? If so, it will begin by furnishing churchgoing children and teens informative and spiritually sound instruction.
Thankfully, there are tools available to help parents discern the truth behind the innocent look of this children's fantasy. Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged--Making Evil Look Innocent is one documentary every parent should have in the household video library.
For more information about this video, go to http://www.jeremiahfilms.com or http://www.therealpotter.com or call 1-800-828-2290 to order it. Author Richard Abanes has written a perceptive book, "Harry Potter and the Bible" (Horizon Books). Holly McClure dedicates a portion of her book, "Death by Entertainment" (Lion's Head) to the examining of Harry Potter and other media mystics that have influenced our popular culture.
That said, I admire the parent who will have the courage to say, "No, you can't go to see Harry Potter!" We call that tough love, kids.

-Pastors.com-

#4 ---- From Robert McGee

Harry Potter's Witchcraft Vs. The Legacy We Leave Our Kids
by Robert McGee
MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. (BP)

Parents and even pastors who have found the Harry Potter books harmless rely on the fact that these books are fantasy and therefore conclude the witchcraft presented in the books should be ignored.

The Harry Potter books revolve around the adventures of a character so named. Harry is a child wizard who goes to school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to learn how to better access and use the power of witchcraft. The child reader follows Harry while he learns of spells, curses, divination, reincarnation, potions, communing with spirits of the dead and even demon possession--all practices God has condemned.

With this content, obviously proponents of these books need a "fantasy defense."
However, is a book's content really acceptable because it's fantasy? To be consistent with this notion, anything J.K. Rowling, the author, writes in the remaining three books of the Harry Potter series is going to be acceptable, other fantasy witchcraft books are acceptable and in fact even pornographic fantasy books would be acceptable. Do we really want our children to consider all fantasy books harmless? If fantasy is not dangerous, why have we banned Joe Camel or assigned ratings to movies, or why are we concerned about video games or TV shows?

Some argue that because Rowling uses whimsical language as she presents the various elements of witchcraft this makes these books harmless. The incantations Rowling has written are whimsical but the principles of witchcraft are accurately presented. There are many variations of witchcraft practiced today. However, all witchcraft has certain basic principles in common. These principles are accurately presented in the Harry Potter books.

One such principle is that a person can change people, things, themselves and know the future by accessing the force or power of witchcraft. As witches have rejected the God of the Bible, this means they rely on the evil power resident in this world, although they say the power is from within or from nature. In describing the first Harry Potter movie, Warner Brothers claims that the movie accurately depicts witchcraft (Orlando Sentinel, July 10, 2001). The movie is a direct reflection of the first Harry Potter book.

Have those who gain comfort in this "fantasy/whimsical defense" not realized that our children are surrounded by witchcraft propaganda? There is more witchcraft material easily available to our children via the Internet than at any time in history. There are hundreds of websites eager to educate our children about the non-whimsical versions of witchcraft. Some teaching aids used in many public schools directly or indirectly take children to these witchcraft websites.

Also the proponents of these books list classic books that have characters as witches as a defense. They must assume that these books they quote trump Scripture. However, they miss the point in another way. There are no examples in literature in which the child reads about other children learning the specifics of witchcraft. When a child sees the image of Harry Potter on a can of Coca-Cola or one of the other countless products, the child sees a child character, a hero who has almost universal acceptance, who practices witchcraft. How is a child to determine that the power that Harry uses is dangerous, evil and perverted?
God has declared the very practices presented in Harry Potter an abomination (see Deuteronomy 18). When individuals use the power of witchcraft, they are using demonic power and opening themselves up to demons. Unfortunately many Christians appear to believe that God's warnings about witchcraft are worthless, as they have concluded that witchcraft is just a bad use of imagination and nothing else.

Most children and teens do not fear experimenting with witchcraft today. They are surrounded by witchcraft material. They know other children or teens who are experimenting with various witchcraft practices. This is a critical victory for Satan and has put our children in great danger. The pagans are convinced that Christians are ignorant and too passive to protect their children. They also believe we can be easily intimidated by those who accuse us of being a bunch of foolish religious zealots.

Will the legacy of our ministries be that on our watch we allowed the neo-pagans to indoctrinate our children? To find out how you can educate your people about the Harry Potter books, go to http://www.therealpotter.com. At this website, you will learn how to use a very effective video on this subject both for your church and in your community.

-Pastors.com-