Witches, Wiccans, Vampires, and Werewolves – Innocent Fairytales?? by Marlene Panell Harry Potter, Twilight, and New Moon – Innocent stories that encourage children and young people to read, or is there more to it than that? “Harry Potter is a series of fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The central story arc (continuing or extended story line) concerns Harrys struggle against the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harrys parents in his quest to conquer the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical people (Muggles). Several successful derivative films, video games and other themed merchandise have been based upon the series. “Since the 1997 release of the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, which was retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the United States, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide. As of June 2008, the book series has sold more than 400 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history.” (Wikipedia) “Most parents see the Harry Potter novels written by Joanne Kathleen Rowling as harmless entertainment not worth worrying about. They surely dont see any subtle (or dangerous) Harry-Wicca connection. Others do; in fact, many are certain that dark spiritual forces lurk beneath those magic-made-funny pages. Are J.K. Rowlings best-selling books (even if this isnt her conscious intent) fueling teenage interest in the Craft? “Dont be silly!” shout Potter supporters. “Open your eyes!” counter Potter critics. Which side is right?” (The Hour of the Witch, by Steve Wohlberg, pg. 19) “Harry Potter books have not only been incorporated into the United States public school curriculum (with teachers manuals and discussion guides), but theyve also spawned a multi-million-dollar line of Potter merchandise, which includes games, puzzles, posters, toys, clocks, shirts, hats, costumes, eyeglasses, towels, blankets, playing cards, markers, pens, lunch boxes, mugs, bookmarks, jelly beans, stamps, and much more.” (Wohlberg, pg. 25) “In addition to the belief that Harry Potter is good ol fashioned fun, there are five main arguments now being used by supportive parents and teachers in favor of J.K. Rowlings series: 1. Harry Potter has achieved the unbelievable feat of motivating almost an entire generation of 21st century media-saturated, video-game-addicted kids to actually turn off the TV and read books- which must be a good thing, right? 2. Harry Potter models the importance of developing loyal friendships with peers, such as those formed between Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, as they work together against Lord Voldemort and his slimy Death Eaters. 3. Harry Potter contains timeless insights into the classic struggle between good and evil, and includes valuable moral lessons. This is the primary reason why the novels are being used in the United States public school system and why even some teachers have decorated their classrooms Hogwarts-style. 4. Harry Potter aids the development of childrens imaginations. 5. Harry Potter is entirely fictitious. All references to witchcraft and sorcery are mere literary devices with no connection to real occultism.” (Wohlberg, pg. 36) “Lets think this through a bit. Theres no question that reading a book can be good, but is the mere act of reading inherently virtuous? Obviously, if 14-year-old Johnny found a copy of Playboy or Hustler magazine one afternoon and skipped Nintendo to read erotic articles and look at girly photos, few parents would be thrilled. True, this is an extreme example, but it still illustrates the principle that what one reads is more important than simply positioning ones face over a page of words.” (Wohlberg, pg. 43) “Too many parents have neglected their God-given responsibility to raise their children to read and love books-wholesome books-and to teach them better ways to utilize their time than spending countless hours viewing Spiderman or Terminator. The real problem is that so many moms and dads dont have time for their kids, so they plop them before 60-inch, hi-definition, fast-action baby-sitters, letting them watch whatever Hollywood rolls out. Then when some mesmerizing novel like Harry Potter grips Johnnys chronically short attention span so that he finally pokes the “power off” button, moms ecstatic. “Look honey, she reports to her overworked spouse, ‘Johnnys not watching TV tonight; hes reading a book! ‘Cool! replies the boys largely absent father.“ (Wohlberg, Pg. 44) God does not look at witchcraft lightly. He knows and understands the ways Satan uses to get people to turn their backs on God and follow him instead. God has warned His people, Israel, and therefore us to stay away from things that have to do with Satan. When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you.” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) A parents first responsibility is to see to the care and education of their children. God has told parents to train their children up in the Lord. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17) It seems a little ironic that the public school system began by using the Bible as a means to teach children to read, and now the Bible is not allowed into the public schools (unless being used as a literary work only), but books that go directly against Gods Word are being encouraged. ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865): “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man.” DANIEL WEBSTER (1782-1852): “If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering.” JOHN QUINCY ADAMS (1876-1848): “I have made it a practice for several years to read the Bible through in the course of every year.” HORACE GREELEY (1811-1872): “It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people.” ROBERT E. LEE (1807-1870): “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” THEODORE ROOSEVELT (1858-1919): “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799): “The perpetuity of this nation depends upon the religious education of the young.”
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:40:17 +0000
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