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Christians: Do you let your kids read HP; Another dang Harry Potter thread
Topic Started: Jul 16 2005, 10:18 AM (669 Views)
kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
I read that Harry Potter is offensive to Christians.
Knowing it has sold a zillion copies and that it is now in 60 languages I think I read in CNN that even the Vatican has a problem with it.
I was wondering how seriously Christian parents take all this.

I imagine all the kids are talking about it.
I wonder if a child of nine has the tools to not feel left out, or worse, feel superior or righteous about not having read it.

I am also asking because after all the hoopla and astronomical sales numbers even I was considering buying the first one and checking out what the excitement is all about - and I must hang my head in shame and confess that I am not much of a reader.
It took 9-11 to get me to buy a TV.
Occasionally I feel left out.

This woman must be quite a writer to make herself a billionaire.
Or is this less her writing talent and mostly media hype and the commercial moneymaking machinery at work?
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tcmod
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Senior Carp
If I had kids, I would absolutely let them read the books. I would let them read everything by Mark Twain as well. I don't really understand the hoopla either Kenny. I hope that Christian faith couldn't really be shaken by a childs book. Could be wrong though. I would bet that most Christian children have at one time fantasized that they could do magic, fly, become invisible, or had some special powers. That is what is great about imagination. banning these books won't stop kids from dreaming about the very same things harry Potter can do.

you really should read them...or listen to them on tape.
Dead girls don't say no, but you still have to buy them flowers
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jgoo
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It's never made sense to me what people have against Harry Potter. They use magic. Ooooooooo, they MUST be evil now!!! What about all of the classics out there that also have magic that they don't seem to be having any problems with? The Wizard of Oz, for example. And what about the Chronicles of Narnia series? And what about the countless others out there that have magic in them? How come it's only Harry that's evil in their eyes? :confused:
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tcmod
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Senior Carp
Anybody else hear about thetoy version of the Nimbus that was being sold? Apparently it would vibrate.......well, some children liked running around while straddling the vibrating broomstick a bit too much......don't think it is being sold any longer. :eek:
Dead girls don't say no, but you still have to buy them flowers
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
tcmod
Jul 16 2005, 10:23 AM
If I had kids, I would absolutely let them read the books. 

Tcmod forgive me, but I don't keep track and it is relevant to my original question:
Are you a Christian?
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tcmod
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kenny
Jul 16 2005, 11:50 AM
tcmod
Jul 16 2005, 10:23 AM
If I had kids, I would absolutely let them read the books. 

Tcmod forgive me, but I don't keep track and it is relevant to my original question:
Are you a Christian?

yes.
Dead girls don't say no, but you still have to buy them flowers
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M&M's
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tcmod
Jul 16 2005, 11:48 AM
Anybody else hear about thetoy version of the Nimbus that was being sold? Apparently it would vibrate.......well, some children liked running around while straddling the vibrating broomstick a bit too much......don't think it is being sold any longer. :eek:

Yep, saw that article too. Said girls were taking it in their rooms for slumber parties. Toy wasn't very popular amongst boys though...
My child shows GOOD CHARACTERIZATION in an ongoing game of D&D
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M&M's
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Fulla-Carp
kenny
Jul 16 2005, 10:18 AM
I read Harry Potter is offensive to Christians.
Knowing it has sold a zillion copies and that it is now in 60 languages I think I read in CNN that even the Vatican has a problem with it.
I was wondering how seriously Christian parents take all this.
It is just a fantasy after all.

Specifically, I imagine all the kids in school talking about it.
I wonder if a child of nine has the tools to not feel left out, or worse, feel superior or righteous about not having read it.

I am also asking because after all the hoopla and astronomical sales numbers even I was considering buying the first one and checking out what the excitement is all about - and I must hang my head in shame and confess that I am not much of a reader.
It took 9-11 to get me to buy a TV.
Occasionally I feel left out.

This woman must be quite a writer to make herself a billionaire.
Or is this less her writing talent and mostly media hype and the commercial moneymaking machinery at work?

First, JKRowling is an awesome writer. It is definitely not the hype of the media. Don't go and see the movies to base you thoughts on how the books are though. The movies aren't as good as the books. They leave to much information out. Especially the third one, but the special effects are great in them all. :smile:

Second, I'm a christian and I would definitely let my children read Harry Potter. I think it is how you put it in perspective. It is fantasy, people really can't do "magic" and fly on brooms. As long as you make sure your kids understand that, I think it is fine. I'm more worried about the sex and violence on t.v. All of those things really do happen and are very real.

Third, you should definitely get the books on tape if you don't like reading. Jim Dale does a fantastic job reading the book. LD and I have listened to them all except the first on tape. They are great for road for trips. (All books on tapes are good for road trips. :smile: )

My child shows GOOD CHARACTERIZATION in an ongoing game of D&D
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TomK
HOLY CARP!!!
kenny, I know you've kept track of me. :D and Yes, I let her read it and yes, she loves it and from what I've read, (HP doesn't exactly hold my attention, ) it's good clean fun.

Personally, I see wizards and witches as metaphors for the "Chosen People," in a world of Muggles (Goyem.)

But maybe that's just me. :D

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I'm pretty marginal on the religious devotion factor, but my daughter was reading them so I read them to be in the know on what she was reading.

There's not a thing objectionable in these stories, and they are a very good read as well. The interpersonal values taught of doing right, courage and loyalty are beyond reproach. Besides, I've never heard that satanists use magic wands. Someof them might enjoy those vibrating borrom sticks though.

I wonder how many Christian parents would forbid Harry Potter stories but think nothing of A Christmas Carol? Ghosts, and more ghosts..
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
There is not a great concern among Catholics about HP.

Ratzinger, when head of CDF, did make a statement to another German author who pointed out the problems in the Potter series that present a distorted view of the nature of good and evil according to Catholic principles.

Nothing earth-shaking about what Ratzinger wrote:
Quote:
 
It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.
But he did not ban or forbid Catholics to read it. I have not read them, but saw and enjoyed the movies.

I think that if one is actively engaged in helping to form the child, and uses this as an opportunity to point out the difference between the use of power to control others that is implicit in witchcraft and the call to the service of others that is explicit in the Gospel, there is little cause for alarm.

Notice also, that the concern is not for witchcraft per se. The Church has no problem with ghosts in Hamlet or witches in Macbeth or magic in The Chronicles of Narnia, etc. These are literary devices in an imaginary world, and the Church understands them as such.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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TomK
HOLY CARP!!!
ivorythumper
Jul 16 2005, 05:39 PM

Notice also, that the concern is not for witchcraft per se. The Church has no problem with ghosts in Hamlet or witches in Macbeth or magic in The Chronicles of Narnia, etc. These are literary devices in an imaginary world, and the Church understands them as such.

An insightful a paragraph as has ever been written in piano related Forums.

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LadyElton
Fulla-Carp
Real witches (pagans) are not the same as Satanists. The various pagan faiths do not believe in the devil. Many Christian holy days were adapted from pagan ones. I enjoy reading about wicca and paganism in general. Check out websites like The Witches' Voice.

I do not understand the fuss over Harry Potter. I've read all the books and am reading the new one. I think the books are wonderful. JK Rowling is a good writer. I've heard people bitch about HP yet have no problem with LOTR. :shrug: It's sad that some people are so paranoid and obviously have no lives other than to worry about some books.
Hilary aka LadyElton
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Dewey
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HOLY CARP!!!
Not only do I let (actually, encourage) my kids read them, I actually trucked down to a nearby store at midnight last night to buy this latest book for Thirteen, while she was whooping it up at a sleepover with a bunch of her friends (which explains why I was posting so late into last night). I couldn't figure out all the hype and madness. While other people were pre-ordering, getting wristbands assigned, standing in line all day in advance, and all that rot, I drove to my nearby Kroger (grocery store) - got there at the stroke of midnight, walked in, got in a line of about thirty people in a "Harry Potter Express" chekout line, had a copy of the book handed to me while standing in line, paid for it, and walked out the door - at 12:12 AM. Can't beat that! :thumb:

"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685.

"Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous

"Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011

I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14
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TomK
HOLY CARP!!!
LadyElton
Jul 16 2005, 06:06 PM
I've heard people bitch about HP yet have no problem with LOTR. :shrug:

LOTR was written from an expressly Roman Catholic POV. Tolkien himself said so.
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apple
one of the angels
kenny there are some fanatical Christians who make the news.. they are not representative of most.
it behooves me to behold
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AlbertaCrude
Bull-Carp
I prefer the term heretics to fanatics. It's more traditional.
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
apple
Jul 16 2005, 08:18 PM
kenny there are some fanatical Christians who make the news.. they are not representative of most.

Ditto gays.
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The 89th Key
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I could see an argument if the book encouraged witchcraft and/or was too distracting from God.

But this fairy tale encourages reading, teaches decent moral lessons (good vs. evil), and there are FAR worse things out there than a simple book of fiction.

This anti-HP hype is idiotic...read and enjoy it in peace! :D

...however, I'll go watch a movie. ;)

PS. I've never read any of the books...I'll stick with Dan Brown and/or watch HP movies when they come out. :D
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Luke's Dad
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Emperor Pengin
BTW: Pope John Paul II, actually was said to have liked the book, and unoficially endorsed it.
The problem with having an open mind is that people keep trying to put things in it.
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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Christian, yes. HP, yes.
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
So far, Kenny, you're batting a thousand.

My kids read/have read the HP books.

In Kennyworld, Christians don't read?
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Jolly
Jul 18 2005, 06:59 AM
So far, Kenny, you're batting a thousand.

My kids read/have read the HP books.

In Kennyworld, Christians don't read?

Huh?
What?
Batting?
Jolly are you drinking this early again?

What's Kennyworld?
An attempt to discredit?

And who said Cristians don't read?
Apparently one doesn't.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
You made a blanket statement about Christians and HP. Now, this bunch runs the gamut from the Ole' Roman Catholic to the Deep Water Fundamentalist. Nobody, at least so far, has banned Potter from their homes.

In Kennyworld, where all religion is bad, you'd have us picking ol' J.K.'s bones.

Sorry to disappoint....
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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kenny
HOLY CARP!!!
Show me my blanket statement.
I have edited nothing.
My post was a question, not a statement.

I was curious, I got a some answers.
This is good.
No?

I didn't write all the media on Christians and HP.

I'm starting to think you don't love me Jolly.
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