Harry Potter?

[styrgwillidar]

I have lots of comics in the house and my elder son is interested but not enough to read them himself. Whereas my younger son actually does spend lots of time reading comics on his own, sometimes ones I bought for myself.

What is he interested in? History? Sports? Aircraft? Technology? Animals?

I read a lot. But I recall initially starting to read more due to an interest in sports. So I read about athletes, that got me interested in other noted figures and I started reading a lot about significant people in history, which got me interested in WWII, and then aircraft, Naval battles etc. Then fictional stories set in various eras, then technology which led to interest in science fiction which then led to reading fantasy such as LOTRs.

 

[Mike1955]

r really understood the argument against the books, because it is fantasy and it is fiction. So many other books have fantasy elements in them, like the Lord of the Rings (and IMHO, Harry Potter is much better!), and anything that gets your son reading will definitely benefit him.

Lou

Lou, them is fighting words!!

I enjoyed the Harry Potter series and I found nothing objectionable in them. Of course, the Harry Potter series is NOT anywhere as rich and wonderful as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. But I think the Potter series is more accessible to younger readers. Kind of like Watership Down was – it is easier to grasp and understand a book about rabbits than to take in the world of hobbits, elves, dwarfs, etc.

IMO, if a child gains a love of reading through any of these fantasy worlds, the books are doing a good job!

 

[tomarin]

What is he interested in? History? Sports? Aircraft? Technology? Animals?

Hard to say. Of the things you mentioned, I’d say he’s most interested in sports. But whether he’s interested in reading about sports might be a different question. Worth considering though.

I always thought it would be fantasy that would spark his interest but surveying the contemporary fantasy titles out there, there is a sea of them but they all seem a bit similar.

I read a lot. But I recall initially starting to read more due to an interest in sports. So I read about athletes, that got me interested in other noted figures and I started reading a lot about significant people in history, which got me interested in WWII, and then aircraft, Naval battles etc. Then fictional stories set in various eras, then technology which led to interest in science fiction which then led to reading fantasy such as LOTRs.

When I was just getting into reading I read a lot of mysteries and adventure stories such as Hardy Boys-type stuff. Then I discovered science fiction in the fourth grade or so and it was my main interest until college.

 

[Shea96]

I never understood the HP hate either, but to each his own, IMO. I love HP. My oldest has read all the books and loves them. He says the movies are not that great, beyond the first 3. My other children could take it or leave it. My oldest is discerning seminary, despite having a love of HP But really, if one finds it disturbing or it interrupts or gives pause to their faith, then they really should be encouraged to stay away from it. Much like alcohol - some can be in a bar, have a drink, and go home. Others are tempted to the sin of over-indulgence and drunkenness. They should stay clear of bars. And each parent should guide their children in the way they best see fit. I let my children, but if I saw something that indicated they took it seriously, piqued their interest in magic or the occult, or distracted from their faith, I would put an absolute end to it right then and there.

The only thing that struck a chord w me was anti-HP people pushing the idea that the transplanting of the plants (I can’t remember what they were called) alluded to abortion, and that the book/film/author was promoting the idea that it is acceptable to rip a baby from it’s mother’s womb. Now, I tend towards live and let live (don’t hate; I know that isn’t exactly the right way to think, but suits this subject matter) but find that to be a little much. I garden and transplant a lot of plants. I actually, before HP, thought of little roots wanting to get back into the dirt, to a bigger place where they can expand more. Anyway, I just can’t seem to wrap my brain around the supposed “pro-abortion” agenda of that scene. Maybe I’m totally missing something.

anyhoo, that’s just my :twocents:

 

[styrgwillidar]

Hard to say. Of the things you mentioned, I’d say he’s most interested in sports. But whether he’s interested in reading about sports might be a different question. Worth considering though.

I always thought it would be fantasy that would spark his interest but surveying the contemporary fantasy titles out there, there is a sea of them but they all seem a bit similar.

When I was just getting into reading I read a lot of mysteries and adventure stories such as Hardy Boys-type stuff. Then I discovered science fiction in the fourth grade or so and it was my main interest until college.

If you can find the book “Winners Never Quit” by Pepe? I think it had a forward by Vince Lombardi, he might find it interesting. A bit dated in that I read it as a kid so it was all what would be historical figures in sports now- Johnny Unitas, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax. It detailed the struggles all these folks encountered. Probably only be able to find it in a library.

But if you could find a similar book based on current or recent stars like Kurt Warner, an amazing story about his path to the NFL, or a sports magazine that goes into detail about stars he admires, that might get him interested.

 

[aloe]

For the record, I grew up reading Harry Potter and loved every second of it.

I can’t wait for my kids to get a little older so we can grab the series, get some warm blankets and pjs and curl up with me so I can read it to them.
.

I also have fond memories of reading the books as a kid and some day when they are older I will let my kids read the books too.

 

[tomarin]

If you can find the book “Winners Never Quit” by Pepe? I think it had a forward by Vince Lombardi, he might find it interesting. A bit dated in that I read it as a kid so it was all what would be historical figures in sports now- Johnny Unitas, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax. It detailed the struggles all these folks encountered. Probably only be able to find it in a library.

But if you could find a similar book based on current or recent stars like Kurt Warner, an amazing story about his path to the NFL, or a sports magazine that goes into detail about stars he admires, that might get him interested.

Thanks for the advice, I do appreciate it.

 

[plainatheart71]

We are huge Harry Potter fans in this house. We have all read all the books and every year we do a marathon, just like with the Hobbitt & Lord of the Rings.
Today has been a very sad day for Harry Potter fans as we lost Alan Rickman.

 

[twf]

The Christian metaphors, which Rowling has confirmed were somewhat deliberate, are so clear in especially the final book, it’s impossible to miss them. Some atheists actually grumbled about how blatantly Christian the final book - the Deathly Hallows - is. You see it earlier too- the power of Harry’s mom’s sacrifice for her son. Dumbledore tells Harry that he “took refuge in her blood” to protect Harry. The Christian metaphors slap you in the face in places - couldn’t be more obvious. Harry dies for his friends…he rises to new life… After which the Dark Lord’s power holds no sway over his friends.
The Christian metaphors are far, far more explicit than in Lord of the Rings, though not quite as blatant as Narnia.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

The Christian metaphors, which Rowling has confirmed were somewhat deliberate, are so clear in especially the final book, it’s impossible to miss them. Some atheists actually grumbled about how blatantly Christian the final book - the Deathly Hallows - is. You see it earlier too- the power of Harry’s mom’s sacrifice for her son. Dumbledore tells Harry that he “took refuge in her blood” to protect Harry. The Christian metaphors slap you in the face in places - couldn’t be more obvious. Harry dies for his friends…he rises to new life… After which the Dark Lord’s power holds no sway over his friends.
The Christian metaphors are far, far more explicit than in Lord of the Rings, though not quite as blatant as Narnia.

When and where did Rowling confirm the metaphors. I had heard the opposite

 

[twf]

When and where did Rowling confirm the metaphors. I had heard the opposite

She definitely confirmed it. How can they not be Christian metaphors? As someone who has read through the series multiple times they are nearly as blatant as Narnia in places. Here’s one article that quotes Rowling confirming the Christian influence: mtv.com/news/1572107/harry-potter-author-jk-rowling-opens-up-about-books-christian-imagery/

 

[GEddie]

The Christian metaphors, which Rowling has confirmed were somewhat deliberate, are so clear in especially the final book, it’s impossible to miss them. Some atheists actually grumbled about how blatantly Christian the final book - the Deathly Hallows - is. You see it earlier too- the power of Harry’s mom’s sacrifice for her son. Dumbledore tells Harry that he “took refuge in her blood” to protect Harry. The Christian metaphors slap you in the face in places - couldn’t be more obvious. Harry dies for his friends…he rises to new life… After which the Dark Lord’s power holds no sway over his friends.
The Christian metaphors are far, far more explicit than in Lord of the Rings, though not quite as blatant as Narnia.

I saw that too. A witchcraft school that has a Christmas feast? A near-death experience in “Kings Cross”?? It would need the Archbishop blessing a Quidditch game to be any more Christian, IMNAAHO.

ICXC NIKA

 

[twf]

I saw that too. A witchcraft school that has a Christmas feast? A near-death experience in “Kings Cross”?? It would need the Archbishop blessing a Quidditch game to be any more Christian, IMNAAHO.

ICXC NIKA

Wizards also have saints if you remember the magical hospital’s name…
Then there’s the fat friar! Presumably he’s still undergoing his purgatory - or he’s already a saint and God let him stick around to help out his fellow Hufflepuffs!

 

[UbiCaritas]

When and where did Rowling confirm the metaphors. I had heard the opposite

Shortly after Deathly Hallows was published, Rowling “came out” as a Christian. (A Christian who rather differs from Catholicism on things like gay marriage and the like, of course, but a Christian nonetheless.) She had previously refused to state her religion in public because, she said, doing so would have given away how the last book developed.

 

[pensmama87]

There’s also this blog post at Carrots for Michaelmas:

carrotsformichaelmas.com/2016/01/25/9-reasons-the-weasleys-are-probably-a-catholic-family/

Not in any way official, of course, but a fun read.

 

[chopstocky]

I have heard a few lectures from Exorcists stating to stay away from Potter books.

They say that some of the spells written in the books are actual spells used in witchcraft in the past. That people have been demonically influenced as a result of these books. The themes of the books glorify the occult.

Take a listen to these videos:
at around 40 minutes the priest calls out Harry Potter series specifically
youtube.com/watch?v=WiLDxPf0vBg&list=WL&index=78

and in this one around 1hr 21 mins:
youtube.com/watch?v=Tq-ppsQ9zkA&list=WL&index=77

Before I knew any of this I had read a few of the books and seen the movies. I found that they were mediocre in terms of literary craft, anyway.

Remember that the devil uses very subtle ways of entering into our lives and parting us from God. If these professionals are telling us to avoid things for our own good, we should listen.

 

[twf]

I have heard a few lectures from Exorcists stating to stay away from Potter books.

They say that some of the spells written in the books are actual spells used in witchcraft in the past. That people have been demonically influenced as a result of these books. The themes of the books glorify the occult.

Take a listen to these videos:
at around 40 minutes the priest calls out Harry Potter series specifically
youtube.com/watch?v=WiLDxPf0vBg&list=WL&index=78

and in this one around 1hr 21 mins:
youtube.com/watch?v=Tq-ppsQ9zkA&list=WL&index=77

Before I knew any of this I had read a few of the books and seen the movies. I found that they were mediocre in terms of literary craft, anyway.

Remember that the devil uses very subtle ways of entering into our lives and parting us from God. If these professionals are telling us to avoid things for our own good, we should listen.

1. For those who have read the books, none of the spells are remotely based on anything real. They are mostly slightly modified Latin and are complete rubbish. This has been refused again and again. Waving a wand and saying a pseudo-Latin word as you see in Harry Potter is NOT how the occult works. Period. I don’t know where these guys get their sources, but its pretty clear none of them have actually read the books. Are you telling me people involved in the Occult have a magic wand fashioned from a phoenix or unicorn tail, wave it around and shout things like “expelliarmus” (to disarm an opponent’s wand) or “wingardium leviosa” (to make something fly)? Of course not…the real Occult involves complicated rituals that invoke spirits… not silly pseudo (as in made up) Latin sounding phrases and wand waving.
2. There is no invocation of demons, spirits, or any other powers. In the fictional Harry Potter world magic is simply a natural, innate power that some beings have and some don’t. Harry and the other wizards are NOT ordinary humans who seek occult powers…they are a separate race of wizards born to have magic. In fact, the books go to great lengths to show that ordinary children CANNOT practice magic no matter how hard they try. Harry’s Aunt Petunia is a great example who became so bitter and hateful because as a child she was rejected by Hogwarts and unable to learn magic because she was just an ordinary human.
3. As I noted in other posts, even the author has acknowledged the very strong and very obvious Christian themes throughout the books. They strongly promote good vs evil, with good always victorious. They strong promote love over hatred. They strongly promote self-sacrifice and forgiveness. Scripture is quoted in places. Harry sacrifices himself to save his friends…good and love are always victorious.

I know the Devil is clever. I know he is prowling constantly. I know he is subtle. And there are a thousand shows and books I would readily condemn as being obviously or potentially of demonic influence… but I have come across these arguments for Harry Potter again and again over the years and none of them even remotely make sense to anyone who has read through the series. The arguments just don’t have a lick of logical sense as they are clearly referring to something other than the stories I know and love. I’ve read through Harry Potter multiple times over the years and the themes are so obviously, so strongly Christian… so much so, as I have noted in earlier posts, that when the seventh book came out a number of atheists grumbled at how blatantly Christian the symbolism was. It is 100% clear to me that none of these detractors have ever read the books through from start to finish… or if they have, they did so only after being thoroughly convinced that they were of the Occult.

Just like Tolkien’s world, just like Narnia, the magic of Potter is otherworldly and fantastical and beyond the reach of ordinary humans.

 

[chopstocky]

In the links that I provided, one will hear the priest say “I’ve read the books…”

Also, he mentions that he has had more than one person come to him that has been demonically influenced because of the Harry Potter series. Now, we can debate all we want that the spells are not actual spells or are a combination of phrases from old languages and we can debate whether the books are harmless or ‘just like’ other books like LOTR and Narnia (the priest also makes a distinction between HP and LOTR in the links), but can we argue the first hand experience of this exorcist? (He is not the only exorcist that says this btw)

He is a consecrated professional who’s job it is to perform the Rite of Exorcism (among other things) to souls in need of it. Do we argue with a doctor who says that our arm is damaged and that we should stop using it while it heals, and then go on to keep using the arm and damage it further? Do we know better than this doctor who has devoted his/her life to the study and application of healing people?

Of course there are some doctors and priests that can be wrong. With doctors we get a second opinion- where do we get a second opinion with God? This priest has had demons say that they showed up due to the influence of Harry Potter books. Is the priest lying? Is he exaggerating? What could he possibly gain by doing that?

I am not saying that your head will begin to spin when you read these books. Mine didn’t and the priests didn’t when we read them, but I for one will not endanger my 8 year old, or an adult, over a ‘cool’ book. Are we thinking about this subject in a certain way because we want it to be true, or are we thinking of it in a way that would most benefit our souls? This can probably be applied to many other struggles in our Faith as well.

God Bless us all.

 

[twf]

In the links that I provided, one will hear the priest say “I’ve read the books…”

Also, he mentions that he has had more than one person come to him that has been demonically influenced because of the Harry Potter series. Now, we can debate all we want that the spells are not actual spells or are a combination of phrases from old languages and we can debate whether the books are harmless or ‘just like’ other books like LOTR and Narnia (the priest also makes a distinction between HP and LOTR in the links), but can we argue the first hand experience of this exorcist? (He is not the only exorcist that says this btw)

He is a consecrated professional who’s job it is to perform the Rite of Exorcism (among other things) to souls in need of it. Do we argue with a doctor who says that our arm is damaged and that we should stop using it while it heals, and then go on to keep using the arm and damage it further? Do we know better than this doctor who has devoted his/her life to the study and application of healing people?

Of course there are some doctors and priests that can be wrong. With doctors we get a second opinion- where do we get a second opinion with God? This priest has had demons say that they showed up due to the influence of Harry Potter books. Is the priest lying? Is he exaggerating? What could he possibly gain by doing that?

I am not saying that your head will begin to spin when you read these books. Mine didn’t and the priests didn’t when we read them, but I for one will not endanger my 8 year old, or an adult, over a ‘cool’ book. Are we thinking about this subject in a certain way because we want it to be true, or are we thinking of it in a way that would most benefit our souls? This can probably be applied to many other struggles in our Faith as well.

God Bless us all.

I do trust priests generally and exorcists specifically to me more knowledgeable than me when it comes to such matters, and like I said there are many books and shows I would indeed be questionable of… But the thing here is when they make specific points about WHY Potter is demonic the arguments just don’t factually add up. If they tell me something I know is factually wrong it calls the entire argument into question. For example, these anti-Potter authorities note again and again that Harry and his friends are ordinary children given an opportunity to obtain occult powers encouraging real kids to do the same. This is just silly to anyone familiar with the story for as I pointed out in my earlier post it is absolutely central to the storyline that Magic is beyond ordinary kids. Ordinary kids CANNOT ever do a single bit of magic no matter what words they say or how hard they study. It’s a major plot point. That’s the whole reason Aunt Petunia is abusive towards Harry - she’s bitter because despite her best attempts she is not capable of magic. The whole point is that Harry is special - he is not an ordinary kid at all. The list goes on and I referenced some of the others above. If these authorities could actually give me reasons that line up with the actual content of the books I would listen. My religion is one of both reason and faith in harmony.

Now as to the anecdotal cases mentioned, I don’t think anyone is lying nor do I think possession occurred because of the fantastical descriptions of fictional powers in these stories. In these very rare cases I suspect those involved struggled to distinguish fantasy from Potter, became spiritually confused, and opened themselves to the real Occult as a separate act / intent. Finally I don’t believe these esteemed gentlemen have read the series through - it isn’t until the final and seventh book that the Christian themes (as the author has confirmed as a baptized Presbyterian herself) become obvious. I suspect those who have read them did so with strong biases already in mind because as noted their arguments Never line up with the actual content of the stories.

If a priest tells me I shouldn’t watch a certain show because of explicit nudity I will take his advice seriously. But if I then watch the show and don’t see a single scene of nudity I will question the grounds of the priest’s argument. If he then proceeds to give other reasons why the show is immoral that’s fine- but it can’t be something that factually is absent from the content.

 

[Sarcelle]

In the links that I provided, one will hear the priest say “I’ve read the books…”

Also, he mentions that he has had more than one person come to him that has been demonically influenced because of the Harry Potter series. Now, we can debate all we want that the spells are not actual spells or are a combination of phrases from old languages and we can debate whether the books are harmless or ‘just like’ other books like LOTR and Narnia (the priest also makes a distinction between HP and LOTR in the links), but can we argue the first hand experience of this exorcist? (He is not the only exorcist that says this btw)

He is a consecrated professional who’s job it is to perform the Rite of Exorcism (among other things) to souls in need of it. Do we argue with a doctor who says that our arm is damaged and that we should stop using it while it heals, and then go on to keep using the arm and damage it further? Do we know better than this doctor who has devoted his/her life to the study and application of healing people?

Of course there are some doctors and priests that can be wrong. With doctors we get a second opinion- where do we get a second opinion with God? This priest has had demons say that they showed up due to the influence of Harry Potter books. Is the priest lying? Is he exaggerating? What could he possibly gain by doing that?

I am not saying that your head will begin to spin when you read these books. Mine didn’t and the priests didn’t when we read them, but I for one will not endanger my 8 year old, or an adult, over a ‘cool’ book. Are we thinking about this subject in a certain way because we want it to be true, or are we thinking of it in a way that would most benefit our souls? This can probably be applied to many other struggles in our Faith as well.

God Bless us all.

I have read the books and I did not see anything demonic about them. In fact, I find them quite charming.