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QUESTION: Does your church recommend the Harry Potter books or the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" or any of the other titles to children? ANSWER: No we do not. We do not recommend these books or the movie for anyone. The books are set in surroundings involving sorcery and witchcraft. WE STRONGLY CONDEMN THESE WRITINGS AS THEY ARE FULL OF WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY. The Bible is strong in its condemnation of these things. Notice: FOUNDATIONAL SCRIPTURES AGAINST WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY Ps 11:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. KJV Note: You will read and hear slick arguments stating that these books are fiction and the main character fights for positive values and principles. The issue is that the good cannot justify the evil setting and the evil means used to produce that good. Further, the argument that these books are fiction does not justify reading and learning about evil practices especially as these books have young children as their target audience. These verses above show clearly that we should not place ourselves even near these evil practices and subjects. Answer the question, "Would Jesus Christ read these books?" Ex 22:18 Gal 5:19-21 Note: God makes His attitude clear. Those involved in witchcraft will not enter into the Kingdom. Why would someone desirous of the Kingdom of God even want to get close to the subjects listed in these verses, fiction or otherwise? WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY FORBIDDEN Lev 19:26-28 Note: The Harry Potter books are full of enchantments and evil spells. Following is the Webster’s Dictionary Unabridged, 1913 definition of "enchantment": Enchantment 1. The act of enchanting; the production of certain wonderful effects by the aid of demons, or the agency of supposed spirits; the use of magic arts, spells, or charms; incantation. Note: These enchantments and spells produce what the dictionary calls "wonderful effects". Problem is they are produced by the aid of demons which are evil in the sight of God. Lev 19:31 Note: The verse says to not even regard them. It says to not seek after them. It says not to be defiled by them. What is one doing when he or she reads these Harry Potter books? Notice the definition of the word "defile" Defile 1. To make foul or impure; to make filthy; to dirty; to befoul; to pollute.
Note: 1 Thess. 5:22 says to "abstain from all appearance of evil". What harm will come to your reputation and character if you are known to be carrying around and reading these controversial books? Lev 20:6 Note: Why would one, desirous of obeying God, want to be seen by Him "going after wizards" (even fictional wizards)? Deut 18:9-14 Note the phrase "among you" in verse 10. God does not want any knowledge or experience of divination, spells, spirits, charmers or wizards among us. God says that these things "ARE AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE LORD" and He commands that we drive these things out from us (verse 12). Does it make for sound thinking to say that fictional wizards are exempt from these commands of the Great and Almighty God? WITCHCRAFT AND SORCERY DENOUNCED Isa 8:19 Mal 3:5 Note: Forgetting the condemnation of sorcerers here for a moment, take a look at the condemnation against adulterers. Would it be okay for Christians to read vivid but fictional accounts of adulterous affairs? After all, they are fiction are they not? Will movies and fictional novels of sorcery and adultery be present in the Kingdom of God? Then why place yourself close to these things now? QUOTE BY MR. ARMSTRONG ON THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS When contacted about the Harry Potter books and the many e-mails we were receiving from both members and public, Mr. Armstrong stated: "I don’t have time this moment or I would write a strong condemnation of the Harry Potter books which are filthy, demonic, satanic and blasphemous! I picked up a copy in an airport and scanned it briefly. It was FILLED with witchcraft, spells; one ‘witch’ talking to another, etc.. These books are not fit for any human eye to see. We need to place it UP FRONT on the web site and strongly condemn the Harry Potter writings with plenty of scriptures (above) about God’s condemnation of witchcraft, sorcery, and necromancers." WEB SITES AGAINST THE HARRY POTTER BOOKSSome web sites have come out against these books. You may wish to visit these web sites to see the controversy regarding these books. Note that some web site pages are transitory and may no longer be posted.
http://cana.userworld.com/cana_harrypotter.html
http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/Harry&Witchcraft.htm
http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/Harry9-99.html
http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/D&D&Harry.htm
http://latter-rain.org/harrypotter.htm Also see Mr. Armstrong's commentary on
Harry Potter News story – [Harry]
Potter Called Christ-like -- Mar 4, 2003 |