[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Harry Potter and God

[Lee Storm (God Is The Healing Force)]

Hi Danielle,

I'm writing here as a long-time Christian, and my husband (who is almost 22
years my senior) has been a Christian longer than I.  Both of us love the
Narnia books, the Tolkien books and, yes, Harry Potter.  In fact, it was our
preacher who started us on the HP books, giving us SS for Christmas in 1999.
He had often alluded to it in sermons, so we wanted very much to read it.
We finished the book in three days...it sure was nice to have as something
to do while we ended up golly-orful sick with the flu.

In short, we were so taken with the book that I ended up getting on Amazon
and ordering COS and POA, and we attended our first Bookstore Bash when GOF
came out.  We have been hooked on HP ever since.

Yes, I know that many extremist types consider the books evil; I know that
many of them also don't think much of Narnia or Middle Earth.  Those who
don't like HP but accept the other two seem to feel that because it's a
completely different world it's okay, but because HP has part of it's action
in "The Real World," it's promoting occultism.  Uh--I hate to remind them
that most of the Narnia books bring the children in from "The Real World"
and send them back to it, just as the HP books bring the kids to Hogwarts
and send them back from it...except for the last book which, with all their
fleeing, has them in a sort of limbo for a good part of the story.

In my opinion, the Christians who don't like HP probably don't like much
fiction.  They take the scriptures about keeping their minds on the things
of God absolutely literally; this means no imagination or thoughts which
would take one away from Scripture or prayer or doing the Lord's work.
Probably the only fiction they'd go for is family stuff like Louisa Mae
Alcott, et al.  Now, like I say, this is my opinion.

For myself, I believe that God gave us imaginations.  If he didn't, this
would be a very dull world and I believe My God is a god of many aspects.
If a Christian is not well grounded in his/her faith, yes, their could be a
problem or, at the very least, a lot of questions.  But seeing the HP books
as tools of conveyance of themes which are important to Christians and all
people with hearts for good might help to alleviate the difficulty.

Here are a couple of links I found which might help:

http://standingonshoulders.net/2009/02/15/the-christian-harry-potter/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/momsense/2000/sepoct/4.44.html

I could probably find many more, but my advice is like Geoff's; read with
your friend and discuss.  I suppose one could apply Romans 8:28:
(Rom 8:28 NIV)  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Perhaps you can point out that Harry is good and has been called to a mighty
purpose of upholding that which is good and right.

I've gotta sign for now, but I hope I've been of some help.

Lee :-)

Do not walk behind me,    | Lee Storm
I may not care to lead;   | N2FGC
Do not walk before me,    | n2fgc at arrl.net (or)
I may not care to follow; | n2fgc at optonline.net
Walk beside me, and be my friend.