Harry Potter Movie

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My daughter (the 11 year old one) and I just got back from seeing the Harry Potter movie. We have both read the books several times, and we both enjoyed the movie very much. I would, however, caution parents out there about taking small children to see this movie - it has some parts that are very scary! I have a 4 year old daughter who definitely WILL NOT be seeing this movie for quite a while. Now then, if you have a kid who is really into Harry Potter, and knows the stories well, it shouldn't be a problem at all. Also, if you have a child who likes scary things (my 11 year old really enjoys the Goosebumps books and shows, and most scary things), this would be a good movie for them as well.

All the way home (a 40 minute drive) my daughter kept saying, "Mom, I want to see that movie AGAIN!" Anyway, just wanted to say that this is a very good movie, but not for the very young.

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 16, 2001

Answers

Hi Cheryl, my children are grown so I've opted to wait a few days to see Harry Potter, not being able to imagine the madhouse it will be at the theater tonight. As old as I am, older than dirt some say :), I can hardly wait. I loved all 4 of the books!

-- countryanna54@hotmail.com (countryanna54@hotmail.com), November 16, 2001.

Sorry, I put my email address in both places in the above posting, instead of "Anna in Iowa" for my name.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), November 16, 2001.

Yeah, the books are great! Now I REALLY can't wait for the 5th book to come out. It's such a great story line. My daughter and I were just talking about it, and she asked me which one of us would get to read the book first. I told her that I would get to read it first, of course, because I would be the one paying for it! She just grinned and said, "We'll see.... we'll see...." LOL :-)

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 16, 2001.

I just returned from seeing "Harry Potter" with my ten year old grandson, Alex. We've read the books together and have been planning to seeing the movie ever since we heard it was coming out. The movie was very true to the book and although some parts were a little scary for younger children it was still a good way to spend an afternoon. It was a little long for me, but Alex loved it.

Wishing you enough.

-- Trevilians (aka Dianne in Mass) (Trevilians@mediaone.net), November 16, 2001.


I am not slashing the idea of seeing that movie. BUt i'm eighteen, and when i saw the preview i was actually kind of "freaked out", children movies are getting into demonic things. Now i know its "all in fun", but also in another light its desensitizing children to witches, wizards, spirits, gobblins, and other dark creatures. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie, but there is another world of things we also have to be careful of . I hope i didn't dim your candle or come across imprudent in any way.

-- jillian (sweetunes483@yahoo.com), November 16, 2001.


My child cried quite a bit from reading CS Lewis's Lion, Witch and Wardrobe series (book four in particular)because the four main characters, who are children are killed by being hit by a train. As you know this is considered a Christian Classic. This set of books is, in my humble opinion, just as fantasy-oriented as Harry Potter. Regardless if it is "teaching" christian points.

I can (sort of,kind of)understand the concern about children reading about powers other than God, but I see an inconsistency--I don't see parents who disagree with Harry Potter preventing their children from reading classic fairy tales with witches and demons and goblins and humans with powers. Im thinking here of Cinderella, The seven dwarfs, Mary Poppins. There is so much true evil in the world, I don't see why some must focus on a fantasy children's book (which is not for everyone's taste).

Recently we were sent a supposed "expose" about Harry Potter from well-meaning Christian friends. In reality it was a completely made up piece that was originally published as a spoof on a webpage. The "facts" were made up by the author with the intent of writing a humorous piece. Our well-meaning friend sent it to at least 40 friends. We received this completely false from several other people. If you receive this email--please know that it is a hoax and look up the facts before you send anything.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 16, 2001.


Jillian, I appreciate your response. We are a family of Christians ourselves. In my lifetime, however, I have known a few people who called themselves witches and pagans. These people have been some of the nicest, most caring, most trustworthy people I have ever known. Now, of course, I'm not saying all witches and pagans are wonderful, loving, trustworthy people - just the ones I've encountered so far. I've also known several people who professed to be Christian that I wouldn't leave alone in the room with my cat, much less my children. I try to choose my friends based on how they treat other people, not on their religious beliefs - and I'm trying to raise my daughters to act the same way.

I don't know if you've read the Harry Potter books, but they very much emphasize the triumph of good over evil. That, I believe, is a wonderful lesson for my girls to learn.

And, no my dear, you didn't dim my candle or come across in any impudent way. From your posts that I've read so far, I think you are a marvelous young woman! You show amazing tact, and sincere caring for others. I truly appreciate your opinion. :-)

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 16, 2001.


Well said Jillian.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony@countrylife.net), November 17, 2001.

Yes, well said, Jillian. We will not have anything to do with that stuff here. This is said nicely, just stating our position. :) Warmly, Jennifer

-- Jennifer (none@none.com), November 17, 2001.

I am a christian and I took my almost 6 year old to see the new Harry Potter movie last night also.I do not know if I went for him or me!We loved it.I think it proves the point that good over comes evil, and Love can conqure evil as well.I remember watching Mickey Mouse and Fantasia,Bed Knobs and Broom Sticks and the like.This opens a door in a childs mind to dream, to make believe, to create.My sons knows the difference between real and make believe and good and evil.What about Star Wars and the Force? I am not trying to start anything, just am trying to voice my opinion.We truely enjoyed ourselves and here in SE Kansas we give Harry Potter-two thumbs up!Way up!!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), November 17, 2001.


There is a feature article on Crosswalk.com, a Protestant evangelical site, I think, entitled "Should We Be 'Wild About Harry?'". I haven't read any of these books, but the author, taking his cue from two published books on Harry Potter, seems to keep a good balance.

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 17, 2001.

My opinion: had a recent discussion about things like this on the Christian Homesteader's Forum. Out of all the folks who make up the forum, I was the only one who did not hold to the concept of children's literature/movies being somehow evil because they employ magic in the plot, witches, etc. I have now changed my mind. Years ago when CS Lewis wrote his marvelous books and Disney studios came along to produce such movies as Cinderella, etc. the world was a different place. The majority of American children were not exposed to graphic violence, foul language, sexual inuendos, etc. Childhood was still innocent. In this day and age of "anything" being not only acceptable in the media, but promulgated, our children's innocence is rapidly disappearing. Also, there has been a resurgence of folks who openly practice witchcraft of a nature to scare the pants off a moral person. When kids are exposed to "harmless" witchcraft ideology nowadays, they are more prone to "try it out". For those of us who believe that playing around with things such as spells and such, no matter how innocent the intent on the part of a child, exposes the child to potential demonic infuence..a very real concern. The goal of these folks is to mock God and exalt satan. On the news the other day, I was shocked to hear that because of the popularity of the upcoming Harry Potter movie, three towns in England have already changed the name of their "Christmas" celebration to that of some place in the book/movie, and instead of having a creche' in the town squares, these places will now have a "witching gathering". When we fundamentalist Christians hear things such as this..replacing the day set aside for centuries as the day to celebrate the birth of Christ with a celebration of witches instead, it reinforces our concerns. In our household,if my children were still young I would not allow these books or the movie.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), November 17, 2001.

Changed my email... I'm glad that we are being careful of what children are watching and what is allowed in our sight passage. When i was really young, maybe five, i saw Beetlejuice. It would probably make me laugh now, but i had the worst nightmares then. But thats because through a process i was desenseitized to horror and the supernatural. Even while i'm older i dislike the horror and grosteque things that are on film, but thats because my parents set a higher standard for what was on the t.v, we still sometimes get to watch things that other parents might be more careful, of. ANd my friends think i live in some jail, because of my limitation. BUt i am happy and thankful, that my parents cared about what was coming in, and also what is being shown to my brothers and sisters. One thing i have noticed, is all of them almost always act out what they've been watching. My brother who is 15, pretends to do karate, becuase he watched Jackie Chan, my little sister, tap dances because she watched Shirley Temple. I always have to watch my thoughts because i watch girl movies, that encourage materialistic attitudes and promote premarital relations. I think its good when we understand what we are seeing, and not just pass it off as entertainment, because sometimes that entertainment is just a sugar snack for the brain. I just got back from a homeschooling conference, i'm pumped!

-- jillian (daffodil_skunk83@hotmail.com), November 17, 2001.

Leslie and Jillian, I haven't bought the Harry Potter books for my kids. Just prefer not to go that route. They've been translated into Portuguese. Just last night I had a young man ask me about them. I think Leslie is right: When I was a kid we went trick or treating and nobody thought anything about it. It's a different ballgame today. (Speaking of which, in my Christian college, we did a womanless beauty review for fun; not today!) And from what I gather, the HP books are really ABOUT magic; Tollkein and Lewis used magic as a prop, you might say, so the former seem to actually promote the thing.

It probably ought to go on the dumb/funny-things-we-do thread, but I won the beauty review.

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 19, 2001.


Randal, if you haven't read the books yourself, how can you form such an opinion of them? In my opinion, after having read all 4, the books aren't ABOUT magic. The books are about a young man overcoming insurmountable odds, his devotion to his friends, and his courage and bravery when faced with evil. I don't have a problem at all with people having a differing opinion on the books/movie than myself. However, it bothers me when people condemn a book that they haven't read themselves because someone else wrote something saying it was evil. We all need to think for ourselves.

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), November 19, 2001.


I can truly see both sides of the issue! While I haven't read the books or seen the movie, and my kids don't seem interested in them, I have seen reviews both pro and con.

That said I don't think that everyone has to read the books to form an opinion. Some people may prefer to take the advice of someone they trust, some people just make a life decision not to do some things, like for example, some choose to never see R-rated movies, others choose to never watch certain kinds of shows.This is OK, if you make a decision not to do something, for yourself or your young children. But some people make different decisions and that is OK too!

People don't always have rational reasons WHY they do things!!I personally don't like "drama" type shows. Anything that shows people getting hurt, hospital type shows; remember that 911 show that used to be on?? Everyone loved it and I couldn't watch it!! I just don't ever want to see anything bad happen to anyone, even if it is just on TV! But many people love them. They just go beyond my own comfort zone, and if for some reaon I see this type of show, I will have bad dreams for sure!!!!!!!!!!

Just my opinion. People are usually passionate about such things one way or the other, and often we just have to a agree to disagree.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 19, 2001.


I have been purposely refraining from giving my opinion here; just sat back and "listened in" on the conversation. I only want to ask, just to help anybody to think, Whose definition of "good" and "evil" are you all using, society's or God's? And just what does God have to say about magic, sorcery, witchcraft, etc.? Can such things be used in a "good" way? Does the end justify the means?

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 19, 2001.

Appreciate the words, Melissa. Cheryl, where did I condemn HP? I said I didn't want to get into it, since "from what I gathered," the books were about magic. Even if I read the reviews and conversations wrong, it's down a road I'd rather not take. If you knew me, you'd know that, of all people, I'm not one to make decisions based on the herd (or even anti-herd). Sorry if my remarks make you uncomfortable, but I'll stick by'em.

-- Randal (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), November 19, 2001.

There are many books, some of which were best sellers and then made into movies which I would not read or see because I already know from the publicity surrounding them, they would either not interest me or had vulgar subject matter: "Helter Skelter", "Lolita", anything by Harold Robbins,....I read reviews and the jackets of the books when they come out..if it raves about a "nice blend of sex, violence and demonic forces" I skip it. I did make it my business to read the first Harry Potter book because the reviews were so mixed, I could not decide how to advise my children/grandchildren...the fact that the "hero" uses black magic to overcome evil doers turned me off...again, had this book been written 30 years ago when you had to go searching for folks who believe in casting spells and playing with real demonic forces, I may have had a different viewpoint There are many things in life that folks needn't try out for themselves in order to judge the things "good or bad". Fundamentalist Christians follow the bible's advice on these things..it works for us. Another case in point: a few years ago my youngest son brought home a CD by "Snoop Doggie Dog". I took one look at the pornographic label on the CD cover and did not need to listen to the music at all. My son and I returned that CD. Unfortunately, in these days of "anything" is OK, parents have to be even more vigilent regarding what their kids see, read and hear.

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), November 21, 2001.

I was just wondering if anyone is interested in the opinion of a redemed witch/satanist on harry potter, or would you prefer the subject be dropped? (p.s. My children refer to hin as harry pothead)

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 01, 2001.

No, I for one do not want to read anything from someone who thinks that a witch (Wiccan) and a Satanist are interchangeable. There is no such thing as a witch/satanist, except in their own little version of self-importance. Wicca is a religion that has NOTHING (repeat the word-- NOTHING ) to do with Satan. Satan is part of the Christian/Jewish/Muslim pantheon, not Wiccan, nor any other kind of Pagan. If you want to refer to it correctly, just identify yourselves as Christian/Satanists.

-- getting really sick of this (nomail@nowhere.com), December 01, 2001.

Dear Really Sick, Man, are you deceived!

Thumper, I am interested in your point of view. My point of view is harry Potter is a sorcerer and my Bible says to have nothing to do with it. I have read many mixed reviews several from Christians who watch those kinds of movies. I would love to hear what your point of view is.

-- Just Duckie (Duck@spazmail.com), December 01, 2001.


Dear Duck -- Boy are YOU decieved!!!

This is why I don't post any more often on this forum. Because of the religious intolerance and outright prejudices fobbed off by people who haven't bothered to get their history right.

-- yaddaydaddayadda (nomail@nowhere.com), December 01, 2001.


Wow, for a minute there I thought I had accidentally clicked on another forum instead of Country Families. This forum exhibits religious intolerance????!!!!! I don't think anyone has been discouraged from explaining their beliefs in a calm, rational, educational manner.

Cheryl started this thread to simply talk about a movie she had seen and why she liked it. If you have seen the movie and want to comment whether you liked it or not and your reasons WHY or WHY NOT...that would be appropriate for the thread.

If you want to start a discussion on why you wouldn't want to see the movie, it is really another topic altogether isn't it????

If you want to start a thread to educate others about your particualr religion and what you believe, and it is done in a honest attempt to educate, that is certainly allowed on this forum. There are several that it isn't allowed on, but this is not a religiously intolerant forum. That doesn't mean we will all agree, but we can surely read with a view to understanding.

I will not however allow squabbling, and am reserving the right to delete anything that disinegrates into chaos, name-calling and general unruly behaviour!!!

If you are new here, read the post to new people on the new questions page.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), December 01, 2001.


Thank you Melissa,(and Ducky),

I make the referance of witch/satanist because I have done BOTH, Not because I think them interchageable. in my lifes scope of experience, no occultist other than a satanist will "fess-up' about what really goes on in the dark side, all other sects will VEHEMENTLY deny any assocation satanic practice, Yet wicca does promote the drawing of spirits, for many reasons, at times these spirits inhabit the bodies of the persons involved in the ceremony, (some of which are quite agressive, hence the need for the circle] many pagans will argue the differences of the vairous occult sects (there are after all many colors in the pagan rainbow) With one insisting that they are not >the other< because of the differences, I would challenge each of you to compare the similarities.

I live Every day of my life knowing that if I turn away from God/Jesus that the demons that once possessed me are waiting to settle the score, but I am not afraid, to live or to die,

So how did I get started in it all? Many of you may remember the tv show Bewitched, I wanted to be Tabitha, it was just fantasy, it wasn't real magic, I KNEW it was all done with camera tricks, it was all pretend right? The spells were fake, made up, etc, etc, right? Well the books in the library weren't fake,(and now there are more than ever, plus the internet) The seed was planted by the tv show, human nature did the rest. That tv show was nowhere near the level of exposure that the harry potter books and movie provide, constant exposure to the super natural, will develop tolerance for evil much like smoking ciggarettes, at first it is uncomfortable and scary but excitiing, after awhile it is easier to do more, go further alittle at a time, until you are hooked and the spirits have claim to you.

The harry potter books teach the reader to accept the unseen powers and that working with them is a good and "cool" thing to do. It introduces as "entertainment", murder, drinking blood, interaction with the dead, killing animals for power, conversation with animals for knowage and power, [and a host of other pagan yet non-wiccan practices] The author herself said, she was writing a book about evil on national tv (I think it was the today show)

IF these things were just fantasy that would be different, but I know from 1st hand experience that they are REAL it is not just make- belive. If you don't want to belive the Bible thats your right, I belive Jesus is the only way out of the occult and it isn't easy, far better if I had never taken that road. If you do not profess Christ as your Lord, then belive what you will, if you do profess Jesus the Christ as your Lord, and partake of these things, you are making a choice to disobey scripture, which to me means you don't really belive scripture, in any case, time will tell.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 03, 2001.


Thumper, I think it took a lot of courage for you to speak out about this part of your life.

So many, even Christian parents, see dabbling in occultism as harmless childs' play and great entertainment. Your testimony shows how dangerously seductive the world of unclean spirits really is.

Praise God that He has delivered you from the grip of the enemy so that you may educate others about this deadly sin.

Thank you

-- Just Duckie (Duck@spazmail.com), December 03, 2001.


Thumper states that it is important to compare the similarities between religions, and that a Wiccan calling upon the Goddess is just the same as a Satanist calling upon the devil. How does this differ from a Christian calling upon Jesus Christ?

I'm one of the few people who hasn't read the books or seen the movie (yet) so I can't comment specifically on their content. If you and your children do not want to see "Harry Potter" that's your right as a parent.

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), December 04, 2001.


Well I didn't say it was important to compare, I challenged, every one to do so, and I didn't say that one was "just the same" as the other, I will say that in my experienced opinion there are more smimularities than real differences,

Even in the Judaic/Christain old Testament teachings, the way things work in the spirit is the same for all, some Christains will insist that the spells of witch or other pagan are not prayers, I have done both ways with sucessful results so I know them be very much alike, and that is my real point, the spirital powers in the book and movie ARE REAL not fantasy, The principles shown to the reader or the veiwer are TRUE not made up hogwash, the book even reveals some consequences not "following the rules".

So how is 'true' Christainity different? The power in the name of Jesus, the Christ is greater than the others, all the others will acknowage a "higher" plain or level, Biblical Christainity doesn't, it alone insist it is the highest, BUT, if you don't study it and "do it right" it doesn't work as well. (That's true for just about anything isn't it.)

Wicca (and other pagan sects) do invoke spirits, some are agressive, and may hurt you, so you aren't suposed to call on them, are there are precaution to take, just to be sure, some have rule or authority over the others, and there are certain ways to deal with them,

Christains lump them all into one group, and call them demons, "the high master" the big dog of the pack, so to speak, Christains call satan, or lucfer, this one can be identified because the other (lesser) spirits, will cower to it, (untrained Christain will too.) So, how does the saying go,....a rose by any other name......

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 04, 2001.


"Wiccan calling upon the Goddess is just the same as a Satanist calling upon the devil. How does this differ from a Christian calling upon Jesus Christ?"

Well Sherri, the difference is, Jesus Christ is the Son of the One True God, creator of all things. Jesus has the power to deliver you from every unclean thing. Jesus has the power to forgive your sins and offer you everlasting life.

Jesus says in John 14:13&14---"And whatever you ask in My Name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My Name, I will do it."

So if Jesus promises that AND offers everlasting life AND offers healing and deliverence from sin and bondage, WHY SETTLE FOR CHEAP IMITATIONS???????

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@hotmail.com), December 04, 2001.


We could debate this whole religion thing until the cows come home but I have a feeling that none of us would budge an inch. This thread was started to discuss the Harry Potter movie, and since I haven't seen the movie I'm just going to stay out of here from now on. Maybe those of you who are against the movie should do the same.

Anyway, I'm waiting for "The Lord of the Rings" :)

-- Sherri C (CeltiaSkye@aol.com), December 04, 2001.


AMEN ! ! ! to that! ! ! Laura, If Jesus wasn't THE highest, I would have had to pay the price myself along time ago. and now ALL Thanks to GOD I never will.

-- Thumper (slrldr@yahoo.com), December 04, 2001.

Sherri C. I saw the previews for The Lord of the Rings the other night and it looks kind of good. We'd like to see it when it comes out. I agree about the debating of religion also. No one is going to change anyones mind so let's just agree to disagree and be done with it. The bickering gets sooooooooo old!!!! Like Sherri said, this post started out with who saw Harry Potter and what they thought of it. If you didn't see it, don't like the idea of it, etc. I really don't care. I saw it and enjoyed it and that's all there is to it.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), December 04, 2001.

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