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Antonio A
Maryhead
825 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 17 2008 : 12:11:39 AM
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Hi Barbaqued,
"Gray areas exist in the minds of people living in the natural world. Lies are not gray."
Is a glass half empty or half full? It would seem to me that is a "gray" area. Is rape wrong or right? It is definitely wrong, a grave sin, and a crime, no gray area there.
The original post by Jeff Mirus "Has the Pope Condemned Harry Potter? by Dr. Jeff Mirus" did not condemn Harry Potter and neither did I, nor has the Pope or the Church ever condemned it.
"We should rely on the Spirit within us for discernment, not just on what the Pope says is a sin. GIGO"
You did not reply directly to my question. Are you implying that millions of Christians are sinning by watching or reading the Harry Potter series. If indeed the Holy Spirit is suppose to help us discerned whether we should watch Harry Potter or not, apparently many of us have failed miserably to follow the Spirit's advice, and as an adult and a a theology teacher somehow I'm failing to discern any evil in a simple movie meant to entertain. That does not mean that I should infer than anyone who sees the movies or read the books are somehow being influenced by the Evil one or by evil spirits.
"Satan works to temp even the most Holy person, probably more.
He doesn’t need to temp non-combatants they are already out of the battle."
Absolutely correct, but we have also been given a reason with the power to discern what is proper and right for us and what is dangerous for our spiritual health, in addition to God's grace and the promptings of the Spirit.
"Everyone needs to choose. The Holy Spirit will guide you if you listen."
So the millions of people who have watched or read the Harry Potter movies have failed miserably to be guided by the Holy Spirit?
Let's see Barbaqued, we have more than 40 million unborn children dead, violence all over the world, poverty gallore, rape incest, slavery in many countries, slavery to sin, drugs, sex, pornography, and all manner of evils we need to combat as Christians but you worry about Harry Potter? I honestly don't get it. 
Antonio A. Obregón |
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Tee
Mary's Servant
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2008 : 9:02:32 PM
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Having practised witchcraft as a kid in the 80's and off and on before my conversion I can honestly say Harry Potter is not indoctrination. One doesn't go into witchcraft because a cute kid with a scar on his forehead is waving around a wand. I have read all the books, and watched all the movies as have my kids. Witchcraft is attractive to those that feel powerless. THAT goes back to parents and upbringing. I wanted to feel in control of my life, my husbands recent stint with wicca was also due to the feeling of powerlessness. (He has come home thank God.) There are FAR darker things just as easy if not easier to access than Harry Potter. Anyone that owns a computer knows that. My kids know Jesus and they love him (even if they hate sitting still during Mass). They know of Christ's sacrifice, they know prayers, and while my oldest is away from the church this is due more to the fact that his biological father left him at 6 months because I was a very sinful teenager that got pregnant. And the recent upheaveal he went through. He witnessed a violent assault on a bigoted bully and was harassed by police, the perpertartor as well as the victem. Harry Potter is the least of my worries when some punk kid that got beat up for beating up a smaller kid tries to run him over and sends him death threats. There are far, far worse things than Harry Potter, if you don't believe me try living in a trailer park, where drugs are common place, and keep your kids catholic on top of that. I am very proud of them for their consistant A B averages in school, and even if they aren't the best behaved kids during mass, they at least KNOW Jesus, and feel free to call on him. I honestly believe it was the prayer of my children that helped bring my husband back to the church. My oldest still loves God, but he is now living with my mother and no longer in my home. He is 15 and at the age where mom is retarded anyway. My mother isn't any religion, she gave up on God after years of abuse from my father. THAT alone concerns me more than a silly movie. I personally like Harry Potter, my kids enjoy him too. It actually got them intreasted in Narnia, NOT witchcraft.
God Bless,
~Tee
"they must seek to fulfill their daily duties, that is as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes..." ~ 3rd basic tenet of Apostolate of Holy Motherhood |
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Antonio A
Maryhead
825 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 12:48:32 AM
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Hi Tee,
"Having practised witchcraft as a kid in the 80's and off and on before my conversion I can honestly say Harry Potter is not indoctrination. One doesn't go into witchcraft because a cute kid with a scar on his forehead is waving around a wand. I have read all the books, and watched all the movies as have my kids. Witchcraft is attractive to those that feel powerless. THAT goes back to parents and upbringing. I wanted to feel in control of my life, my husbands recent stint with wicca was also due to the feeling of powerlessness. (He has come home thank God.) There are FAR darker things just as easy if not easier to access than Harry Potter. Anyone that owns a computer knows that. My kids know Jesus and they love him (even if they hate sitting still during Mass). They know of Christ's sacrifice, they know prayers, and while my oldest is away from the church this is due more to the fact that his biological father left him at 6 months because I was a very sinful teenager that got pregnant. And the recent upheaveal he went through. He witnessed a violent assault on a bigoted bully and was harassed by police, the perpertartor as well as the victem. Harry Potter is the least of my worries when some punk kid that got beat up for beating up a smaller kid tries to run him over and sends him death threats. There are far, far worse things than Harry Potter, if you don't believe me try living in a trailer park, where drugs are common place, and keep your kids catholic on top of that. I am very proud of them for their consistant A B averages in school, and even if they aren't the best behaved kids during mass, they at least KNOW Jesus, and feel free to call on him. I honestly believe it was the prayer of my children that helped bring my husband back to the church. My oldest still loves God, but he is now living with my mother and no longer in my home. He is 15 and at the age where mom is retarded anyway. My mother isn't any religion, she gave up on God after years of abuse from my father. THAT alone concerns me more than a silly movie. I personally like Harry Potter, my kids enjoy him too. It actually got them intreasted in Narnia, NOT witchcraft."
If you have been reading what I wrote, you know I agree with you. I see so many problems in this world, so many temptations to do the wrong thing, so much ignorance of the faith, so much secularism, so much prejudice toward religion, so much crime, drug addiction, and all sorts of evils, that I find Harry Potter mild by comparison and just simple entertainment. May God help me if I am dead wrong!
Antonio A. Obregón |
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Tee
Mary's Servant
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 10:10:51 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Antonio A
If you have been reading what I wrote, you know I agree with you. I see so many problems in this world, so many temptations to do the wrong thing, so much ignorance of the faith, so much secularism, so much prejudice toward religion, so much crime, drug addiction, and all sorts of evils, that I find Harry Potter mild by comparison and just simple entertainment. May God help me if I am dead wrong!
Antonio A. Obregón
Hi Antonio, here we agree totally. With my kids in public schools there are far worse things and living in a trailor park I see so much more to worry about. Yeah, Satan is sneaky, but around here he is blatently obviouse. We have pot heads, crack from time to time (it usually doesn't stay long thankfully), abuse, neglect, and then we all have the frustrations of the public schools as none of us can afford private or home schooling. So many here are also on food stamps and other gov't assist programs. We are fortunate in that we own our trailer and dh makes enough to keep us fed and warm even if it is touch and go at times. Our biggest problem (apart from raising kids in this) is how much we miss him while he's over the road and taxes.
God Bless,
~Tee
"they must seek to fulfill their daily duties, that is as mothers and wives in an exemplary manner of holiness by pursuing the contemplative life in their homes..." ~ 3rd basic tenet of Apostolate of Holy Motherhood |
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Pro-life Sarah
Moderator
653 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2008 : 08:20:57 AM
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Very interesting discussion. I read each and every entry. You all have good points. Perhaps the biggest qualifiers for the book are age & spiritual maturity? And vlunerability? It seems that if someone is strong in their faith and in themselves, the book would be fine to read. But if there is a lack of spiritual materity or there is a great vulnerabilty from insecurity (which I see a lot with the teens I teach), better stay away from it. It isn't much of an issue with me because I really don't care for fantasy....but it will be something to consider later on when the girls get old enough to read on their own. Having taught teens at the 8th grade level, I see daily their vulnerability is high because of their insecurity and search for self and belongingness.... but these are also teens in a public school whose parents may or may not guide them in faith.
Take Care and God Bless,
Sarah
Please say one Hail Mary a day for the intentions all forum members |
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