Harry Potter vs. The Fairy God-Mother

You made sense to me Tiffiany and I totally agree!!! I always hate saying that I am opposed to something for fear it will sound like I think I am holier than those who do not oppose.

Priaire...I love your last post! I agree that being holy is not merely the avoidance of evil. I think too much focus is placed on that and not enough of being holy.

 

Tiffany, I have to agree, I sit and say oh my stars is this world ever different. Thank God. but, the homeschool spot it still the best place to come..
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Yes, Ava Rose, I always hope that people know I'm opposing the thing or issue and not them!

Shelley, I'm sure of it!

Yes, to me, too, Tiffany. And thanks so much for your prayers!

 

Shelley, my husband puts the tree up, not me. If it were me there'd be 3 gifts per- that's what Jesus got, and a focus on what the day means. But my husband puts up all sorts of decorations and the tree every year. A Christmas tree, to me, is the least 'harmless' of all the 'symbols'.

 

This is just the question that popped into my head. I promise I'm not being argumentative or trying to be cocky (I have NO reason or right to be, for sure. I own the HP movies, remember?). I'm just telling you what came to mind....

Can any aspect of pagan worship be harmless?

 

Amie I don't think you are being argumentative I think you are asking wonderful question and want some answer there is nothing wrong with it... we live in a free world Thank God, and how are we suppose to learn if we don't ask question...

 

Excellent question, Amie!

I have heard the position that anything God created can be given back to Him. So, a Christmas tree does not have to used as a pagan symbol. You can make yours honor God.

I have also heard the position that any symbols that are pagan are not harmless and should be avoided. That even though God created the tree...it has been tainted. You can use it to honor God but if you dress it up like a pagan you aren't really giving back to God.

Remember when God was leading the Israelites through the wilderness he instructed them to not partake in any of the land's traditions of which they inhabited. There was no wiggle room. They were not to "do as the Romans do when in Rome." lol. We are also to maintain our citizinship to Heaven while living on this earth. The Israelites were punished each time for their disobedience. Never was it specified that had they celebrated the pagan holidays or partook in pagan traditions slightly different would punishment not have ensued. Is that because God is mean? No. It is because the Israelites were weak. Once they accepted one aspect of the new culture they would surely fall and stray away from the Lord. This is seen many times. In fact, it is basically a theme. lol. From the golden calf all the way to King Saul we see how coming off the narrow path only led to destruction.

So, from that make your own decision. I struggle every year with the Christmas tree. lol. My preacher holds the position that you can give this back to God and we can use this time to worship the Lord. Is that because he is right or because he is weak and entrenched in a tradition outside of the bible? You decide...I am still on the fence. lol.

 

Something crossed my mind, yesterday while cleaning house.....

(A commercial came on the TV for some new Horror flick)

(I Groan)

In my head I rant on:
"How can ANYONE not be criminally convicted of aiding and abetting murderers and Not criminally convicted of encouraging such acts when they watch these movies? WHY would anyone want to watch someone be tortured? I mean, the movie "SAW" was just pure torture Porn! If I was to hire someone and they said they liked this stuff, I would be afraid to be alone with them! I just don't get it!"

Then it occurred to me that I was mimicking similar themes mentioned here, although covering a different specific genre......

So, my point to this post is that I now understand the conviction. Although I think it is over-thinking (Because we still use Pagan God names to name the days, but we won't watch a movie with a wand....) I now understand the passion.

So, although I don't "Get it", I get it....
Get it?

(Yes, this happened, and it made me laugh at myself, therefore I had to be cute about it. )

 

Jen, you make me laugh! LOL. I do like your example but I agree it is over-thinking. I don't think that watching a movie will cause you to commit an act necessarily. However, I do agree with the garbage in garbage out way of thinking. I also think that we become jaded or immue to certain things with enough exposure. The bible tells us that we are to agree with God about sin. To agree with Him is to be just as offended by the sin as He is. If you are immune or heart is hardened it is hard to agree with the severity of sin. Also...it may hinder your walk with Christ.

I have known people who believe there is no God because they cannot believe there is a devil. They have seen so many movies and heard so much junk that it all seems like bunk to them. It becomes hard to discipher what is real evil and what is made up. So, they simply deny all "supernatural" things. That logically includes God.

Also, if one becomes immune or sees some things opposed to God as innocent or not a big deal than you are straying from the narrow path. The bible says many times that we are to stay on the straight and narrow. We are warned not to stray to the left or the right. You will begin to accept false realities or false doctrine if you begin to step too far away from God.

Now will a simple movie do that? Maybe not. However, a combination of what we are exposed to coupled with a lax spirit can lead to that.

Please don't misunderstand and think that I analyze everything in my path. I am not that energetic or that smart. LOL. I simply choose what I believe is right. It is a simple decision and quite automatic. Some things just don't sit well with me. I obey that feeling because it is the Holy Spirit directing me. I also don't put a lot of importance in media. Therefore objecting to something is not that difficult. I see no reason to spend time in front of the tv to begin with. lol.

Another point...look at what Hollywood produces. Not just the films and tv shows but what kind of people. Britney Spears was raised Baptist. Remember when she talked about her beliefs and that she was a virgin and got along with her mom. Brad Pitt was also raised Baptist (gee maybe it is a baptist thing..lol..don't be offended anyone I am a baptist just a little joke on myself) and he is not going around praising the Lord. There may be some good christians in entertainment..I cannot dispute that. However, I look at actors and actresses, singers, and bands don't see a group of people honoring the Lord. In fact, I see more opposition than anything else. If that is what Hollywood produces I think we need to tread lightly.

 

Totally off topic here, but I live in Brad Pitt's hometown and their family has attended an Assemblies of God church since he was little (so see, it's not a Baptist thing ). I could tell you which church, where his brother works, and who is mom's Realtor is if you'd like...lol. I've met his mom a couple of times when I briefly attended that church.

As a Christian actress, I can tell you that your point is a valid one, Ava Rose. Even in the small time productions I've been involved in, I've had to put on my full armor every morning. When I was attending a theatre program at a Christian University, this is something that was discussed at length: how to guard ourselves against the ungodly pitfalls while pursing our careers. Matter of fact, We each had to write a 12 page paper on how we planned on doing it.

 

Oh..I was confused. I thought my preacher went to the same church as Brad Pitt's parents, so I assumed he was Baptist. That isn't the case...my preacher and his wife belonged to the same country club as Brad Pitt's parents. I guess my preacher said that Brad Pitt was active in church when he was young.

 

You are sooo right on!

What is funny to me, is that as I get older, I notice it more and more that I am "Offended" (Not the right word, but not very verbally dexterous, today) over things I would have never noticed before. Such as the horror flicks.

I was never into Friday the 13th movies for example..... I thought they were dumb. But it never occurred to me, un til later in life, that people who do like this kind of thing are somehow "messed up" not simply for watching it but for LIKING it. (Ducks the tomatoes and continues...)

If years ago, I would have read that phrase "Garbage in Garbage out" I would have laughed and said, that's dumb! I have a brain! Just because I watch this stuff doesn't define me!"

But doesn't it?
Aren't we what we eat (Take in)?

We HAVE to indulge in some form of candy (Things that may not directly praise God, but that does not exactly constitute going against God) candy that is NOT poison (To the soul) of course...

Therefore, watching a movie that does NOT praise God is not necessarily a sin? It does not necessarily break God's heart? But that which is in direct opposition with God IS a sin and IS something that breaks his heart?

I am actually asking, because it makes sense to me, but I do not know if this theory has biblical basis.




And YES! I love a good debate, such as this with out the drama of most threads! You ladies ROCK for answering questions and taking the high roads with your answers! You are a testimony in your tone, if not your words! Thanks! :love:

 

Stands and applauds your wisdom!
:lol:

 

Jennifererix I used to love horror flicks! They were my fav types of movies. The older I get the more I too am offended (still not the right word but ya know) by the content. I have no desire to watch gross vulgarity anymore. Okay I must admit that I still kinda like those really bad B movies from the 70s and 80s but only on occassion and only because they make me laugh now - like the 1st Friday the 13th!!! And I never said I wasn't "messed up"!

 

I introduce Hannukah because many of my ancestors were Jewish, and also because Jesus celebrated it.

 

I used to like horror and scary movies. There are many things I used to like that as I grow I am more "offended".

Jennifererix...I think there are things that are neutral. After all, the Cosby Show didn't glorify God nor did it defame the Bible..ya know? Not sure if that is the best example..but trying to come up with something.

 

God isn't going to tell us every move to make. He just gives us guidelines and works with each one of us where we are at, and expects us to use the brain he gave us to make daily decisions!

I made comments on the other thread, so haven't joined in here. But I feel I have to tell you, Prairie and Ava Rose, that I'm in the same boat with you! Things you guys said could have been written by me (except not as well as ya'll did! ) So thanks for your comments!

 

I haven't posted int his thread as of now, but wanted to throw my 2 cents in...

I agree with this thought, Ava (and Jen). In so many things (if not all), I believe it is more about the state of our hearts and our willingness to obey. And like Deena said, depending on "where you are at" spiritually, affects what is right for some and not for others.

I am so thankful my kids never were interested in Harry Potter. When the books came out, I am not sure what stance I would have taken, and now, I know I wouldn't wan them to get into it, but they aren't interested anyway, so that helps!!

As so many have said....this has been a great thread to read and hear the opinions of so many. This is the way to have a healthy "debate" (if you can call it that). The bible says "iron sharpens iron" and this to me is what you all are doing!

 

I have seen people who truly rely on the Lord for their daily existence, truly surrendered souls, and I cannot even describe their inner beauty and their purity. They attract me like a moth to fire. I am attracted to the Light that shines from them, yet when I get closer to them, I can more clearly see the stains on my own soul.

 

Here are a couple of texts that I have based my decisions in this matter on:

Galations 5:19-25--"The acts of the SINFUL NATURE are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature it's passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit."

1 Corinthians 6:19&20--"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Jesus went and cleared the temple by driving the money-changers and others, saying they had made it "a den of robbers". They were not using the temple for it's intended purpose of being a house of prayer and worship and rest.

Somehow I just can't see Jesus coming into His temple and sitting down and watching HP movies! It just doesn't go with the things He did in His life, and the way He acted when people were defiling the earthly temple! To God, we are abundantly more important than an earthly temple!

Lately I have been trying to make my choices based on the fruit of the Spirit, and on Philippians 4:8, where Paul lays it out this way--"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

When I add all those things together, I, personally cannot include things like HP or chainsaw massacres, or most novels, or other things of that type. Because, in my eyes, it doesn't add up with the verses I just quoted!

I'm just saying this is how I came to my conclusions. I am with the rest of you in being a flawed woman!!! I praise God that He is so patient with us and leads us where we need to be, even when we are kicking and screaming! :lol: