HarryPotterText01

OR does anyone really care?

More than 8 million Harry Potter books have been sold in the United States alone, and Rowling's work has been translated into nearly 30 languages. The movie rights to the series have already been bought by Warner Brothers. Rowling has said she plans to write a total of seven Harry Potter books, with the character a year older in each one.

The story of Harry Potter, who learns of his magic abilities at age 11 and then attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was an instant critical and commercial success. It became a number-one bestseller in both the children's and adult markets. The book won the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year honor and the prestigious Smarties prize for the best children's book published in the United Kingdom for the 9 to 11 age bracket.

The books have created a backlash from some conservative groups, such as the Virginia-based Family Friendly Libraries, which argue that the books glorify black magic and witchcraft and are inappropriate for children. In a number of publicized cases around the United States, parents asked that the books be removed from school libraries or that their children be excused from the classroom when a Harry Potter book was read or discussed. Rowling and her supporters have responded by arguing that much of classic children's literature has to do with magic and wizards. Examples include traditional fairy tales and famous books such as American writer L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).

The Harry Potter series has many privately maintained, unauthorized fan sites on the Web, such as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy pages.

Is Harry Potter Evil ?

Evil defined here as, [Secular definition] "1. The quality of being morally bad or wrong; wickedness. 2. That which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction: a leader's power to do both good and evil. 3. An evil force, power, or personification. 4. Something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction: the social evils of poverty and injustice. [Amer.HeritageDic]

EVIL - [Scriptural definition] "That which is opposed to God and His purposes or that which, defined from human perspectives, is harmful and non-productive" Evil here addresses the Nature of Evil, Moral Evil and the Evil of Disobedience from God's commandments and His nature., and the existence of Evil forces that are directed and focused on the destruction of mankind [See John 10:10]. In this context it is imperative to also consider elements such as DIVINATION AND MAGIC - "An attempt to contact supernatural powers other than from the Triune Godhead to determine answers to questions hidden to humans and usually involving the future ". This can involve 'channeling', 'spirit guides', 'crystal powers', and various other forms of witchcraft and Magic, black or white. False prophecy given through familiar spirits and clairvoyant impartations are included here.

"You shall not practice augury or witchcraft" (Lev. 19:26 RSV). "Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out to be defiled by them" (Lev. 19:3 RSV). "If a person turns to mediums and wizards playing the harlot after them, I will set my face against that person and cut him off from among his people" (Lev. 20:6 RSV). "A man or a woman who is a medium or a wizard shall be put to death; they shall be stoned with stones, their blood shall be upon them" (Lev. 20:27 RSV). "When you come into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, any one who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord; and because of these abominable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations, which you are about to dispossess, give heed to soothsayers and to diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you so to do" (Deuteronomy 18:9-14). "You shall no more see delusive visions nor practice divination" (Ezek. 13:23). [Holman Biblical Dic.]

WHAT THEN ARE THE DECEPTION(S) IMBEDDED IN THE HARRY POTTER series of stories? Several developing explanations of the 'evil' underlying the Potter series are beginning to emerge from various Rightwing and Fundamental corners of Christendom, yet most are too underdeveloped and unspecific in interpretation to quote here. So the first deception then is constructing a story line, characters, episodes and 'relativism' which not only accept, but trumpet occult practices, wizardry, sorcery, magical-spells, spirit guides, blatant witchcraft paraphernalia and trusting in various sorts of idols and icons representing the 'dark side' of existence and the supernatural. The argument cited above [encarta learning zone] which touts The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has been a well accepted fantasy episode for over one-hundred years, falls egregiously short in justification! The difference is that evil was Evil in Oz, Dorothy was Good in Oz and the two never exchanged places nor did evil supplant or substitute for Good ... 'Good' was pitted against Evil and Good triumphed in the end! In the Potter series, evil practices and beliefs become that which is sought after, are no longer evil but now are 'good' to know and have!! The scripture here that overshadows this entire Potter counterfeit 'philosophy/pop-religion' and 'sorcerers conflagration' is found in Isa. 5:20-21, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!" Scripture further admonishes that:

The term 'pop-religion' is about as close to an operational definition of the Potter series as you can get, with the understanding that the 'Religion" here is sorcery, witchcraft, wizardry, and occultic practices. Yes, Disney, Inc., et al, have been foisting dark-sided fairytales upon the children and youth for years and even up to today with the Lion King, Prince, Pocahontas, etc. Disney continues to exploit the 'Magical Arts' and the sorcery make-believe over the reality of life and the circumstances people face in the real world. Harry Potter is becoming a 'Religious experience' for many many youth and preschool children. I saw a 7 year old girl in the mall yesterday wearing a 'Merlin-type' cape, pointy hat and she had a Harry Potter scar on her forehead. She was scampering about issusing hexes on whoever passed by with her little yellow wand. I asked her what was that on her forehead and she quickly said, "Oh that is Harry's mark!" Don't be surprised if Harry comes up with a scar on his right hand, in the next book, that becomes the second mark!

The second deception offered up by the media, many parents, all book stores and internet book sites, and sadly some church house-organs is that, ... "Harry Potter books are getting our children to read"!! Getting our children to READ WHAT, BELIEVE WHAT and become SUBJECT TO WHAT? This is the same reasoning one could use to say, "well promiscuous sex is one way to teach youth about propagation and natural reproduction". "WOE to them that call evil good, and good evil; put darkness for light, and light for darkness ...". (Isa. 5:20-21)

The third deception is that God is not really observing this phenomenon, He will not hold parents, teachers, preachers, merchants or secular purveyors of evil accountable for promoting the infusion of a 'demonic-nature' in these stories when measured against all of the other heinous and epidemically wicked forces loose in the world today. This 'demonic-nature' osmotically sneaks into the thinking of children and youth, or is openly invited in through the active pursuit of the Potter 'pop-religious' spirit! Thusly, those promoting these books believe they will not be answerable for the weakening of the eye (reading) and ear (hearing) gate (spiritual openings) allowing spiritual forces to enter into the thinking and souls of children and youth captured by Potter myths. Carefully read and reflect on 2 Tim. 4:3-4 "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (4) They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." Churches holding Harry Potter reading parties, skits, story-line sketches and costume parties are as subject to God's judgment and wrath as is the individual. 1 Pet. 4:17-18 clearly sets out where judgment must begin for the works or unrighteousness, "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (18) And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

Bottom-line, if parents, churches, teachers are not going to be the gate keepers on what enters into the children and youth, then who is? Government/courts have taken prayer out of the school house and the ten commandments off the courthouse walls, the commercial entertainment industry is pumping all of the X-rated copy it can produce into the mainstream of our culture and with few exceptions the Church continues to recline behind its hollowed and whitewashed walls. This is not an indictment of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, rather a clarion trumpet call against the Laodicean spirit (Rev. 3:14-22) welcomed into the Church in America. The Potter phenomenon is another example of the slippery slope of complacency and disinterested moral/ethical/spiritual "watchmen on the wall" who are failing to signal the presence and invasion of enemy forces. The enemy is not coming, he is already here plundering the children and youth of America through, drugs, promiscuity, relativism, and the acceptance of evil practices now becoming allowable, if not desirable. Take the time, interest and concern to learn about the New Age movement, counterfeit religious entities, eastern mysticism and well packaged secular pop-religious chicanery such as the Harry Potter series of publications. If not, judgement will be the same as those falling under Isa. 5:20-21 - "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Amen Ministries of Austin (http://www.aamen.org) has a section on its web page which speaks to the doctrines of other religious movements and presents a study-outline of terms and concepts used by each of the doctrines presented. A brief sample of the New Age nomenclature is presented below. Become familiar with these 'concept words' for they are endemically implied in the Potter series and many children now are believing and speaking things of which they have little or no understanding, i.e., as to their origin, nature or 'spiritual' deceptions of these New Age-type belief systems.

In conclusion, this literary saga of 'evil' being cast as 'good' is clearly prophesied in scripture for the end-times and is a furtherance in the turnover of moral centeredness, corruption in value and ethical absolutes, and an increased assault on the gospel of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. The tragedy is that children and youth have become the target of this end-time campaign by the forces of darkness to rule through deception, corruption and sorcery. Throughout the world the young are under attack be it in the form of AIDS in Africa, drugs in the Western world or great oppression and abuse in undeveloped countries. Scripture tells us that the magical arts and supernatural wonders will begin to increase and be forthcoming from demon spirits as the time of Christ's appearing draws near ... that even the elect can and may be deceived if not covered by the blood of Christ and held in the hollow of His hand. The good news is found in Rom. 5:20 "... But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound". God finished the end before He began the beginning and for those that will completely trust in His promises and Word (2 Cor. 1:20), remain obedient to His commandments, work out their salvation (Phil. 2:12) and submit to the Holy Spirit's transforming work in their lives (2 Cor. 3:18) - "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (PSA. 91:10)

"The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."(2 Cor. 4:4) Guard well the minds of your children and youth, for the wrath held for those that lead the young ones astray is truly a fearsome end; "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."(Matt. 18:6) The Greek concept word here of "offend" implies ... "to cause to stumble. i.e., leads into sin. offenses (v. 7) are occasions for stumbling or temptations".(Ryrie) The Works of Harry Potter surely could cause a young one to stumble and consider temptation(s) offered through sorcery, witchcraft and a reliance upon your own acquired powers !!

For those that have read this far and find the observations here objectionable or patently ridiculous, we submit that there is a spiritual dynamic at work to capture the upcoming generation and subject it to the greatest false doctrine of all, that of the anti-Christ. If the forces of darkness are successful in capturing the mind of a child, his heart, soul and body will surely follow along willingly.[JDH - OMI]

WHAT IS THE NATURE

OF HARRY POTTER ??

'Harry Potter' among disputed books

By Hillel Italie
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The Harry Potter series made the list. So did "The Catcher in the Rye" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." The most popular children's books? No. These are the ones adults most wanted removed from library shelves in the 1990s.

"This just proves no book is safe from censorship attempts," said Judith Krug, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The top 100 titles were compiled and released in advance of the 20th annual Banned Books Week, which runs Sept. 23-30.

The most disputed books were the popular "Scary Stories" titles, horror tales by the late Alvin Schwartz. Objections included violence, cannibalism and causing children to fear the dark.

The Harry Potter series, which Christian groups have attacked because of its themes of witchcraft and wizardry, comes in at No. 48. It was removed this year from a public school in Bridgeport Township, Mich.

According to the library association, more than 5,000 complaints were recorded at schools and public libraries in the 1990s. Krug said that represents about 20 percent to 25 percent of all challenges, although she noted that the annual number has declined slightly in recent years.

The Austin Public Library has received about 19 requests to remove books in the past decade, said Barry Miller, who heads the library's reconsideration committee. The committee was formed about seven years ago to review books that patrons find offensive.

The titles include "Mommy Laid an Egg," a book about where babies come from, and " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sex on the Net," which lists sexually oriented Internet sites. No titles were removed, Miller said.

The Round Rock Public Library has received a handful of requests to remove books -- most dealing with witchcraft, said library director Dale Ricklefs. Most of the requests were made by the same patron, she said.

Among the titles targeted: "The Book of Sorcerers and Spells," "The American Atheist," and "The Color Purple."

"There are some people who don't grow up in harsh environments and have a hard time reading about it," Ricklefs said.

American-Statesman staff writer Tracie Powell contributed to this report.

To ban or not to ban: 10 most targeted books

The Associated Press

Books most frequently challenged in schools and public libraries during the 1990s:

1. ``Scary Story'' series; author: Alvin Schwartz; objections: violence, occultism, cannibalism.

2. ``Daddy's Roommate;'' author: Michael Willhoite; objection: ``promotes a dangerous and ungodly lifestyle.''

3. ``I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings;'' author: Maya Angelou; objection: ``portrays white people as being horrible, nasty, stupid people.''

4. ``The Chocolate War;'' author: Robert Cormier; objections: ``contains profanity, sexual situations and themes that allegedly encourage disrespectful behavior.''

5. ``The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn;'' author: Mark Twain; objection: ``offensive and racist language.''

6. ``Of Mice and Men;'' author: John Steinbeck; objections: ``blasphemous,'' ``offensive and racist language.''

7. ``Forever;'' author: Judy Blume; objections: a sexual ``how-to-do book for junior high students. It glamorizes (sex) and puts ideas in their heads.''

8. ``Bridge to Terabithia;'' author: Katherine Paterson; objections: ``profanity, disrespectful of adults, and an elaborate fantasy world (that) might lead to confusion.''

9. ``Heather Has Two Mommies;'' author: Lesl�a Newman; objections: a ``skillful presentation to the young child about lesbianism/homosexuality.''

10. ``The Catcher in the Rye;'' author: J.D. Salinger; objections: profanity, sexual references, centered on negative activity.

American Library Association

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Sept. 14, 2000

www.aamen.org www.oxbows.com
Amen Ministries of Austin��///� Oxbows Ministries International�
P.O. Box 27683 - Austin, Texas� 78755

This article was published in VANGUARD Christian Magazine
on 10/26/2000

This is Not child's play!!

     ATLANTA - Things go better with Harry? Coca-Cola Corp. The Coca-Cola Co. announced today that it will be the sole
     global marketing partner with Warner Bros. for the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" movie and sub-
     sequent video. Coke's investment in the multiyear deal, which includes a second film and marketing push behind Coke
     Classic and Minute Maid juices and juice drinks, is believed to be about $150 million. [from Austin American Statesman]

     Commericial marketing of pop-icons like Harry Potter is one of the most subliminal seductions of the young mind we can
     witness in our present-day media driven culture.   The Church has its work cut out to keep impressionable youth from
     allowing the diabolical and demonic 'imagery', embedded throughout the entire Potter series, from becoming fantasy strong-
     holds in the imagination and thoughts of our young sons and daughters. Potter is truly the quintessential 'evil' spoken of
     in II Tim. 4:3-4 -- read this scripture, memorize it so as to be able to offer a scriptural anchor for debunking the Harry
     Potter series and all of the paraphernalia associated with this invasion of 21st Century sorcery. And Potter is Sorcery!!

                            Everybody wants in on the act !!             Witchcraft influences in the higher realms?
      PRINCELY praise for Harry Potter (London) - Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling received the title Officer of the Order
      of the British Empire, OBE, Friday from Prince Charles -- himself a fan of the schoolboy wizard. The prince asked
      whether the movie version of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Strone," currently being filmed in Britain, would live up to
      the book. "He said he can't wait, and he wanted to know whether it was true to how I saw the story in my mind,"
      Rowling said after the investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. "I said that it was."

    Two New Commentaries
     John Hagee Ministries - Commentary on Harry Potter series
     Koinonia House - Commentary on the Harry Potter Series
    Police Boycott "Harry Potter" - do to Witchcraft at YMCA

See
Psalms
141:3

June 18, 2003 edition

News Brief

'Midnight Prayer' urged for Harry Potter release

A Jacksonville, Fla., minister who teaches Christians about deliverance from demons is urging believers to pray tonight against what she believes will be the release of evil spirits at midnight -- the time the latest Harry Potter book comes out.

Kimberly Daniels, who pastors 300-member Spoken Word Ministries with her husband, Danny, says spiritual warfare is needed at midnight, which is also the start of the summer solstice. The date is marked with celebrations by Wiccans, Pagan groups and spiritualists worldwide.

"During four times of the year, marking the changing of the season, witches get together to conjure up spirits into the world," Daniels, 41, told Charisma News Service. "And with the release of the fifth Harry Potter book, curses will be released, especially against children. That's why we need to pray at midnight."

The midnight release of J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the biggest event in world publishing since the coming of the last Potter book in 2000, the Associated Press reported.

Rowling's four other Potter titles have already sold an estimated 192 million copies worldwide and been published in 55 languages. Scholastic, the book's publisher, has ordered an initial print run of 8.5 million copies, which is believed to be the largest printing for a single title. Christian groups have criticized the series for teaching kids about witchcraft.

Daniels, who sometimes ministers in Jacksonville riding a 30-foot Winnebago dubbed "The Demon Buster," says her church prayed during the release of the first Potter book. "When we did this, Jacksonville was the only city in the country that forbid the Harry Potter books in public libraries," says Daniels, citing "USA Today" for the statistic.

"What would happen if everybody would pray," she adds. "... As witches are commanding spirits into the earth's realm, we Christians need to set up the force field of God in binding those spirits from being released."