Bible Question:
Why are stories and movies like Harry Potter bad? Are they not just make believe? What is the harm as long as no witchcraft is praticed by the person watching and there is a understanding the it is not real? Tammy |
Bible Answer: The Horror of Harry Potter Most people will agree that there opposing forces in the world. Because there is an ongoing struggle between good and evil, we are always confronted with the opportunity to choose between the two. Regardless of our decision, we inherently know the difference between right and wrong. The position or direction we take depends upon our foundation of values; our values determine the way we make choices and perceive the world. Most value formation takes place in childhood, so it imperative that the source of these values be examined. What source will we use to determine what is "good?" The Judeo-Christian model ascribes goodness to God alone. By using God’s Word as THE absolute standard, we have the ability to discern what is "good" or God - honoring. "Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees." Psalm 119:65-68. 1) The Mosaic Law strictly forbids divination (consulting mediums or spirits, casting spells, sorcery, and witchcraft). "Let no one be found among you who . . .practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, casts spells, or who is a medium or a spiritist or who consults the dead." Deuteronomy 18:9-13 2) Using the Ten Commandments alone, any of these practices violates the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3). Whenever we give authority to anything or anyone in place of God, it is idolatry. 3) "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God . . ." (Exodus 20: 4-5). * * * God’s decree is: "Seek good and not evil." (Amos 5:14) In our quest for "good" we must be careful. For example, the Harry Potter books use occult resources to overcome the "evil" circumstances confronting the main character. Although one cannot ascribe "goodness" to the abuses Harry experiences – for they are indeed evil - Harry’s response (the use of sorcery) is not "good" either! Our society has become complacent; our moral code has relaxed. We no longer evaluate right and wrong as absolutes; today we are more apt to use situational ethics ("the ends justify the means"). When we are confronted with decision-making situations, our choices are no longer “black and white” but rather, shades of gray! God warns us not to abandon HIS standard of what is good or right. The means (sorcery, casting spells, etc) that Harry uses in these stories is in conflict with God's standard. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness . . ." (Isaiah 5:20) What are we teaching children through these stories? God’s word tells us that there is indeed a spirit being who embodies evil; he has many names: the devil, Satan, Lucifer, the father of lies, etc. “How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn!" Isaiah 14:12 Just as the Serpent was subtle in his deception with Eve in the garden, our enemy, the devil masquerades as an "angel of light" today, misleading many in their search for what is good! A friend of mine gave me a wonderful illustration of how the devil works to deceive us: Suppose you wanted to destroy a building but it is full of people. Certainly you couldn’t come with a wrecking ball that would be too obvious! Since time is of no consequence to the devil's plans, he can undermine the foundation of the building by removing bricks one by one. Using this strategy, the people living in the building will go about their lives oblivious to the absence of a brick or two. Over time, they will not even notice the presence of the "destroyer" as he systematically chips away at the structure’s foundation. But in the end, the objective will be achieved just as if a wrecking ball was used - the building will collapse! Part II to follow |