Potter vs Narnia again
In response to a comment from earlier today and to some reading I've been doing over the interenet, I still have trouble seeing why many Christians shun the "Harry Potter" series, while hailing the "Narnia" and "Lord of the Rings" tales. All have stories of good vs. evil, with the evil side being negatively portrayed, and all are filled with magic. The "Narnia" and "Rings" stories can be loosely paralled to the biblical story of Christ, but there is no outright Christian message in the stories, so why are those any better? Not sure how one story could spur anyone on to practicing the occult any more than the others.
Again, I welcome any comments and am open to debate.
2 comments:
You are going through what every mom goes through...what I go through, even able to help. We all feel pressured and pulled this time of year...just "rest in it", for what that is worth, and be thankful God gave you friends who love to take care of your kids and return favors given to them at that stage...namely, me. I love helping you...even in the stressful days when I feel very mean trying to keep some of the kids in line! All 13 of them "angels"?!
On movies...here is the thing...the difference is in spirituality versus mysticism. There is a seemingly fine line on the surface, but a huge chasm in influence. Narnia and Lord of the Rings are not only parrelels, but function allegorically. We can see pulls of spiritual influences and draw conclusions as to how to hold alliances. How not to be tricked.
The difference for me in the Harry Potter series is blatant pulls toward white magic, the lure for children, into witchcraft through "innocent" sounding levels...in my generation, it was "two fingers" levetation games, "oweegie" boards and the like. Some kids who feel out of control with life, disconnected in particular, or wanting control over authority figures find control and comfort and a feeling of power in delving deeper and deeper into their "deeper powers within"...their "chosen-ness" apart from God. This is the lure toward the dark side...though it seems like just "being their best"...who they were meant to be. This is where Satan lays claim to their imagination...one good, but meant to be developed for Him, into HIs calling for them. As long as you carefully introduce your children to it and guide them through it, explaining all these things as they are able to understand, when they are able to understand, I think you may be able to curb this potential. To let it go undiscussed is unwise...even with the ones with a more Christian underscore. Though there is a "chosen-ness"...is it toward the one true One...not just some element of good versus evil. There is no such thing is just "good versus evil" in fact...there are clearly forces behind the good and behind the evil. To eliminate the Godhead from "good" is simply magic...white magic, dressed up as something sounding like something "Christian", but really far from it. We have no good on our own, or in and of ourselves...even Jesus said that about Himself. We are only "good" in that we are connected to the Father by salvation.
Deep water...hope it stirred some thoughts for you. Email me or blog on as you reason it out within yourself. Great question for me to try to articulate an answer toward!
Rest in the joy of the good in the seasons...wring out the "good" and store it in an airtight bottle!
Tonight, your little one was truly a show stopper...and in the middle, I want you to know, she said, "I want my Mommy now." I convinced her she needed to stay to sing Silent Night for you and take her big bow first! I'm glad she did!!!! How hysterical was THAT! I'll tell you more later to store in your airtight container.
Me
Thanks for the comments. I can see how the influences could be instrumental in children's development. However, it seems like a child from a non-Christian household would not see the parallel to Christ, and that the magic in all the stories would be simply a "good vs. evil" sort of thing. With the proper guidance and education at the proper age, Christian children could be allowed to see/read each story and not be influenced in a negative way. Education is definitely the key to keeping kids on the right path--sheltering them from every non-Christian influence could actually be detrimental and nearly impossible when they get to the age of reasoning. I'm not saying you should push them toward non-Christian influences, but if they express interest, guide them through it, educate them about it, and hopefully, they'll make the right choices later.
So, is all the controversy then whether children should be allowed to see/read the Harry Potter series? Or does that go for adults too? Hubby and I are sci-fi/fantasy fans, but I don't feel like we're influenced to take up sorcery or think we have super powers or anything :)
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