Why Do People Think HARRY POTTER IS WITCH CRAFT?

E.,
My son is 13 & the HP books renewed his love of reading when he was around 9 and getting where he didn't want to read. He's in advanced reading now in middle school & while he thinks he's outgrown HP, I am glad that he did read them b/c he is still an avid reader. But always keep in mind that all moms have different views & lifestyles & just what works with one child will now work with others.
Kim

Hi,

Isn't it amazing how people will tell you what is bad in the world and try to stop everyone else from doing it. Witchcraft?? We all grew up with it, from Hans Christen Anderson to Disney. These people are trying to be 'book burners', telling everyone else what they should watch, read or do for recreation. You need to form your own opinion. Children do copy what they see, the trick is to teach them what is right and wrong, reality and fantasy. I have 3 step daughters, whom I raised, 5 step grandchildren plus my own 5 year old little girl. My step daughter won't let her kids watch Tom & Jerry, but Scooby Doo is fine. Tell me which one is more violent?? It is all a matter of your own opinion on what you know and what you want to teach your children. You just need to separate fact from fiction for your children and you will do fine. 19 months old is not to early to learn. Personally, I have listened to other peoples opinions, thought about them and did what made sense to me. Harry Potter is fine, it is all fantasy. If we have no fantasy in our lives, then we don't know at an early age what imagination can be and how fun it can be to make up your own stories. Good luck.

For me its not the books or the movie that is bad its the age of the child watching the movies or reading the books. These movies and books both should be resevered for an age of children that can distinguish the differance between fantacy and reality, for small children EVERYTHING they see is real. I own all the movies and the books currently reading them so I do know what they are about and what the contain. They can be scary and too intense for small children. At his age try something educational like Dora the explorer , or Blues clues.
My 23 month old son LOVES Thomas and friends , Dora and Blue. My Daughter who is now almost 5 yrs old was counting speaking Spanish, counting to 20 , knew her colors and shapes from imitating what she saw on the shows above. Thomas is about relationships with others if you want that too, and then there's the all time great 30yrs running sesame street.

not meaning to offend just giving my opinion and facts that I've seen in my own kids. Small children do imitate what they see its how they learn.

Oh honey, please don't get me started. Those that insist on calling Harry Potter witch craft have clearly missed the ENTIRE message of ALL of the books. It's about love, friendship, challenges, and growing up. All of these ANYONE can relate too. I along with my sister allow our daughters to watch Harry. Granted, the later movies are a bit darker and scarier so we limit those. There is NOTHING wrong with the movies or books. Don't let other's ignorance piss you off. HUGS!
-K.

Hi E., I am Christian and like most God fearing people, I try to live my life by what the bible teaches. I would like to share with you what the bible has to say on the matter. Many people have opinions but no one can dispute the Bible.
Galations 5:19-21 states that "practicers of spiritism" will not inherit God's Kingdom.
Deuteronomy 18:10-13 indicates that practicers of "all" types of magic and spiritism are people detestable to God.
Why is magic and spiritism so acceptable today although the Bible clearly states that God condems these things? Revelations 12:9 - Satan is misleading the entire inhabited Earth.
It is ultimately up to you to make and informed decision on the matter or entertainment. Keep in mind that you do have other options for your baby. There are plenty of books and movies available that do not mingle with spiritism and helps develop creativity. There are many bible stories, Noah, Job, David, Samson, Cain and Able. All of these tell the story of good vs. evil.

I beleive, "When in doubt, do without!".

I hope this is helpful. Please read the scriptures in your own personal copy of the Bible.

D.

your not weong at all my young boys watch all the movies and can't wate for the nxt one they are ages 8 7 and 3 yrs.

Hi-
I don't know why some people have trouble with Harry Potter. All kinds of stories have had witches in them for years (ie: Wizard of Oz,Sleeping Beauty) and even more have had magic (pumpkin turning into a coach..you get the idea).

I have found that it is best to just nod your head, thank others for their opinion and move on doing whatever you want to do anyway.

I wouldn't let my kids watch the Harry Potter movie right away because my deal with my son was he had to read the book first. But that was a decision made for reading rather than witchcraft.

I have alway been very open with my children and pretty much let them grow watching all kinds of things and they have turned out find. It is all a part of growing. My middle child has watched "IT" by Stephen King since he was young, young. He is 8 now and has decided it is scary...go figure.

I agree with Lynn but at the same time it is all how liberal you are with your children. I always made sure to tell my children just about anything on TV is make believe.

no one will ever have the one right answer to your question because everyone has their own opinion. don't worry about what other people say about that and do what you think is ok for your kids. you are their mother and you decide what they can and can't watch/read/listen to. if someone has a problem with it, they can get their own kids to raise. there will always be people who think you're doing it wrong just because it's not the way they think it should be done. if you don't know them, why bother? if it is someone who is related or close to you, then listen to their advice and then YOU make the decision as to take their advice or not. just make sure your husband and you see eye to eye on this. it always helps to have someone else who sees your point of view. in my opinion, no, harry potter is not about the devil, but i can see how devoutly religious people could see it that way.

My opinion is that very young children are too impressionable to shows like HP. One of the other moms I noticed said that small children believe what they hear and say. I have a 13 yo son and did not let him watch HP or anything similar when he was much younger. I agree with what Danielle says all the way. I am a Christian, and when in doubt, do without. Stay with God and his teachings.
I have another reason for my belief. I had custody of my then 13 yo niece and all she read was HP or anything about witch craft. She tried practicing and started getting way too involved with it. I banned it from our home. She is better now. Some children and even adults, have a hard time separating fact from fiction in this world.
I believe parents should be the primary factor as to what their children are taught, and what they learn by reading and watching. I allow my son to watch HP and Lord of the Rings, and read as well, but I monitor him very closely. We talk alot about what things mean. His imagination is wild enough without all the movies and books!!! But, some of it, especially, good vs. evil subjects can build character and imagination if channeled properly with parents involvement.
If you are a Christian, you owe it to your family as much as yourself, to seek God's counsel through His word on this. Don't let society tell you something is okay if God says it is not! Look what has happened to our schools since they managed to take prayer out of the schools!!!
Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

I agree with you-thereis nothing wrong with harry potter. what i dont understand is that the people who dont allow their kids to read hp let their kids read the narnia series(which has witchcraft in it). just because narnia is written by a christian author and hp is not-does not make one better than the other -they both have withcraft in them. i am a christian (baptist) and im tired of the hipocracy i see everywhere-including the narnia vs hp. if you allow them to read narnia-allow them to read hp.

I think people fear what they do not understand. Each person has the right to choose what they allow their children to watch.

I see that Harry Potter shows that Good can overcome evil, and that friends and family are the most important relationships etc.

I believe that you can find "evil" in anything if you look hard enough. Same with the "Good". I think Harry Potter is what you make of it. I personally think it is a great story. As the books evolve, the characters are older and so is the audience. So I would reccommend reading/watching it first and go with your gut. Even be prepared to discuss some of the aspects of the book with your child, highlighting the lessons you want them to learn.

Just a side note: the Catholic Church does not approve of Harry Potter but does approve of the Chronicles of Narnia. They are the same genre. It is just what you choose to see in it.

Just my thoughts. I am not judging anyone for their opinon. I think you just have to follow your heart and let Spirit be your guide.

N.

PS Want better health and wealth? http://www.mymonavie.com/N.

I think Harry Potter is witchcraft. It's not Jesus. Witchcraft is a sin and I would never let my children watch anything with witchcraft in it. I am a Pentecostal and this is just a trick of the devil and evil spirits can be brought into your home watching these kind of stuff. All the devil needs is a toe hold and he's in... Be careful...

WOW! I am very surprised by this entire subject. I can't believe that mothers are taking this subject and turning it into agenda to propagandize their religion! I really hope that you have gotten some worthwhile advice on this, and not too much holy rolling mumbo jumbo. I love HP by the way, I have 3 girls, ages 6, 3, and 5 months, and the older two love HP. We have all of them. I always tell my girls that they can do anything, and they love watching kids that do. The whole thing is that if you think with your heart, and put it in motion that nothing can stop you. I think that is a wonderful message for any child.

E.,

There is a good article about head banging on babycenter.com:

http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/toddler/toddlerbehavior/...

Basically it says that head banging is fairly normal toddler behavior and is something they may do when trying to calm or soothe themselves. Does this happen more often around bed time? Maybe he's tired? I also let my children watch parts of the Harry Potter movies but not the whole thing because they are so long, and I skip over the really intense parts and don't let them watch the endings. If your son seems to like movies with real people instead of cartoons, maybe you could try something a little shorter that's not PG-13, like "The Neverending Story", or maybe movies with real animals like "Stripes" or "Babe". I would just make sure he doesn't spend too much time watching TV and that he has plenty of time to play outside and run around the house - maybe put on some music, give him a drum (or pots & pans & spoons), and let him bang something other than his head!

Good luck,
S.

I'm Church of Christ and I don't think Harry Potter is evil they teach team work and problem solving along with friendship value. Presonally I would say you're son is just a tad youg to be watchign the HP movies but only because they are aimed at much older children. However I knew several children who were your son's age who did the same thing and HP didn't even exsist when they were doing it. Some children do it because of the reaction they know they will get from you. A couple of the mom's of these kids began child therapy for the behavior and it did eventually cleared up. The one mom who didn't take the therapy route simply ignored the behavior, yes she patched the child up if he needed it but she also did not fawn over him while he was doing it, she reacted all business like when he needed patching up he did eventually stop when he found out there was no extra fun attention, ie mom didn't come running and hug him and kiss the boo boo away. So basically what you deside to do to deal with it is up to you.

E.,
Not at all witch craft, nothing like it really. Its a story. Its the same as people not allowing children to read cinderella because she has a fairy godmother that uses a wand and does magic. It won't harm your child.

Well, I agree the books are great reading! People who feel threatened by Harry Potter are simply uninformed. You can be a good Christian and still enjoy the fantasy of Harry Potter. There are a lot of positive messages in those books and good always overcomes evil in the end.

I do think, however, you should know that a child the age of your son does not have the capability to interpret the images he sees in the same context as you do as an adult and a lot of the images might not be such a good idea for him to be exposed to. I'd hold off on the Harry Potter until he's 9 or 10 years old and even then, watch it together, read it together and discuss it....Just my two cents!