Reply-To: Traditional Values Coalition
Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 08:10:46 -0500
Subject: Is Harry Potter A Harmless Fantasy Or Wicca
Training Program?
Traditional Values Coalition
Opinion Editorial
For publication on or after
Wednesday, August 15, 2001
Is Harry Potter A Harmless Fantasy
Or Wicca Training Program?
Rev. Louis P. Sheldon
Chairman, Traditional Values Coalition
Washington, DC - The popular "Harry Potter" series by
J.K. Rowling has sold 100 million copies worldwide and
this November, Warner Brothers is releasing "Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
With a lot less fanfare and a significantly smaller
budget, California-based Jeremiah Films
(jeremiahfilms.com) has just released a documentary on
Harry Potter: "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged."
The video, narrated by author Robert S. McGee, and
occult researcher Caryl Matrisciana, takes the viewer
on grim journey into the world of witchcraft, goddess
worship, and occult symbolism-all messages conveyed in
the Harry Potter books.
Christians are rightly concerned about the spiritual
messages being conveyed through the Harry Potter
books. Wicca or witchcraft is clearly condemned in
both the Old and New Testaments as an abomination to
God. Practitioners of Wicca worship mythical
goddesses, including the goddess "Gaia" (the earth),
and incorporate radical feminism and homosexuality
into their practices.
According to feminists Monica Sjoo and Barbara Mor, in
"The Great Cosmic Mother," "The original witch was
undoubtedly black, bisexual, a warrior."
Daniel Spencer, a professor of philosophy and religion
is author of "Gay and Gaia: Ethics, Ecology, and the
Erotic." Spencer argues that homosexuality and earth
worship must be synthesized to create a new
eco-homoerotic moral ethic to rule the world. He also
condemns Christianity as an oppressive religious
system and a threat to this new world religion. As
theologian Dr. Peter Jones has written in his book,
"Spirit Wars: Pagan Revival in Christian America"
(spirit-wars.com): "While not all homosexuals are
overtly anti-Christian-indeed some claim to be
Christian-one may not underestimate the role of
homosexual theory in the normalization of paganism in
the Christian West."
In addition to worshipping the earth and advocating
homosexuality, witches also believe in abortion as a
sacred act. "The Sacrament of Abortion," by Ginette
Paris applauds the goddess Artemis for justifying the
taking of human life.
While the themes in Harry Potter's books do not
expressly advocate homosexuality or abortion, these
are philosophical beliefs deeply embedded in Wicca.
The child who is seduced into a Wicca through Harry
Potter's books will eventually be introduced to these
other concepts.
Regrettably, corporate America has now joined the
Harry Potter juggernaut. Companies like Sears and Coca
Cola are providing the Harry Potter movie and
marketing empire with millions in advertising revenue
and spin off products. Christian customers should make
their displeasure known to these companies.
Both Christian and non-Christian parents would be
well-advised to take a long, hard look at the Harry
Potter series before allowing their children to
read them. Two good starting points would be: "Harry
Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged," and Dr. Jones' "Spirit
Wars." Parents and pastors should be deeply concerned
about Harry Potter's influence over children by
introducing them to a pagan religious system that
promotes abortion, homosexuality, and earth worship.
Churchgoers should encourage their pastors to show
"Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged" to their
congregations. And if a pastor discounts the danger of
Harry Potter to his flock and refuses to show the
video, attendees may want to prayerfully consider
finding a church that is more serious about spiritual
warfare.
-30-
Traditional Values Coalition is an
inter-denominational public policy organization
comprising over 43,000 member churches. For more
information call Steve Aiken at (202) 547-8570. TVC,
139 C Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Web address: www.traditionalvalues.org.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
Idiots.
Bring back the Lions.
Posted by My Publically Displayed Name (Member # 256) on :
quote:
He also
condemns Christianity as an oppressive religious
system and a threat to this new world religion.
Hear hear.
Don't like the books? Don't read them. Tough luck. Find something more important to waste your preaching time with.
Posted by Nimrod (Member # 205) on :
"Practitioners of Wicca worship mythical goddesses, including the goddess "Gaia" (the earth), and incorporate radical feminism and homosexuality into their practices."
Oh yeah? Every one of them? Huh.
Not...*cough* generalizing, are we?
A guy I know is freechurch and has two children that IIRC read Harry Potter. My entire grasp of reality is crumbling as we speak.
Oh yes, indeed.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
Y'know, I've READ "Harry Potter" (something I highly doubt that any of those idiots have even tried.)
It has about as much connection to Wicca as basketball has to fishing.
These lunatics must be REALLY insecure in their faith, to shout so loudly about so little.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I'd be interested to see a group condemn Rowling's books for their blatant support of Christianity.
"Practitioners of Wicca worship mythical
goddesses..."
While Christians worship a mythical god. I fail to see the difference...
Posted by targetemployee (Member # 217) on :
I believe very strongly that using the Bible as a source material for beliefs is a very slippery slope. There needs to be at least an iota of intelligence and reasoning when reading these ancient books. I fear that many of the members of the Traditional Values Coalition lack that iota. They should be searching for that iota and placing it back into their brains.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
quote:
While the themes in Harry Potter's books do not expressly advocate homosexuality or abortion, these are philosophical beliefs deeply embedded in Wicca. The child who is seduced into a Wicca through Harry Potter's books will eventually be introduced to these other concepts.
I'll see your "idiots," Firsty, and raise you a "what the fuck?" 8)
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
And what they're REALLY saying here, whether they know it or not, to all their members is:
"You and your children are very very stupid and gullible. You are all so stupid that you will take any work of fiction and apply it as fact. You are so stupid that you cannot tell fantasy from reality. You are so stupid that you are incapable of using reason to tell a bad idea from a good idea. You are easily led, and will follow blindly anything that anybody tells you. Therefore, we must protect you from your own stupidity for your own good, and tell you what you are allowed to read and know and think."
(Which, when it comes to the followers of this particular organization, may not be all THAT far from the truth.)
Posted by My Publically Displayed Name (Member # 256) on :
quote:
You are easily led, and will follow blindly anything that anybody tells you.
Ah, the irony... this happens to be the exact same character weakness christianity exploits as well!
[ August 17, 2001: Message edited by: My Publically Displayed Name ]
Posted by MeGotBeer (Member # 411) on :
quote:
You are all so stupid that you will take any work of fiction and apply it as fact.
Sounds like some Star Trek fans I know.
Posted by Vogon Poet (Member # 393) on :
Handbags!
Posted by Michael_T (Member # 144) on :
It could be worse...the group could be screaming and yelling about the way Star Trek fans are and the message the franchise is sending to young and old alike.
Posted by Tahna Los (Member # 33) on :
Yes, about how Star Trek teaches the forbidden science of Evolution.
Sorry, Omega, but this HAS to be said.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
Star Trek contains a LOT of things that would be seen as evil to these people... if any of them watched it, which I doubt.
Evolution.
Racial equality.
Tolerance.
Other religions/spirituality.
Artificial life.
Extraterrestrial life.
Sexual tolerance (the Jnaii episode, especially).
The idea that Gods might be simply aliens.
The Idea that Gods might be unnecessary.
Posted by Stingray (Member # 621) on :
Funny thing is, A LOT of religious people, especially priests enjoy Star Trek immensely. I just don't see how people can gloss of these punch in the face super contradictions in their beliefs and observations and actually think (for lack of a better word) that everything gels together without problem.
Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :
Well, people who believe in the metaphorical and spiritual and loving 'spirit' of Christianity tend to have a better time dealing with such things as Harry Potter and Star Trek than those poor folks who insist on taking every word of both testaments as literal and mandatory.
Except Omega, who is just living a contradiction. 