In response to media speculation, Focus on the Family (FOTF) posted a statement on its website this weekend titled “Dr. Dobson: 'What I Think About Harry Potter.'”
-
(Photo: Warner Bros.)A scene from the film 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' in an image courtesy of Warner Bros.
In the statement, the conservative pro-family ministry explained that FOTF founder Dr. James Dobson has never endorsed books or films from the megahit fantasy series, and that many papers mistakenly reported that he had given them an OK for Christian families.
The posting directly confronts the Washington Post, which published an article about what Christians think of the craze, and how the reporter had incorrectly assumed that Dobson favored the boy wizard.
“In a story about Christians' views on the Harry Potter books and films, reporter Jacqueline Salmon wrote that ‘Christian parenting guru James Dobson has praised the Potter books,’” the statement read. “This is the exact opposite of Dr. Dobson's opinion – in fact, he said a few years ago on his daily radio broadcast that ‘We have spoken out strongly against all of the Harry Potter products.’”
The reason the ministry leader is against the material is obvious given the presence of magical characters (witches, wizards, ghosts, goblins, werewolves, poltergeists and so on) in the Harry Potter stories.
“[A]nd given the trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology in the larger culture,” FOTF added, “it's difficult to ignore the effects such stories (albeit imaginary) might have on young, impressionable minds.”
Dobson’s sentiments echo those of other conservative leaders including Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide.org, and Linda Harvey, president of Mission America.
“[T]he world of Harry Potter is still an elite occult world where secret knowledge is the way to power and success,” noted Baehr in a review of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the fifth installment of the ”Potter” film series.
“‘Order of the Phoenix’ tries to mitigate that by saying that anyone can become a great wizard, but once again, that involves learning the secret occult knowledge of how to do witchcraft and how to wave a magic wand properly,” he added.
While notably, the series is fictional and presented for the purpose of entertainment, Harvey posed in a recent column: “Is a little entertainment worth imbedding some very unfaithful ideas in the heads of children?”
“Sorcery is named specifically in Scripture as a violation of God’s law (Deuteronomy 18: 10-12; Galatians 5:20 and elsewhere), and it’s not a joke,” she wrote. “Besides, Harry does not think like a Christian in many other ways. He nurses and feeds grudges against his relatives and his rivals at school, and revenge is portrayed as justifiable.”
In addition to Dobson, another conservative Christian leader whose stance on “Harry Potter” had become muddled through media is Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Although several publications have reported that Colson endorses “Potter,” the ministry founder recently stated that he doesn’t personally recommend it.
“I’d rather Christian kids not read them,” he expressed in a commentary last week.
“But,” he added, “with some 325 million of them in print, your kids will probably see them and hear others talk about them, and they’re probably going to read them anyway.”
Knowing this, Colson urged parents to use the occasion to teach them to be discerning – like the prophet Daniel in the Bible who studied at a school that trained Babylon’s magicians, astrologers and sorcerers but did not defile himself because of his deep devotion to God.
“Dare them to have Daniel as their role model, not Harry Potter,” Colson stated.
Instead of “Harry Potter,” Colson recommends parents to introduce other fantasy books such as “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “The Lord of the Rings,” because they have more of a Christian framework.
Since their release, both the newly released movie and book have been drawing in record numbers. “Deathly Hallows,” the newest and final volume of the “Harry Potter” series, released on Saturday and had a print run of 12 million in the United States alone. The “Order of the Phoenix” film, meanwhile, took in $44.8 million in its first day, the best single-day gross ever for a movie on a Wednesday.
Christian Post reporter Eric Young in Washington contributed to this article.
RSS
um, just wondering why everyone seems to be catching this like just now?!?! not to be rude, but, duh! How does any part of this series speak to anyone about God, even remotely, also given the fact that the author herself is a practicing witch!! Same with Narnia and Lord of the rings...These things do not teach of God, maybe good and evil, but in a very broad sense. We have to be so careful, the Devil is very cunning and very, very good at what he does...what we put into our minds and see with our eyes are not easily gotten rid of. Study the Word and stop trying to supplement the already perfect and complete Word of God Almighty!!! with garbage! We are called to be in the world not of the world, we do not go to a bar and have a drink to be sociable and so people will talk to us, we do NOT compromise in out walks, not for anyone or anything!
Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson are whackos. Seriously,the next hurricane and 9/11 were caused by the great number of people who have read Harry Potter. The worst are some of those Christians who literally act real prudish and judge others, I have had many Christians judge my faith because I read Harry Potter. Its ridiculous, many of these Christians are no different than the Pharisees, and the same ones who walk around saying they want all those struggling with homosexuality to die. If you want more people to walk with God, set an example, be loving, be less judgemental, and stop going on tirades about some stupid fantasy books, which millions of kids I know read, and none have shown any interest in witchcraft, THEY KNOW ITS FANTASY, and that only if one actually does witchcraft, and not one WHO READS HARRY POTTER, that is when it is a sin. Please we need more smarter Christians in this world, slowly Christianity is becoming this exclusive club, where all the member flaunt how perfect they are and decry other if they are not uniform with them.
SweetBeloved-I would ask you as well follow this principal & see if you arrive at the conclusion you arrived originly-- It would be most helpfull for your understanding to grow,go back to the 1st chap & verse of romans start reading- write down (each meaning) of the who what where and why,of subject and object & topic.- Build precept upon precept untill you arrive at the verses you quoted in your defence,& see if you arrive at your original conclusion,I dare say with some internal honesty you surly wont,much more is being spoken here than taste not and touch not,something to consider,
TUPRBABE It would be most helpfull for your understanding to grow,go back to the 1st chap & verse of romans start reading- write down (each meaning) of the who what where and why,of subject and object & topic.- Build precept upon precept untill you arrive at the verses you quoted in your defence,& see if you arrive at your original conclusion,I dare say with some internal honesty you surly wont,
robinhooud-About as long as it took you- besides wheres your tv-radio program -to put on the line,Sometimes taking time to gather a well thought out response is called for,Not a willy-nilly rant and rave
hey GreatNW your personal worries are your own bussness,nor should one assume they know what others may or may not be doing, unless you have facts to suport actual problems,then this is in the realm of being a busy body & sturring up people,for no good reason,FYI
I worry more about Christians who watch ET or Oprah on a regular basis.
Took Dobson a long time to speak out audibly...
dannypoo- sorry that was meant for artm-he/she position has to be a put on.Due to there (profoundly) being willingly ignorant of a (wide array) of even visible sciences,example can you hold in your hand a single atom from where does the force of the force that holds them together come from,and how many scientific law explain the invisable natural world around us,Just because you cant hold it in your hand or see it doesnt mean it isnt real,and if you think you control these things think again,meaning with great difficulty atoms were split,the result was the atomic bomb.there are forces beyond ones understanding that are not in your best interest to fool with,there are unknown powers and unknown forces involved,God warned people about this and what the end results would be for them.
I second that Amen, imho.
In regards to Romans 14:1-3, It pertains to those who are strong in faith will be the ones who eat the whole meat of the Word of God and completely forsake the flesh and everything that is abomination to Him in complete submission to Him (that is the great faith and love of God). Those who are weak in faith, who have a sensitive conscience (meaning in this case being offended by the conviction that the meat of the Word subjects one to total obedience to God and the fear of rising up to that level of faith) are that ones who will cherry pick the Word of God and not eat the meat of the Word because they have not yet discerned or accepted total submission to God, by faith completely forsaking all that is abomination to Him and all that the world says is "okay" or "harmless", in total trust in God and His Word.
There are Christians who are still afraid to abandon their own ideas or what the world says is okay because they've allowed it in and become comfortable with it (when people start allowing themselves to become lax and let deception seap in this way, they are less able to discern God's truth from error) and when the meat of the Word comes in, their conscience is seared and they find themselves offended and making excuses trying to justify their disobedience to God as something harmless...this is a very dangerous cycle.
imho, Amen.
art
People who think they can put material that is deliberately against God and His principles into their minds without being affected are deceived. If we persist in reading about things God clearly detests, our thoughts will become detestable to God. Who do you think is celebrating the hype around HP, God or Satan? There is no middle ground – one is celebrating it, of that you can be sure.
I thoroughly disagree with the idea that “If you speak out negatively about Harry Potter (or anything, really) without having fully examined it yourself, the Bible says you are being a shameful fool.” I’m certainly not going to go out and experiment with every conceivable attitude, idea, religion, drug and lifestyle in order to prove that it’s wrong. The Holy Spirit is here as our Counselor and Guide to help us determine right from wrong without having to immerse ourselves in it all. Whether we listen to Him is another matter. (BTW, Proverbs 18:13 is better applied to personal interactions in which one might be impatient and/or angry. When we go off half-cocked, we almost always embarrass ourselves.)
TUPRBABE, your attitude is dangerous. Do you honestly believe your faith is somehow “stronger” than others’ because you don’t see the harm in make-believe stories about sorcery? How did you come to this conclusion (that your faith is stronger)? Why are make-believe stories okay, but not real ones? Everything we do has spiritual implications. As a former witch, you KNOW that magic is real. It gives real power, even if that power is only borrowed from demons and familiar spirits. They would love for you to think that you control it, but you know the source and motivation behind it now, don’t you? Why on earth would you want to expose and encourage your precious babies to find entertainment in and make light of something sourced in pure evil, make-believe or not? We are to flee from temptation, not play with it. There is nothing amusing about the powers of darkness, no matter how well-written or produced the material.
Proverbs 18:13 says: "He who answers before listening — that is his folly and his shame." I have found that this applies not only to HEARING, but also READING. If you speak out negatively about Harry Potter (or anything, really) without having fully examined it yourself, the Bible says you are being a shameful fool.
I am a former Wiccan. Harry Potter did not induce me to become one, my own rebellion did. Harry Potter is make-believe. And I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt, in absolute sincerity and truth, that there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the HP series that teaches "real" witchcraft.
The HP series is about as true to witchcraft and the occult as any Disney film. "Snow White," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "The Little Mermaid" and even "Atlantis" are very similar to the level of "witchcraft" that one finds in the HP series. Yet I have found that the most outspoken HP opponents I have met tend to have massive Disney video collections, and if asked why they allow their "impressionable children" to watch them, their response is always the same: "Well, it's just make-believe."
I have news for them. So is Harry Potter.
If you choose to separate yourself from HP on the grounds that it has supernatural and/or secular elements in the storyline, then you must get rid of every book and video in your collection that is not specifically about God. That would be your decision, and Paul says that those of us who have stronger faith must not condemn you for lack of it. (Romans 14:1-3) However, you must also not condemn us, who can distinguish between fact and fiction and who teach their children accordingly, for being "in the world, but not of it."
To further comment, I have seen the movies, and am reading the books. I have some understanding as to the nature of the enemy. This is a dangerous series to the spiritually weak and to those without God's discernment and leading. I have children that I love, who have read the books and watched the movies. I can either take other people's opinions, or I can become informed personally, so that I may have a more meaningful discussion with my children and others. The series is dangerous, because it paints a pretty picture of new age thinking. It makes sorcery entertaining, and allows for "good" magic. What does the Bible say about sorcery, divination, magic? Have nothing to do with it?
Can we as Christians crawl into our shell, away from society? Aren't we supposed to be salt and light to a dark world? Aren't we called to explain the hope we have in us? Aren't we supposed to reach out to save the drowning? How can you reach out when you're applauding the likes of HP? Just what philosophy is J.K. Rowlings really feeding us? Tolerance? New age thinking is OK?
What does the Bible say? Haven't you read your Bible completely through yet or is HP too entertaining?
Is it enough to believe that this entertainment is harmless or should there be deeper concerns? When you put up a house, you use a tape measure. If your tape measure changes length each time you pull it out, can you really count on the measurement? Do you rely on your belief that the HP series is harmless, or is this a sliding scale? Whose opinion do we need to rely on? Dobson? J.K. Rowlings? Society?
When faced with decisions, you need a firm measurement to use...not a sliding scale. The most firm measure is the Bible. What does the Bible say about HP? LOTR? Narnia?
Society's sliding scale is sliding right into the toilet. Are you going along for the ride? Will you enjoy life while it lasts and worry about the afterlife when you stand before the throne? What does the Bible say about thoughts? Take them into captivity? Good, pure, holy...think on these things? What does the Bible say about Satan and all his forces? Can he possibly appear as an angel of light? Are you about to be devoured because you are ignorant of his devices?
What does the Bible say?
laforte2007, I am trying to figure out what you are saying(forgive my lack of understanding). To clarify my position(in case this was in Question). I am a Christian, who believes in God, angelic and demonic forces, etc.
dannypoo could you give from a biblical perspective what the bible say about these things,or do you only feel comfortable quoting the standard lines of the anti christs whordes,it is God who decides what he will stand for and what he wont,mans opinion will lead you far from christ,we are comanded as christians to test (al)l against the (scripures) in christs name(Jesus)whos book will you read from?
::begin qutoe::
Once one rejects the supernatural on logical grounds, it all becomes easy. It is all fiction.
::end quote::
Rejects the supernatural on logical grounds? I would like to see that.
On Scientific (Materialistic) grounds, maybe. But Logical grounds.....
God decides, Through His Word(Bible) There is a vast difference between Gods Angels and witches,demons,ghosts and so forth.
God decides, God warns against dabbling is witchcraft, or having anything to do with these thins. to go against Gods warning is to open ourselves up to demonic avtivity in our lives.
your argument is not with me, but in realality it is with God. reject the Word of God to your own peril. Art.
"The reason the ministry leader is against the material is obvious given the presence of magical characters (witches, wizards, ghosts, goblins, werewolves, poltergeists and so on) in the Harry Potter stories."
Oh, I see, so angels, demons, witches, seraphs, spirits, ghosts, and all the rest of the "heavenly beings" are OK with Dobson. Once one accepts the existence of the supernatural, where do you draw the line? Who decides? Once one rejects the supernatural on logical grounds, it all becomes easy. It is all fiction.