tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post8793871675310013367..comments2024-01-03T15:16:16.996-08:00Comments on Between the Pages of this Bookish Life: Faithful Fridays: Philippians 4:8: PART TWO: On Magic ***Updated***Shantelle Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-38278778079504785882016-12-19T21:43:56.983-08:002016-12-19T21:43:56.983-08:00Hey, thanks for the link, Deborah! I found Mirriam...Hey, thanks for the link, Deborah! I found Mirriam's post very interesting and informative! :) I'm still really leery of Harry Potter, because of negative stuff I've heard about it ... some from people I know who've watched the movies.<br /><br />But I do appreciate that post. Great food for thought! I intend to discuss this further with my family and friends. :)Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-61040452008547139062016-12-16T09:19:03.468-08:002016-12-16T09:19:03.468-08:00I know this is an old subject but I wanted to dire...I know this is an old subject but I wanted to direct your attention to a post by a favorite author of mine who is a Christian and since neither you nor I have read Harry Potter, I thought her post was informative since she's seen them. :) She has a lot of good things to say about etymology and the background of words too. :) https://mirriamneal.com/2016/05/13/harry-magic-and-the-bible/Deborah O'Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969896655321575875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-26151919435287550872016-06-29T11:18:41.086-07:002016-06-29T11:18:41.086-07:00Wow, thanks for all the information about Lord of ...Wow, thanks for all the information about Lord of the Rings!! I know a bit of that, but not all. So thanks for explaining that all; it really clears up some things for me! :)<br /><br />Thanks for commenting; it was encouraging! :) And I'm so glad this post was helpful to you! I certainly can't claim to have everything all right, but yes, I did my best to research and explain my convictions. :)<br /><br />Thanks again, and blessings! ^_^Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-3723520602906447132016-06-27T17:44:52.364-07:002016-06-27T17:44:52.364-07:00Hi! I saw your blog on Jaye L. Knight's blog a...Hi! I saw your blog on Jaye L. Knight's blog and clicked on. From there I found this post. I thought it looked interesting (mainly because I saw the picture of Tauriel, hee hee :D) then saw what you were talking about. <br /><br />I totally agree, and I think you did an AWESOME job researching your topic and presenting it. Also with being so sensitive to people who may not agree 100%. I LOVE Narnia, and anything Lord of the Rings related. Which means, unlike most other 13 year olds, I read the Silmarillion. And I found that it cleared up so much of the supposed "magic" stuff. <br /><br />Some people don't like that LOTR has a supernatural Evil and no supernatural Good. This is a supposed problem that comes from not doing all your research. In fact, I hesitate greatly to call Sauron a Satan-figure. That would be Melkor, the highest of all the Ainur created by Iluvatar (“The One”). He turns agaist Iluvatar, desiring more glory and attention for himself. He goes on to have a very long story, interwoven into that of the Men and Elves of Middle-Earth. Eventually, he leaves wherever it is that the Ainur and Iluvatar reside, and is joined by all the other Ainur and Maiar that follow him. Sound familiar?<br /><br />This story of Middle-Earth creation story (which, by the way, was thought by Tolkien to be inseparable from the story of LOTR and was originally meant to be published together with it) shows a VERY Christian inspiration. To me it is very clear, in this story alone, that the author was a Christian, or at least drew from the Biblical creation story to make this creation myth.<br /><br />In fact, Tolkien himself said that he was a Christian and that it should be perfectly obvious to anyone who read his writings. <br /><br />Yes, I agree with many others: the movies were little more violent than I liked, definitely more than the books. In my opinion, The Hobbit totally over did it in comparison to the books in the areas of both gore AND magic. Seriously, the movies were much darker. And they left out many of the things that made the books so wonderful, such as the Christian influence that made it seem like though all could go wrong, in the end Someone is in control. I still can't get over how much they changed Thorin's last words for the movie. It seemed so hopeless in the movie, and so wonderful in the book. He knew where he was going. <br /><br />I have never been allowed to do Harry Potter (certainly don’t want to now), however I have loved Narnia since I was very young, and loved Middle-Earth for the last several years. I love fantasy, that's all there is to it. I love stuff that has that wonderful fantasy feel, magical in the sense that anything could happen in this other world, but I enjoy seeing it done in a way that isn’t dark or demonic. In fact, the type of “magic” that you talked about first, the kind that a being is created with, should not even be called magic in my mind. This is the kind of stuff seen in stories such as The Berinfell Prophecies, the Follower of the Word trilogy, and even LOTR. I know when I need to put something down because it's too dark. I've done it before. Your post here really helped me to see what that difference is. It really helped me to straighten out my thoughts on the issue, and you did an awesome job with your research. You really said everything that I was thinking about this topic but that I couldn't articulate very well. And you backed it up by the Bible. Thanks so much for this post, I'm saving it for future reference. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-63387960079497142142016-02-12T12:07:52.202-08:002016-02-12T12:07:52.202-08:00Hi Mary! Thank you for your comment! :) Yes, from ...Hi Mary! Thank you for your comment! :) Yes, from the things I've heard about it, <i>Harry Potter</i> seems like something I would want to stay away from! I can't say for sure that it's promoting witchcraft, but like you said, it seems to! So yeah. I just won't be reading them either!<br /><br />Me too!! Love fantasy! ^_^ It often has such profound truths, and seems to kind of show the spiritual world in a unique way! My soul is often touched by Christian fantasy/allegories.<br /><br />Yes, I know someone who's watched both <i>Harry Potter</i> and <i>Lord of the Rings</i> movies ... said they're nothing alike when it comes to the magic part. So yes, I really think the "magic" in these stories are completely different! But I understand your parent's feelings! As much as I love fantasy, I tend to get a bit uncomfortable when there's <i>so</i> much magic. Most of the time I don't feel it's actually witchcraft, but it's just ... weird. Haha. I would really like to read Tolkien's books and see how the differ from the films! I definitely see the good vs. evil element in the movies of course, and also some other good themes. :)<br /><br />Thank you, again, so much for your comment! It was encouraging to hear your thoughts! ^_^ And thanks! I'm glad you think so! :)Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-60687467809651607092016-02-11T12:44:17.712-08:002016-02-11T12:44:17.712-08:00Just stumbled across this post, and I've got t...Just stumbled across this post, and I've got to say--you are spot on! I completely agree with everything you said. My parents never allowed me to read Harry Potter, of which I am now extremely grateful. The more I learn about them, the more I am convinced that I shouldn't read them. I'm not condemning anyone who does (I personally have quite a few Christian friends who read them), but I do believe that the Bible is pretty clear about the evil of witchcraft, which Harry Potter seems to endorse. So I'm definitely staying away from them!<br /><br />I'm a HUGE fan of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit! (And just fantasy in general.) I don't think there's anything wrong with fantasy unless it's promoting sorcery as something good. Which in the case of Narnia and LotR it does not. I think my parents feel that LotR might be a little too "magicky" (is that even a word? XD), but like you said, the "magic" in Middle-earth is completely different from the magic in Harry Potter. I haven't read the HP books or seen the films, but the vibe I get from them is definitely not what I get from LotR. The authors of Narnia and LotR were also Christians, which you can see in their works. Tolkien's books weren't allegories, per se, but you can tell that he used some Christian elements in his stories.<br /><br />Anywho, this comment is getting rather long! I just had to let you know that you did a fantastic job with this post! :)m a r y l i zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14505343613442203117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-2494447521268994822016-02-09T14:30:31.172-08:002016-02-09T14:30:31.172-08:00I appreciate your concern. Of course I don't w...I appreciate your concern. Of course I don't want to be reading or watching things that are dishonoring to God; and I ask Him to show me if something is. So far, He hasn't shown me that there is a problem with fantasy. I write fantasy (non-magical), and my greatest desire is that my fantasy stories will glorify my Lord and shine His Light and Love to others.<br /><br />Some books I read, I just get this sense of darkness, so I put them down and do not continue reading. I have never felt that with <i>Narnia</i>.<br /><br />The Truth is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and if we repent, and believe in Him, we are made new! We are saved! And our salvation doesn't just disappear if we fall into sin again. God is the reason for our salvation; not us.<br /><br />We should still strive to be holy as God is holy. And be alert and prayerful as we journey through life. But I don't feel we need to be afraid and worrying all the time whether we're doing the right thing. If we are seeking God, and walking with Him, He is going to reveal to us over time what is right and wrong - and what is beneficial, or not beneficial.<br /><br />Let's both keep seeking the Lord! :) God's peace to you.Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-12806885926224108862016-02-09T03:19:46.350-08:002016-02-09T03:19:46.350-08:00Thank you for anwering me so courteously. I see yo...Thank you for anwering me so courteously. I see you ARE indeed a good person and I understand what you're trying to say. But I have a feeling in my heart that I must share these following links with you:<br /><br />http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/narnia-trouble.htm<br />http://www.greatpreachers.org/narnia.html<br />http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Hellivision/narnia.htm<br />http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract11.html<br />http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1630.cfm<br />http://www.illuminati-news.com/tolkien-occult.htm<br />http://galatiansfour.blogspot.com/2013/11/fairies-gnomes-elves-and-more.html<br />http://a-voice-in-wilderness.blogspot.com/2010/01/fantasy-satans-deception.html<br /><br />At first it was very hard for me to accept that our Lord wanted me to stay away from all appearance of evil. But I've received support from my family and now I'm trying to help spread the truth of our Lord. Please read the above links that I posted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-45663938986179408672016-02-08T20:25:45.399-08:002016-02-08T20:25:45.399-08:00Yes, the Harry Potter books sound iffy to me, so I...Yes, the <i>Harry Potter</i> books sound iffy to me, so I prefer to stay away from them. As for <i>Lord of the Rings</i> and <i>Narnia</i>, both their authors, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, were Christian men. I don't know as much about Tolkien, but C.S. Lewis has written many books about Christianity, and I wouldn't believe he ever wrote something with witchcraft or the like in it.<br /><br />The part where Aslan takes Edmund's place and sacrifices himself is actually a scene symbolic to Jesus Christ taking our place. Edmund sinned and was in the White Witch's grasp; but then Aslan said he would die instead of Edmund. We sinned, and were headed for hell; but Jesus came down to earth and died to pay our sin penalty. All the disgusting creatures in the scene of Aslan's death represent things like demons, sin, and evil.<br /><br />Fantasy definitely isn't for everyone. I respect the fact that you don't watch <i>Lord of the Rings</i> or <i>Narnia</i>; if it makes you uncomfortable, then you should't watch it. My mom doesn't really like those kind of movies either.Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-15412063506386008232016-02-08T15:42:34.679-08:002016-02-08T15:42:34.679-08:00Hi, just wanted to say I agree fully with you abou...Hi, just wanted to say I agree fully with you about Harry Potter! But Narnia and The Lord of the Rings are also bad. Why? Research their authors. In the first Narnia movie, the part where Aslan sacrifices his life, that is an actual depiction of a satanic sacrifice! After years of not viewing that movie I've got that horrendous scene still in my head. My whole family was watching the movie and when that scene appeared, my parents were quite shocked. The film was promptly thrown away.<br /><br />Soon after that event, our pastor gave a wonderful sermon about how the devil desguised as an angel of light, masquerades in Narnia and LOTR as a Christian allegory. Also, did you know that fairies are actual demonic entities that appear to Children in Europe? After that sermon, we all threw away fairytale books and movies. Also superhero things too. (I think you can go look up why superheroes are not for Christians.) So, no fantasy for me! Fiction yes, but nothing magical, superheroe like!<br /><br />But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-86276713513462155212015-05-27T20:13:31.965-07:002015-05-27T20:13:31.965-07:00Hi Ezra! Your welcome! Thank you for your kind com...Hi Ezra! Your welcome! Thank <i>you</i> for your kind comment!<br /><br />It IS easy to get desensitized for sure! So I guess it's good for us to remind each other. :)<br /><br />Thanks and blessings!Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-25380542899088145122015-05-27T19:43:32.816-07:002015-05-27T19:43:32.816-07:00Hey Shantelle, I came to this article after it was...Hey Shantelle, I came to this article after it was recommended by Amanda Beguerie on therebelution.com. Excellent points and thank you very much for writing! It is so easy just to get desensitized to this type of thing. I found this very helpful (having never read Harry Potter or LOTR, although I did read The Hobbit and the Chronicles of Narnia), and no one could argue that you didn't do your research. Props to you! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-84631176650691508852015-05-12T20:06:36.227-07:002015-05-12T20:06:36.227-07:00Haha, that's what I was thinking, ;D
Yep! :) ...Haha, that's what I was thinking, ;D<br /><br />Yep! :) :)Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-26754800049912758662015-05-12T18:41:29.753-07:002015-05-12T18:41:29.753-07:00Yes! Any library in its right mind should have the...Yes! Any library in its right mind should have them. XD<br />Oh yay! I'm glad you got it. ^_^<br /><3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-54226807533265195072015-05-12T14:46:20.570-07:002015-05-12T14:46:20.570-07:00Awesome!! ^__^ And thanks! :)
Someday!! When I f...Awesome!! ^__^ And thanks! :)<br /><br />Someday!! When I find a library...they should be there, right? :)<br /><br />That would be cool, :D I find it really interesting to read everyone's posts about magic and whatnot. Most ones I've read, we may not agree on everything, but seem to agree on the core things. So yeah, all good!! ;D<br /><br />Oh, and was so happy to get your "response to beta reading" email today! Yay!! :D So excited to go through it!!<br /><br />Blessings!! *Hugs back*!! <3Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-41165213618026800652015-05-12T14:41:37.991-07:002015-05-12T14:41:37.991-07:00Yeah, I tried my best to get a lot of good researc...Yeah, I tried my best to get a lot of good researching in, so I would know what I was talking about! :)<br /><br />Yes, that they're being marketed to children is one of the biggest problems, I think! :{<br /><br />Thank you for the follow-up comment! Like I said in a different post's comment, sometimes I do read into comments and come out thinking things that they probably didn't mean! It's a fault of mine that I really need to work on! O.O But yeah, I understand now. So thanks for your comments!! :)<br /><br />So true! I think that's why we Christians need to stick together and encourage and stand by each other! Or rebuke each other if need be, hehe! :p But truly, we should be here for each other and just help one another to know God more!<br /><br />So yes, thanks for the encouragement!! I hope I'm doing likewise for you! :)<br /><br />Blessings! <3Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-60611221917658152432015-05-12T12:24:27.786-07:002015-05-12T12:24:27.786-07:00No hard feelings at all! I agreed with a lot of wh...No hard feelings at all! I agreed with a lot of what you said and it was well written! :D And yes, hope you'll like them when/if you get around to reading them. :) I may write a post someday. ^_^ *HUGS*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-34462648362339781902015-05-12T11:58:48.685-07:002015-05-12T11:58:48.685-07:00I could tell that you had done your research, I wa...I could tell that you had done your research, I was happy you weren't condemning it with nothing to back up you claims, and I think I do agree that Harry Potter crosses a line. I am unwilling to cross as a Christian. Your also right it is dangerous in a way because it is marketed to children, who are the most impressionable. I do think that is a cause for concern, and yes we are in a fight against dark forces, and need to be aware.<br />I hope you didn't think, I thought that was what you were saying. I am sorry if what I said came across like that, but I was referring to other opinions I have seen on the topic. In no way did I think you were saying that, I agree with almost everything you are saying about it. :)<br />Your Welcome, it is very hard to walk the narrow path, especially in this day and age. When more and more Christians refuse to say anything because they might hurt someones feelings. I am glad you are not like that.<br />:) Skye Hofferthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02385765274513034927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-45966719995415017622015-05-11T09:50:40.897-07:002015-05-11T09:50:40.897-07:00Thanks for your comment, Serena! And for your kind...Thanks for your comment, Serena! And for your kind words about my post... I appreciate it! :) Also, thank you for pointing out things that aren't quite true from the quotes I used. Sorry about that! I guess some people do just like to rant and say things ARE TRUE about <i>Harry Potter</i> that they don't really know to be true... :/ I shall delete that! :)<br /><br />Likewise, I'm not trying to force you to think a certain way about <i>Harry Potter</i> or lay out a list of rules or something. I appreciate your points, but I've heard all that before and it still doesn't change anything that I wrote.<br /><br />But, I will say again: I haven't read <i>Harry Potter</i> myself, so no this post is not just a post about condemning <i>Harry Potter</i>. The point of my last two Faithful Fridays posts really are: <i>How can we glorify God in what we read?</i> I read the Bible and found out for certain that sorcery is an abominable sin. Naturally I came to the conclusion that reading books with a sin portrayed as good is not glorifying to God. That's all I'm really trying to say. I used the <i>Harry Potter</i> books as an example because they seemed, from my research, an example of books with sorcery stuff portrayed as good.<br /><br />So even if I decided to read <i>Harry Potter</i>, and I myself wasn't at all affected by the witchcraft/sorcery themes... I still feel I would be doing something that's not glorifying to God. That's my feeling.<br /><br />Please don't take this as me condemning you! Yeesh, not what I trying to do!! :( I'm simply trying to make a point that saying that what God says is wrong is "right" can't possibly be glorifying to God. <br /><br />Maybe <i>Harry Potter</i> isn't actually doing that? Maybe <i>Harry Potter</i> doesn't portray sorcery as "good"? I guess you guys who have read the books will have to pray about that and come to a conclusion on that yourselves. Because yeah, I'm not going to tell you <i>Harry Potter</i> IS BAD when I've never read it. I'm just saying IF <i>Harry Potter</i> rights and glorifies sin or darkness, then...<br /><br />Anyway. Do you see what I'm trying to say here? I hope it wasn't confusing or really sounding know-it-all!! O.O Just giving you my beliefs as you gave me yours! :)<br /><br />*Sigh* I know this is a sticky issue, and I really wasn't too keen on doing this post because I was afraid it would cause tension between friends. But I truly have been feeling stuff like this pressing at me. So I guess, in the end, we can hear what each other has to say, and then go back to God and His Word, and see what He has to say!<br /><br />Because we as humans obviously can't get everything right. I mean, you've seen it with me! Already I've had a few people correct me about quotes on <i>Harry Potter</i> that I used on here that actually weren't true!<br /><br />But God is ALWAYS right and ALWAYS speaks truth. That's why we should go back to His Word. And even if we can't find something in the Bible, we can pray about it! That's what I plan to do, pray and pray some more! Because this topic actually is quite huge, and I didn't cover all of it! So yeah, I'm going to keep praying for wisdom and guidance, and I hope all of you guys will too! :)<br /><br />Blessings!! :)Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-35296502820543454232015-05-11T08:11:37.186-07:002015-05-11T08:11:37.186-07:00I agree wholeheartedly with the above anonymous co...I agree wholeheartedly with the above anonymous comment. Also, before I delve into my essay-ish response, I would like you to know that I think your post is very passionate and well-written, and I agree with you on certain points.<br /><br />It's a shame that the Harry Potter books have inspired people to pursue witchcraft, but I don't think the novels themselves are evil, nor were they probably intended to encourage the practice of witchcraft. I was actually inspired by the struggle between light and darkness in the Harry Potter series, and even viewed it as a sort of Christian allegory (whether or not it was intended that way).<br /><br />One quote you list above, from harrypotterpower.com, states, "Later in this book we will discover that witchcraft involves contact with the devil and his fallen angels." There are no demons or fallen angels in this book. If the author of that quote was referring to Voldemort and the wizards who follow him, then that would suggest that there is a God-figure and "angels" in the series, as well.<br /><br />Because of the involvement of witchcraft and violence (which, unfortunately, is something I rarely hear people complain about being in books and movies -- but I digress...), I do think that people should use discretion when reading or allowing their children to read these books. The series should be read by older, more mature children and teens (and adults, of course) who understand it as a fantasy and who are able to distinguish between it and reality. And for those who are concerned about the witchcraft in it, the series provides a good foundation for discussions on the topic. Harry Potter is set in the real world, yes, which does pose some problems, but Hogwarts and the whole concept of a wizard school and people being born with magical abilities is entirely fictional.<br /><br />I am not trying to encourage you to read something that makes you uncomfortable -- far from it. I just wanted to clear up a quote that didn't seem 100% fair and to share my experience with the Harry Potter series, since these books (and movies) are a point of great debate among many Christians.serenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375307816652807841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-37115796796140634272015-05-10T12:21:57.246-07:002015-05-10T12:21:57.246-07:00Thank you!! I did strive to do a lot of researchin...Thank you!! I did strive to do a lot of researching, so that I would actually know what I was talking about! :)<br /><br />Blessings!Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-9564576332300382015-05-10T08:02:55.601-07:002015-05-10T08:02:55.601-07:00Excellent article!! Well researched.Excellent article!! Well researched.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-25904539646822423972015-05-09T15:07:48.904-07:002015-05-09T15:07:48.904-07:00Aw...sorry for your internet troubles!! :(
Great!...Aw...sorry for your internet troubles!! :(<br /><br />Great! Looking into magic for yourself is always the best thing to do I think! :)<br /><br />I am planning to read <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> as soon as I can!! :) <br /><br />Yes!! What was Caspian thinking?? Yikes! From research and watching the movies myself, I concluded that the movie-makers took liberties with the "magic" scenes in both LOTR and Narnia. That is a very good point! I've enjoyed the LOTR movies, but yeah, I think I would definitely like the books better!!<br /><br />Sure... I can't say for sure FOR SURE, but from my research, <i>Harry Potter</i> seems to make witchcraft "good", and the Bible says witchcraft is ONLY evil. That's all I have to say on that. As for you, I would just say research it all thoroughly before you read <i>Harry Potter</i> if you're going to read it... Because often people (me included) tend to brush aside vital concerns if they're already hooked on the story.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for grabbing a moment to comment! :) I think we probably can both agree that witchcraft is evil, and that's essentially all I'm saying in this post (don't portray evil as good); so I hope there's no hard feelings! :)<br /><br />Blessings, and looking forward to reading a magic post from you if you write one in the future! :D Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-6514120845722016682015-05-09T13:28:19.788-07:002015-05-09T13:28:19.788-07:00So my internet has been down and I'm grabbing ...So my internet has been down and I'm grabbing a minute at the library, so I don't have time do write up a long comment... I will say you have an interesting post. :) And I am thinking that I'm going to have to write a very long essay about magic myself...<br /><br />Also, you must read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings! The books are way better than the movies, and while I can definitely say there's nothing wrong with the magic in the books, they got more iffy in the movies... Same with Narnia. (I saw the above comment about Prince Caspian... I really hate that in the movie they were actually bringing back the Witch AND CASPIAN WENT ALONG WITH IT. WHAT??) I think Lewis's books and Tolkien's books are great, but the movie-makers don't have the kind of discretion they did. I'm not saying the movies are BAD, I enjoy them and don't think they're bad, I'm just saying don't judge the books by the movies because whatever iffiness you might find in the films, which were after all made by mainstream people, those problems aren't in the books, which are amazing. :) As for Harry Potter, I haven't read it so I can't judge. *shrug*<br /><br />Those are my brief thoughts for the moment! :)Deborah O'Carrollhttp://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3469039199145284278.post-72589888303903446982015-05-09T11:39:07.455-07:002015-05-09T11:39:07.455-07:00Thanks, Skye! :)
Yeah, it can be a broad and toug...Thanks, Skye! :)<br /><br />Yeah, it can be a broad and tough issue. Like I said, as of now, I like LOTR, but I do respect people's decisions not to watch them as well!<br /><br />I agree with you that people can get all fired up about things like <i>The Hunger Games</i> (which I actually like) and Harry Potter and whatnot when they know little to nothing about them. That's why I myself did a lot of research. And while I do think we shouldn't freak out about <i>Harry Potter</i> kind of books, because Christians have power, through Jesus Christ, over darkness; we definitely should have a healthy caution. Witchcraft and the dark spiritual world ARE REAL. And if "children's" books (I say children's because it seems a large audience is children) are promoting evil practices as normal and okay, there is reason for concern among Christians. There is occasions where dark beings are hard at work and awful things are happening because unbelievers (and perhaps even Christians) don't understand the reality and danger of the dark spiritual realm, and don't know how to fight it. Here's a link talking about such happenings in SD I believe: https://www.mnnonline.org/news/suicide-spike-reveals-spiritual-battle/<br /><br />So, like I said in my post, just because you read <i>Harry Potter</i> doesn't mean, oh my, you're going to become a witch! But it does affect some people for witchcraft and darkness, and that's why I believe that we as Christians should be fighting against such books.<br /><br />After all, our fight IS against spiritual darkness (as the Bible says) and our aim as believers is to glorify God! How is reading about "good witchcraft", even if you don't ever mess around with occult in real life, glorifying God? I feel like that's saying Satan's dark work isn't that bad...don't have to make a fuss...<br /><br />So yeah. Those are my thoughts. :) And yeah, you're right! If you stand for nothing, you fall for everything! And that's why I've been really trying to figure out where to draw the line in magic; and what, and what not, are glorifying God.<br /><br />Thank you!! And yes, I'm striving to live my life for God, but I do feel like a failure a lot (or most) of the time! So don't think you're alone in feeling like you're not very good about it/don't have everything figured out!! I understand!!<br /><br />Thanks for you comment! I just pray that God will show us both what we need to see! He will guide us to the truth. We just have to trust Him and keep fighting! :)<br /><br />Blessings! :) Shantelle Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671416965777525382noreply@blogger.com