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Originally posted by FMFWell NO you haven't in anyway other then in your last post.
I have answered your question several times. What is your view on the application of Deuteronomy 18:10-13 to stuff like Harry Potter?
So now I will answer yours. See that's how it's supposed to work....
I'll try to make this so clear that maybe even you will get this the first time, I hope.
Once one knows God's viewpoints on such things as spiritism and understands it and applies it to their life's daily on all levels, one would probably choose NOT to watch a movie such as is being discussed here.
The Bible gives us guidelines on how to view and then decide on such things. The Bible says God does not approve of such things.
If one decides that it is not a bad thing to view such a movie with things such as this that clearly has spiritistic overtones, that is their decision. But it is not something Robbie or myself would choose to watch as we understand that God does not approve of anything to do with spiritism.
Here is a very sufficient amount of info for you. I will add nothing else..........
From one of our books, "Mankinds Search for God":
Just Innocent Fun?
42 It is natural that everyone should want to know what the future holds. The desire to secure good fortune and to avert what may be harmful is also universal. That is why people throughout the ages have looked to spirits and deities for guidance. In so doing, they became involved in spiritism, magic, astrology, and other superstitious practices. People in the past wore amulets and talismans to protect themselves, and they turned to medicine men and shamans for cures. People today still carry “Saint” Christopher medals or wear “good luck” charms, and they have their séances, Ouija boards, crystal balls, horoscopes, and tarot cards. Where spiritism and superstition are concerned, mankind seems to have changed little.
43 Many people, of course, realize that these are nothing but superstitions and that there is no real basis to them. And they might add that they do it just for fun. Others even argue that magic and divination are actually beneficial because they provide psychological assurance to people who might otherwise be too intimidated by the obstacles they face in life. But is all of this just innocent fun or a psychological boost? What really is the source of the spiritistic and magical practices that we have considered in this chapter as well as the many others that we have not mentioned?
44 In the course of examining the various aspects of spiritism, magic, and divination, we have noted that they are closely tied to beliefs in departed souls and the existence of spirits, good and evil. Thus, fundamentally, belief in spirits, magic, and divination is based on a form of polytheism rooted in the doctrine of the immortality of the human soul. Is this a sound basis on which to build one’s religion? Would you consider worship based on such a foundation acceptable?
45 The Christians in the first century were confronted with the same questions. They were surrounded by the Greeks and Romans, with their many gods and deities as well as their superstitious rituals. One ritual was the practice of offering food to idols and then sharing in eating the food. Should anyone who loved the true God and was interested in pleasing him participate in such rituals? Note how the apostle Paul answered that question.
46 “Now concerning the eating of foods offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even though there are those who are called ‘gods,’ whether in heaven or on earth, just as there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords,’ there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him.” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6) To Paul and the first-century Christians, true religion was not the worship of many gods, not polytheism, but was devotion to only “one God the Father,” whose name the Bible reveals when it says: “That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”—Psalm 83:18.
47 We should note, however, that although the apostle Paul said “an idol is nothing,” he did not say that the “gods” and “lords” to whom people turned with their magic, divination, and sacrifices were nonexistent. What, then, is the point? Paul made it clear later in the same letter when he wrote: “But I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God.” (1 Corinthians 10:20) Yes, through their gods and lords, the nations were actually worshiping the demons—angelic, or spirit, creatures who rebelled against the true God and joined forces with their leader, Satan the Devil.—2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9.
48 Often people take pity on the so-called primitive people who were enslaved by their superstitions and fears. They say they are repulsed by the bloody sacrifices and savage rites. And rightly so. Yet, to this day we still hear about voodoo, satanic cults, even human sacrifices. Though these may be extreme cases, they nonetheless demonstrate that interest in the occult is still very much alive. It might begin with ‘innocent fun’ and curiosity, but the result is often tragedy and death. How wise it is to heed the Bible’s warning: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.”—1 Peter 5:8; Isaiah 8:19, 20.
I hope you can get the POINT from this info. Well see huh?
Originally posted by galveston75I find the long copy and pasted material unconvincing, but thanks anyway. You yourself are still being rather equivocal. It seems you are suggesting that the Bible does not actually condemn stuff like Harry Potter [although robbie claimed it does, at least at one point in the discussion], leaving it up to each person's "decision", but that you personally feel that God "does not approve of" it. I am curious as to why you think robbie would state that the Bible condemns stuff like Harry Potter, but then later claim that he does not condemn it himself.
If one decides that it is not a bad thing to view such a movie with things such as this that clearly has spiritistic overtones, that is their decision. But it is not something Robbie or myself would choose to watch as we understand that God does not approve of anything to do with spiritism.
Originally posted by galveston75The long cut and paste seems to be about religious practices. It's probably worth reiterating the fact that Harry Potter is a work of fiction. What is your view on the application of Deuteronomy 18:10-13 to fiction like Harry Potter?
From one of our books, "Mankinds Search for God":
Just Innocent Fun?
[42 ... 43... 44... 45... 46]
I hope you can get the POINT from this info. Well see huh?
Originally posted by FMFWell I didn't think you'd see it but the Bible clearly does not approve of anything to do with spiritism. But I do see it and so does Robbie.
I find the long copy and pasted material unconvincing, but thanks anyway. You yourself are still being rather equivocal. It seems you are suggesting that the Bible does not actually condemn stuff like Harry Potter [although robbie claimed it does, at least at one point in the discussion], leaving it up to each person's "decision", but that you personally feel th ...[text shortened]... condemns stuff like Harry Potter, but then later claim that he does not condemn it himself.
And you'll have to ask him the question you have as to what he said.
So as of now this is all I have for you.
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Originally posted by galveston75But i am asking you what you make of robbie's assertion that the Bible condemns it but that he does not condemn it himself. I am aware that robbie can speak for himself. But I am asking you this in order to better understand what your stance is. The other question is, what is your view on the application of Deuteronomy 18:10-13 to works of fiction, as opposed to religious practices?
Well I didn't think you'd see it but the Bible clearly does not approve of anything to do with spiritism. But I do see it and so does Robbie.
And you'll have to ask him the question you have as to what he said.
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Originally posted by galveston75This is why I myself have not seen any of the Harry Potter movies, nor have I read the books. I have no interest in seeing them. It's this idea that a hollywood movie can make occult practices seem okay, even heroic, that turns me off from it.
Well NO you haven't in anyway other then in your last post.
So now I will answer yours. See that's how it's supposed to work....
I'll try to make this so clear that maybe even you will get this the first time, I hope.
Once one knows God's viewpoints on such things as spiritism and understands it and applies it to their life's daily on all leve ...[text shortened]... se to watch as we understand that God does not approve of anything to do with spiritism.
I was deeply involved with astrology and tarot for several years and this was after I had initially become a Christian in college. I was even considering following this as a vocation, but after a review (an intervention, more like it) of the Deuteronomy verses and others warning against occult practices, I decided to give all that up. I burned all the reference materials I had on hand (which were considerable) and walked away from it and have not looked back. "I once was lost but now am found. Was blind, but now I see."
I still have a problem with the specific wording of the original post in this thread, though. It seems to bad-mouth the "born again" Christian as not being a real Christian. Well, I was "born again" in Christ in college, and I'm sorry that the OP does not see that all Christians are "born again" as they have a new life and a new covenant with God.
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Originally posted by SuzianneHarry Potter is not to my taste either and my kids seem mostly uninterested too. Occult practices aside, do you believe that the Bible condemns such fictional films?
This is why I myself have not seen any of the Harry Potter movies, nor have I read the books. I have no interest in seeing them. It's this idea that a hollywood movie can make occult practices seem okay, even heroic, that turns me off from it.
Originally posted by FMFNo, I do not.
Harry Potter is not to my taste either and my kids seem mostly uninterested too. Do you believe that the Bible condemns such fictional films?
It's ridiculous to believe that the Bible condemns any films. The Bible predates ANY films.
However, it is also clear that the Bible does condemn occult practices. The Harry Potter movies DO portray practicing the occult as something good, even heroic, something to be desired. This is clearly the work of evil.
But it's up to people, especially Christians, to be selective in what they expose themselves and their children to.
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Originally posted by SuzianneIt's a figure of speech, Suzianne. Here it is again, worded in such a way so as to make it pretty clear that I realize the Bible "predates ANY films": Occult practices aside, do you believe that the Bible can be used to condemn such fictional films? 🙂
No, I do not.
It's ridiculous to believe that the Bible condemns any films. The Bible predates ANY films.
Originally posted by FMF"Occult practices aside", no.
It's a figure of speech, Suzianne. Here it is again, worded in such a way so as to make it pretty clear that I realize the Bible "predates ANY films": Occult practices aside, do you believe that the Bible can be used to condemn such fictional films? 🙂
But how can you even ask such a question? It kinda waters down the whole thread, no?
The occult practices portrayed in the films are what the entire point of this thread is about. If there were no occult practices portrayed in the films, surely we wouldn't be having this conversation. And clearly, the Bible does condemn occult practices.
What I have a problem with is this constant hollywood movement to make such things "cool".
"The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." -- Roger "Verbal" Kint, The Usual Suspects
Originally posted by SuzianneThe 'point' of this thread - or at least one of the points - is the question of whether Deuteronomy 18:10-13, which condemns certain religious practices, also condemns the fictional portrayal of them. So I cannot see how me posing the question to you "kinda waters down the whole thread".
"Occult practices aside", no.
But how can you even ask such a question? It kinda waters down the whole thread, no?
The occult practices portrayed in the films are what the entire point of this thread is about. If there were no occult practices portrayed in the films, surely we wouldn't be having this conversation. And clearly, the Bible does condemn occult practices.
Originally posted by FMFRead the above....
But i am asking you what you make of robbie's assertion that the Bible condemns it but that he does not condemn it himself. I am aware that robbie can speak for himself. But I am asking you this in order to better understand what your stance is. The other question is, what is your view on the application of Deuteronomy 18:10-13 to works of fiction, as opposed to religious practices?