From Japie Grobler
Webpage: http://www.gksa.org.za/kies
A response to a pastor's endorsement of Harry PotterDear Editor,
In response to Rev Sam Griffiths' letter regarding the harmlessness of the Harry Potter books and movie/s which he sees as pure fantasy I would like to point out a few facts:
Reverend, you are supposed to know the Word of God. Should you not teach your congregation and warn the community that God forbids sorcery and witchcraft? Instead, you condone this abomination and, to support your opinion, you refer to the Potch University having the series as "set books". That this institution is supposed to be a Christian university unfortunately does not lend any credibility to these books.
To compare these books with children's stories like Snow White and the others you list (some I have not read) is ludicrous. Was the stepmother not identified as the wicked witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? This is not found in the Potter series. So-called white and black magic come from the same wicked and evil source.
Your opinion on the following please: A fantasy club starts up which adults as well as children can join. At this club they are exposed to fantasy flights about all kinds of sexual deeds and behaviours. Or another one that leads people in fantasy flights of all kinds of violence. Would you condone these? Would you let your children join these? Wait now dear reverend----these are only clubs where people are taught how to indulge in fantasies. Why won't you allow you child to read the sexual fantasy letters that I am sure can be found in the letter columns of any sexual magazine, like Playboy and Penthouse for instance? Surely these can do no harm as they are only fantasy!
Does the Word of God not clearly condemn act of divination, sorcery and witchcraft? "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God." (Deut 18:10-13, and other references)You might say that this is not the case in the New Testament. Did God change His mind then? That thought is foreign to the Bible as "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?" (Num 23:19, NIV)
Are you aware that a certain Mr. Ian Potter, a damp-proofer and Ms Rowling's playmate, lives close to where Rowling grew up in the village of Winterbourne near Bristol. His childhood antics have startling similarities to that of the character (Harry) in her books. Rowling grew up loving the occult.
Ian Potter said, "The girls, including Joanne (Rowling) used to dress up as witches all the time...she would make potions as part of her fantasy games and send us off to get twigs for the potions." Haloween is her favourite time of the year. And I am sure you are aware of the occult roots of Halloween, that it is the most important day on the Wiccan and Satanic calendars, when even children are killed as offerings to Satan.
But let's get actual quotes from the books. Disobedience and Deception— Harry lies and disobeys fairly often with no remorse. (An excellent example for children?) He is only concerned with the consequences that might affect him, such as when he "blows up" Aunt Marge, a malicious act on his part. "She deserved it," says Harry.What is disturbing is that these acts often go unpunished. Often the adults in a position of authority go along with this, or even participate themselves. In The Sorcerer's Stone, Harry disregards his teacher's order and is later honored for it! He lies on the run from his attack on Aunt Marge (p.34), to Prof. Lupin (p.155). He suggests that Hermione lie. Fred and George Weasley disobey their father and gamble, betting on the outcome of the game. However, does Mr. Weasley punish them? No, instead he instructs them to hide the gambling from their mother, (p.117)
The fundamental occult philosophy that the "Ends Justify The Means" permeates the books. To achieve a goal deemed good, Harry and his friends consistently break rules, steal, and use Witchcraft against others.
Hatred — "A hatred such as he had never known before was coursing through Harry like poison" (HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN p.213). Anger and hatred permeate the books, prompting such actions as plotting revenge. "I hate them both," said Harry, [p.196] This attitude is too common in the books. "A boiling hate erupted in Harry's chest. He wanted ... to attack ... to kill." [P.339] No Absolute Standard of Good or Evil — Professor Quirrell told Harry, "There is no good or evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it." [P.291] This is standard Witchcraft.
It is common in these books for children to use their imagination---visualise and create what you want. Listen to Anton LaVey in the Satanic Bible: "Children, not knowing nor caring if they possess artistic skill or other creative talents, pursue their goals through the use of imagery of their own manufacture...Imagery can be manipulated, set up, modified, and created, all according to the will of the magician, and the very blueprint that is created by imagery becomes the formula which leads to reality...If you have material desires, you must gaze upon images of them---surround yourself with the smells and sounds conducive to them---create a lodestone which will attract the situation or thing that you wish." (The Satanic Bible, Avon Books, New York, 1969:124-125)
Reverend Griffiths I pray sincerely that you will realise how you have been misled and that you will repent from your erroneous views and do what you have been called to do----WARN people about the deceptive techniques of the evil one and his minions and lead them to Jesus Christ the only way of salvation.Japie Grobler
Webpage: http://www.gksa.org.za/kies