I have watched it with our children. I have explained between right and wrong. Yes, I am a Christian and yes, maybe this should be on the debate board.

I'm just curious. I have to admit I enjoyed the movies, they were entertaining and that's all I feel about it. I know kids have imaginations, who hasn't wanted to have someone disappear. However, I feel parents should sit down with their children and explain that their is evil in this world.

What is the difference between this movie and "Lord of the Rings" or "Peter Pan."

Sometimes I think adults (I will phrase it like that not to step on any toes) make too much of things and do not realize what they themselves do wrong.

I try to teach my children well.

I guess I'm kind of venting. This was brought up in our small private school today and some teacher's looked down on it. If they look down on this they should look down on Snow White (remember there is evil in this movie), Wizard of Oz, etc. What child's movie is not based on imagination?

By Kate on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 03:59 pm:

I have a Christian friend who won't have anything to do with Harry Potter, but the Tolkien trilogy is fine. I don't see much of a difference, if any.

By Colette on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:04 pm:

I see nothing wrong with Potter or Tolkien except they might be scary for younger children. My kids have watched all of both series and my older two have read all of both book series.

I'd rather have them watch movies like these than watch the crap on regular TV.

By Ladypeacek on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:05 pm:

I agree this should probably be on the kitchen table!! Very strong views from people. I am also a christan and and even a teacher in childrens church. We have seen the harry potter movies as well and i even love the show charmed. I do not believe in magic or witch craft and i practicing it or otherwise is against my religion. However...as a form of entertainment it does not bother me too much. My kids are not so into it, They enjoyed the movies and thats it. I remember as a child myself pretending to be tabatha or samantha from bewitched! Its imagination and nothing more and as long as my children see it that way i am okay with it.

By Coopaveryben on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:11 pm:

Kate...I have two friends who do the same thing. They won't let their kids watch Harry Potter but they let them watch The Lord of the Ring...which is MUCH worse. I wish someone who has done this would explain this to me, I've asked them and they couldn't tell me.

I am a christian and I let my kids watch Harry Potter and I read the books to my 6 year old.....I love them so much I keep reading them long after he falls asleep. I think Harry Potter is so fantasy based it is obvious it is made up and my son knows it's not true. I used to read all sorts of books with the same subject when I was a kid.

By Emily7 on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:26 pm:

I think that if you explain to your kids that it isn't real it should be fine. You know your kids, you know if they are going to handle it. All of my nephews & cousins watch them, they have a good grasp on reality & don't have a problem.

By Mommyduncan on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:33 pm:

I do not let my children read or watch HP or LOTR. I know it's make believe and I know my children could handle it.

I do not partake in this type of entertainment because I can not support anything that has to do with witchcraft. By reading these book or watching these movies, you are supporting them.

I'm sure I'll get flamed by this, but oh well, JMHO

By Bea on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 04:45 pm:

Christy, we don't flame here. I don't disagree with your view. I wish that I could "NOT SUPPORT" all the things that enter my life that are against my philosophy of life. I would like to ask if your family has a TV set?

By Amecmom on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:05 pm:

I don't see much difference between this type of fantasy story and The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, which has often been referred to as a sort of reference to christianity. One Episcopal church I attended even had the children watching the movie and looking for christian meaning and biblical references.

I don't think that by watching a movie or reading a book that has a fantasy element of witchcraft one is supporting witchcraft. Now, if the books were written by witches to support their local coven, that would be a different story

I also believe there is room in a child's life for both imaginative stories that have all sorts of fantasy elements, and for living a christian life.

The bottom line is you decide what you believe is right for your children. If someone else tells you you're not living a chrisitan life because of a movie you let your child watch, just say, (to paraphrase) "Before condemning what my children see, look to the what you let your own children do".

I think we christians spend too much time judging each other and not enough time being loving and tolerant. We've even been warned, "judge not ... " In my humble opinion, of course.

By Happynerdmom on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:16 pm:

Ditto, Ame. It's a decision that you make for your own family, and you shouldn't judge others (one way or the other) for the decisions they make for their families.

By Sunny on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:21 pm:

We watch the Harry Potter movies and read the books. I was even one of those people who was at the bookstore at midnight to buy books 4 and 5. I do agree with Colette, though, that the movies might be too intense for younger kids. There is plenty of time for them to watch them when they are older.

We have had this discussion before and I've posted that I don't see anything wrong or un-Christian in these or any other fantasy books. The one thing about Harry Potter, LOTR and other "kids" books is the amount of adults who like reading them too. It gets kids reading and parents and kids sharing a common interest. There really aren't too many books or movies out there that can boast that.

By Trina~moderator on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:38 pm:

Too intense and scary for my kids now but I have no problems with HP/Chronicles of Narnia/LOTR when they get older.

By Pamt on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:43 pm:

This was discussed at length on the debate board in the past. I bumped it up for you.

Christy, LOTR is regarded as having several Christian themes running throughout. I haven't read the books or watched the movies because I don't like fantasy stuff, but my mainline evangelical Protestant minister husband has and loves them. J.R.R. Tolkien (author or LOTR) is credited with having been the person to have led C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia) to the Lord. The Narnia books are a definite Christian allegory. The lion, Aslan, is a symbol of Christ even to the point of death. Tolkien, Lewis, and other English authors met frequently in a group called "The Inklings" in various pubs at Oxford.

By Mommyathome on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:46 pm:

We are Christian, and I don't let my kids watch Harry Potter or LOTR....not because of what the shows are about, but because they are too young for it. I will let them watch when they are older.

By Marg on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:54 pm:

Thanks Pamt. It's funny, some of the teachers at this school really enjoy LOTR (too lengthy for me). Others criticize Harry Potter! I'm sure there will be debates and discussions.

By Jodes on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 07:13 pm:

My kids love Harry Potter, I am not really into the fantasy type movies, but I have enjoyed Harry Potter. The difference between Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings from what I understand it, Lord of the Rings is rated PG13, and Harry Potter is rated PG (the movies) and since I won't let my kids watch PG13 movies, and also, they have no interest in Lord of the Rings, they have never seen it, or care to. It's a personal decision, as long as people don't put down other's decision, I don't care.

By Kaye on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 07:35 pm:

PUt us down in the no HP group. For many reasons, part of it is age of kids and tempermant. But part of it is also my religion. I do try hard not to support things that I feel are against my beliefs, not always succesfull. In general I teach my kids that through all things we do we should glorify God. If I look at something, read something that I feel like if God were sitting there with me He would disapprove, then I change the channel, put down the book. But there are times I just forget, I pick up something and get so enthralled that I miss the smut, language etc. It is a challenge to daily walk with God, some days I do better than others. I try to teach the same to my kids. As for what others do or do not watch, I try to tell my kids that in my house this is why I made that decision. That I feel uncomfortable with it and unless I feel right about it we just say no. When asked, but so and so can, I always say, their house, their rules, my house my rules, my kids my rules, no matter where they are!

By Tink on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 10:04 pm:

I really enjoyed the HP books and have seen a few bits of the movies, but my kids are too young for them still. I will probably let them watch them once they are older. I am a Christian, and I feel that my kids are exposed to fairy tales and fantasy in other areas, and they seem to have a firm grasp on reality. I don't think I would be ashamed to watch HP in front of God. I haven't seen the LOTR movies simply because that genre doesn't interest me. I would be more leery of the violence and adult themes in the movies than the fantasy aspects of them.

By Kittycat_26 on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 09:15 am:

My sister teaches 7th and 8th grade English and it was actually her that turned us on to Harry Potter. She did have to get permission slips signed from all of her parents to use these books in her class. She approached it as such. In this day and age, often it is difficult to get your children interested in reading anything. So why would you squash the one thing that they are interested in? Not every child likes to read and if something like this sparks their interest, I say go for it but talk to them about it.

By Bobbie on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 09:47 am:

I have a friend that lets her daughter watch scary/slash movies (13 years old) but will not let her watch anything with witch craft in it. Says it is against her religion. HMMM? Makes no sense to me.

By the way, My children look at HP as fantasy. Just like most child based literature, movies and TV programs. We discuss what they watch/read though and I think that plays a big part in how it effects them and their lives.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 10:14 am:

My 7 year old is reading the Harry Potter books. Personally I think its great that he is reading such a large book and it has captured his interest. He also has read almost every Goosebumps book (he has over 50 in his collection)
I have read all of The Harry Potter books and think they are wonderful. Do I believe in witchcraft? No. I do not believe in fairy tales either. I love the fantasy aspect of it and do not feel that it undermines our religious beliefs. If anything it gives us a topic to discuss. Everything can teach them a lesson. Every situation is a cause to discuss our values and morals.
My son does not believe in witchcraft or sponges living under the sea but that does not prevent him from enjoying these things.
Pretend and fantasy are part of childhood.
Just my opinion of course.
Yvonne

By Amecmom on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 10:42 am:

Yvonne,
Your post made me smile. I had to think for a minute. Sponges do live under the sea ... Then I realized you were referring to SpongeBob (something we haven't grown into yet). I guess all fantasy has some basis in reality.
Ame

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 10:54 am:

Ame
Yep--I meant good ole Sponge Bob
He is a favorite in this household.
I wasn't even thinking about the other sponges LOL

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 03:20 pm:

My kids and I have read all the Harry Potter books and seen all of the Harry Potter movies to date. They are looking forward to the third movie, which is coming out this summer. We all enjoyed them very much!

By Tonya on Thursday, July 29, 2004 - 10:50 pm:

We all love Hary Potter and when the 3rd movie came out we took Timmy to see it.

By Kristie on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 02:03 pm:

My 5 yr old has seen all the HP movies and sll the LOTR movies. He also watches Charmed with me and loves Sabrina the Teen age witch. He drinks a "poition"(sugar water) before bed to keep any thig from hurting him at night right before he says his prayers. I don't belive it is posible for a movie with some fictional characters in it to be "evil". By the way I did go to the debate board to find the post about this and couldn't find it, I thought my opinions would be debateable and din't know if I should post them here. If you click on my profile you'll see what my belifs are. I do Tarot Card readings and no my son dosen't know about that. I believe that anything can be evil if you give it the power to be. I can cut a steak with a knife and eat it to nurish myself or I can use that same knife to hurt someone. But that is what makes this country so great is we have the choice of what we let our children watch and its not mandated by someone who dosen't know our kids and what they can handle. Just my opinion. Hope I did'nt offend anybody

By Audreyj on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 02:11 pm:

Okay.

This is something kind of amusing at our house.

As we know (and not trying to instigate any problem) most of the Christian society is kind of down on "Harry Potter".

We attend a local Methodist church and my oldest daughter heard some folks talking "in passing" about Harry Potter movies. (She is 7, going into second grade)....

As a result of her overhearing this conversation, she ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT have anything to do with Harry Potter. Now, I have never read the book, never seen the movie, and I really had no opinion. I was just standing in church, after the service, listening to some Moms talking.....

but my DAUGHTER (little people have big ears) took in every word and will not have anything to do with it....if it is at The Mall or on a T-shirt she says, "Yuck! Harry Potter! I don't like that...." So, I figure, why push the issue...if she doesn't want to watch it...we will just "move on". But I can't help but laugh sometimes. I think I am raising a Little Fundamentalist. She censored herself!!! AJ

By Vicki on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 05:29 pm:

I am glad that I have never had to make this choice...dd isn't in the least bit interested in HP and neither am I to be honest!!

By Boxzgrl on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 07:36 pm:

I've never watched it and dont have the interest and of course DD is too young. I myself can care less for the witchcraft stuff, I just shyly chuckle to myself about that. As DD gets older probably no HP since ive heard it can be pretty scary but cartoonish stuff would be fine. I'll just explain to her that its wrong and make believe.

By Mommmie on Friday, July 30, 2004 - 07:47 pm:

Love Harry Potter!