Each parent has to make judgment calls on a daily basis of what their children will read, watch, wear, sing, etc. It isn�t an easy job. Our goal throughout all this is to �bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord� ( Ephesians 6:4). The following article will probably find more disapproval than acceptance. Please at least talk with your child about the admonition of the Lord on this subject.
Barna Research recently reported the impact of one of the country�s newest heroes, Harry Potter. This wizard stars in J.K. Rowlings best seller writings which have been read by 77% of all church going teens. Barna Research unveiled that only 12% of children said that reading the story of Potter increased their interest in witchcraft. That �only� translates into three million young people. Three million young people have had their interest increased in witchcraft. Couple this with another �only� which becomes even more harmful. Only 13% of church going children said they have received any teaching or heard discussion about the subject or spiritual themes of Harry Potter from their church. Only one third of �born again Christian teens� report that their parents have discussed it with them.
Let�s make sure we do our part as a church and as parents to instruct our children. The following might be possible discussion questions to ask your child. In real life is there such a thing as a good wizard? Where do real wizards draw their power? Does God talk about wizards and witchcraft? If so, is He in favor of it or against it? Help them see that God admonishes about this subject with no gray areas and no exceptions.
If a child is going to read hundreds of pages of content presenting witchcraft as favorable, it would do well to require the same child to read what God has said about it. Then follow-up to discuss it with them.
In Galatians 5:19-21, witchcraft is a work of the flesh which closes the gates of the kingdom of Heaven for participants. In Deuteronomy 18:9-13, the children of Israel were to drive out all witches in order to be �perfect before God.� In Leviticus 19:31, the children of God were simply told not to follow after wizards. In Second Chronicles 33:1-10, a 12-year-old named Manasseh, became king of Judah. During his reign of 55 years he led them into idolatry and witchcraft. It was terrible. In Isaiah 47:8-15, the people turned to the powers of darkness. God asked them if these powers could save? In the Christian time period we see some converted from witchcraft to Christianity. In Acts 19:19, these new Christians at Ephesus burned their books of witchcraft.
As you know, most parents believe there is no danger to the �entertainment� of Harry Potter. Barna�s research would say that about six million of those parents are wrong. Is it safe to say that most children who enjoy Potter also believe there are �good witches?� If that is what our children would say, we need to get them to read another Best Seller.