What does John think about Harry Potter? His opinion should carry some weight on this blog.

Incidentally, not only does Hogwarts celebrate Christmas and Easter, but the wizard society's hospital is named "St Mungo's". Okay, that's another reason to burn Harry in the Bible Belt, but maybe Rowling's trying to signal something to her "higher" Christian readers?
Tom Round | 07.30.03 - 7:44 pm | #

The only weight my opinion carrys is about 220 pounds right now. And most of that is in front of me.

Many people are suprised to find out that I have read and enjoyed all five of the Harry Potter books. I allow my children to watch the movies and read the books also.

Many people ask me why. First, I find them to be intresting yarn. My years in the Occult being involved with Wicca, Ceremonial Magick, and Celtic Paganism I can say without a doubt that the books contain NO ESOTERIC MAGICKAL instructions. None... Nada... there are no Ceremonial Magick rituals that are listed, there are no cosmological similarities with Wicca, Ceremonial Magick or Celtic Paganism. The Harry Potter books will not teach your child how to be a Witch or a Wizard

That said.... I allow my children to read the books, and watch the movies, and we always talk about them in a Christian Perspective. They know about my past and my involvement with the Occult. They know that there are biblical perscriptions against the use of Magick and Divination. They also know that God has given them good imaginations and they can use them for Him or against him.

I also see the big problem with the books is that they glorifiy Magick. Why do something mundanely when you can do it with magick? Why believe in God when you can create your own reality? What it comes down to is teaching your children to be strong and have a good foundation in the faith. You give them that they will be able to bear the Storms of Harry Potter, the modern gnostics, the humanist centered society that we live in.

Finally my family doesn't go Harry Potter nuts. We don't pick up the book at Midnight, at the bookstore, where they have tarot readings, and Wiccans hanging around trying to get good press off this book.
John Gibson | Homepage | 07.31.03 - 10:32 am | #

Ok.... I am brain dead... I admit this fully...

My URL isn't expagan.com...

It is expagan.info

I am working on getting the .com for myself but that is in negoation right now.

John
John Gibson | Homepage | 07.31.03 - 10:34 am | #

Now people who doubted me a few days ago when I said there's no Wicca in HARRY will please step forward and eat crow.
Sandra Miesel | 07.31.03 - 12:21 pm | #

Ahhhhh.... But how do we know John Gibson (if that's *really* his name) isn't a sinister mole in the Catholic Church, sent by the Dark Forces of Harry Worship to subvert our Youth!

Remember: if a Wiccan says Harry has nothing to do with the occult, they're lying conspirators. If they say it's an occult book being used to turn children away from God, they are conspirators being seized by inexplicable candor.
Mark Shea | Homepage | 07.31.03 - 12:38 pm | #

Hey, I remember reading John Gibson's conversion article when someone mentioned it on the Imbas list...or was it Nemeton-L? But John, please, please, could you fix the spelling of "Tuatha Dé Danann" on your page?
Atlantic | 07.31.03 - 2:05 pm | #

Thanks, John. Interestingly, one strong theme in the HP books is that magic[k] is NOT to be used lightly. Note Decrees Against Underage Wizardry (with exceptions for necessity). Like Anakin Skywalker and LeGuin's Ged (Wizard of Earthsea) -- or the sons of Sceva for that matter -- Harry and friends chafe against these restrictions.
Tom Round | 07.31.03 - 7:43 pm | #

Ok.... I will change the speeling as sone as I kin get bak to my systum thut haz the spllchker.
John Gibson | Homepage | 07.31.03 - 9:36 pm | #

The spelling will be taken care of. I tend to do site design by accident and then go back and make my corrections later. My spelling powers aren't one of my strong points. It doesn't help that I am also dyslexic.

John
John Gibson | Homepage | 07.31.03 - 9:45 pm | #