MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. (BP)–After having seen a pre-release screening of the first Harry Potter movie, I left wondering what it was going to take for the church to wake up. The movie appears to be directed to children 13 and younger. For those Christian parents and pastors who have wanted to believe that the Harry Potter books are really not about witchcraft, they are going to be disappointed. Using witchcraft is the way Harry, a child who grew up in an abusive situation, gains power and fame.
We know that the movie is a direct adaptation of the first Harry Potter book due to the insistence of the book’s author, J. K. Rowling. Warner Brothers has already claimed that the movie is an accurate portrayal of witchcraft. They mean by this that they were careful to abide by the common principles seen in the variations of witchcraft. The primary principle is that a child can access the power of witchcraft and change things, people, themselves and foretell the future.
Children will see their hero Harry and the other children access this power. They will learn even some of the finer details such as the need to concentrate and to pronounce the incantations exactly with the precise emphasis on certain words. Harry and his friends communicate with spirits of dead people. The book explains death as just the next great adventure, a direct allusion to reincarnation, which is a tenant of witchcraft.
Those who want Harry to be a role figure for our children may be concerned that Harry breaks the rules, goes against authority, lies and yet suffers no negative consequences and in fact is often rewarded for rebellious behavior. Those who are not witches are called Muggles, which is a variation of an English slang term Mug that corresponds to a fool. Muggles do not live lives worth anything, are stupid and mean and show gross ignorance because they reject witchcraft.
I think it is important that parents and pastors alike go see this movie but not children. Prior to going I would encourage you to go to www.therealpotter.com and learn a little about witchcraft so that you can understand what you are seeing. While in the theatre, look at the children. Realize that these children already do not fear experimenting with witchcraft. And why should they understand the danger. The church has been passively silent while the neo-pagans have indoctrinated our children. If we do not do something quickly, we will look back on these years with regret as we realize we did not contend for the minds of our children.
If you think that we will somehow weather this and it will be a distant memory, you do not understand the plan. There will be three more Harry Potter books, six more movies after this one and a video game that is supposed to become the most popular game ever.
Friday, the first Harry Potter begins showing at 12:01 am at one theatre and by the end of the day will be shown almost non-stop on thousands of movie screens. School systems all over America are busing children to see the movie even though the movie presents Wicca, a recognized religion.
Pastors, parents, go see it without your children, look around you at all the propaganda impacting your children. What is it going to take to get your attention?
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McGee is author of “The Search for Significance” and associate pastor for discipleship at First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, Fla. He and Caryl Matrisciana are featured on a new Jeremiah Films video, “Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged – Making Evil Look Innocent.”
