Comments on: Reading and Discernment Part One (Repost) http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/ Discovering Great Fiction Together! Sun, 29 Aug 2010 13:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: K Miller http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2857 K Miller Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:42:17 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2857 We do not read Harry Potter and when my kids are old enough to read, I will not allow them to read books, even fantasy ones, that involve the occult. My husband read fantasy books as a child and became interested in the occult. He was deeply involved in the occult and witchcraft for years. Praise God that he has since turned his life over to Christ. Anything that glamorizes the occult or shows it for anything but evil should be avoided, at a minimum by those whose faith is not yet strong (i.e. any child and even new Christians). It's too easy for tiny lies or sparks of interest to weave their way into someone's life. As a parent, its my responsibility to bring my children up in the honor and admonition of the Lord. The occult or fantasy books about it, do not do that. As far as adults who choose to read Harry Potter, that is between them and God, and what he leads them to do. While I agree that the books themselves may not be evil, the subject matters involved in the books are. We do not read Harry Potter and when my kids are old enough to read, I will not allow them to read books, even fantasy ones, that involve the occult. My husband read fantasy books as a child and became interested in the occult. He was deeply involved in the occult and witchcraft for years. Praise God that he has since turned his life over to Christ. Anything that glamorizes the occult or shows it for anything but evil should be avoided, at a minimum by those whose faith is not yet strong (i.e. any child and even new Christians). It’s too easy for tiny lies or sparks of interest to weave their way into someone’s life. As a parent, its my responsibility to bring my children up in the honor and admonition of the Lord. The occult or fantasy books about it, do not do that. As far as adults who choose to read Harry Potter, that is between them and God, and what he leads them to do. While I agree that the books themselves may not be evil, the subject matters involved in the books are.

]]> By: Amanda McGhee http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2854 Amanda McGhee Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:33:37 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2854 I believe that Harry Potter should not be a book to read by Christians because even though we do not know the real intentions of the author's writings, we must stay in tune with the holy spirit, like the Bible says, we should think of things that are honorable and good. If certain books portray a tolerance of things such as homosexuality and the occult, wouldn't we want to "flee from all forms of evil"? Even though we may not be convicted or fearful of certain books or movies, I think it would play a part in a believer's testimony, not that we are better than those that my read or watch certain movies, but that we live a different way of life and that is what we are called to do. I believe that Harry Potter should not be a book to read by Christians because even though we do not know the real intentions of the author’s writings, we must stay in tune with the holy spirit, like the Bible says, we should think of things that are honorable and good. If certain books portray a tolerance of things such as homosexuality and the occult, wouldn’t we want to “flee from all forms of evil”? Even though we may not be convicted or fearful of certain books or movies, I think it would play a part in a believer’s testimony, not that we are better than those that my read or watch certain movies, but that we live a different way of life and that is what we are called to do.

]]> By: Michele http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2852 Michele Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:19:17 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2852 The last comment Jesus died for and that is FREEDOM says it all. When I first belived I smoked--I was accused being "less" of a Christain. Yes I knew that smoking is unhealthy--but for whatever reason I continued to smoked. It wasn't until I grew more in my new found faith-that the Holy Spirit convicted me of not smoking. So one summer I decided to quit--I would be spending time with my niece who has asthma and my brother who doesn't allow smoking. It's been 15 years. My point that I'm trying to make--be it reading books or watching certain shows it's how the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. The last comment Jesus died for and that is FREEDOM says it all. When I first belived I smoked–I was accused being “less” of a Christain. Yes I knew that smoking is unhealthy–but for whatever reason I continued to smoked. It wasn’t until I grew more in my new found faith-that the Holy Spirit convicted me of not smoking. So one summer I decided to quit–I would be spending time with my niece who has asthma and my brother who doesn’t allow smoking. It’s been 15 years. My point that I’m trying to make–be it reading books or watching certain shows it’s how the Holy Spirit is speaking to you.

]]> By: Vickie Birney http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2818 Vickie Birney Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:19:15 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2818 I eally enjoyed your article about reading. I have been struggling with this a little myself. I love reading and I am out of christian books and there is a secular one I wanted to read and I have putting it off. After reading your article, I think that listening to the Holy Spirit within is definately the best plan. I feel it would probably be OK to read it. I am worried about putting things above the Lord. You know how engrossed you can get in a good novel. I think making sure you are in balance is imortant. I was away from the Lord for many years, and one of the things that drove me nuts was the legalistic laws we put upon ourselves, or that others put on us. So I can see that maybe I am doing this to myself as well. There is one thing Jesus died for and that is to give us FREEDOM! Horray!! Thnaks again for your thoughts!! I eally enjoyed your article about reading. I have been struggling with this a little myself. I love reading and I am out of christian books and there is a secular one I wanted to read and I have putting it off. After reading your article, I think that listening to the Holy Spirit within is definately the best plan. I feel it would probably be OK to read it. I am worried about putting things above the Lord. You know how engrossed you can get in a good novel. I think making sure you are in balance is imortant. I was away from the Lord for many years, and one of the things that drove me nuts was the legalistic laws we put upon ourselves, or that others put on us. So I can see that maybe I am doing this to myself as well. There is one thing Jesus died for and that is to give us FREEDOM! Horray!!
Thnaks again for your thoughts!!

]]> By: Lorraine Furtner http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2678 Lorraine Furtner Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:07:33 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2678 Yes. Exactly. I have tried making this point several times with some of my friends who won't allow their children to read or watch Harry Potter. I grew up in a fundamentalist environment and it took many years to overcome living in a ditch of legalism and to learn spiritual discernment. Being a writer, storyteller, theatrical and creative person, I struggle with reins on exploring literature and art. This is an excellent post and great perspective and I will share your view with others. Thanks for sharing your insight. Yes. Exactly. I have tried making this point several times with some of my friends who won’t allow their children to read or watch Harry Potter. I grew up in a fundamentalist environment and it took many years to overcome living in a ditch of legalism and to learn spiritual discernment. Being a writer, storyteller, theatrical and creative person, I struggle with reins on exploring literature and art. This is an excellent post and great perspective and I will share your view with others. Thanks for sharing your insight.

]]> By: Donna Bailey http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2675 Donna Bailey Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:04:55 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2675 I just found you through the Proverbs 31 Devotionals I receive. I love to read and always looking for something new. Perhaps criticizing a book without reading it first is just like being critical of our political leaders when we fail to go cast our votes? I agree with you, " I fear God, and that is the beginning of wisdom". I think I'll continue to rely on the Holy Spirits nudges as to what is beneficial for me . I just found you through the Proverbs 31 Devotionals I receive. I love to read and always looking for something new. Perhaps criticizing a book without reading it first is just like being critical of our political leaders when we fail to go cast our votes? I agree with you, ” I fear God, and that is the beginning of wisdom”. I think I’ll continue to rely on the Holy Spirits nudges as to what is beneficial for me .

]]> By: Kelly Jo http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2666 Kelly Jo Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:52:16 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2666 I guess I feel that God gave these authors a talent-a talent to show many different views of the world and their imagination. Whether they are lovers or haters of God-by word or deed-you can't deny their talent. I guess I feel that God gave these authors a talent-a talent to show many different views of the world and their imagination.
Whether they are lovers or haters of God-by word or deed-you can’t deny their talent.

]]> By: Ashley http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2652 Ashley Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:34:57 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2652 I agree with discernment in reading. What cause one person to fall, may not cause another to do so. I had good Christian friends tell me not to read the Twilight series. I developed a very harsh opinion of the books without having ever read them. Months later, a Christian friend that I deeply love and respect told me how good they were. I was skeptical at first, but I ended up really enjoying them. I thought that one of the big underlying themes was about purity. The main character falls in love with someone who absolutely refuses to diminish her honor. The book did portray some somewhat skewed versions of what love is, and could perhaps raise someone's expectations too high. The fact that Stephanie Meyer has helped teenagers all over the world fall "in love" with a character that believes in sex ONLY after marriage, and obedience to parents is something that is missing in the world of media. I applaud her, whether that was her intention or not. As for Harry Potter, I haven't read the books yet. They are on my to do list. I agree with discernment in reading. What cause one person to fall, may not cause another to do so. I had good Christian friends tell me not to read the Twilight series. I developed a very harsh opinion of the books without having ever read them. Months later, a Christian friend that I deeply love and respect told me how good they were. I was skeptical at first, but I ended up really enjoying them. I thought that one of the big underlying themes was about purity. The main character falls in love with someone who absolutely refuses to diminish her honor. The book did portray some somewhat skewed versions of what love is, and could perhaps raise someone’s expectations too high. The fact that Stephanie Meyer has helped teenagers all over the world fall “in love” with a character that believes in sex ONLY after marriage, and obedience to parents is something that is missing in the world of media. I applaud her, whether that was her intention or not.
As for Harry Potter, I haven’t read the books yet. They are on my to do list.

]]> By: Rona http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2515 Rona Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:47:18 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2515 Luke 11:34-36 comes to mind but still, it is a personal conviction. For our family, the goal is to glorify the Lord in all we do without being legalistic. Luke 11:34-36 comes to mind but still, it is a personal conviction. For our family, the goal is to glorify the Lord in all we do without being legalistic.

]]> By: Heather Marsten http://www.shereads.org/2010/02/reading-and-discernment-part-one-repost/comment-page-1/#comment-2512 Heather Marsten Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:36:41 +0000 http://www.shereads.org/?p=690#comment-2512 I think God and the Holy Spirit can help us discern what is helpful or not, and that may change as we grow in the Lord. What could cause a new believer to stray might be the fodder that a more mature believer needs to be able to help others who need Christ. We need to listen to our inner witness when we read and determine to either read or not read. Regarding Harry Potter, before I got saved the first Harry Potter books came out and I was attending my church when a member got up and spoke on Harry Potter. Problem was, she never read the book, she read commentaries on the book and spoke from that. I had read the book and realized that those commentators did not know the whole truth and had gotten some facts wrong. Had I not been so hungry for God, those words of her could have turned me off from God. See, before I got saved, I was fully into the occult and new age and had been a witch - at one time of a coven of 150 witches. So I knew that Harry Potter was pure fantasy, and her teaching was not accurate. I now, as i have grown realize that for many youth Harry Potter can be dangerous for it does two things. One, it glamorizes the occult and new age. And, two, it shows that if you disobey your elders and the end result is good there is no problem. At the time though, this person's arguments against Harry Potter were laughable to me. Sometimes being well read on current literature can give you talking points. My children read Harry Potter and I did too, so I could use my knowledge of the book to counter things I felt was dangerous to them. Kids are able to get their hands on things that you try to protect them from, so I would rather have them openly read something and be able to have input. Spiritual discernment is the only way we can be sure of what to read or not. Heather I think God and the Holy Spirit can help us discern what is helpful or not, and that may change as we grow in the Lord. What could cause a new believer to stray might be the fodder that a more mature believer needs to be able to help others who need Christ. We need to listen to our inner witness when we read and determine to either read or not read.

Regarding Harry Potter, before I got saved the first Harry Potter books came out and I was attending my church when a member got up and spoke on Harry Potter. Problem was, she never read the book, she read commentaries on the book and spoke from that. I had read the book and realized that those commentators did not know the whole truth and had gotten some facts wrong. Had I not been so hungry for God, those words of her could have turned me off from God. See, before I got saved, I was fully into the occult and new age and had been a witch – at one time of a coven of 150 witches. So I knew that Harry Potter was pure fantasy, and her teaching was not accurate. I now, as i have grown realize that for many youth Harry Potter can be dangerous for it does two things. One, it glamorizes the occult and new age. And, two, it shows that if you disobey your elders and the end result is good there is no problem. At the time though, this person’s arguments against Harry Potter were laughable to me.

Sometimes being well read on current literature can give you talking points. My children read Harry Potter and I did too, so I could use my knowledge of the book to counter things I felt was dangerous to them. Kids are able to get their hands on things that you try to protect them from, so I would rather have them openly read something and be able to have input.

Spiritual discernment is the only way we can be sure of what to read or not.
Heather

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