Here are some excerpts from the story by the Gazette’s religion writer, Molly Rossiter:
Shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, 40 or so elementary school-aged kids donned colored sashes and prepared for their first Quidditch match. Though Quidditch, a game played in the wildly popular 'Harry Potter' series, typically involves flying through the air and on broomsticks, these particular players were grounded, swatting at playground balls rather than quaffles and chasing badminton birdies instead of the golden snitch.
Instead of taking place at Hogwarts, a mythical school of wizardry, this game was played in the grand hall at Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City. In place of young witches and wizards, the players were all area vacation Bible school students.
…At 'Wizards and Wonders: A Hero's Journey with Harry Potter,' vacation Bible school, held Aug. 9 to 13, students learn Christian life skills with parallels drawn between the Bible and 'Harry Potter.' The quidditch game, for example, required everyone to play their roles in order for it all to work and was a lead in to the 1 Corinthians lesson of one body, many parts, teaching cooperation.
Other lessons included the call to worship, linking Moses' call from the burning bush to the letters Hogwarts students received, calling them to learn the skills they need to be protected against the evil Voldemort, and the differences between magic and miracles.
…Meg Wagner, who organized the vacation bible school at Trinity Episcopal Church, where she is the director of Christian formation, points out that J.K. Rowling, the series' author, 'has even said that the Christian themes (in the book) are pretty obvious.' 'It's captured a generation of readers, and I'd rather they read it as a Christian and see the similarities,' Wagner said. …
By incorporating a popular book and movie series into the curriculum, she said, the Christian lessons aren't as obvious.
'It's like they're doing it without the kids really noticing,' she said.
Excuse me!?!? Isn’t the idea of VBS to make kids UNDERSTAND the Christian faith, i.e. NOTICE IT? What sort of “Christian themes” could possibly be in Harry Potter stories?
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about such drivel coming from a church whose denomination is about as liberal as they come.
Now, I know there are many other VBS programs out there which are aberrational or downright stupid things to be using for teaching about Christ and the Christian faith. It is abhorrent that churches have resorted to these things just to be “relevant.” It is no wonder our kids get bored with church without the frills; they have been won to entertainment and must be kept by entertainment.
How about we go back to scripture on which to base our VBS programs, and leave the entertainment business to the world.
What a shame that this church doesn't think that God's Word isn't enough to teach to children, and especially mixing it with Harry Potter, which is Satanism lite. Lord, come take us home!
ReplyDeleteWoe to them who call evil good and good evil. Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteWho needs the kids to notice the gospel if Christianity is all moralism (sarcasm)?
ReplyDeleteI have received the following two comments from covnitkepr1 but will not post them direct from him because the link to his blog has the false teachings that baptism is necessary for salvation.
ReplyDeleteComment 1:
I have to "ditto" what God said and Marie repeated.
I’ve enjoyed looking over your blog. I came across it through another blog I follow. I am now a follower of yours as well. Feel free to look over my blog and perhaps become a follower of it if you wish.
Comment 1:
Have you ever written a post on the cult called The Salvation Army?
MY RESPONSE:
Thank you for visiting and I am honored that you have chosen to follow my blog and find it interesting.
As for the Salvation Army, I have done nothing on them. I don't know a whole lot about their teachings other than that they are pretty much into the social gospel.
wow..........that is sad and pathetic....what next? I won't ask!
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is absolutely ridiculous to be using Harry Potter instead of Scripture as teaching material in church. Such in inexcusable. But I was wondering whether or not you thought it to be sinful to read Harry Potter books at all.
Jesse,
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say it is sinful, although we are to avoid evil. Witchcraft is evil, and there is no such thing as good witchcraft. So why should Christians fill their heads with that which is evil and propagates evil. it is unwise.
I've never read the series before, nor plan on doing so.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't waste my time with trashy novels.
ReplyDeleteWell, you would have to pick up novels in order to discover which ones are nugatory. Some have edifying and interesting content; others not so.
ReplyDeleteWhich is why I RARELY read novels, and then only after many recommendations from reputable sources.
ReplyDelete