Being a Christian Without Being an Idiot Review

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(More customer reviews)I had heard Brad Stine's comedy before and even had one of his CDs. Then, I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert last week.
His performance was fabulous. He is not only hilarious; he is extremely bright and relevant.
After his show, I bought some of his material. One of the things I got was, `Being A Christian Without Being An Idiot'. The title is certainly provocative. The material inside is relevant and thought provoking.
The main purpose of this book is to get Christians to think about many things that they consider to be Christian `truths', but which are oftentimes more about cultural and denominational traditions. He makes the point that, `Christians are different from each other in our theology, denominations, and social interaction,' and goes on to contend, `That's AS IT SHOULD BE!'
Some of the `assumed truths' that Stine dissects include the following: Satan causes most of the problems for Christians, drinking and smoking are sins, all `true' Christians will be offended by the same things, and sinners are worse people than I am. There are also several others.
Regarding smoking, he makes several points: 1) the Bible doesn't say anything about smoking, 2) `It does bring up gluttony, though, and our country by far has more health issues with overeating than they do with smoking, 3) many Christians don't drink or smoke, but have serious weight problems. He says, `Some temples have some extra rooms added on that weren't in the original architecture'. He goes on to point out that he is not judging, nor is he trivializing smoking. He uses this example to show that our culture does not take gluttony as seriously as smoking.
He points out such inconsistencies as the intense focus that many Christians have on the gay marriage issue while virtually ignoring the sky high divorce rate for heterosexuals including Christians.
Mr. Stine manages to get his humor in even while making serious points. While discussing the reaction of some Christians to the Harry Potter books, he talks about some book burnings that have occurred. He makes the point that Christians should be working to `draw people to the cross, not send them fleeing in horror.' He says, `I think a good rule of thumb is, if HITLER tried it, you may want to go another direction!'
This is really a terrific book. It is one that will make Christians think about important issues while having fun reading it. I highly recommend it. I also recommend that if you ever have a chance to see Brad Stine in concert, you take advantage of it.


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God and Harry Potter at Yale: Teaching Faith and Fantasy Fiction In An Ivy League Classroom Review

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(More customer reviews)I never had a strong interest in theology, but I LOVE the Harry Potter series, so I thought I'd give this book a shot, and I loved it! Rev. Tumminio does an incredible job of making theological topics feel relevant and intriguing, and she does so in a way that's really accessible to anyone. I learned a lot about theology, but that doesn't mean that she deprives the Harry Potter fan! The book is chock full of ways that themes from theology relate to the series. I wound up with a much deeper understanding of the series than I had before. I especially loved the chapters on revelation, sacrifice, and the apocalypse--it was really fascinating to learn about how Christians view these ideas and then how the ideas play out in the series.. There are also discussion questions at the end of each chapter that helped me focus my own ideas about what I was reading. I imagine these would be especially useful to church or academic groups that were discussing the series. The book is a total must own, whether you're a rabid Harry Potter fan, a Christian theologian, or a parent curious about whether the books are appropriate for your children. It goes so far beyond the current Christian discussion that just says the books are all about witchcraft, and really adds a new perspective. This book is a must own!


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Who would have believed it? Studying Harry Potter at Yale University? To learn about Christian theology?
But it happened! 'God and Harry Potter at Yale' is the story of the controversial course, 'Harry Potter and Christian Theology,' its teacher, the Rev. Danielle Tumminio, and what she taught and learned from her brilliant undergraduate students. They explored the heights of theology and literature for answers about eternal questions of faith, revelation, salvation, and what it means to be human. Come to the American Hogwarts in New Haven to join these Ivy League Seekers and their guide as they examine the stories of the Chosen One and Dark Lord for a greater understanding of the Potter novels and life's mysteries.

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Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca Witchcraft and the Bible Review

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(More customer reviews)Months ago, I got into an e-mail discussion with Steve Wohlberg, the author of this book "Hour of the Witch" about Harry Potter. He then e-mailed an advanced copy of this book to me saying he hoped I would find it more convincing than a little booklet he wrote on the subject.
This book is mostly second hand research from a biased source. (See my book review of "Harry Potter and the Bible" by Richard Abanes.) Steve Wohlberg takes misinformation from Richard Abanes's book and transfers it into "Hour of the Witch."
How do I know this? Because in so many areas in Wohlberg's endnotes he acknowledges that many of his research basis are "Quoted by Abanes."SECTION ONE
Here are some errors which Wohlberg transfered from Abanes's book:
#1. Wohlberg, like Abanes, cites 2 interviews which J.K. Rowling gave to prove that she transfered occultism in her series. In one interview mentioned, given on October 12, 1999 for WBUR, a Wiccan told Miss Rowling that she did her "homework quite well." Wohlberg then continues to say that the Wiccan loved the books because they portrayed his beleifs positively and made his daughter comfortable with his involvement in the occult. This is misleading. I have the transcript of the discussion. The Wiccan did indeed tell Rowling, "You do your homework quite well," however, any unbiased researcher will be able to tell you that the only "homework" in the series is nothing more than folklore. And to top it all off, the Wiccan never said that the series portrayed his beleifs and made his daughter comfortable with his involvement in the occult. All he said was that he had Rowling's books and his step-daughter had in interest in them as well. He said it brought the family together. That's all----- The next interview mentioned was given on October 20, 2000 for WAMU's Diane Rehm. Wohlberg says that in this interview that Rowling addmited that one-third of her Harry Potter series was based on actual occultism. I have the transcript of this conversation as well. This never happened. All Rowling said was that one-third of her series was based on folklore from Britain. She said "Folklore." Not "Occultism." The two are not one and the same.
In his e-mail to me, Wohlberg told me to especially read Chapter 7, "The Potion," to see how J.K. Rowling weeves fantasy and reality togather. After reading the chapter my mental responce was "Oh, yeah. And your point is...?" His chapter is basically how Rowling weeves British Mythology in her books. So What? Weeving fantasy with reality or mythology is not a new or necesarily a dangerous idea. Even Christian authors do it. What makes Rowling so special? Because she writes books that kids actually like? (And by the way, J.K. Rowling is a Christian of the Church of Scotland). But, I digress, none of the mythology in Rowling's books are Occultic. If his definition of occultism was reality then wee would have to rid ourselves of "Lord of the Rings," "Narnia," and others.
#2. He cites an article from "This is London" entitled "Potter fans turning to witchcraft." However, this article (and I read it) give little or no proof to back up its claim. It's bassically an "I feel this is happening" piece. There is a small area of that article which Harry-Potter-Haters avoid (which I forgott to mention in my review of Abanes's book.) This article points out that minors under 18 are not allowed to join the Wiccan craft. So, it actually defeats its own case. It doesn't prove anything against Harry Potter.
Wohlberg also appears ignorant that polling data says that despite a large following that Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and other magical shows, the occult in the U.S. and Europe, according to a ZENIT survey on cesnur.org, remains under 0.1%. That survey also mentions that despite a huge following of Harry Potter in Europe, the occult there is in decline.
SECTION TWO
The following are not Abanes Errors
#3. Wohlberg makes connections between Harry Potter and Wicca which do not exist. In one place he tries to make a case that Harry Potter teaches Wicca because it mentions Witch Burnings.
He also says that both Wicca and Harry Potter Witches are seen as gifted souls. Unfortunately for Wohlberg's case, this is not even mentioned in Harry Potter. It doesn't exist in the series.
He also says that Harry Potter teaches Wicca because Wiccans beleive using Magick to do good and to protect. This is a bogus connection. This makes the "Wizard of Oz" and "Lord of the Rings" look evil because the same thing happens there.
#4. Wohlberg then says that Harry Potter paints most Muggles (non-magical folk) as stupid because Harry's non-magical relatives abuse him. News to Wohlberg, Rowling is talking about one family here. Saying this shows Harry Potter is anti-muggle is like saying a movie about Pearl Harbor is anti-Japanese.
A common misconception that Wohlberg and other "harry Haters pass on is that Harry Potter contains the Wiccan beleifs. I have researched Wicca and this is not true and Wiccans agree with me. Allow me to cite reliable sourses which back me up:
The Following is an exerpt from a news article written by Ben Roy entitled "Wiccans Dispute Potter Claims." It is available at Cesnur.org:
"While an Alexandria woman is trying to ban the readingaloud of Harry Potter books at Bristol Elementary School because she says they promote Wicca, practicing members of the religion disagree.
Local Wiccans have come out against the claim the books promote their religion. They said the book is fiction, and does not represent their beliefs in any way.
" 'It really doesn't have anything to do with us,' said Peter Mather, an initiated Wiccan priest who lives in Plymouth.
Mather said he has examined the books and found nothing having to do with his religion.
" 'I've bought these books myself for my kids,' Mather said.
He said he finds no problem with them. He said a person who would ban them because they think the books promote Wicca is 'another intolerant person.'
" 'I've read these books, since I wanted to see what was in them before I gave them to my kids, and I must say that these books no more promote witchcraft than `Anne of Green Gables' promotes moving to Nova Scotia,' Mather said.
END OF EXERPT.
Dana Corby, a Witch on "Witchvox.com says, "Then the media wanted to talk to 'real witches' about it. And in every interview we told them that Harry Potter was a charming fantasy and a great read, but that (1) it does not even vaguely resemble real magic, (2) it does not encourage (much less teach) witchcraft or sorcery, and (3) it has nothing to do with satanism. And by the way, (4) neither do we."
Terry Paajanen, a witch at "paganwiccan.about.com says on her Harry Potter web page, "Wiccans worship both a God and Goddess, though there is no mention of any form of Deities at all in the Harry Potter series. Wicca is a religion after all, not just the act of casting spells. Why, there is no spirituality in these books and movies at all!"
She continues to say, "As I searched the Internet looking for pro-Potter sites, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of articles and sites dedicated to "exposing the evil truths about Harry Potter". What surprised me even more was the blatent lies and false information they contain. The biblical references used to back up their claims are questionable at best, and all of them are focused on the evils of magick and Witchcraft. The connection between J.K Rowling's books and Witchcraft is all in their heads. The 'experts' don't really know anything about Witchcraft at all, and it's a shame that they are the ones yelling the loudest."
Not proof enough? How about Wiccan Kerr Cuhulain telling anti-Potterite Jack Roper who said that HP is full of Wiccan concepts that it was "only full of what he thinks are witchcraft concepts" but are far different from "the reality of Wicca"? (Comment available at witchvox.com)
These are the Witchcraft/Wiccan practitioners talking. Don't tell me non-practitioners know more than they do.
There is so much more evidence which vindicated Harry Potter. if you want to know more, e-mail me at krissmith567@hotmail.com
____________________________
I cannot recommend this book, but I want to recommend "Looking for God in Harry Potter" by John Granger.


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Millions of children across the globe are enjoying the magical adventures of Harry Potter. Are these harmless fantasies or is a sinister spirit lurking behind the best-selling books? Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca, Witchcraft, and the Bible scrutinizes these popular tales from a spiritual standpoint. Sorcery, séances and the supernatural are essential to Harry Potter's escapades. So parents should be aware of how all this wizardry influences their kids. Does being immersed in images of witchcraft have a lasting impact on an impressionable mind? Learn the truth behind Harry Potter and how to protect your children from being bewitched.

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The Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker Review

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(More customer reviews)I had the privilege of providing some editorial review to the manuscript for this book prior to its publication. I became aware of Mrs. Neal's work through her previous volume on the controversial Harry Potter series, and was intrigued by her approach and perspective. She continues this fine work with this latest volume.
It is no secret that the Harry Potter series has set off a firestorm of controversy. In Western popular culture the dividing lines have been drawn over the series (now expressed in film with the second film due in theaters in November in the U.S.), with a polarization between pro- and anti-Potter perspectives. Traditionally, evangelical Christianity has a track record of articulating many valid concerns about the rise and influence of Paganism in American culture, but little work has been done addressing just why so many are rejecting the church in favor of alternative spiritual pathways, or creatively engaging popular culture to mine various concepts that can be used as bridges to communicate the gospel. Thankfully, _The Gospel According to Harry Potter_ provides a remedy to this situation.
Mrs. Neal recognizes that both pro- and ant-Potter advocates can (and will) find elements to support their contrary views on Potter. Thus, Mrs. Neal specifically states that she is not writing to articulate a pro-Potter position, but rather, she is looking at the Potter series with the specific intention of finding elements within the series that discerning Christians can use as bridges for communication to individuals interested in Potter (and perhaps the general fantasy genre as well). Just as the Apostle Paul drew upon various Pagan sources and ideas that were used to communicate the gospel to sophisticated Pagans of the first century, contemporary Christians may wish to explore Mrs. Neal's book for suggestions on evangelizing contemporary Pagans and others interested in spirituality but "turned off" by the church. Although not everyone will agree with her approach, it is worthy of careful consideration.
Mrs. Neal has done the Body of Christ a real service in authoring this book. It is my hope that the efforts of others interested in creative engagement with popular culture on behalf of Christ will be stimulated by this fine volume.

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