How can you watch/read anything with witchcraft and still be a christian?

[Lilac#18]

I'm not saying I have any problem with christians watching/reading anything with witchcraft nor am I judging, but I do wonder why some christians have no problem reading a book or watching a show/movie with witchcraft. I know witchcraft is mentioned some where in the bible as a sin and I don't think anyone will go to hell for this. I like to watch reruns of Bewitched. I have an older sister who doesn't like anything with witchcraft. My sister had told me not to watch anything with witchcraft when I was a kid or a teenager. Now, I'm not a kid or a teenager anymore and she still tells me I shouldn't watch anything with witchcraft. I told her it doesn't influence me (which it doesn't) nor do I think it sends you to hell. She asks why do I want to watch anything that has witchcraft in it. I didn't really answer her. I woud like to ask you guys a few questions.

This may seem judgemental and I'm truly sorry if it does, that's not my intent, please don't be angry and this might be stupid questions, but how can you be a christian and watch/read anything with witchcraft? What do you do to stay grounded in your faith?

Although I'm not a practicing christian nor do I go to church every week (every once in any a while I'll go) and although I have a couple of scriptures in my signature, I belive everything in the bible (even though I don't read it everyday and haven't read the whole bible yet) and I believe in God and Jesus
even though it's hard to take them seriously and with love and desire (I know it sound crazy. I tell you guys later in another thread).

[minakichan]

The Bible has witchcraft =( It also has stuff like rape and murder and incest =(

Guess I should just not read it =(

[Lilac#18]

Oops, sorry, I meant it's mentioned in the bible as a sin.

[Fish and Chips]

My general perspective is that there is a clear distinction between the real world and fiction. Witchcraft as detailed to in the Bible revolves around the actual practicing of ritualistic magic, particularly in dealings with devils and false gods. As there is only one true God, attempting to work with devils or false gods is an attempt to circumvent his authority (near as I can figure), not to mention the implications of allying oneself with malignant forces.

That's the watered down theme park version anyway. I'm no expert, but as this is already bordering on theological debate territory, so I'd suggest using Google to find more on the subject rather than press further here.

By contrast, fiction is fiction. It's not real, nor does any rational person take it to be real, or seriously put any of it into practice. This goes across the board really, from books to games to just about anything. You have a book where magic is possible, but you know the world in the book isn't our world, and that what passes for magic there is likely pretty impossible over here. Likewise, a group of guys playing D&D in someone's living room aren't seriously trying to cast spells, it's a game of imagination, pen, and paper, and way more sets of dice than any reasonable human being would ever need.

As long as you keep this idea in mind, I'd say its pretty safe.

[Anime_Guy_4ever]

The Bible has witchcraft =( It also has stuff like rape and murder and incest =(

Guess I should just not read it =(

Ah, please don't take such a view of the Bible, for that would be very tragic. The Bible classifies all of those things as sin and according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
So the Bible here should be read in order to construct a Biblical world view of such issues.



As for the general question of this thread, I think it would be useful to look at a few more verses here: Galations 5:19,20 ]sinful[/U] nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."



Just from studying this passage it becomes clear that the Bible classifies witchcraft as a sin, and according to Rom. 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." those who practice any sin, including witchcraft need forgiveness, otherwise they will not receive the gift of eternal life.


This then launches into the main question about a Christian watching/reading anything with witchcraft in it and also how does a Christian stay grounded in their faith. I would reply here that there is indeed a danger for Christians in observing things with witchcraft themes in them, one that some Christians may not even be aware of. For younger children especially I believe that it can be dangerous to expose them to a worldly view of witchcraft, and so a Biblically constructed view of witchcraft should be taught and presented to them and such issues should be discussed.



Personally for me, studying some of the verses that I previously mentioned help me to stay grounded in a Biblically sound view of the world in which witchcraft elements and themes are becoming prevelent. I have indeed watched certain anime series with many themes of witchcraft and have read a large amount of literature that involved many fantasy and magic related themes so it is important that I have a Biblically grounded view of such topics.



So in summary, I believe practicing witchcraft is a sin, but viewing media/reading literature that contains these things is not a sin. However one (who is a Christian) should not view these things without a firm Biblical understanding of the topic so as not to be negatively influenced by them.

Hope that helps a bit, I can attempt to clarify things that I may not have explained well(if so sorry in advance).

[rocklobster]

Ah, please don't take such a view of the Bible, for that would be very tragic. The Bible classifies all of those things as sin and according to 2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
So the Bible here should be read in order to construct a Biblical world view of such issues.



As for the general question of this thread, I think it would be useful to look at a few more verses here: Galations 5:19,20 ]sinful[/U] nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."



Just from studying this passage it becomes clear that the Bible classifies witchcraft as a sin, and according to Rom. 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." those who practice any sin, including witchcraft need forgiveness, otherwise they will not receive the gift of eternal life.


This then launches into the main question about a Christian watching/reading anything with witchcraft in it and also how does a Christian stay grounded in their faith. I would reply here that there is indeed a danger for Christians in observing things with witchcraft themes in them, one that some Christians may not even be aware of. For younger children especially I believe that it can be dangerous to expose them to a worldly view of witchcraft, and so a Biblically constructed view of witchcraft should be taught and presented to them and such issues should be discussed.



Personally for me, studying some of the verses that I previously mentioned help me to stay grounded in a Biblically sound view of the world in which witchcraft elements and themes are becoming prevelent. I have indeed watched certain anime series with many themes of witchcraft and have read a large amount of literature that involved many fantasy and magic related themes so it is important that I have a Biblically grounded view of such topics.



So in summary, I believe practicing witchcraft is a sin, but viewing media/reading literature that contains these things is not a sin. However one (who is a Christian) should not view these things without a firm Biblical understanding of the topic so as not to be negatively influenced by them.

Hope that helps a bit, I can attempt to clarify things that I may not have explained well(if so sorry in advance).

THIS!
I agree wholeheartedly with that statement, anime4ever, you hit the nail right on the head.

[Cap'n Nick]

As I see it there are three general Christian philosophies on how to deal with objectionable content in entertainment:

1. Matt. 5:29 ("If your right eye causes you to sin...") - You should avoid materials that cause you to sin. Emphasis on this philosophy generally (though not always) leads to abstinence from pornography and sexually provocative imagery but permits materials that do not directly tempt the viewer, such as violence and witchcraft.

2. Phil. 4:8 ("...whatever is pure...") - You should seek out only those works that are edifying. This differs from the first in that it excludes not only works that tempt directly but those that are not inherently positive from a Christian standpoint.

3. 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 ("Everything is permissible...") - You should follow your conscience over any custom. Works should be considered not so much according to broad categories of objectionable content but according to their specific impact on the believer and those around them.

These are all biblical. Any Christian view of entertainment should encompass all three. This can be very difficult to do, which is why most people end up with an emphasis on one or the other. It also explains how Bible-believing Christians can come to such vastly different conclusions about what they should and shouldn't tolerate.

[ashfire]

I have seen at times where people have used witchcraft to do criminal acts, like arson, murder and vandalism. To show up on the scene and see the signs and call in lawenforcement to take over.

I have also heard there are those that are Christian or call themselves Christian witches or warlocks and preform witchcraft as a Christian act without doing something criminal. My guess they use God in their preformance to do good and not evil.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

...?


So, but seriously. I can call myself a christian safely because when I read that stuff or watch that stuff, it's fiction. Speaking random words in broken latin isn't going to make you a witch. Likewise, waving around a duck wand make you able to use magic either.

Also, I think Minakichan's comment was largely sarcasm.

[LadyRushia]

Most of the magic and stuff in anime and books I have seen and read have been obviously made up by the authors. Some may be closer to real stuff than others, but I generally don't have an interest in those. One of the nice things about human creativity is that people can make stuff up and it wouldn't work in reality. For me, I'm more influenced by the themes of an anime, manga, book, or show rather than the plot devices like magic, but if the magic is too close to what people actually practice, then I usually get a weird vibe and stop watching it.

Really, I think this sort of thing is between you and God. Some people can watch certain things and not be affected while others have to stay away. You can even ask God to show you things that honor Him. I've found many characters in anime who exhibit Christ-like qualities, and that's always good to find. So pray about it and see how God convicts you.

This thread is fine so far, but this is an official notice not to take it into theological debate.

[Nightshade X]

My thought is that minakichan was probably referring to the story in I Samuel 28 about Saul's visit to the Witch of Endor in order to consult with Samuel, who had died. In that sense, yes... there is witchcraft in the Bible, yet it is clearly written in a way to point out that Saul did a major no-no.

...if that wasn't the case, minakichan, then I'm just pointing it out for myself and sharing with the populace.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

My thought is that minakichan was probably referring to the story in I Samuel 28 about Saul's visit to the Witch of Endor in order to consult with Samuel, who had died. In that sense, yes... there is witchcraft in the Bible, yet it is clearly written in a way to point out that Saul did a major no-no.

...if that wasn't the case, minakichan, then I'm just pointing it out for myself and sharing with the populace.

You leave your ewoks out of this!

[Nate]

The Ewoks lived on the MOON of Endor, not Endor itself. :|

[Radical Dreamer]

Most of the magic and stuff in anime and books I have seen and read have been obviously made up by the authors. Some may be closer to real stuff than others, but I generally don't have an interest in those. One of the nice things about human creativity is that people can make stuff up and it wouldn't work in reality. For me, I'm more influenced by the themes of an anime, manga, book, or show rather than the plot devices like magic, but if the magic is too close to what people actually practice, then I usually get a weird vibe and stop watching it.

Really, I think this sort of thing is between you and God. Some people can watch certain things and not be affected while others have to stay away. You can even ask God to show you things that honor Him. I've found many characters in anime who exhibit Christ-like qualities, and that's always good to find. So pray about it and see how God convicts you.

This thread is fine so far, but this is an official notice not to take it into theological debate.

I very much agree with this and much of what has been said thus far in this thread (and I echo the sentiment that this should not go into theological debate territory). If reading or watching some form of entertainment that uses witchcraft as a plot device causes you to stumble and want to become a practicing witch, then by all means, keep it as far away from you as possible (after all, "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off" </paraphrase>). But if you are able to view it for what it is, which is pure fiction in most cases, where magic is simply used as a fictional venue for telling a story, then I find nothing wrong with it. Again, if it causes you or someone near you to stumble, cast it off and find something else; your relationship with Christ is far more important than a novel, movie, or anime series.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

The Ewoks lived on the MOON of Endor, not Endor itself. :|

So maybe she had a transport. Hush!

[Lilac#18]

As for the general question of this thread, I think it would be useful to look at a few more verses here: Galations 5:19,20 ]sinful[/U] nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."



Just from studying this passage it becomes clear that the Bible classifies witchcraft as a sin, and according to Rom. 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." those who practice any sin, including witchcraft need forgiveness, otherwise they will not receive the gift of eternal life.


This then launches into the main question about a Christian watching/reading anything with witchcraft in it and also how does a Christian stay grounded in their faith. I would reply here that there is indeed a danger for Christians in observing things with witchcraft themes in them, one that some Christians may not even be aware of. For younger children especially I believe that it can be dangerous to expose them to a worldly view of witchcraft, and so a Biblically constructed view of witchcraft should be taught and presented to them and such issues should be discussed.



Personally for me, studying some of the verses that I previously mentioned help me to stay grounded in a Biblically sound view of the world in which witchcraft elements and themes are becoming prevelent. I have indeed watched certain anime series with many themes of witchcraft and have read a large amount of literature that involved many fantasy and magic related themes so it is important that I have a Biblically grounded view of such topics.



So in summary, I believe practicing witchcraft is a sin, but viewing media/reading literature that contains these things is not a sin. However one (who is a Christian) should not view these things without a firm Biblical understanding of the topic so as not to be negatively influenced by them.

Hope that helps a bit, I can attempt to clarify things that I may not have explained well(if so sorry in advance).

Most of the magic and stuff in anime and books I have seen and read have been obviously made up by the authors. Some may be closer to real stuff than others, but I generally don't have an interest in those. One of the nice things about human creativity is that people can make stuff up and it wouldn't work in reality. For me, I'm more influenced by the themes of an anime, manga, book, or show rather than the plot devices like magic, but if the magic is too close to what people actually practice, then I usually get a weird vibe and stop watching it.

Really, I think this sort of thing is between you and God. Some people can watch certain things and not be affected while others have to stay away. You can even ask God to show you things that honor Him. I've found many characters in anime who exhibit Christ-like qualities, and that's always good to find. So pray about it and see how God convicts you.

Thanks for your advices. My sister just thinks that christians shouldn't watch/read anything with witchcraft. My guess is that she thinks the act of all forms of witchcraft will influence, harm and/or bring curses on people. She doesn't want her kids or any christian to watch/read any book/movie/show with that.

[Tsukuyomi]

I would say there's nothing wrong with reading/watching anything with such contents just as long as you remember it's just make believe ^__^ That, it's not real Fantasy is just what it is.. It's fantasy ^__^

[chibiphonebooth]

I very much agree with this and much of what has been said thus far in this thread (and I echo the sentiment that this should not go into theological debate territory). If reading or watching some form of entertainment that uses witchcraft as a plot device causes you to stumble and want to become a practicing witch, then by all means, keep it as far away from you as possible (after all, "if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off" </paraphrase>). But if you are able to view it for what it is, which is pure fiction in most cases, where magic is simply used as a fictional venue for telling a story, then I find nothing wrong with it. Again, if it causes you or someone near you to stumble, cast it off and find something else; your relationship with Christ is far more important than a novel, movie, or anime series.

this. I've read all harry potter books and watched the movies, and i've turned out fine! its because i can distinguish between fact and fiction. I know this stuff isn't going to shake me, and its purely just a fictional thing. It's just like watching Lord of the Rings or something for me.

[Gelka]

Um, I guess I'll say something....

I'll try to some this up so I don't bore anyone. ^^

The bible states witchcraft is evil.

So I guess it's okay to watch movies with witchcraft AS LONG AS it has the "bad guy" doing the witchcraft. Does that make sense? You really don't want to get into the movies that had the supposedly "good guys" doing all this Magical summoning and stuff, it could really lead you down the wrong hill. V.V

[minakichan]

Lilac#18:

Do you personally feel that any little girl who hears the story of Cinderella or Snow White becomes a practicing witch, or that kids who watch Christmastime cartoons about Santa Claus get cursed, or at the very least, exposed to bad influences to the point that they become failures of humanity?

I can understand this opinion and if your sister feels like fairy tales are not appropriate for kids (which I kind of agree with, because they give little girls expectations that romantic love is something they should all strive for, which I think is a bad thing, but let's not go into that), then she's the mom, she can do what she feels is right. But if it's not going to affect you, don't stress out too much over it.

[blkmage]

The thing about magic in fantasy works is that most of its occurrences in mainstream media are really far removed from what constitutes sorcery as defined biblically. For most of these, you'll need to dig very, very deep in order to get to the parts that you're worried about.

For instance, in Naruto, we have the concept of chakra and doing stuff like shooting fireballs and summoning frogs. That isn't the type of magic that constitutes sin, because it's not possible to summon Gamabunta or shoot fireballs. Chakra is based on some eastern mysticism, but the treatment it gets in Naruto is so shallow that it may as well be any nondescript blue bar from a generic RPG.

It's the same for most of these things. Magic in fantasy is often so indistinguishable from actual dangerous magic that it's not worth worrying about. When you should start to worry is when you begin to seriously study the philosophy behind these things, like if you suddenly wanted to look up so Hindu texts to learn how to manipulate your chakra or something.

[Peanut]

Lilac#18:

Do you personally feel that any little girl who hears the story of Cinderella or Snow White becomes a practicing witch, or that kids who watch Christmastime cartoons about Santa Claus get cursed, or at the very least, exposed to bad influences to the point that they become failures of humanity?

I can understand this opinion and if your sister feels like fairy tales are not appropriate for kids (which I kind of agree with, because they give little girls expectations that romantic love is something they should all strive for, which I think is a bad thing, but let's not go into that), then she's the mom, she can do what she feels is right. But if it's not going to affect you, don't stress out too much over it.

Not to mention books like the Chronicles of Narnia which even uses magic as an allegory for the law and Christ's sacrifice. So yeah...personally I don't think there is anything wrong with watching shows that contain "witchcraft" and magic even if its shown in a positive light. For one thing, my identity as a Christian isn't exactly defined by what I watch nor should it be. Secondly, it doesn't tempt me in anyway to try and participate in witchcraft and sorcery. But that's just me...

[~darkelfgirl~]

Thanks for your advices. My sister just thinks that christians shouldn't watch/read anything with witchcraft. My guess is that she thinks the act of all forms of witchcraft will influence, harm and/or bring curses on people. She doesn't want her kids or any christian to watch/read any book/movie/show with that.

Well, I guess the Narnia series (written by C.S. Lewis, a famous Christian, by the way) will be a no-no? After he wrote that, I'm sure he didn't turn to witchcraft or many of the people (including many Christians) who read his work.

Or Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a Christian, also.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Um, I guess I'll say something....

I'll try to some this up so I don't bore anyone. ^^

The bible states witchcraft is evil.

So I guess it's okay to watch movies with witchcraft AS LONG AS it has the "bad guy" doing the witchcraft. Does that make sense? You really don't want to get into the movies that had the supposedly "good guys" doing all this Magical summoning and stuff, it could really lead you down the wrong hill. V.V

If this is a boundary you're not comfortable crossing, then that's fine. For others, it may not be such an issue. For others still that I have known they would take it a step further and say that it must be in no way connected.

[Midori]

If a character chants a few words and a giant fireball appears, is that exactly witchcraft? I mean, it's not like anybody's gonna read that and think "If I chant these words, a fireball will appear", and even if they do chant those words, you can be fairly sure there will be no fireball. I think the more dangerous depictions are things like summoning invisible spirits that have subtle effects on things. It's easier to mistake that for reality.

At any rate, I agree with what most everyone has been saying here. Reading about sin is not sin, and reading about a fictional world in which doing "witchcraft" is not a sin will not make it okay to do in the real world. Remember that our God is more powerful than anything else that exists. When we are in Christ, witchcraft can't destroy our soul, and especially fictional witchcraft can't destroy it either.

[ShiroiHikari]

If reading about sinful things is a sin, then living in the sinful world is a sin too. That's how I feel about it, anyway. That doesn't mean that my convictions allow me to watch porn or anything, though. XD

[EricTheFred]

I decided to wait on this thread for a while and see what other answers came back. I haven't been disappointed; most of the things I might have said have been well-stated by others.

I would like to underscore one thing, though. "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out." To my mind, this quotation means, if it is a vexation to your soul, than avoid it (the same is said later, in the letters, in a couple different ways, but this very blunt form of the command is my favorite version.) We are not created identical, however equal we may be. What is a problem for other Christians is not always the same as that which is a problem for you.

The presence of magic in fiction does not equal witchcraft to my mind. In most anime, it is frankly just a technology, a tool through which the characters operate. Actually, often the good guys are involved in ethical struggles over the proper use of their magic which are excellent allegory to the real world's struggles over the proper use of science and technology, and I suspect that often the writers are doing this intentionally. That being said, it is still possible in fiction to improperly glorify blasphemous things. We've seen this with 'Da Vinci Code' and other works, so I still occasionally drop a series when it too closely mirrors teachings of 'Magick' or 'Wicca' followers in the real world (I've had this problem more with American TV than with Anime though.)

Several people have stated correctly that fiction and mythological literature should not be judged on the same standards as reality. This is why so many medieval Christian thinkers had no problem at all with referring to works by Greek and Roman writers who regularly referred to their pagan gods, as well as no problem citing examples from Aesop, who regularly included blasphemies such as talking animals in his tales. They understood that it was the principles that counted in such works, rather than the 'facts' stated.

[Htom Sirveaux]

I'd say it's all a matter of how much the individual can stand. Some Christians can take, and even defend, the use of witchcraft, magic, etc. in a work of fiction and it doesn't bother them. But if you personally find it spiritually disturbing, then by all means avoid it. Neither party is "wrong", as long as they don't start making accusations towards one another.

To give an example of each:

I knew a co-worker who was flat-out against the Harry Potter series because he said it glorified witchcraft. In a sense, he's not wrong. He's just very cautious, which is quite commendable. And if he's that deeply offended by it, he can stay away if he wants to.

My brother-in-law (a born again Christian and founder of an outreach ministry program) read the Satanist bible after he got saved, just to see what it teaches. His verdict was that it's poorly written and basically just an essay on anarchy.

[Cap'n Nick]

We all seem to have the concept of individual standards down well enough. We just have to be sure to actually think about what our standards are instead of assuming we can tackle anything only to find that what we thought we were immune to has somehow become a part of us.

I do know this from experience, albeit a ridiculous one. Just the other day I made a bet with Ashley that I could go 24 hours without quoting an internet meme. I failed within 13 hours. I slept for 8 of those hours.

[Shao Feng-Li]

I've always kinda thought... if the witches in real life could actually do what the fictional ones do, we'd be in a heap of trouble...

I've seen the first Harry Potter film- no one's conjuring up the devil to preform spells- Magic is about as natural a thing as air and breathing. You just do.

Biblical witches and warlocks derived they power from the Devil.

That being said, that doesn't mean one ought to be constantly reading fantastic, fictional stories.