HP is a great read, recommended to all kids even big ones, theres somthing about letting your imagination wander for a while to allow the own juices of creativity to bubble to the top.

As for witches Ive got one that visits me every second weekend in the form of a mother inlaw, Gibo if you want put her to the stake be mt guest.

As for this thread, 18 people yours truly included have taken time out of thier day to comment on witches, w i t c h e s. Does anyone who believes in this crap also believe in the tooth fairy?

I want to know cause Ive got some teeth to cash in and can you send the little minx around to mine to cough up the dough Ive been waiting on.

And while thier at it Im an Elvis fan is the King gonna hit the recording booth anytime soon?

TurnrightTurnleft

You write 'This conscience and morality is based on what I know to be right, not age old superstitions -'

That is exactly the problem. Everyone bases their morality on what they know to be right and wrong. To the suicide bomber it is right to kill the innocent, to the woman who wants to abort for convenience sake that is right. to the Hindu it is right to ignore the untouchables because they will be reincarnated to a better life if they behave. You reject God's love and HIs right to call right right and wrong wrong and you end up with everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. This would be alright if it did not affect others but it does. Children end up being abused, fatherless, motherless, old people ended up neglected. Why? Because everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

I understand Runner that many here cant understand the bible view of things. Because of my concern for children I just wanted to tell my story about evil spirts as I have experienced war with them; and I wanted to talk about the ease with which people can actually open REAL doors into a REAL evil spirit world by goofing off with the occult. The Lord save the children from Harry Potters practices. For those interested the New England, NSW town I was talking about is Glen Innes. I was there in a christian church on the weekend of the celtic festival 2005 and the oppression in that committed christian church was thick enough to cut with a knife. I believe that for a very long time the committed christians of Glen Innes have suffered because of the witchcraft people in the community and I would love to see them set free. I really feel for them. If you are happy to pray for the christians there... please do.

What happened Gibo,

Did the Christians feel intimidated by a few stoned hippies running roundwithout any gear on?

Mate you should come along to some of the rave parties I get along to, it'd curl your toes old son. I rerckon some people at those things are talking to god himself.

Get a life or at least enjoy yourself.

Gibo,

When I look at what was done in the past to alleged witches in the name of Christianity, I'd have to wonder whether it's the former that should be unlawful, or the latter.

In the end, though, I prefer just to explain to children that both are merely fabrications of the human imagination.

Sylvia.

Below is another Christian perspective on HP and might help to explain why children raised in Christian households adore HP, why there was a battle in our household over the last book, and why no housework was done the day "Deathly Hallows" was released:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/julyweb-only/130-12.0.html

The magic part of HP is very seductive, my kids are very proud of the scars on their foreheads that look a bit like HP's, and usually have a stick (wand) in hand these days. But they are just playing make believe. When I point out the real magic in the world, the magic of God's love, they understand that HP's not real (but I think they still secretly wish "wingardium leviosa" would levitate their homework out the door).

Communicat, as English is the only compulsory HSC subject, I would hope that our children's education is in better hands than JK Rowlings'...but the teacher did not complain at all when HP appeared on the nightly reading diary every night for a month, so it must be a tolerable replacement to the usual books drawn from the Premier's Reading Challenge list.