I am going to open a can of worms here. Many are familiar with the controversy about the place of fantasy in the life of a Christian. There have been many articles written on the subject both pro and con and some on the fence. Just do a search on the internet and you will find a diversity of positions on many fantasy subjects such as Disney movies, the many fantasy writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, the Chronicles of Narnia, Dungeons and Dragons and Harry Potter.
There are people who are expressly against all fantasy stories and role playing games. There are some who will allow Tolkien and Lewis, but won’t allow Disney, Dungeons and Dragons or Harry Potter. Some will go farther and allow Disney. Then there are some who say well maybe it’s ok for my family, but not ok for others and they are kind of closet fantasy fans. They go to church, witness, tithe - everything - and they also play Dungeons and Dragons, own every Disney movie and read Harry Potter. But they will never let anyone know that they do so as not to tempt the weaker brother. Then there are others who will allow it all and even defend it from a Christian perspective.
I am wondering what people think about the place fantasy has in the life of a Christian. What do you allow and what do you not? More importantly – Why?
I will consider any information or link that you think is pertinent, although I must say I will not read any links to Jack Chick or Bill Schnoeblen.
I am wondering what people think about the place fantasy has in the life of a Christian. What do you allow and what do you not? More importantly – Why?
You might as well ask what the place is of fiction in the life of a Christian, since all fiction is fantasy to some extent.
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Take care,
Scott
"Oh [blast], not another elf!" - Inkling Hugo Dyson, upon hearing another reading by J. R. R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings
"In the heat of composition I find that I have inadvertently allowed myself to assume the form of a large centipede. I am accordingly dictating the rest to my secretary." - C. S. Lewis
*shrug* The Bible contains fiction. What's the problem?
__________________
Take care,
Scott
"Oh [blast], not another elf!" - Inkling Hugo Dyson, upon hearing another reading by J. R. R. Tolkien from The Lord of the Rings
"In the heat of composition I find that I have inadvertently allowed myself to assume the form of a large centipede. I am accordingly dictating the rest to my secretary." - C. S. Lewis
It is not that simple. There is no right or wrong with fantasy itself it is what is the fanstasy about. See Harry Potter is preduced by a witch. The author admits she is Wiccian and said the reason Jesus Christ died on the cross is because Hw was weak. Her books go a lot further than just the imagination. It takes you into witchcraft. Disney was into some wierd stuff too. Peter Pan seems very innocent to me but truth is he is a wiccian god. I know this becuase I studied into it. We had a coven messing with our church for a while. Anyone who wants to say that stuff is not real does not know what they are talking about. I saw some stuff that would scare you. I won't go into detail because people would think I'm crazy. Dungeons and Dragons is the same thing. Role playing games are even worse. They actually make you that person. So if you ever decide to do it in real life it won't be so hard. You will already be callased to it. Fiction and fantisy are not bad but know what your looking at before you use it. Listen to what people have to say. I will close with this. Pokemon seems so kidish and the characters are cute. All that stuff was magic (fire, water, earth or as they call grass, and wind) They even have phycics, ghost, and those with hypnotic powers. They came out with Pokemon Cards just like the game Magic wich is quite wicked. Now for our kids they have Yu-gi-oh. It keeps getting worse. Who puts out a lot of this stuff like Harry Potter, Pokemon, ect? Let me answer that Witches Of The Coast. Hope this has helped you in your decision.Good topic and God Bless!
I am wondering what people think about the place fantasy has in the life of a Christian. What do you allow and what do you not? More importantly – Why?
I see nothing wrong with fiction/fantasy per se. In judging whether or not certain works are appropriate, we have to be careful to avoid two extremes; one which condemns an entire genre and one which fails to use any discernment at all.
The problem with most 'fantasy' works is elements of sorcery or magic. Since scripture condemns sorcery, then we as Christians should follow the Biblical view. But I would argue that just because a story contains a character who is a wizard or magician does not neccessarily make it a bad work.
The question should be, what does the story tell about magic or sorcery (or sex or drunkeness or theft or any other God-dishonoring theme). Does it glorify sin or sinful behavior? If so it should be avoided. But if it uses these themes to express ideas consistent with a Christian worldview, then I have no problem.
For example, suppose a story had a character who was a drunk. Would this mean that the story glorified drunkeness? Maybe--or maybe not. It depends on the story. It could go either way. Here is where we must judge.
For my children, I would allow Tolkein or Lewis. From what I know about Potter (which isn't much) I probably would not. Definitely not Dungeons & Dragons.
Please do not use Christian urban legends (CULs)to make your point. J.K. Rowling is not a witch nor is she involved in Wicca. The claims that Mark_Shrey2000 made about her are based on a CUL that arose from an e-mail that was sent out in 1999 - 2000 which was based on a satirical article from the onion.com. None of the things you wrote were actually said by J.K. Rowling.
The stories of Pan is a Greek god of mischief. J.M. Barry used the name Pan to denote the fact that Peter Pan was himself mischievous. I was involved in Wicca and other aspects of the occult for several years and I too have seen things that are beyond the realm of explanation. But there is no one Wiccan god or pantheon of gods. In Wicca there is a female deity and there is a male deity. Each coven gives them their own name. They can call them John and Martha if they want to. To a witch, the name is not important, it is the essence of the god and the goddess.
Role playing games allow you to play a character just as you would in a church skit or play. You do not become the character and you do not have ultimate control over the character's actions. You make decisions that you think the character would make based upon their learned skills, intelligence and whatnot.
As far as magic in fantasy and fiction, why is it wicked in Pokemon, Harry Potter and Dungeons and Dragons, but it is OK in the works of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis?
(1Co 6:12) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(1Co 10:23) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
These verses came to mind. I personally enjoy fantasy/sci-fi (including Tolkien and Lewis, and to a small degree found Harry Potter intriguing). I also have the ability to not allow it to hinder my spiritual growth. If you can't separate fantasy from reality then it may not be for you.
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Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Gal 5:13
(1Co 6:12) All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
(1Co 10:23) All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
These verses came to mind. I personally enjoy fantasy/sci-fi (including Tolkien and Lewis, and to a small degree found Harry Potter intriguing). I also have the ability to not allow it to hinder my spiritual growth. If you can't separate fantasy from reality then it may not be for you.
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Tolkien, Lewis, Harry Potter and Dungeons and Dragons
What Is Wrong With Fantasy?
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