A Confused Glenn Beck

An interesting article from http://www.ucg.org/  about Vampire books. This follows this post about celebrity influence on things such as drug use and sexual problems. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

A Confused Glenn Beck

Last week I was watching Glen Beck’s popular news program on CNN. Glen is a conservative and engaging and articulate commentator. I enjoy his perspective and his enthusiasm.



On this night he interviewed Dr. James Dobson about the state of American morality. It was a good interview with several interesting statements about the trends talking morality down. Particular notice was given to the success of the latest version of Grand Theft Auto, the wildly popular video game where one can hire a prostitute, engage in sexual relations and then kill her. Afterwards the virtual character can go down the street killing cops. Innocent fun for kids and adults to share together.



Both Beck and Dobson clearly agreed such violent games added nothing to the social character. Right on Glen. But what struck me was the next guest Beck interviewed and the praise he heaped on her.



Next up was Stephanie Meyer, a popular author of a series of vampire books for teens. You know what a vampire is, the living dead who prey on the blood of victims, usually attractive women victims. Meyer has written another book that deals with the possession of human bodies by alien beings. All these books are best sellers with a growing audience. Meyer has been called the American version of J.K. Rowling.



What struck me was Glen Beck’s fawning praise for Meyers books. How can you go from criticizing the state of American morality in one segment to praising the fascination for literary worrks about vampires and spiritism? Doesn’t he understand the connection? Tales of evil spirits dressed in fanciful literary garb and sweetened with romance and nice people are just as corrosive to morals as virtual immorality and murder.



But it seems Mr. Beck is oblivious to this and little wonder. Even the most astute among us are unable to see the complete depth of deception our world is under. Isaiah says there would be those “who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!



See All...).



Evil and sin distorts our ability to clearly discern. Slowly over time even the most astute social observers can blur the lines and miss the point of understanding how insidious and pervasive is the evil in this world. Be clear and certain about your course. Keep the lines between evil and good clear in your own mind.







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is it wrong to read the Harry Potter books?

An interesting article from www.ucg.org about Harry Potter books. This follows this post about persecution of Christians. For a free magazine subscription or to get this book for free click HERE! or call 1-888-886-8632.

Is it wrong to read the Harry Potter books?


From what I've heard at camps and in my congregation, the ministers seem to think it's wrong, but none of them have read the books themselves. Please give me an answer from someone who has read them, if possible.



Answer:



Your question about whether it is wrong to read the Harry Potter books is one that many young Christians have faced. In these books the imaginary character Harry Potter attends Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he learns about possession and casting spells on people. Although this series of books is purely imaginary and the witchcraft in them is not technically the same as real-life witchcraft, filling our minds with things that closely resemble insults to God is not a good idea.



In working with ancient Israel, God consistently condemned witches, witchcraft and all things associated with the occult. In Exodus:22:18Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live., God said, "You shall not permit a sorceress [witch, KJV] to live." In Deuteronomy:18:9-12[9]When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.[10]There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.[11]Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.[12]For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee., He adds, "'When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD.'"



God hates these things because they represent people turning to Satan for their needs instead of to Him. It is a violation of the First Commandment in which God says, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Deuteronomy:5:7Thou shalt have none other gods before me.).



In deciding whether to read these books, ask yourself, "Why would a Christian want to learn all about something he or she should never do and something that God hates?" There simply is no good explanation for reading books based upon witchcraft (technically correct or not) if one wants to honor and respect God.



While the answer to this question was prepared by ministers who have studied the Harry Potter books and read portions from them, actually reading bad books or sinning a particular sin is not mandatory before counsel against such practices can be given. When someone learns sufficient information to determine that a particular act is displeasing to God, he or she need not continue doing that thing in order to make sure it really is sin.



If you would like more information about the Harry Potter series, read the article, "The Bible and Harry Potter: Occult Fantasy in Perspective," in the January/February 2002 issue of the Good News magazine.

.