impinged

I often find myself in situations where I have a choice to make where there isn’t an obvious right or wrong. I call these choices the “Harry Potter Question.” This is what I mean: As a Christian, is it right for us to read Harry Potter? I’ve heard vehement arguments by devout Christians against these books. But then I read I Corinthians 8 and Paul says there is nothing wrong with eating meat sacrificed to idols. He says we can do whatever we want but that not everything may be beneficial. The point is that as Christians we aren’t governed by a set of rules and regulations. Remember, we are free! Instead, we are governed by a love for each other and a love for God. And we know there is only one true God and one true power in the universe. If we are strong in that, then reading about the magical and mystical adventures of a school boy is pure entertainment. It does nothing to sway our faith. In fact, because of our security in the Lord we don’t even consider Harry Potter as an attack on God. However, there are weaker Christians who cannot read Harry Potter. To them there is something real about Harry Potter that contradicts their faith. Or the magical and mystical can only be evil (if such things exist, who created them?) The devil uses this as a foothold to breakdown the brittle foundations of their faith. Out of love for our neighbor, we need to me mindful of this. It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the book ourself; it just means it might be prudent to take care about who we read it around or who we discuss it with. And if we do meet a weaker brother, and they are often easily identified by their dogma, we ought to love them to a sound relationship with Christ rather than argue and belittle their lack of faith and understanding.