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Bible Fairy Stories

Posted 8 months ago|44 comments|636 views
Fantasy leaves TRUTH just out of reach!
Written by
"...witches could give public testimonies about the benefits of their religion, but Christians were no longer allowed to express their faith and testimonies...Christianity simply doesn't fit, and Mr. Norfolk of the Pagan Federation thinks he knows why. The Christian Church has failed to provide "the right degree of spirituality for young people," he explains. In contrast, paganism involves "direct communication with the divine."
http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/Ha...

I have always found it interesting how on one hand Atheist educators have called the Bible "fairy stories" and then excluded them from school curriculum as religious...
all the while including works like the Harry Potter series. In 2009 The Telegraph had an article about how parents weren't wanting certain children's books because they were not politically correct enough... only to rave questionable works in 2010. You see it is a wind of convenience and media that would have parents change their minds; movies action figures and happy meals don't hurt the sales either...

"Traditional fairytales 'not PC enough'
Parents have stopped reading traditional fairytales to their children because they are too scary and not politically correct, according to research."
By Graeme Paton, Education Editor 2:14PM GMT 05 Jan 2009
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...

The 25 best children's books
From classics to modern day tales of magic (including Harry Potter)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books...

Is it more politically correct to teach on witchcraft and demonology than Biblical teachings and characters... if they are all just "fairy stories" anyway? What is there to fear from a good half hour of reading the bible in class right after the same of Harry Potter?
If a child is to know grand literary works of the world... maybe one should start with the best seller of all times... one that would easily rival the popular as the Potter series to date. At leas this way children could examine it for themselves...
we do want them thinking outside the box, don't we?

The problem with the fairy stories like the Potter series is, there is no answer for daily life... no miracle for impatience, and no purposeful destiny. The movies and books only entertain, whereas the Bible offers the real magic of a changed life, and forgiveness of sin regardless of how bad. Hope is something we are only resigned to dream and muse about with such fantasies, however with Christ "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalms 46:1).

I can see the problem with teaching the Bible in school again... jobs would be lost because less crowd control will be needed; less money in the sin-tax coffers because less addiction would occur; less pharmaceuticals would be use and less abortions; and people would once again understand what right and wrong is. Inherently people know how dangerous the Bible is... truth has that effect. It may be fun to ride a broomstick for Harry... but it is by far more radically fulfilling and healing, carrying a cross for Jesus!
UPDATE - 8 months ago
Rare Bible worth more than $140,000...
http://www.wqow.com/story/15413233/eau-c...%29
UPDATE - 1 month ago
John Piper - "Don't Waste Your Life"
http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/reso...
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COMMENTS
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
8 months ago: Well one reason is, it is against the law. The other is that many consider the bible to be the literal truth while Harry Potter is plainly fantasy. Harry Potter has very little to do with witchcraft. It is simply a story of personal bravery that is inspirational and also chosen because the kids love it.

The bible however should have it's place in education alongside the Norse, and Greek Mythologies, and the tales of spider woman. Just have to choose the benign tales that don't call for raping and pillaging.
8 months ago: Al,

Why is it illegal to read the Bible in school? Is it not because that would be publicly funded religious study? Harry Potter is just that...

"J.K. Rowling has admitted that she studied Wiccan and based her successful series on their practices and beliefs. Studied! If you were to take a closer look at her books or movies,you would find her accuracy is absolute to the finest detail. Seemingly harmless,but now you very likely have some occult memoirbilia in your own home. McDonald's has even given away Harry Potter toys with their Happy Meals. The influence is staggering. Children's books,movies and video games,what better way to reach the youth of america?We are not talking about comic book super-heroes here. These are witches and warlocks!"
http://jrsmith.hubpages.com/hub/Witch-wa...

...reading the mere stories (as stories) of the Bible as a literary work is deemed public teaching of a religion, should put the work of J.K. Rowling in the same boat. The Bible was written by men... regardless of the value one places on it... some would claim the Potter series is accurate depiction of witchcraft.

Look at how some children believe how real Harry Potter is...

In an interview with Newsweek's Malcolm Jones, she (J.K. Rowling) said,

"I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore [headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the books' setting], and it's not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they've convinced themselves it's true."

...children are impressionable, and the fancifying of witchcraft by Rowling, and the mass promotion that media and movie makers have done has made this popularization of witchcraft inescapable. Much like the Passion of the Christ a few years ago.
8 months ago: The legality is determined by how it is presented. As factual and must be believed and obeyed or as fiction or as a historical text that has basis in fact?

I have no problem with the Bible being studied in public school, alongside Harry Potter and many other books, even those held in reverence by other religious sects besides Christians. In fact, I encourage it, as a balanced exploration of religious texts, fiction and historical records. A well read and tolerant student is much more likely to be a good citizen than one who is force fed religious prejudices and ideas that encourage shunning others for their views and beliefs.

I do have a problem if it is being taught as unquestionable fact and that its text was written by a deity and is beyond question and must be followed as per XXX's interpretation and failure to do so will result in ridicule and failing grades.

Children are prone to believe in many things until they have attained enough knowledge to determine what is and isn't fantasy. Just think, how many letters to Santa the post office has to deal with every year before pointing fingers at children writing to Professor Dumbledore. I'm sure there are thousands written to Jesus Christ as well. Which child should be punished?
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: So is your problem with the stories or is it more the fact that you have some deep seated hatred for Wiccans? IS there something wrong with them? This isn't about the books is it? This is about you trying to say that your Religion is better/correct and all others are evil and wrong...
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: ALSO: Harry Potter isn't written as a RELIGIOUS text...it is a fantasy story. Granted it may have aspects of Wiccan belief in it but it is not/has never been/will never be presented as a religious text to base a life on. The Bible is your own personal belief and that is fine...but presenting in schools gives it validity that it does not deserve.
If you are willing to admit that it is nothing more than a complete work of fiction with no real world bearing and that it is entirely made up then you could argue for it to be in a school...but good luck getting every Christian to admit that its all a fairy tale.
8 months ago: The Bible was written. Period.

What weight people attribute to it depends on a persons bias faith or prejudice. Every time I bring up the Bible according to my faith in it, it is called "fairy stories" and should not be taken seriously. So in this vein I submit the Bible as a written work. Because it was written by people it should be considered in the same fashion as works by Rowling... fair enough? It would seem not... because even arguments against my proposal have even the most dubious accrediting the Bible works as religious, and not as the same assert, a "work of fiction". See the double standard?
8 months ago: You say the Bible is a harsh "fantasy" book... filled with blood guts and hell-fire... sounds like a contemporary action novel or movie. Some kids believe there is a Hogwarts School, some kids believe in the tooth-fairy, some believe in Jesus... right? So why have the Bible escorted off the school property, as some dangerous work of "fiction?"
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: Because to large number of people it is not "fiction"...it is the truth.

There is no religion called "Harry Potterism"...Public schools are filled with people of dozens of faiths, you cannot force them to read the Bible because you think it is right. Or conversely, you have to also read the Qur'an, Torah, Gita, Tipitaka, The Book of Mormon etc. etc. At this point you would not have any time for learning anything else, that is why Colleges have Religious Studies majors. That being said, I asked around at the local schools here, not a single one of them had any classes that had Harry Potter as required reading for the class...

The bible is a religious text, so again, unless you and every other Christian admit that it is entirely fictional and has no bearing on reality what-so-ever then it is not welcome in Public school. If you want your kids to learn based solely on that one work of fiction then send them to a private school, or they can wait until they are in college to take a class on it. Allowing the study of a religious text in a PUBLIC school is illegal according to the Constitution.
8 months ago: PH,

You say... "There is no religion called "Harry Potterism" ...and there is no religion called Bibleism either. However if one practices the spells and incantations within the works of "Harry Potter" it would be called Witchcraft... get the point? In similar fashion if one practices the things encouraged in the Bible it would be called Christianity or Judaism. The Bible is just a book inspired by God, and Harry Potter is just a book inspired by it's author... some say the Bible is fiction, some attest that it is fact; some say Harry Potter is fiction, but to some children it is fact. Understand?

What makes a book a "religious" work are it's followers, and to them it holds some religious significance... some see the Bible as merely historical and practice little or none of it's precepts.

As to it being taught in schools, it is taught in some schools in the UK and in Canada; and it is that popular idea that has sparked my post to consider what is really being taught in the Harry Potter series.... merely the fictional narrative or the introduction of a religion and how-to's of witchcraft? More kids have been drawn to the occult by the series and movies since it's inception. I don't favor the teaching of any religion Christian, Judaism, Muslim etc.

"Should Harry Potter be taught in schools?
Patterson took this study of Harry Potter one step further and included the series on the reading list of one of her university-level classes, a survey class that provides a comprehensive overview of English literature from 1660 to the present.
"I was tired of teaching 1984, which I find so depressing," she admitted to Eyeopener guest host David Gray. "I thought 'All right, what 20th-century novel would I like to teach? Oooh...Harry Potter. Yes, let's do that.'"
http://www.cbc.ca/books/2011/07/should-h...
8 months ago: Had to say something about this: "Allowing the study of a religious text in a PUBLIC school is illegal according to the Constitution."

That is a false statement. It is the mandating of a religion that is not allowed, not the study of one.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: As Al said, JK Rowling claims that Harry Potter is a fantasy novel.

You and others like you claim the Bible is the truth & fact of the world.

To illustrate the difference:
Child A (Non-Christian): "I don't care for Harry Potter"
Child B (Christian): "Ok"
VS.
Child A (Non-Christian): "I don't believe/care for the Bible"
Child B (Christian): "You're going to Hell"

Your assertion that Harry Potter has nothing to offer to real life is complete nonsense and only shows that you have not read/watched the books/movies. The stories are inspirational and show the true benefits of having friends, making hard decisions, being brave, and facing problems without hiding from them. They are fantastic stories with a great message (even if much of it is stolen from The Lord of the Rings).
8 months ago: PH,

Let's follow your illustration a step further...

Child B (Christian): "I don't care for Harry Potter"
Child A (Non-Christian): "Go to hell, you bigoted homophobe!"

and

Child B (Christian): "I believe/care for the Bible"
Child A (Non-Christian): "Go to hell, you bigoted homophobe!"

Both analogies are acceptable responses in any facet of society dealing with Christians. Your assertions that the Bible has nothing to offer to real life is complete nonsense and only shows that you have not read/watched the books/movies. The stories are inspirational and show the true benefits of having friends, making hard decisions, being brave, and facing problems without hiding from them. They are fantastic stories with a great message (even if much of it is portrayed in The Lord of the Rings) !:]
8 months ago: Wow, sounds kind of familiar.
8 months ago: You must not know very many children. None that I know talk like that, Christian trained or otherwise.

Also your statement that these analogies are acceptable responses in any facet of society dealing with Christians is way out of line in my opinion. As someone who does not believe in the infallibility of the Bible and the Christian religion, I find such responses offensive and would punish any of my children or grandchildren who uttered them and if I heard someone else's offspring utter them, I would probably bring it to their attention as well. This is a free society, but not a place where that type of behavior is acceptable.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: Well, unless we are counting the children of the members of the Westboro church then I don't think a whole lot of children are talking like this.

I must have missed the part of the bible where all that good stuff happens. I remember more vividly the parts where everything you do is going to send you to hell. Like being gay, or being non christian. The bible is full of hatred. There are reasons that we have laws against religious indoctrination in schools. Regardless of what JK Rowling studied I have not met a single kid who thought that Harry Potter was anything more than a fiction story.
8 months ago: IF you both have not heard kids talk that way... get out more, they are talking like their parents and "politically correct" peers. I am convinced that Jesus sends no one to Hell, rather people have to fight their way past a loving God to get there! As to kids thinking some thing is fiction (like the particular actor), or it's message that magic and witchcraft and sorcery is fun... the actions of kids today will have you otherwise convinced. Since the movies and the Potter series books... more kids are possessed with the infatuation with the occult. IF those same kids were taught as diligently about the Biblical ideals, society would reflect that as well.

It is the message of witchcraft that has the attention of the kids today...
how is that education less religious?
Ddraig
Ddraig
England
8 months ago: In this rant you have faced Witchcraft, which is not a religion, against Christianity. What the bible has to do with a fictional book also I have no idea.

I am a Pagan witch and have never ever even read Harry Potter,nor do I see any glamour in it. Do you follow Christ for glamour and glitter or because you believe in him?

What people need to learn is acceptance of others, not trying to bait fellow followers of Christ against fellow Pagans. You are more like us than you would like.
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: Witchcraft = Wiccan = Pagan to the droning evangelicals

As for the Pagan connections I once was having a similar debate with a friend and his family around the Christmas holiday. After a bit of calm mature debate the father looked to me and said the follwing (a direct quote): "We are not Pagans now shut up and help me get the tree through the door"...

I'm a Pantheist and there are certainly some interesting connections of thought between you and I
8 months ago: PH,

To whom are you referring?
"interesting connections of thought between you and I"
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: I was referring to the person I responded to.

However, there are interesting connections between Christianity and Pagan/Pantheism as well
Ddraig
Ddraig
England
8 months ago: That was exactly the point I was coming from. Yuletide celebrations versus Christmas.
A tree as celebration.

Even turning the God Pan into Satan. Where else do they think the horns came from?I guess being in the UK i am at awe will the US pagans fight against the bible belt. My thoughts are with you all x
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: It's very difficult to reason with unreasonable people. The level of irrationality, especially against the evangelicals, is through the Stratosphere here in the States
8 months ago: Ddraig,

Now we are getting somewhere, you are a very smart person, and I like your comment... "What the bible has to do with a fictional book also I have no idea" ...yet many I come across daily reject the Bible because they say it is a "fictional book" thus having something in common with a Rowling novel. Logically many can clearly see the difference, and the effect truth or fiction can have on a growing mind. The power of the Bible is undisputed by it's friends and foes alike.

As to Christians being like Pagans... I would agree to this point, each offers a real spiritual experience and is verifiable by participation... however the difference is that Paganism/Witchcraft offers the illusion that the adherent is in control... whereas Christianity is upfront about who is really the only Lord and Master, Jesus Christ!
8 months ago: Ddraig,

As to Witchcraft not being a religion, saying it isn't doesn't mean it's not so...

"Wicca (pronounced /ˈwɪkə/), also known as Pagan Witchcraft, is a Pagan new religious movement. Its adherents are referred to as Wiccans, though the terms Witches or Crafters are also sometimes used.[1] Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century,[2] Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."[3] From the 1960s onward, the name of the religion was normalised to "Wicca."[4]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
Perfect Horizon
Perfect Horizon
Chicago, IL
8 months ago: This is all true...but that doesn't change the fact that Harry Potter is not supposed to be some holy book of Wicca...it is purely fictional.
Ddraig
Ddraig
England
Content Removed by Ddraig
Ddraig
Ddraig
England
8 months ago: But you fail to see that WICCA is the religion. Witchcraft in itself is not a religion. They are two separate things.
Ddraig
Ddraig
England
8 months ago: Also Gerald Gardner broke off from another branch of BTW, so that is not where it started.

What I meant by comparing the Bible to a fictional book, was not to state the Bible is not fictional either, but being regarded as a spiritual book you would not compare it to " Andy pandy" or " Fireman Sam". So why compare it to another story telling book?
Altruist
Altruist
Eugene, OR
8 months ago: I agree with Six that if you have a class in comparative religions of the world it would be perfectly reasonable to teach about the bible, but I would split the bible into the new and the old testaments. The New testament has inspirational stories like the sermon on the mount that would be good for kids, but the Old Testament has the same harsh cruelty and violence that is contained in the Koran. That sort of stuff could damage kids.

In the comparative religion class kids would probably like Wicca better because there is no scary devil or hell. Wiccans believe in Karma which would be a better inspiration for doing good than being coerced with threats of everlasting torment. Wiccans also foster a deep reverence for mother nature, and while the Bible does tell believers to be good stewards of the earth it seems like the right wing Christians ignore that part.

So if there were to be officially sanctioned religious fairy tales I think Wicca would be much healthier than having god telling people to destroy every man woman and child in a village except you can rape all of the women.

Here is a nice fairy tale I am sure all parents would want their kids to read in school: (Judges 21:10-24 NLT)

So they sent twelve thousand warriors to Jabesh-gilead with orders to kill everyone there, including women and children. "This is what you are to do," they said. "Completely destroy all the males and every woman who is not a virgin." Among the residents of Jabesh-gilead they found four hundred young virgins who had never slept with a man, and they brought them to the camp at Shiloh in the land of Canaan.

The Israelite assembly sent a peace delegation to the little remnant of Benjamin who were living at the rock of Rimmon. Then the men of Benjamin returned to their homes, and the four hundred women of Jabesh-gilead who were spared were given to them as wives. But there were not enough women for all of them. The people felt sorry for Benjamin because the LORD had left this gap in the tribes of Israel. So the Israelite leaders asked, "How can we find wives for the few who remain, since all the women of the tribe of Benjamin are dead? There must be heirs for the survivors so that an entire tribe of Israel will not be lost forever. But we cannot give them our own daughters in marriage because we have sworn with a solemn oath that anyone who does this will fall under God's curse."

Then they thought of the annual festival of the LORD held in Shiloh, between Lebonah and Bethel, along the east side of the road that goes from Bethel to Shechem. They told the men of Benjamin who still needed wives, "Go and hide in the vineyards. When the women of Shiloh come out for their dances, rush out from the vineyards, and each of you can take one of them home to be your wife! And when their fathers and brothers come to us in protest, we will tell them, 'Please be understanding. Let them have your daughters, for we didn't find enough wives for them when we destroyed Jabesh-gilead. And you are not guilty of breaking the vow since you did not give your daughters in marriage to them.'" So the men of Benjamin did as they were told. They kidnapped the women who took part in the celebration and carried them off to the land of their own inheritance. Then they rebuilt their towns and lived in them. So the assembly of Israel departed by tribes and families, and they returned to their own homes.

Obviously these women were repeatedly raped. These sick bastards killed and raped an entire town and then wanted more virgins, so they hid beside the road to kidnap and rape some more. How can anyone see this as anything but evil?
8 months ago: Al,

First of all the context of the tribe of Benjamin dilemma, had this tribe looking for wives within the greater nation of Israel... and not raping women. Secondly you don't condemn the USA for dropping A-Bombs on Japan and killing many many many times more men women and children in retaliation for acts of war. Think about your measure of morality against the God of the Bible... and you will condone and support your troops doing the very same thing!

BTW your support for the taxation of vices like prostitution and addictive substances have you by far more "evil" than providing wives for a diminished tribe. Even slavery in the Bible had retirement plans and healthy treatment of subjects... unlike our nations treatment of underprivileged slave nations we use to produce our low price goods. I dare say you don't want the kids in your schools finding out how your nation really makes it's "living!"
8 months ago: Al,

As far as the teaching about Hell... there are some people in this world that cause so much pain and suffering and never get their's here... well there day is coming!
I suggest you consider what side you are on.

Like those Iraqi's burning American flags in protest and hatred before the "shock-and-awe" ...didn't help much did it?
Think about the FINAL WAR... we know how it ends!
8 months ago: Predicting the future now? Or are you working on being a prophet?
8 months ago: Six,

Just referring to the Book of Revelation and Armageddon.
8 months ago: Knowing how it ends would be the prediction.
8 months ago: Read Matthew 24. Is that myth or fiction? I think not.

Written 2000 years ago and it's right on target. Unlike Nostradamus, it is plain and clear. Not ambiguous at all. Reads like tomorrow's newspaper.
8 months ago: There are other books written before that that are fiction. There are others that are historical fact and there are others that may or may not be fact. This one is no different and about as clear as Nostradamus's writings, in that the actual future date is not specified.
8 months ago: It's far more clear. Much of Nostradamus writings are obscure and borderline gibberish. As far as time, much of Matthew 24 has unfolded already. There is still more to come.
8 months ago: There is no hope when one comes form the position of cosmic accident. Right or Left, Capitalist or Socialist. None of that ultimately matters.

Anyone who thinks man's politics are going to usher in utopia is delusional to the max. That's far fetched off the charts.

Also, there is no precedent for nothing ever creating anything. That is the ultimate myth. I can think of none greater.
8 months ago: All depends on what you are hoping for.

As for nothing creating something, there was never nothing and creating indicates action of something on something else, which isn't how it is described as happening.
8 months ago: If there was never nothing, what was in the beginning and where did it come from?

By the way any answer you give me will have to do with philosophy and belief, not science.
Tblock
Tblock
Orlando, FL
7 months ago:


Tblock
Tblock
Orlando, FL
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Raoul Duke
Raoul Duke
Fresno, CA
27 days ago: Why are Christians always whining? They control this country. No one running for public office will succeed unless they are seen attending one Christian church or another. If a candidate said, "I have my doubts about the veracity of the bible," his or her chances of being elected would instantly drop to zero because of Christian bullying. Christians believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong. There is no arguing with a Christian. Other than Muslims, they are the most closed-minded group I can think of.
27 days ago: RD,

Welcome to RR.. but as to Christians being "the most closed-minded group" ...what demographic do you think they come from? Were they born that way, like a race? NO. They come from all kinds of groups... Atheists, agnostics, religious, nonreligious... as a matter of fact they may be just the most open-minded people you will meet... they were just open-minded enough to let Jesus Christ into their lives !:] And the reason they are so adamant is because Christ was real enough to completely change their lives... like me. I wasn't always a "Bible thumper" ...quite the opposite, so why the change? Jesus Christ is real. And if you weren't so "close-minded" you might open up long enough to discover Him too !:]
27 days ago: Raoul, cause that makes them feel like they are winning the war against their imaginary opponent.

And you are so so right about the politicians and it is oh so wrong that it is that way.

Welcome to the site, hope you learn something and teach something.

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