Dear Readers of Doug’s Blog:

If you have not yet done so, please skip down and first read my blog from Saturday entitled “Harry Potter Meets the Mercury Radio Theatre of the Air” to understand the context for today’s blog. Also, to read the original article “Harry Potter and the Lavender Brigade,” visit our newsletter section of this Web site.

Persevero,
Doug

Husband and Wife Now in Unity

I don’t know if you will really read this reply, but I hope so! For years, my husband and I have disagreed with the Harry Potter series. (I hate them and he thought they were just ‘good stories’). Your article really hit the nail on the head in such a way that God has touched my husband’s heart, and he now agrees with me that these Harry Potter books are a bad thing.Thank you for this article...and may you pass it on!!! C.E.

Like the Spoofy Approach

What an excellent biblical argument. I can’t believe you got the responses you did (except from the lavenders themselves). I really like your spoofy approach (of course). THe Barr quote reflects, I think, main street evangelical bednobs to broomsticks thought. I will share your essay with the fam — they’ve heard it from me before but this will really get a buzz. B.P.

First Time to Write

I don’t ever reply to your emails but I just have to reply to this one. I just want to say THANK YOU for a wonderfully written “message.” God bless you and your family and Vision Forum.

Whew!

I join the many who said “whew! I thought he lost it!” I thoroughly enjoyed the newsletter, printed it to share. You are “dead on,” not dead wrong. We are thankful for your ministry as it not only helps us disciple our children, but also to influence others in our sphere. As far as your method of presenting the truth, keep it up! You got my blood boiling at first, until I realized the purpose, and then adrenalin was running high with excitement. Good writing. Period.

Principled Stand, But Compassion for Potter Readers

After reading today’s blog, I feel sort of depressed that so many of your readers were so easily thrown off by such a well-written, fun-to-read, perfectly-argued essay as the Lavender Brigade newsletter! I mean, don’t they know you well enough to know that the first part HAD to be written by someone else even before reading the parenthetical Jerram Barr ending part? I mean, really! And the part about the homosexual Potter... at no point did it sound like you liked the idea... you were just making a point, and a very good one at that! I read the first 3 Harry Potter books as they were released (not knowing any better at the time), so I have very strong feelings about them now, knowing how charming and fun they are to read. This helps me to understand the people who defend them, while still taking the same stand as Vision Forum, against anything that calls evil “good”. Thank you for an excellent article... I am glad you didn’t just give us bullet points! Keep up the great work!

Logical

Thank you so much for your wonderful article on the Harry Potter series. It was well written logical, and thoroughly biblical. I have sent it off to many friends and I hope that it gets many Christians thinking soundly regarding this issue - rather than just condemning it without giving solid biblical reasons. Thank you. Soli Deo Gloria, A.P.

Seven Things

1. Charitable; 2. Humble; 3. Impregnable; 4. Thorough; 5. Biblical; 6. Commendable; 7. Well done. M.C.

Hard Hitting

I’ve read your blog and found that you have already received loads of responses, yet still wanted to give my own. Thank-you very much for giving your very articulate, bible-based, hard hitting article on Harry Potter. Such must be heard from them that profess Christ. I was very encouraged and built-up in the faith through the reading of your newsletter. May God grant you strength to keep up the fight. S.D.

Making Us Think

“Great Job on the article. You always articulate things so well...Thanks again for making us all THINK.”

Tears to My Eyes

Your recent email article brought tears to my eyes. We left a church in April for differences in both doctrine and practice. The elders have told the church to shun us for it, so we have had a sad time with that. We always find your resources and articles to be uplifting and encouraging. Most importantly, we appreciate that you point people back to the Bible for answers! When I finished reading your article I printed it off and gave it to my husband and two oldest children to read. They all were initially shocked also. .. But thank you for writing it. I’m sure it caught a lot of people’s attention. Also thank you for your ministry. sola scriptura! Blessings, J. A.

Former Student of Witchcraft Weighs In

[My] son just woke me up with the news that you endorsed Harry Potter! “How could this be true?” he yelled at me. “I don’t like Doug Phillips anymore.”

I was raised as a child with no faith. I was told only to call upon the name of Jesus when I was scared at night so that I wouldn’t keep anyone else awake. Yet Satan was spoke of openly as a thing that was real and to be feared. I was sexually abused almost my whole life. The product of broken marraige...yadda yadda yadda....poor me.

I have alway wanted to know the truth of my existance. Why was I created? I seemed to be a mistake, problem, lump of useless clay subject to others handling. When I reached my teen years this question became my only reason to live.

Who would have an answer for me? The Christians? I could not understand what they said. They all spoke of something that just didn’t seem real. They could not effectively answer my many inquisitions of the evil in the world. Until I met him.....

He was a witch, actually a warlock. He had been studying for many years and could answer ALL my questions in a way that made me feel like I had finally found the answer to life. Yet he did not tell me that he was a warlock. He waited until I had fully taken the bait and then he reeled me in.

I became a student of Wicca, the Druaditc Cult of the Wise, and embraced my new and only religion full heartedly. There were many things I learned that I will not share yet I will tell you of a few important details.

1) The very 1st thing that they did was to break down any predisposition to any Christian religion. If a person was a Christian before they had become a witch they would have to leave their patronistic ideals at the door. In a class of 10- 3 were Christians going to church, 5 were ex-Christians and the other 2 were never Christian. I was lucky, I had nothing to leave at the door.

2) At first they taught exactly what Harry Potter teaches: there is a good side and a darkside. Here are the spells, incantations, weapons and tools of a good witch. (We all wanted to be good witches whom cleared the universe of evil intentions) We advanced in stages going through initiations according to the five elements EARTH, AIR, FIRE and WATER. The last initiation was of SPIRIT. Before we were to be initiated into the SPIRIT we had to learn of the “Great Secret” What is this great secret? I will tell you: There is no good, there is no bad...everything just is.

We had to deal with the fact that we were like children this whole time, playing good witch/bad witch when the reality of it was we were all the same and nothing seperated us. Only those who could come to grips with this reality were allowed to proceed.

At that time God claimed me quite by supprise. But that is a different story. I did not take my final initiation, though I had fully intended on it. I am now a stay-at-home wife and [a] mother.... We are Christian and intend on defending our faith with everything we have, especially our lives.

You have been a means of deepening our faith, but we were ready to leave you in a moment if we had not read your email to the very end. I do beleive that your email was well planned and very powerful. I only hope those who were offended like we were did take the time to see that you were playing devil’s advocate at first. And to those who were offened the other way.....well, we are praying for them. ALL WITCHCRAFT IS BAD. In the heart of Jesus, S.C.

Done with Vision Forum

I was very disappointed to read your article on “the Lavender Brigade”. It is the stuff of Christian rumor...and does little to bring people to truth re: Harry Potter. Please remove me from your email list.

Will You Print Responses from Homosexuals?

Boy, what a busy weekend you ended up having!! Our family read the Harry Potter email you sent and, although we already agreed with your conclusions and felt just the same as you do about the series, it gave us a wonderful chance to talk through and revisit this issue with our children. We know that you mentioned that you would share the “other 80%” of the email that you got from readers,”except for the hate mail from the homosexuals”. Is it possible that you might reconsider and share some excerpts of THAT email too? We so appreciate the way that Vision Forum is out there on the front lines, standing for Truth, and we would really like to know the kind of hatered being directed your way so that we might be spurred to more earnestly uphold all of you in our prayers. It’s just a thought we had, and wanted you to consider it. All of you at Vision Forum are much loved by our family, and we will continue to pray for you as you stand strong for God’s truth in this crazy age in which we live!

From Doug: Regretfully, we can not print them. Those emails were obscene accusations directed at me and it would be defiling to republish them.

Wish People Were Not So Quick to Abandon Ship

I am utterly amazed, and somewhat saddened, to read of the negative responses you received regarding your Harry Potter and the Lavender Brigade “analogy”. When I first began to read, I too was shocked. However, knowing Vision Forum’s position on issues relating to the Christian family, particularly in the area of what we expose our children to, I recognized almost immediately something was up! Sure enough, by the end of the introductory paragraph it was perfectly clear that this was the position of one Jerram Barr. While I can understand someone quickly scanning an article from a trusted source, I cannot for one moment understand anyone who would not take a serious second look when the position being espoused runs contrary to that which had been peviously stated. Christians must wake up, must be alert, and pay close attention. Those who responded so quickly to what they “thought” were your words were extremely careless. One can only wonder how often these brethren spout off thoughtlessly about one issue or another, possibly maligning the Word of God in the process. For the record, our 14 year old daughter recognized Doug Phillips could not possibly be the author of those words by about line 5 or 6. If one so young can be so astute, what does that say about the responses of some adults? A Canadian Friend, D.Y.

Standing With You

Thank you for a well written article in response to Harry Potter. Our stand has been and continues to remain the same as yours. The A. Family, South Carolina

Food for Thought for Our Family

Excellent analysis. It will be food for thought for my family of writers. If we have any interesting additional (or counter) thoughts, perhaps we’ll send them to you. T.R.

Still Unresolved, But Grateful

I wanted to thank you for your very thoughtful and intriguing argument on Harry Potter. I am at present unresolved in my view of it. But you have called us to prayerfully and biblically consider it, which of course it what we are to do with all. I know many who say that Lord of the Rings is acceptable and even good and Harry Potter evil. I never understood that arguement... When I read your pretend Lavender Brigade review, I must say I very definitively felt the appalling result of such a thing and it does fall in the same category biblically . So I again thank you for helping some of us to consider this more fully. O.G.

Necessary Ammunition

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was concerned when I began reading the article (not knowing the title of the current Harry Potter book). I thought you had gone off the deep end. How glad I was to continue reading, and find out your stand on the issue. You have provided me with the necessary ammunition I need to clearly state the problem with Harry Potter. I am grateful to you for this. As a teacher, (public school for 13 years, homeschooler for 14 years, and now entering my 2nd year as a teacher in an independent, private Christian school) I’m excited to be able to clearly articulate the problem with Harry Potter. Your article will be very beneficial. I would like permission to share it with others in printed form. Please let me know if I may copy your article. Thank you again for the article. Sincerely, T.O., St. Louis

Thanks for Evaluating World of Film and Literature

Doug and Team- Thank you for so masterfully addressing such a vital issue.I appreciate the breadth of your thoughtfulness in how to evaluate the world of literature and film making.
Thanks. (Executive Director of a National Ministry)

Upset By Homosexuality Analogy

Doug, I appreciate your critique of the Harry Potter books but I have to say it was a big mistake to begin your recent email with the homosexuality analogy. Part way through it I was ready to give up reading and dicontinue receiving Vision Forum email...I wish there had been a disclaimer at the beginning to warn us. Please try to understand that with the large amount of email most of us receive we can’t take the time to read “all” of everything...” M.C.

Always Thought Something Was Wrong

Wow! At first I thought you were promoting HP! I couldn’t believe it. I have never read the books but my thoughts and checks have been that if everyone is “doing it” and public schools are pushing it - somethings wrong! I will keep this well written article to pass on to other Christians I know that allow HP into their homes. Thank you for shinning The Light on such wicked darkness. The R. Household

Giving Your Article to Teenage Daughter

Thank you so much for such a very thoughtful, logical discussion of this issue. I have struggled with this issue. My teenaged daughter would like to read the books. Instead, she is getting a copy of your article. Blessings, K.H., Texas

Great Analogy

...Your comparison of witchcraft with homosexuality is brilliant and I appreciate your thoughts on this issue. I have had them myself but often my words fall on deaf ears of those who really enjoy these books. Just glad to know you haven’t sold out on us! Thanks for all you do! M.B.

Your Analogy Was Terrible

I can’t stand it when Christians use very poorly thought out analogies when trying to make a point. But yours takes the cake! Look, I’ve got a minor in theology from a conservative “on fire” Christian university...My kids and I have read all three series - Narnia, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. We’ve used each to teach Godly principles and discernment. I knew when I read your email that there was something terribly wrong with your analogy. Here’s the real problem: the magic in Harry Potter is pure fantasy. It can’t and doesn’t happen. No one, witch, satanist, etc. can wave their wand and cast a spell...I’m really ashamed of your attempt here. Even if your right about Harry Potter, your analogy was poorly thought out. I think you should apologize. G.B.

Giving Too Much Attention to Potter

JK Rowling and her books do not deserve this much attention. I Dream of Jeanie, Samantha on Bewitched, the good witch in the Wizard of Oz, King Arthur and Merlin the good wizard, the fairy godmother in Cinderella and even the lovable Drosselmeyer of the Nutcracker ballet introduced the world to the happy, lovable, magical fantasy world of the witch and the wizard. Harry Potter is just our first post modern, literary example. There’s nothing new here. We need to guard our children’s hearts until they are able to discern fact from fantasy and have matured in their Christian faith. Asking our older kids to “critique” the book from a Christian perspective will make them stronger Christians - and better readers. M.G., Arizona

Glad Not to Be the Last Family Standing

I read the much anticipated email. THANK YOU for always standing for the truth! I was so concerned after reading your “tease” in your blog to stay tunned about Potter junk that you may be like lots of other believers we run into that the books are “ok” and to chill out, its “just a little fantasy”. Once again you have not dissappointed God or left little family here in Zeeland, Michigan “The Last Family Standing”. In Him, A.K.

Wierd and Confusing Message from Doug

This is the weirdest, most confusing message I have ever read from Doug Phillips!..Jill

Insightful

Very insightful message, I am forwarding to many. Thank you very much. M. L.

Appreciates the Unapologetic Biblical Examination

Thank you so much! Amen and amen to Doug’s careful critique of Harry Potter. We appreciate your clear and unapologetic examination of fantasy and witchcraft from the BIBLE. Excellent! Thanks again. J.T.

Thank You from a Vision Forum Critic

Brilliant. I will be using your Harry Potter piece as part of our up-coming family vacation devotional apologetics. Please forgive any unintended harshness but frankly, I view some of the vision forum expression as well-intended but potentailly misleading/regressive cultural romanticism...but not this expression. Simply loving and truthful “tough love” from the Word of God. Thank you David. An extremely well-thought through, sensitive and edifying piece. I will be passing on to my critical-thinking mother; a 30 year public library children’s librarian. C.W.

Homosexuality Analogy Was Convincing

Thanks for the Harry Potter article. Although neither I nor my kids have seen the movie or read the books I really had a pretty neutral stance. The homosexuality argument/example was powerfully convincing. Thanks for thinking that through scripturally and passing that on.

Resounding

I would like to offer a resounding thank you to Mr. Phillips for the provocative and scripturally impeccable article on Harry Potter and the Lavender Brigade. What an on-target representation of the principles that we all believe, and a basis for us to be able to carry those beliefs confidently into the world around us. Again, thank you for providing for me a well-written and thorough overview of Harry Potter; I have already forwarded the article to some close Christian, homeschooling friends whose opinions differ with mine on the subject, and I look forward to continuing to shed light on the matter, using Mr. Phillips’ precise exposé as reinforcement of my position. I always appreciate Vision Forum’s courage in the face of culturally explosive topics, and this particular piece, I believe, as it chronicled the alarming progression towards carnality as seen in the world’s acceptance of sorcery and witchcraft, was one of Mr. Phillips’ finest. N.H.

Encouraging Christian Community to Think

We want to thank you all for your thoughtful response to the Harry Potter books and for encouraging the Christian community to think through and evaluate these things with the scriptures as our guide. C.S.

Well Said

Well said, from beginning to end!

You Put Our Feelings Into Words

Thank you for a wonderful, Biblical response to the Harry Potter movement!!! You have put into words exactly how our family feels about it! C.S., Alabama

Barr’s Article Gave Pause

I read the original speech by Barr this week and it gave me pause. I have not allowed HP for my children. Yet, we are hosting a Japanese student through Labo who arrives this week, whose application includes her beaming face over an English Harry Potter book. She hopes this will be a bridge between her and us. I considered, after reading the Barr piece, reading it aloud to her and my older children, and discussing our biblical worldview — how it compares with Scripture — as we go. There is some attraction here for me to do this. But personally I am repulsed by the witchcraft theme and didn’t think I could stomach this book, or justify feeding it to my young teens, especially since it is serial and begs to be continued.

Thanks from a Pastor

I just finished reading your work on “Harry Potter and the Lavender Brigade” and wish to commend you on such a well-reasoned treatise. Ironically, I just finished writing a sermon on “Witchcraft” this week, which I plan to preach tomorrow (Sunday) morning. I believe your conclusions are spot-on and Bible believers need to re-evaluate just how seriously God takes sorcery and how we have let it permeate the culture to the point we deem it harmless (at least in some forms). W.D., Pastor, Texas

Bibidy Bobidy Booh

I just can’t thank you enough for standing firm on Biblical principles and being willing to take what comes from that. Our family is so incredibly blessed by your ministry! I really enjoyed your recent article on Harry Potter. I couldn’t agree with you more. Witchcraft is an abomination to the Lord and should be seen as such! I’m greatful to the Holy Spirit who prompts my heart as we filter through the plethora of videos and literature. Even the “fairy god mother” in Cinderella in her “bibidy bobidy bo” song- is really singing an incantation. It takes much prayer and a humble heart to seek that which the Lord finds acceptable. It takes a willingness to die to self, too. You did a fine job in gently exhorting in your article. C.B. Washington

Why Would We want a World Without the One True God?

Thank you very much for your article on Harry Potter. Amen. Another point - why would those who love God find pleasure in fantasizing about a world where the one true God does not exist? Or does someone think a world without God, or a slightly different God, would be a nice place to fantasize about? D.

Cleared Up Loose Ends

Thank you for your arguments — it cleared up a lot of loose ends for me. For the record, I think yours is the most thorough, logically sound and biblical discussion of Harry Potter I have seen. Blessings, R.H., Vermont

Three Times Thanks

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! What a great e-mail you sent out! At first I couldn’t believe what I was reading, that you actually supported the books, but I kept reading hoping for a twist. I’m so glad I did, I use the same defense but people just don’t get it! Even christians! Thank you again! M.M.

Forwarding to My Friends

Very well stated. Thank you for your efforts in this letter. I agree whole heartedly. God Bless your ministry. I will forward this to all my friends, both Christian and not. Sincerley, L.S.

Thanks for the Detailed Explanation

Thank you, Thank you for so eloquently responding to the (baffling) embracing of Harry Potter in the Christian community! I appreciate your careful and well detailed analysis of the arguments for and against the acceptance of this series. God’s word is and always should be our standard, though we easily twist it to suit our tastes.

Hooked on Bewitched

Unfortunately, I was hooked on Bewitched and I Dream of Jeanie as a kid. I SO wanted to be able to have those powers as the “good” witch/jeanie did. How did these shows (and Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, etc.) interfere with my understanding of God? Though I can’t claim to know the full answer to that, if I could have those powers, who needs God? If there are cute little beings that I can influence to give me what I want, who needs God? Again, thank you for the time you invested, the passion for true godliness, the concern for our children’s minds. The Lord bless you and your family. A.R. from Georgia.

Converted Away from Christiancounterculture.com’s Position

On the 18th I received the email from christiancounterculture with the HP article. Having always respected Jerram Barrs I decided that my avoidance of HP was unfounded. The next day I was at the library and decided to grab book 1. Later that evening for story time I started reading it aloud to my 7 and 8 year old. When we got to the part when Harry learned he was a wizard and would be going to Hogwarts to learn witchcraft I sort of mumbled the word “witchcraft.” I couldn’t believe I was reading to my kids about the glorification of satan worship. I was so conflicted in my mind because of what Jerram Barrs had said. I just couldn’t believe my eyes yesterday when I read on your blog that you’d be emailing about HP today. I was so anxious to get it! I quickly skimmed your email and have been quite convicted! I’ll be eager to read it slowly tomorrow. Thanks so much for your timely email!

Forwarding to Friends

I very much enjoyed reading this piece, and thank you for writing it. I have been against HP books since they first came out, and could not believe that some of my Christian friends actually bought them for their children. I will be forwarding this on to my friends and family. Again, thank you soo much for the extensive research, reflection, and explaination! J.P., Washington

Camaflauged Evil

Thanks, Mr. Phillips, for being willing to speak out on this controversial subject of Harry Potter, and to get right to the heart of the problem of allowing our children to feast upon witchcraft, however it is camouflaged. I’ve forwarded the contents of your letter onto our large homeschool group. I expect some will be offended, but if they are truly Christians, they MUST hold these books up to the standards of Scripture and examine their decision to allow their family to have “any part of the unfruitful works of darkness.” E.C.

Harry Potter as School Curriculum

I have to wholeheartedly agree with your article on Harry Potter. I must admit I was worried when I first started reading it; I thought you were defending Rowling’s work. It gave me quite a scare since I have been reading your on-line articles for some time & have come to trust your use of Biblical teachings on several issues. There are so many Christian kids that are engulfed in this “purely fantasy” book, and their parents defend the reading of such garbage. When my husband and I were public school teachers in Las Vegas, many of the elementary schools were using Harry Potter as their reading curriculum. Where’s the separation of church & state there? Anyways, thank you for taking up this topic. I have been sharing your articles with my friends. A.M., Alaska

Enlightened

I have 4 young boys and am really ignorant to the Harry Potter Series, but I now have been enlightened. I appreciate you taking time to write this. J.H.

Cleverly Presented

Very good article! Thank you for it! I was wondering where you were going at first. It was cleverly presented! I plan to copy it off and keep it for further reference and helping others that we may come across. G.G.

Strengthened My Analysis

Thank you very much for this well thought, informative letter. I just sent it on to some dear friends in the Lord who have a blind spot here. You helped me shape up my reasons for my position. I really appreciate that. God blesses and protects you. C.K.

Glad Not to Be the Lone Ranger

Thank you. I have felt like the Lone Ranger on this issue in Christendom. Blessings, J.L.

Reforming Literature

Boy you had me going at first. I was ready to rethink my whole opinion of YOU, Doug Phillips. My husband and I went through some major rethinking after our first “trick or treat” with our baby son nine years ago. Seeing sweet little children dressed as witches and demons disturbed us and we searched the scriptures. We ended up doing away with Halloween, even giving out candy. We didn’t know how to deal with the holiday so we pretended it didn’t exist. That worked until our children were old enough to start spouting what our hearts believed and we became black-listed at our church for being so rigid. My husband was even approached by the elders due to our not supporting the eldership by bringing our children to the Halloween party. They even suggested he give up his deacon position. God blessed us by bringing us to San Antonio. We still attend a church who has mixed views on Halloween but at least we are not the only ones. When we were asked about Cinderella, Snow White, and the other princesses and witch stories, I was forced to face my favorite childhood stories head on. It actually hurt to put them in the trash can. I couldn’t just give them away because they would encourage another in witchcraft. I love books, especially ones from my childhood. I cried over their loss and over my sin for hanging on to them. I have determined to re-write those stories in such a way to give glory and honor to God. I have already done so for Repunzel. My boys love it because it is from the perspective of three brothers, my three sons. Doug, you are and encouragement to faithful men and women everywhere. I know God blesses and enrich you daily. I will continue to pray for your ministry. K.M.

Bold

I would like to thank you for your bold, scriptural article on Harry Potter. It is refreshing to hear someone stand up for the truth, instead of compromising. Stay true to God’s Word. J.C.

Popular Not Principled

Thank God that some (not many) Christians out there believe that the Harry Potter books are evil. It amazes me how society is so quick to jump at the “most popular” books, etc. If only everyone would jump so quickly to the teachings of our Lord. I enjoyed your article. God bless you.