Hour of the Witch to Precede the Next Potter

[Eric McTavish]

OMG here we go again... :shock:

http://www.emediawire.com/releases/2005/4/emw227164.htm


Hour of the Witch to Precede the Next Potter: How Parents Can Keep Their Kids from Being Bewitched
Wicca Witchcraft is becoming one of the fastest growing religions with teenagers in America. Hour of the Witch answers the question as to if parents should be concerned.

Shippensburg, PA (PRWEB) April 10, 2005 -- A misfit, orphaned boy-turned-sorcerer has captured hearts all over the globe in the seemingly harmless phenomenon known as Harry Potter. With J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book releasing this July, millions of children will once again be gobbling up the magical adventures of this character and his friends.

But are these harmless fantasies? Is there more behind the Harry Potter movement, as the controversy that surrounds this series suggests? Could sinister spirits be lurking behind the best-selling books?

Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca Witchcraft, and the Bible (April 1, 2005, Destiny Image Publishers, ISBN# 0-7684-2279-5, $13.99) by veteran author and media personality Steve Wohlberg scrutinizes these popular tales from a spiritual perspective. By thoroughly examining the first five volumes in the series, noting other books on the subject (both for and against), as well as holding them up to the test of the scriptures, Hour of the Witch demonstrates to Christian parents how an overwhelming fascination with the “fictional” Potter is leading to a huge increase in the real-life practice of Wicca Witchcraft (one of America’s fastest growing religions, as reported by National Public Radio).

“This is what we believe: no witchcraft is good witchcraft,” said Destiny Image Director of Marketing Don Nori. “We have a strong desire to reach and educate as many people as possible with the message of The Hour of the Witch.”

While Christians may know that the practice of witchcraft is biblically forbidden, many feel that fictional sorcery, séances, and spells woven throughout the children’s tales can not do any real harm. Wohlberg thinks they can, and this experienced author has done his homework to prove it. Hour of the Witch clearly demonstrates the long-lasting impact that images of witchcraft can leave on impressionable young minds, and the dangers involved.

“It is very important, as the media entertains with witchcraft, that believers and non-believers are educated in order to be knowledgeable about what the scriptures say in regards to this subject,” Nori said.

Coordinating with an intensive publicity campaign is the newly developed website www.hourofthewitch.com that provides information and resources about the dangers of witchcraft. Additional materials will be available this fall from the American Tract Society.

Steve Wohlberg hosts the nationally syndicated radio show World News and the Bible and is Speaker/Director of Endtime Insights Radio and TV Ministry. A TV producer and author of ten books, Wohlberg is highly respected for his Christ-centered teaching and straightforward style. He resides with his wife Kristin in Paso Robles, California, and can be contacted at email protected from spam bots.

[RichardMacHugely]

Dateline SHIPPENSBURG PA?!?!?!?

[Eric McTavish]

Dateline SHIPPENSBURG PA?!?!?!?

Dont ask me I just post the weird I dont write it!

[RichardMacHugely]

Dont ask me I just post the weird I dont write it!

It's just that I went to college in Shippensburg, and while it is a perfectly lovely little town in its own way, I just can't imagine it being the dateline for a national press release for any subject, except for maybe an expose on cow tipping.

[Dmitri]

Eric,

Dude I know your a pagan, and while I am too, I don't see WHY you get so worked up about this stuff... Your reactions defer only slighty from the opinions expressed in this book (or articles you've posted in the past)

Them: "OMG!!! LOOK!!! wicca is bad, we muct educate the masses to the truth.

You: "OMG!!! LOOK!!! christians are bad, we muct educate the masses to the truth.

for all you fear and OMGs, you are the exact same as them, in the way you react... so you're statements are hypocrital...

[Eric McTavish]

Them: "OMG!!! wicca is bad, we muct educate the masses to the truth.
You: "OMG!!! christians are bad, we muct educate the masses to the truth.

for all you fear and OMGs, you are the exact same as them, in the wayyou react... so you're statements are hypocrital...

Woah did I come across wrong there! I wasent worried or upset that this came about, I find ti compleatly silly and hillarious the folks get all uptight over this...to the point the make a video (and books that sell at 19.95 each by the way). Most often I just enjoy posting how far folks will go in an effort to get their point across.

[Dmitri]

Ok... sorry... I thought it was an offended OMG!!!! Not an OMG how stupid...

my bad...

[RichardMacHugely]

This sort of nonsense should not be taken as representative of main stream Christians. The "christians" who rant on about the evils of "witchcraft" are a very small, if annoyingly vocal, segment of our overall population.

I''m an Anglican (or maybe I should call myself Episcopalian these days, since I am firmly on the side of the American church in the debate within the worldwide Anglican communion on the issue of Gay Rights - ie, I'm FOR them) and I can tell you that I have no difficulty whatsoever with Potter, or Wicca for that matter.

About a year and a half ago, during the last flair up of fundamentalist rabble rousing over Potter and Tolkien, our rector gave an excellent sermon on the very positive message of these books, and how Christians should feel free to read and enjoy them. He was particularly effusive in his praise of LOTR, pointing out that JRRT was a devout man who made a real effort to build a world and mythology that was not in conflict with traditional Christian beliefs. But he also pointed out that the heroes of the Potter books used their fictional magic to combat evil and darkness, so he didn't have any problem with that either.

You know the books he did criticize from the pulpit? The "Left Behind" books. He absolutely despises their exclusionary message, which is basically that everyone who doesn't believe EXACTLY what the writers believe is going to Hell. He considers such an attitude to be grossly out of keeping with the Christian ideal, and so do I.

He also doesn't care for the DaVinci Code very much either, but only because the writer tries to pass off his story as being true.

[Eric McTavish]

Ok... sorry... I thought it was an offended OMG!!!! Not an OMG how stupid...

my bad...

Probably a bit of my bad as well I dont often expalin myself clearly enough... :?


This sort of nonsense should not be taken as representative of main stream Christians. The "christians" who rant on about the evils of "witchcraft" are a very small, if annoyingly vocal, segment of our overall population.

Oh I Don’t!! In my opinion (humble though it may be) there are 2 types of Christians (and Pagans, and insert your religion here) the first kind are the "real" Christians (using Christian as a catch-all at this point) the nice folks who go about their lives doing the best to follow their beliefs and living good lives. the second kind are the "fundies" and these are in ALL religions (unfortunately the Christian fundies have the most media attention making some people think "They" speak for all the other Christians) The Fundies are the folks who follow the True Word (tm)(c) and are always going on about how "I’m right your wrong the book says so! So your wrong!" Of course their version of The Word(tm)(c) usually comes with a 3 tape set ($29.99) and a series of nicely bound hardcover ($35.99) and if you would lie they will come and speak at your event ($199,99)

[Magdalene]

Yeah, I have to chime in as a Catholic here....but, geez, people....FICTION. It's called FICTION.

Sadly, an ex-friend of mine who converted to my religion (side note: converts to my faith make me twitch, especially the first year after they make the switch. They always seem over the top for some reason) and I actually had a major fight over the Harry Potter books. It was, in fact, the final straw for our friendship (he was showing himself to be way intolerant about a lot of things, and was getting on my nerves more and more). He was absolutely convinced that the Harry Potter books were what was causing the sudden interest in paganism and wicca, and how stupid people were to think they were witches. I told him that 1.) the H.P. books are pure fiction, and 2.) no real wicca I know of thinks of them as a guideline for spellcasting...and that in fact, they have very little to do with real witchcraft.

Let's just say it got unpleasant. I don't miss him though.

[WenchyMom]

Ya know, I can't believe some of these people really I can't. Having been a christian and having read anything I could on Wicca I've tried to explain to people I use to work with (in the bible belt in Texas no less ) that wicca is not the demon infested devil worshipping hell on earth bent religion they think it is. I had probably 3 or 4 hour long conversations with one woman who was devot catholic and was against the HP books because her priest said they would lead her children to the wickedness of Witchcraft. I sat down with her and explained as best I could about the wicca and then told her that HP has nothing related to wicca/witchcraft. That she is not letting her children read great books without researching this info first. I never know if she let them read the books or not or even if she became more open minded ( I quit after a couple months due to family issues) I try to always show openmindness to others even if they don't believe what I do. It doesn't matter. we're people and should be treated like indivduals, I don't lump people together (or try not to)

I really wish these "christians" would understand that they aren't changing anything but other's intolerence. Christ & God are for love and understanding, not choose me or live a horrible burning life in a hell like no other.

Sorry It turned into a rant. Just makes me upset.

[Wolves Lady]

I had to pop in on this conversation! I homeschooled my daughter for several years, and during that time ran into many "over the top" Christians (to put it mildly). When they heard that I was allowing my DD to read the Potter books, I was practically cast out and burned at the stake (instead they made a concentrated effort to convert me and show me the error of my ways - hard to do since I am already a Christian). One mom told me that <GASP> the HP books contained ACTUAL "spells" disguised and that they promoted devil worship. It was of little use to explain that Satan-worship/Christianity, Wicca and Paganism were completely different from each other, and when I interupted one conversation with a blurted "Ridikulus!" I thought they would faint.

It is amazing to me how much people believe in something just because they saw it in print, and fail to recognize the difference between fact and fiction. The idea that books like "Harry Potter" and the "DaVinci Code" (I am waiting for "Angels and Demons" to be next) have caused so much of a battle is both amusing and frightening to me - the ignorance and intolerance behind it scaring me the most. The media capitalizing on it doesn't help - especially when the reporter doesn't research his story with a neutral eye. Some of the stories put out there remind me more of midnight dormroom philosophical discussions then anything else.

I had better stop at this point before it turns into a full-fledged rant - I have spent time on both sides of this, and it drives me nuts! Then again - if a modern-day witchhunt were to occur I'd probably be in line with many others for the asbestos undies!


PS - Cow Tipping??!! I went to a tiny college, and never had a chance to try it - we just visited the old civil-war cemetaries and midnight and scared the h@&& out of the freshmen by having upperclassmen in the trees. It is the same kind of freshmen-joking BS - no?

[Dragonfly]

Eric,

Dude I know your a pagan, and while I am too, I don't see WHY you get so worked up about this stuff... Your reactions defer only slighty from the opinions expressed in this book (or articles you've posted in the past)

Actually, I was going to ask that myself...because usually if there's an article posted in here, he's one of 2 or 3 folks that finds it.

Do you surf the net looking for this stuff or just naturally come across it? You find your way to an insane number of articles, dear. While it's cool to be vigilant and read up on things that affect your life, I think if I found myself digging this much garbage up I'd be too upset most of the time. :?

[Lady Laurel]

I am Christian ( non denomination Raised Baptist )

I love the HP series. I have loved anything to do with magic and witches since I was a little girl. I went to a Christian school and they had books on withches for children. I do not understand where they get off saying what they do. As someone else stated it is FICTION.

[Eric McTavish]

[quote=Dmitri]Do you surf the net looking for this stuff or just naturally come across it? You find your way to an insane number of articles, dear. While it's cool to be vigilant and read up on things that affect your life, I think if I found myself digging this much garbage up I'd be too upset most of the time. :?

Naa friends of mine post this stuff to me (I Love Urban Legends and de-bunking them) so friends (and a few news groups I belong to) post this stuff to me and I look to see weather it's true or just a load of BS...

Ya see it never really upsets me I'm interested in how and why people think the way they do... Why is Smoking bad and drinking not??? Why do some groups keep (against all evidence) preaching that Wicca and Paganism are "unknowing pawns of the devil, what do certain groups want "X" but only as long as they can exclude group "Y" from offering their version...I really find it all fascinating along with peoples reactions to these stories.
If I have offended anyone I apologize!

[Dragonfly]

Not offended...just worried that it would end up terribly depressing, that's all.
That's cool.

[lady Amalthea]

I have to say I love the HP books, I am also a practicing Wiccan for almost 9 years now(and proud of it). most of my family is Catholic but my brother is a celt. 99% of my friends are Christians. People just need to be more open-minded. I'm a firm believer of follow your own faith just don't try to shove it down my throat if I don't want to follow your path. There is no one way. Just had to rant a little I live in a little bible belt community and get harrassed endlessly for my beliefs. But I just shrug it off, if they ask stupid questions it just means they are not informed.

[Mistress Morigianna]

i always first ask-
have you READ the books?
then
have you read the narnia series by cs lewis?
have you read wizard of oz?
have you read - insert name of book where the main characters must band together to overcome great odds through friendship and a little help from "magic".

we sell the hats, and other costume accessories in the store and i always laugh at the people that scream- Don't put that hat on- you'll go to hell!!!

all that from a bit of fabric!

[Cyranno DeBoberac]

we sell the hats, and other costume accessories in the store and i always laugh at the people that scream- Don't put that hat on- you'll go to hell!!!
People really do that?!? :shock:

Wow. I mean.... Wow.

Well, at least they make themselves easy to spot. Now if we could just tranq and tag them before releasing them back into the wild.....

When someone does that, how do you not just look them in the eye and say, "You're not particularly bright, are you."?

[Lady Sarah]

He also doesn't care for the DaVinci Code very much either, but only because the writer tries to pass off his story as being true.

I'm sorry, no, he doesn't. At least not in any source I've read. Directly from his mouth on his website:


HOW MUCH OF THIS NOVEL IS TRUE?
The Da Vinci Code is a novel and therefore a work of fiction. While the book's characters and their actions are obviously not real, the artwork, architecture, documents, and secret rituals depicted in this novel all exist (for example, Leonardo Da Vinci's paintings, the Gnostic Gospels, Hieros Gamos, etc.). These real elements are interpreted and debated by fictional characters. While it is my belief that some of the theories discussed by these characters may have merit, each individual reader must explore these characters' viewpoints and come to his or her own interpretations. My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion, and history.

BUT DOESN'T THE NOVEL'S "FACT" PAGE CLAIM THAT EVERY SINGLE WORD IN THIS NOVEL IS HISTORICAL FACT?
If you read the "FACT" page, you will see it clearly states that the documents, rituals, organization, artwork, and architecture in the novel all exist. The "FACT" page makes no statement whatsoever about any of the ancient theories discussed by fictional characters. Interpreting those ideas is left to the reader.

IS THIS BOOK ANTI-CHRISTIAN?
No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast majority of devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate. Even so, a small but vocal group of individuals has proclaimed the story dangerous, heretical, and anti-Christian. While I regret having offended those individuals, I should mention that priests, nuns, and clergy contact me all the time to thank me for writing the novel. Many church officials are celebrating The Da Vinci Code because it has sparked renewed interest in important topics of faith and Christian history. It is important to remember that a reader does not have to agree with every word in the novel to use the book as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith.

[Mistress Morigianna]

i find it interesting on the website posted in the first message- that most of the links don't work

only order stuff, read the first chapter, and contact.
research whick is what i wanted to see
doesn't work.

after reading the first chapter i was just a little appaled he was using the movie the craft as an exaple of wicca in movies!
ewwww this was one of the worst movies made.

still couldn't tell from my skimming if he realizes wicca and satanism is not the same thing.
he did forget to mention
bewitched
and some of the sat mornig cartoons with "magick" in them- lol
might be worth a read if i find it on the bargain rack ;-)

[Mum Tarts]

I can't believe that people can be so serious about this crap.
I moved to kentucky and though it isnt really that south, I guess you could say they are the top of the buckle of the bible belt...anywho I was in work, at break reading my HP book and a co-worker asked what I was reading, well I was so excited about Hp books I went into an explaination and she kinda looked shocked. So after I...umm shut up. she said her daughter would never read those books as they were about witches and wizards and magic. So I asked her...very politely, has she ever read any disney books? she said yes but, I said but nuthin arent they about witches, etc? who's the hypocrite?

[Artos O'Dalriada]

honestly, as a pagan myself, i'm kinda upset that people would go that far as to attack something like that...i always thought the H.P. series was kinda neat, very fiction, very fantasy....but i guess we're slowly gettin to a point where some folks don't like people to have/use an imagination..... on the other hand, i'm amused at the same time, by those same efforts...either way, we're gettin free press, since most of the time, people who have to write the articles will do the research and maybe even explain what wicca and such really is instead of just 'going with the flow' so to speak.... course, i've some unusual and complex opinions (specially since i don't have the time and/or space to go into detailed explanations of such opinions)..

[Eric McTavish]

He also doesn't care for the DaVinci Code very much either, but only because the writer tries to pass off his story as being true.

I'm sorry, no, he doesn't. At least not in any source I've read. Directly from his mouth on his website:

The other day at Barns & Noble I saw a display for the DaVinci Code with about 30 other "DaVinci" book all proving how the author is Lying about the church and Christianity, and how the "Code" is a the work of Satan and a Hoax! I about laughed myself silly (is almost as good as seeing the "Nerconomicon" in with the Wiccan and Pagan manuals! :D

[Lady Sarah]

The other day at Barns & Noble I saw a display for the DaVinci Code with about 30 other "DaVinci" book all proving how the author is Lying about the church and Christianity, and how the "Code" is a the work of Satan and a Hoax! I about laughed myself silly (is almost as good as seeing the "Nerconomicon" (edit, Necronomicon) in with the Wiccan and Pagan manuals! :D

I've seen the books as well. I just roll my eyes at all of the uproar and such about the book and then chuckle to myself at all the free publicity Mr. Brown is getting out of it. God knows he's laughing all the way to the bank when someone buys DVC or A&D to see what the fuss is about.

Thing is, all of the facts he's stated on his Fact Page can be researched on the internet or even in your public library - you know that, most well adjusted common sensical people know that as well. What infuriates me is the voice shouting "devil's work!" without even reading it or botheirng to do any research on it. The see the excerpts, read the synopsis and automatically assume that it's evil or wrong. Talk about judging a book by it's cover. It's FICTION, people. Build your bridge and get over it.

[DangerousCurves]

*Looks around for a nice piece of concrete to beat her forehead into...anything is less painful than the Bible Thumper vs Tree Hugger debate...* for the record...I call myself a "believer" because I believe in the deity/deities of my choice which happen to overlap both groups...thus I guess I'm either a Bible Hugger or a Tree Thumper....*sigh*

[Mistress Morigianna]

I had a thought while talking to my himbo in the car about this (left brain right brain no brain- love driving) and was thinking about the stistics on how wicca/paganism (gee lump everything together why don't you) is so "up & coming" as a "new" religion.

I am 36. On;y in the last 10 years have i ever seen new age, wicca, pagan or anything close on paperwork as a choice for religion. before was just "other". Even my last visit to planned parenthood had alternative religion as a choice.

how many peole are just comingout of the broom closet? With the internet you can see you are not the only one around. You can find chatrooms and group meetings. Book stores carry more books, no more special order in a paper bag. New age stores aren't little dark hole in the walls and you won't be yelled at for entering (most places). Some are even in Malls!

The stigma or being the "weird chick" (thank you daria!) doesn't apply so much at least in California.

so maybe it isn't up an coming and growing it just is beening heard. And counted.

thoughts???

[lady Amalthea]

I'm not sure of the branch of military but i think it might be the navy, Wicca is included in their chaplains handbook as an approved religious leave of absence for the major sabbats. Now some of my information might be wrong but I think that is what I read in one of my Wicca books.

[Psyche]

I'm not sure of the branch of military but i think it might be the navy, Wicca is included in their chaplains handbook as an approved religious leave of absence for the major sabbats. Now some of my information might be wrong but I think that is what I read in one of my Wicca books.
When I served in the Navy, paganism and Wicca were recognized as religions. Approved religious leave was a whole other ball of wax.

[lady Amalthea]

I wasn't sure about leave. So did they actually give leave for religious observences for Wicca or did they just recognize it as a religion?

[Eric McTavish]

Woha double post sorry.... :shock:

[Eric McTavish]

I wasn't sure about leave. So did they actually give leave for religious observences for Wicca or did they just recognize it as a religion?

All branches of the US Military recognize Paganism and Wicca as "real" religions and provide leave time sabots ect in accordance with regulations set for other religions (i.e. just because it's Winter solstice (or Christmas) you aint getting out of training…but if it otherwise doesn’t interfere and you have the leave...go for it) However Prez Bush was quoted as saying the he didn’t believe Wicca was a real religion and the military should "re-think" allowing "those people" to do that on military posts. As of yet I don’t believe any chaplains perform services for Pagans or Wiccans but they do allow the use of base facilities for rites by groups and individuals.

It has been estimated that by 2010 Paganism/Wicca could possibility be among the top 5 religions in America