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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on February 17, 2006, at 14:39:44
My mother really drilled into me as a child that I shouldn't have anything around me that had to do with the occult. Not only did I get in huge trouble for admitting to playing with a Ouji board at a friend's house, but I wasn't even allowed to own a Magic 8 ball. And I'm pretty sure it wasn't really magic.
Anyway, I watch the shows X Files and Charmed and manage to do it without too much guilt. But the idea of buying the DVD's brings back all the old admonitions.
I personally think that I'm giving superstition way too much power, and that owning the X Files or Charmed does not equate to dabbling in the occult. But I just feel so uncomfortable.
Were my mother's teachings in keeping with the spirit of Biblical injunctions? Would it really be wrong to have the X files or Charmed in the house?
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 15:40:44
In reply to X Files and Charmed, posted by Dinah on February 17, 2006, at 14:39:44
Dinah,
Having been a Christian, and now a Pagan, I'm not sure what my opinion will be worth, but I'll give it a shot.
First, the Biblical admonition is to not have any false Gods before the heavenly father. That makes sense as Christianity is a monotheistic faith.
Many Christian missionaries are taught to avoid learning too much about the faiths (pagan or otherwise) of the population they are working with. I can only presume that the point is to prevent the Christian faith, or perhaps to prevent the missionaries from adopting the pagan faith.
What happens, especially with movies and such is that witchcraft (which in the case of Charmed is not well represented at all) present paganism or witchcraft in a positive light.
I have heard from some preachers that things such as the Ouija board, etc. can open up a channel for the demonic. Personally, I think, that if the Christian position is correct, and that a believer is indwelt with the Holy Spirit, that a demonic presence cannot push aside the Holy Spirit. It just goes against Biblical sense. The Holy Spirit is God, and God is stronger than any demonic presence.
The X-Files is not (for the most part) occult. It is science fiction. Sometimes it deals with people who may have some dealings with the occult, but it is not instructive or anything. A bit scary at times, spooky, and such, but no more occult than a newspaper article dealing with a supposed ritualistic killing.
The occult encompasses a great deal. Mostly, it includes that which we do not by any other means understand. Telepathy, spiritism, psychic healing, fortune telling, astrology, etc. The Christian faith seems to be fearful of all of this. Personally, I think that if such a thing as telepathy and psychic powers actually exist, that they must have been imparted to us by divinity. They are a natural function of our brain, just as is women's intuition.
I also have trouble with the fundamental prohibition against astrology, as the celebrated Three Wise Men were astrologers, "We saw his star...".
Also, it might be good to look in your concordance and see what the words originally meant. One word that I know of, I don't remember the verse, but it was translated as witch, but originally meant someone who poisons another. Many words in the KJV don't reflect the original intent with complete accuracy.
Anyway, Not being Christian, I think the best I can offer is some things to think about. It's certainly not my place to in any way try to sway you from your faith.
I can tell you a couple things though. Wicca, and paganism are not correctly presented in Christian churches. We're described as demonic, worshipers of satan, often we are accused of animal sacrifices, etc. Programs such as Charmed, or Bewitched have been maligned as romancing our religion in order to gain members. In actuality, it takes a bit of work to join a group or a coven. Paganism is not about proslytizing.
I'm rambling now. My main point is that I don't think you should be afraid of the X-Files, or Charmed. The X-Files is mostly the spooky side of Sci-Fi, and Charmed, with the exception of a couple of the terms they use has nothing to do with witchcraft. It's more in the realm of fantasy. Knowing the truth about the paranormal or the occult can take away alot of the fear surrounding it, but most churches discourage that.
Anyway, I hope I was of some help.
Blessings,
--Dee
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 16:55:04
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 15:40:44
I've been a bit b*tchy today. I have tremendous respect for Christ and quite a few churches. Just in a bad mood.
--Dee
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2006, at 17:53:39
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 15:40:44
Actually, I hope my question wasn't offensive to Wicca. It's not the witchcraft that stimulates my OCD. It's more the demons. Which has nothing to do with satanism, and is of course fantasy.
The same thing with The X Files. The men with green blood are fine, but the episodes that touch on other topics must kindle some long buried memories of my mother talking to me about horror movies, or something like that. I don't actually remember it, because I was never a horror movie fan, but...
I probably shouldn't have posted the question here. Even my spiritual advisor has trouble with the question and admits a love of The X Files without saying much more. It is probably a question that is a bit too controversial for this board.
I suspect it's really more an OCD question than a faith question anyway. The topic of the fear probably isn't the issue.
The part that irritates me most is that the part of both shows that appeal to me has nothing to do with any of that. I like the Mulder/Scully relationship, just like I liked the Kirk/Spock/McCoy relationship. And I like the family dynamics and the prominence of family ties over outside considerations in Charmed. The Leo/Piper love story is a classic one. And the way she has to balance providing a normal childhood for her son while recognizing and nurturing his gifts appeals to me. Plus there's the whole subtext that doing good entails personal cost.
It annoys me no end that I can't just enjoy those things without my mother's voice intruding.
But that's probably not a faith question at all. :)
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2006, at 17:54:35
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed » deirdrehbrt, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2006, at 17:53:39
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 18:17:21
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed » deirdrehbrt, posted by Dinah on February 18, 2006, at 17:53:39
Love the Leo / Piper thing.
Love the Scully / Mulder thing.
The show my mother wouldn't let me watch was Dark Shadows. Sort of makes sense though. She never explained whether it was religion or if it was just too scary and she didn't want me having nightmares.
Still like the X-files and Charmed though. Both fun shows.
Dee
Posted by Dinah on February 18, 2006, at 19:47:42
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 18, 2006, at 18:17:21
Funny, my mother never said a word about Dark Shadows and even bought me a couple of books based on the show.
Well, that should settle the question for me. :)
(I'm glad to find someone else who likes the Leo/Piper love story. I'm always a bit embarassed to admit I really like the show. lol.)
Now I'll quit obsessing, at least for now, and go look for Quentin's Theme.
Posted by lynn971 on February 19, 2006, at 19:32:03
In reply to X Files and Charmed, posted by Dinah on February 17, 2006, at 14:39:44
I have never watched charmed, but I do watch the x files. I never thought of it as bad.
When I first became a christian, I was very legalistic. I had a friend who did not want her kids to watch t.v. at all. They all rebelled once they got older.
I have that same question about Harry Potter though. I hear that it is full of occultic overtones. I am glad that my kids dont really care for it. My husband and daughter watched it.
Best intentions,
Lynn
Posted by deirdrehbrt on February 19, 2006, at 21:39:37
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed, posted by lynn971 on February 19, 2006, at 19:32:03
Lynn,
I am approaching this question from a viewpoint of a Pagan who was once Christian. I still have great respect for Christ, and for a great part of Christianity. I just wanted to qualify my response with that in mind.
I think that from a Christian perspective, the only real problem with Harry Potter is that it presents the concept of Witchcraft and such in a positive light. Christianity, as a whole, does not believe any other religion to be correct, and demonizes thos religions. Any attempt to show them in a positive light is met with resistance and criticism. This is what happened with Harry Potter.
A portion of one Christian review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: "Whether it’s grim treachery or comic relief, the film’s wall-to-wall sorcery is birthed from a faulty worldview that taps into the occult and never recognizes any divine authority. Unlike The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, the entire series is built on a shaky spiritual foundation that sends young fans confusing messages about the morality and merits of the dark arts."
The books and the movies though, have essentially nothing to do with true Paganism. They are, as they are meant to be, pure fiction. They depict magic, not magick. They are in no way an introduction to real paganism or witchcraft, though some might be interested in learning what these are really about after seeing the movie. If one indulges these interests, they will soon find out that there is a vast difference.
If children are properly educated about movies and fiction, and realize that what is on the screen is not a true representation of life, they should realize that Harry Potter is in fact fiction, and has no basis in reality.
If you are afraid that these movies would possibly lead your children into real Witchraft, Paganism or the occult, then don't let them watch the movies or read the books. If you believe that they have a strong foundation, understand the difference between fiction and reality, and would enjoy a good fantasy, then I don't see a problem with it.
Hope this helps,
Dee.
Posted by lynn971 on February 19, 2006, at 21:55:50
In reply to Re: X Files and Charmed » lynn971, posted by deirdrehbrt on February 19, 2006, at 21:39:37
Thanks,
That does help. I was not really bothered by Harry Potter. I just heard some christians warn against it. I agree with you though, it is just a movie. My kids will be exposed to all kinds of things in this world. I want them to be educated about things and not sheltered from them. That way I can help them have a healthy perspective on things. Like some christians do not let their kids trick or treat for Holloween. I do, in their little minds, they just want to dress up and get candy. They do not know about Satan's holiday.
I am just doing the best that I can. I have seen christian parents be so strict and then their kids rebel. I do not want my kids to grow up and hate the rules of christianity because some people make it so difficult. If we really knew Christ for who He is, or if Christians would shed a true picture of Christ, then people would not be turned off by christianity. He is a God of love. Not a God of a bunch rules.
His laws are there only to protect us. I find that sometimes we christians make it more difficult than it needs to be.
I am off the subject. I am talking in circles. I am sorry. I am about to fall asleep.
In your opinion, what is the one thing that has turned you away from being a christian? If you do not mind me asking. Was it the people? The so called man made rules?
Just curious. I would never want to hurt someone in the name of christianity.
Sincerly,
Lynn
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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