University course on Harry Potter

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter

A few issues ago, in our monthly newspaper, the Omega
Times, we pointed out that JK Rawling made it clear that her stories of
Harry Potter would not encourage people to indulge in any form of witchcraft. Of
course, we as Christians differed with her as we recognised the whole work of
Satan is conducted along the lines of Fabian Socialism, which equals 'Gradualism'.

As we enter the new millennium, we notice that Satan is going
out of his way to attract as many followers as possible and this Harry Potter
phenomenon is very unnatural to say the least. In the book of Revelation 12:12b,
we read: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is
come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a
short time." (emphasis added).

We as believers in the Lord understand that the air around us
and atmosphere is filled not only with angelic beings on behalf of those who are
Christians, but with demons influencing those who are not Christians. Satan is
called the Prince of the power of the air. He is called the god of this world
and the prince of this world, and we trust that you will believe us when we say,
he means business.

Our Lord Jesus Christ also means business and that's why we
are very glad that He offers us full and free salvation from the power of the
enemy.

In the Old Testament, in the book of Deuteronomy 18:10-12, we
read of the demonic activities that God warned His people, Israel, against, and
we list them here for your edification:

"There shall not be found among you any one that
maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,
or that useth divination,
or an observer of times,
or an enchanter,
or a witch,
Or a charmer,
or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard,
or a necromancer.
For all that do these things are an abomination
unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth
drive them out from before thee." (emphasis added).

Now we have an article sent to us from the Adelaide
Advertiser, 15 February 2002:

"University course a Pottered history...It's every Harry
Potter fan's dream -– a university certificate in Sorcery, Witchcraft,
Shamanism and Healing.

The popularity and commercial success of the boy-wizard has
prompted one of South Australia's most prestigious universities to offer just
that.

For 12 weeks, about 20 students will study seances,
witchcraft, exorcisms, ritual magic and African witchdoctors.

The course is being offered through Adelaide University's
Centre for Professional and Continuing Education at a cost of $495.

There are no course prerequisites. Lectures will be conducted
by anthropologist and recently retired Adelaide University lecturer Dr Kingsley
Garbett....

The popularity of recent movies like Harry Potter and the
Lord of the Rings has generated interest in mystical and surreal worlds...

This course offers participants an opportunity to explore the
origins of spiritual beliefs from an anthropological perspective that will
further heighten their interest in this area.

Dr Garbett said the course would study real-life spirit
mediums, witches and related matters rather than mythical creatures.

'The interesting thing is why things like Harry Potter
have stimulated the attention it has among young people,' he said....

Enrolments would be accepted until the course began on March
17....

Dr Garbett said there was a lot modern society could learn
from topics like witchcraft and sorcery.

'Instead of seeing these kings of things as strange one
suddenly begins to realise they are actually realisable possibilities of being
human,' he said...." (emphases added).

We at this newspaper offer a word of advice at this point,
which is, if you're looking for supernatural power, look to the correct
source, our Lord Jesus Christ, who said, "All power is given unto me....
behold I give you power over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall be any
means hurt you."