HE'S BACK
What Do We Do With Harry Potter? (Nov. 21, 2002) What a question! Can't you see Satan wanting us to play around with this? Harry Potter's name should not even be mentioned in our periodicals. All I can say is, "Get thee behind me, Satan."

Alice Leitch

I'm sure that Anita Oliver's article "What Do We Do With Harry Potter?" will be widely read and quoted by your readers who haven't read Harry Potter but "know" that these books are evil because there are wizards in them. However, in spite of Ms. Oliver's reminder that we need to "be careful that your arguments are sound and the quotes factual," she doesn't seem to take her own advice.

Her first three points are that Harry uses violence, control, and revenge in the struggle against evil. She uses one example as support. Those who have read Harry Potter will quickly recognize that this minor example is in fact the only one she could find. Yes, there is some violence and abuse of power in the Harry Potter books, but it is always used by the evil forces; Harry never uses violence to combat Lord Voldemort. Instead, we find that he twice has an opportunity to take revenge on one whom he believes was instrumental in his parents' death. In both cases he chooses not to.

Harry was an infant when Lord Voldemort first attempted to kill him. Harry escaped death and Lord Voldemort was seriously disabled, not because of Harry's power nor that of his parents, who were killed in the attack. Eventually we find out that Harry survived because there is no evil power stronger than self-sacrificing love. This is the theme of the Harry Potter books, not violence, power, or control.

Harry's decisions not to take revenge and the emphasis on the power of love over evil are noble themes. In fact, they are primary themes in Christianity. Additionally, when Harry and his friends have an opportunity, they work to liberate the oppressedagain a major Christian theme.

Do these Christian themes justify reading a book about wizards? Opinions will differ on that subject, but we should keep in mind that the magic in these books is typified by flying on broomsticks, waving magic wands, and making things disappear. This is quite different from Spiritualism, which is worship of the devil and evil spirits. If one was actually to go looking for the things described in Harry Potter, he would simply not find it in Spiritualismor anywhere else.

Rex Strom
Courtice, Ontario

I read the article, "What do we do with Harry Potter?", and I appreciated it. It made some good points about witchcraft and the occult and how we can tell the good books for our children to read. Thank you for publishing the article.

Annette B. Thrower

I was horrified by the propaganda you inflicted on Harry Potter. If the occult influence on Mr. Potter is right, then maybe you should look at all the fairy tales of years past; example: "Snow White and The Seven Dwarves." A girl is poisoned by a woman who can shape-shift into an old crone. There's a reason it's called fantasy.

Secondly, denouncing of the practices of the Roman Catholic Church are utterly discreditable. It was the first and most populated church after all, and I haven't seen any evidence of God's anger toward this deep-rooted tradition.

I may also point out that people who follow Wicca are some of the most generous, kind, and peaceful I have ever met. I suggest you read Matthew: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11, 12, NIV)

I know you won't take me seriously, as you liken us Catholics to pagans anyway.

Nicholas Woodley

THEORY AND PRACTICE
I was checking the Adventist Review for my Sabbath evening meditation and I noticed Lloyd Baum's imaginative treatise on semantics pertaining to "Creation, Resurrection, and Other Mysteries" (Nov. 14, 2002). The Church mires itself from the pulpit and in print on the unknown "heaven." In the Seventh-day Adventist Church we refer to the story of creation as expressing our basic beliefs and our evaluation of our religious community. Beautiful words about heaven but in the real world, nothing.

We have a pastor in France who likes to climb mountains, another in Los Angeles who is a Ferrari car collector, and in Milwaukee, one who loves golf. Taking care of the suffering and hurting flock is beyond their job description. You have to be practically dead to have one call on you; I know from my own experience. If somebody would send only $1 to the 10,000 deprived Adventist families, we could alleviate some of the suffering of job-deprived families like the families who lost loved ones in 9/11.

In the Adventist Church you can starve to death if you are hurt in an accident or lose your job. Barely anyone will call to see how you're doing. The church prides itself to be growing in numbers but the inside is pretty shallow.

While many are dealing in semantics and the unknown, many Adventists are leaving because not many people care if we believe in miracles or not. Church attendance is in decline due to the fact that the church is more interested in taking our money than helping those who have served for many years. "We have a budget deficit," or "You're long distance," is their excuse for not calling.

We have not taken the time to teach people the words of Jesus, "All men will know you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35, NIV). Laodicea, at best, is what we are finding now.

If Seventh-day Adventists care for one another like the Amish, maybe I will come back. I will, however, be dead before that.

Many people do not know that the word miracle comes from "miraculum," "mirari," to wonder; and, at last, "mirus," wonderful. It would be wonderful if preachers would start practicing what they preach about miracles. To serve others when they are in need, to inspire congregations to be generous to those less fortunate. That will be heaven.

Michel Kordas

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
It was with great concern that I read the article regarding the Sharpe decision in Canada ("A Not-so-Sharpe Decision" (Nov. 2002). We find ourselves in a difficult position here in the United States because of our belief in freedom of expression and what constitutes first amendment rights. This belief in freedom of speech is what I appreciate most about being an American. We have a right to say and write what we want without fear (for the most part).

But we also have a responsibility with our speech and writings not to promote harm physical or emotional to others, especially our children. We adults have a responsibility and duty to protect our children to give them as safe as an environment as possible.

It is not art when it promotes the harming of someone else. When a person promotes hatred because of race, religion, or gender we are quick to rise and defend. What are we telling our children if we do not speak out against the vilest of evils the promotion of pornography, especially child pornography? We must protect our children.

When people complain about television programs, I tell them, "Turn it off find other things to do." When people complain about books they consider inappropriate, I tell them, "Don't read them." When they complain about magazines that promote youthful sexual activity, I tell them, "Don't buy them. Give your children wonderful alternatives to these institutions."

But when it comes to pornography, especially child pornography, we Christians can't do enough to fight this evil. We must stand up and put on the armor of God, and yes, we must pray for people like Mr. Sharpe. We must pray that the Holy Spirit penetrates his soul and converts him, and others like him. We must pray constantly and fortify ourselves with the strength and character of Jesus to fight the demons that have so deceptively intruded into our lives and the lives of our children.

The Adventist community must must unite all over the world regarding this terrible evil. There are depraved individuals who prey on children, selling them into the sex trade, transporting them, using them. This is Satan at his very worst he and his demons and people who have exercised their personal freedom of choice at the cost of others.

I appeal to all my Adventist family, let us take up this fight, through bold, vigilant prayer, never ceasing, ever watchful, to stand up for what is right.

Vicki Perea-McIntyre

MORE CONSERVATIVE CONCERNS
Thank you for printing Tom Huson's article, "Current Concerns of a Conservative Adventist" (Oct. 24, 2002). It was so refreshing. It seems like much of what we see and hear in our churches these days is an effort to see how close we can come to conformity with the world and still maintain a semblance of what we as a people believe.

God bless you, Tom Huson. May we hear more of your perspective of what it really means to live a Christ-like life in these troubled times.

Ray Kablanow
Coulterville, California

I agree that we as Adventists often are so much like the world that few could tell the difference. My question is, Why?

Approaching the problem from the stand point of emphasizing our doctrines and standards has usually resulted in legalism. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we Adventists were known as servants who are as loving as Christ is? I see that as a natural outgrowth of focusing on Christ, and making a relationship with Him our priority.

I'm sure we're all familiar with Ellen White's statement, "If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 189).

Christ did not say, "All shall know ye are my disciples by how well you can give proof texts for the sanctuary doctrine or the Sabbath." He said: "By this shall all men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love for one another" (John 13:35).

We do best in our contacts with others when we try to find common ground with them, and then, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, share how much God means to us and the difference He makes in our lives. Only if people know we love them and God loves them and can make a difference in their lives, will they be open to our sharing as to the teachings of Jesus, which is what doctrine is really. People don't care what we believe, unless they know how much we care.

Janice Schilt
Port Orchard, Washington

I commend you for printing the excellent article, "Current Concerns of a Conservative Adventist." I, too, am a conservative Adventist. I too appreciate some of the "new," reverent music. It was such a relief to read this article. I am so used to being told that I am not progressive or tolerant because I care about reverence in church. I have been told that I want to hold the church back, that I don't care about our young people, that I don't care about attracting the unchurched. All of these statements are untrue and unfair, a straw man approach. The article left me cheering.

Finally someone has stated what I believe in an articulate manner.

Jane Edwards
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

ADRA WORKS
Thank you for the special issue, "Gospel in Work Boots," and particularly for Zdravko Plantak's excellent article, "There Should Be No Poor." Why should the poor concern us?

Too often it seems that we have been seduced by the political rhetoric that blames the poor for their condition and ignores our religious duty to aid them. Surely there are some who are responsible for their own poverty, but for every one who has made himself poor through indolence, there are dozens or hundreds who are held in poverty by economic systems that enable us to indulge in a lifestyle of luxury while others are literally naked and hungry.

We do well to remember Ellen White's counsel: "Those who rob God by withholding from His cause and from the suffering poor will meet His retributive justice. . . . A neglect of His suffering poor is a neglect of Christ, for He tells us that the poor are His representatives on earth. Pity and benevolence shown to them are accepted of Christ as if shown to Him" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 620).

The facile excuses we offer for our failure to do this work, and for our willingness to overlook this duty, may suppress the voice of our own conscience, but they will count for little in the sight of God.

Donn W. Leatherman, Professor of Religion
Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, Tennessee

WISH WE COULD TAKE CREDIT
I was surprised and pleased to see the excellent article on redemptive church discipline in the October issue. Tim Crosby's is one of the few voices crying out in the wasteland of non-caring (his definition), politically correct, number counting, indifferent, or lazy pastors and churches. As a result we have a shadow membership of at least 30 percent.

When conference leaders give little or no attention or direction to church discipline and churches resist it, is it any wonder that the local pastor doesn't want to fight the battle alone. Have we lost our backbone and gone soft on holding up what was once recognized as a Christian standard? We are just 35 years behind and following the example of a well-known and declining mainline church.

Thank you, Tim, for "demythologizing" the objections and setting forth the value and method of biblical church discipline.

Thanks also to Rick Ferratt for his thought provoking article on Adventist identity. It is helpful to us pastors seeking to cast a vision with and for our churches.

Mike Miller
Jacksonville, Florida

Thanks for your note, but the credit goes to Ministry magazine, where these two articles appeared in the October, 2002 issue. --Editors

ONLINE KUDOS
I thank you and the entire team of the online Adventist Review. I got my free book, Prisoners of Hope, last week and I'm very glad. I am an ardent reader of your online magazine, since I do not have access to the hard copy.

Thank you for making it available online and may God continue to bless your ministry in Jesus' name.

Iyanda Olawale OlaOluwa
Nigeria