Hi, I'd like to comment about the Harry Potter isssue. Listening to the program tonight I noticed the main argument of Connie Neal and support for the books rested on the premise that this is fantasy, and as long as you could distinguish between reality and fantasy it would be OK.
I'm someone who has come out of the occult.
I was saved nearly 8 years ago but before this I had been involved in the 'New Age' and Occult for 6 years, including some witchcraft and sorcery. I can testify from my involvement in the occult that its not fantasy, it's real.
The Power of the demonic realm is not fantasy, it's real.
This can even be shown biblically, see for example Exodus 7:11-12,20-22; 8:6-7 where Pharoah's magicians performed the same miracles Moses performed.
The occult themes of the Harry Potter books are not fantasy, They're real. Harry Potter may be 'fiction', but it's not 'fantasy'.

If Connie Neal believes this is simply harmless fantasy, then I would suggest it is actually Connie Neal who can't distinguish between fantasy and reality.
When kids become attracted to sorcery and witchcraft because they want to be like Harry, they expose themselves to a spirit realm that is very real.
It seems to me incredible that anyone could argue, given the huge following around the world of the Harry Potter books, that nobody has been led into the occult through these books. Just look at the explosion in the number of books on witchcraft in recent years, as well as there now even being children's books on casting spells.
And as for the argument that the book contains some Christian themes within it, you know what? so does the Occult/New Age!
For example, the importance of forgiving others is taught as well as the principle of sowing & reaping - that what you give out to others will eventually come back to you.
Does this mean a parent should take their kids to an occult meeting because they will learn some biblical principles there in amongst all the demonic stuff?
So why then take one's kids to see Harry Potter to learn biblical principles?
If some of the kids that are fans of Harry Potter end up getting involved in witchcraft does it really matter what 'Christian' themes they learnt from the books?
Would it not be better to take them to a church? where they would learn the same biblical principles without all the other damaging stuff to sort through? Would it not be better to get them to read the Bible or to see a film like 'Amazing Grace' if you want to instill Christian values into them?

I was interested to hear how Connie Neal became a fan of these books, because it was the same way I came to get involved in the occult - I read one of their books to prove to my friend why it was wrong, and before I finished the book I was hooked. When someone doesn't have a solid grounding in the things of God they become easy prey for the enemy to lure away with the fascinating things he has to offer. For this reason I am opposed to people reading these books, and even more opposed to teens and children being exposed to them when they are still in the formative years of their life, without having their roots properly established yet.

Regards,

Paul