Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is not a spiritually exalting film. It models the misuse of "magic" for selfish purposes and revenge. Because it is so much a part of the poplular culture, children will want to see it, so I suggest that parents view the film with their children and use it as a tool to help them discriminate between good and evil. Any movie delving into magic, especially a movie that is so influential with children, should be a guide to a higher spiritual and moral path. This movie seductively guides its viewers down the wrong road and is especially dangerous to children.
It is a film that uplifts and inspires, that explores higher realities and the spiritual potential of man and woman.
It is a film that exalts the worth of the individual and shows the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. It is a film that differentiates between light and darkness and affirms light as the essential nature of all things spiritual.
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Directed by legendary Frank Capra - one of the most inspiring spiritual films ever produced powerfully illustrating the value of a single human life and the importance of community. Capra said, "There are no rules in filmmaking, only sins. And the Cardinal sin is dullness." Spiritual exalting films do not have to be dull!
Lost Horizon
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Somewhere in Time
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Fairytale
A look into the world of fairies and magic - produced by Wendy Finerman who also produced "Forrest Gump," and by Mel Gibson's production company Icon Productions. Look for a cameo by Mel.
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HARRY POTTER FILM THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN TAKES CHILDREN DOWN THE WRONG ROAD
by Joan Holman
copyright 2004 Joan Holman
The Prisoner of Azkaban, although entertaining, is a
powerful and seductive tool to give children the wrong message and
lead children in the wrong direction.
In the first two films Harry was a good guy. A real
hero, with positive traits. He demonstrated high moral standards.
HARRY ACTS OUT OF REVENGE AND RECEIVES NO REPRIMAND--
But in the Prisoner of Azkaban, the movie opens with
Harry breaking the
rules and doing great harm to someone. He acts out of
revenge, out of
anger, out of a loss of control. Now, if this had been
a Jedi knight
like Luke Skywalker, he would have been reprimanded
and punished.
However, not only did Harry not get punished by his
superiors, the
superiors actually tell him what he did was no big
deal!!!
OUR HERO HAS FALLEN AND HAS NO REGRETS--
Well, it was a big deal! Our hero has fallen and has
no regrets about
it
at all.
SHOWING CHILDREN THERE ARE NO CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING THE RULES--
What kind of a message is this to give to children!!
That there are no
consequences for them breaking the rules, and that, in
fact, it is no
big deal to break the rules.
THE RULES: MAGIC MUST NOT BE PRACTICED FOR SELFISH PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED TO HARM OTHERS--
And what are the rules? The rules are that we do not
act out of hatred,
out of revenge, out of anger, to harm people. The
rules are that we do
not practice magic just for selfish purposes, but for
the Greater Good.
The rules are that we adhere to a high moral and
spiritual code. The
rules are that we keep our emotional harmony, that we
master our lower
nature and that we engage in noble acts of compassion,
heroism, and
honor.
MAGIC IS A DEVICE TO CONTROL SUBTLE INVISIBLE FORCES--
Some people criticize the focus on magic in the Harry
Potter stories. I
have no problem with magic when it is used with the
right motive and in
the right way. Magic is, in fact, a device to control
subtle invisible
forces. Magic can be used for good or for evil. The
path of ritual
magic
is part of the great esoteric tradition of the West,
just as
meditation,
ascetism and yoga has been a part of the esoteric
tradiiton of the
East.
In both traditions, discipline precedes dominion.
THE RIGHT HANDED PATH VERSUS THE LEFT HANDED PATH--
Magic should only be used to relation to spiritual
values. The person
practicing White Magic surrenders to a Higher Law and
the Supreme Good.
This has been called the Right Handed Path. Then there
is the Left
Handed Path, which involves the nonsurrender of the
ego and the lower
nature and the nonadherance to the Higher Law. Going
on the Left Handed
Path begins with breaking the rules, like Harry has
done in this movie,
and like Darth Vadar did in Star Wars. In Star Wars,
we see the
consequences for Darth Vadar. In The Prisoner of
Azkaban, we do not see
the consequences for Harry Potter.
NEED TO GUIDE CHILDREN TO A HIGHER SPIRITUAL AND MORAL PATH--
Any movie delving into magic, especially a movie that
is so influential
with children, should guide individuals to a higher
spiritual and moral
path.
Unfortunately, The Prisoner of Azkaban does not do
this.
So parents, beware!
A VERY SEDUCTIVE FILM--
The Harry Potter franchise is so powerful and
pervasive, and the film
is
so well-executed and seductive that it can do great
harm if you do not
educate your children about what is really going on in
this film.
AN ALLEGIANCE TO BLACK MAGIC?--
Now, there are many other disturbing things in the
film, including the
use of the Horned Hand Salute by sympathetic character
Professor Lupin.
Many may miss this in the film, but it is there and it
is deeply
disturbing. It is a sign of recognition between those
who hold
allegiance to Black Magic and the Left Handed Path.
What is this image
doing in this film coming from Professor Lupin, who is
supposed to be a
good guy?
DEEPLY DISTURBING IMAGES--
Parents, you need to think about this and think about
many other images
in this film, which will be deeply disturbing to your
children.
PARENTS NEED TO SEE THE FILM AND DISCUSS IT WITH THEIR CHILDREN --
I would not recommend any child under the age of 12
see this film, and
quite frankly, I think that parents need to see the
film as well and
discuss it with their children.
POPULAR CULTURE FRENZY FOR HARRY POTTER--
Since there is a frenzy in the popular culture about
Harry Potter, it
will be difficult to keep your children from wanting
to see this film.
So parents, you must be prepared to discuss this with
your children and
use it as a teaching tool. They may not like what you
have to say about
their idol Harry Potter, but you need to point out
what is happening.
--
PLEASE HELP THE CAUSE!--
Please help the cause by donating funding and support and advice to the Spiritual Cinema Alliance! Let's get some big name movie stars behind this. Let's get philanthropists who care about our declining culture to put up the kind of money we really need to make a difference! The media is the key to changing the downward direction of our society. Please call Joan Holman at 763-551-3969 or send an e-mail to joan@holman.com.
Every donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated!
Other Commentaries
The film Solaris starring George Clooney
Violence in video games
Harmony, unity and vibration
The Spiritual Cinema Alliance serves under the umbrella of the National Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., which has been helping individuals, corporations and communities express themselves in the charitable, educational, scientific and religious sector since 1968. The National Heritage Foundation has 7,000 foundations under its umbrella.
To make your tax-deductible contribution or for more information, contact Joan Holman at 763-551-3969.
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