OMG! It’s witchcraft! They really think that Harry Potter is going to mess up those who read/watch the stories? And I wonder—just what is wrong with witchcraft? Just like there are bad Catholics there are evil witches and there is good witches. Lot of fuss over nothing! Hasn’t there been those who handle black magic and white magic before there was the RCC? Yes. THe RCC set out to squash those whose religion/practices didn’t include their (RCC) savior. Didn’t succeed fortunately. Maybe the RCC’s more worried about some of their youth actually questioning what they are being taught. All children in all faiths should question to find out if the faith they are being raised in is what makes them happy.

How tragic to see such utter arrogance and ignorance displayed by one religion upon another in this day and age. Harry Potter is not about paganism and the witchcraft depicted is the kind found in fairy tales. It’s no more “evil” or “satanic” than JRR Tolkien or CS Lewis! Further, it’s outrageous to accuse another religion of being “dangerous” when one’s own religion has its own blemished history AND has been plagued in recent times with criminal, immoral scandal (need I be more specific?) that’s caused harm to numerous of its own adherents. But the Church would scream “foul” at such mention, and would be quick to ask that the whole of it not be painted in such broad, unflattering strokes.
It’s this kind of bigotry and false accusations toward others that contributes to people questioning the soundness of the Church and doubting whether it truly practices what it’s (suppose) to preach. Ultimately, it does more damage to itself than the benign practices of others it has the nerve to malign.

Since Dodd feels the need to forewarn people of the dangers of Wicca, we ought to offer a basis of comparison so that people can weigh the respective dangers of BOTH Wicca and Catholicism. Which religion has spread primarily through military conquest, bribery, land confiscation and colonial occupation? Which one has been maintained by inquisitions, torture chambers and continent-wide civil wars and massacres?
Which one furnished the theological basis for slavery and genocide across the entire Western Hemisphere? Which one beat the drum of anti-Semitism for a thousand years in Europe, instigated countless pogroms and then acquiesced when the Nazis took power? Which one has actively discouraged proven public health strategies in the face of the AIDS epidemic? Which has operated a worldwide systematic child sex trafficking ring for 50+ years, actively helping predators evade authorities and intimidating witnesses? Which faith directs its medical facilities to forcibly install feeding tubes and maintain people’s lives against their will or even the directives of courts? Which one has spent tens of millions of dollars intended for the poor to instead actively campaign against the human rights of people based on their sexuality?
Here’s a hint: It ain’t the Wiccans. By all means, Ms. Dodd, let’s help our young people understand ALL of the dangers inherent to each religion.

Occult means beyond the range of ordinary knowledge, mysterious; secret, disclosed or communicated only to the initiated. pertaining to magic, astrology and other alleged sciences, etc. Psychics can be incl. in this, and have other times, with the RC articles about the mysterious that does not incl. Roman Catholic Doctrine, also other Churches. Many Psychics are Christian, as well as other religions. Probably even RC. People who were in the Masons, and other type Organizations were suspected of ‘Harry Potter’ things years ago, maybe still are by some Religious groups.

Dodd wants Catholics to find ways to bring Wiccans and witches to Christ and his church? Why would they want to join THE church? BTW, how does the RCC explain the supposed transformation of the wine/wafers into the REAL blood & body of Christ? Couldn’t that be called “witchcraft” or “magic”? Yep! Not much different than what they are worrying about when it comes to the Harry Potter stories and all those witches and Wiccans.

kenneth,
Great post!
pagansister,
See, the way it works is, magic performed by figures in Christianity is called “miracles,” and it indicates holiness; magic performed by anyone else is called “witchcraft,” and it indicates evil, sin, and Satan. (Fundamentals of Fundamentalism: A Handbook, 9th edition, page 312.)

H4C: Thanks for the explanation of the “body & blood” routine! )

I really fail to see the difference between gullible fools who believe in the various versions of supernatural superstition. Wicca, Christianity, Islam, Harry Potter…they’re all just made up fairy tales. Ironically, Harry Potter teaches kids the best lessons but is the only one not presented to them as fact.

@Henrietta22,
There are no Christian psychics due to the simple fact that there are no psychics period. Just more superstitious woo woo.

wishing truth away with mockery will prove to have only been a temporary comfort.

Jason,
If psychic ability truly exists, why don’t you make yourself (or a chosen charity) $1,000,000?
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/1m-challenge.html
Every psychic who has ever had the guts to take the challenge has failed miserably.
“Every mystery ever solved has turned out to be not magic.” —Tim Minchin

a mystery solved is not a mystery at all, Tim Minchin should note that not all mysteries have been solved. Real miracles are of God not magic.

Not too difficult to convince people to just do whatever they want, and indulge all their physical impulses like barnyard animals. That turns out to be an easy sell, surprise surprise. I’m glad the Church is addressing it, but even more important is that we strengthen our own Christian faith and show His light to the world.

Are you ready to woo woo away that one of the ‘gifts of the spirit’ is the gift of prophesy MarkNS? Believe what you will, I do, and have proof of it. Some of the best psychics have come from the UK, and they are thought very well of there and are consulted by royalty. I believe First Lady Nancy Reagan also used them. Woo, Woo!

Henrietta22,
No evidence of psychic ability has ever been proven using a scientific test. There is, similarly, no evidence that anything like a “spirit” exists, so yes, I am ready to “woo woo away” the supposed “gifts” of a non-existent entity.
Your use of the logical fallacy of appeal to authority is unconvincing.
Cknuck,
“Miracle of God” and magic…what’s the difference? Neither one has any evidence supporting their existence.

I’m wiccan. There is no danger in my beliefs. I don’t understand why so many have to argue over religion. Get an education, learn new things, live outside your bubble. Grow up.

I feel the Roman Catholic Church needs to get its own house in order before attacking others. Their track record over the past years have not been good. Child abuse is big within the Church of Rome and that church covered it up instead of dealing with those who abuse children.
If we look from the start of the Church of Rome it has always been based on hell fire and damnation and if you did not agree with them you where burnt as a heretic. The Catholic Church is based on hate and fear.