Yesterday and today I had the pleasure of attending the 2008 Memphis Homeschool Conference. This was a good time to find resources, curriculum information and materials, network with other families, and listen to some speakers.
One of the speakers, Fr. Chad Ripperger, spoke on multiple items, one being things that Catholic families need to do to keep their kids Catholic. As a father and youth minister, I was interested in what he had to say. While I was excited, I’m now disappointed.
First, let me say that I think Fr. Ripperger is a man focused on leading souls to heaven and I mean no disrespect to his ministry or person. However to say that I agree with his message would be wrong.
The basis for this discussion is how we form our children’s conscious and decision making skills. Fr. used the time tested argument of Harry Potter and the “witchcraft” contained within. I must say that I’ve never read these books. I have seen a couple of the movies and I think they are neat entertainment, but that is all. I’m not interested in reading them, not a fan of any character, nor do I love the author. But, I do know that I don’t think they are evil.
Based on the idea or fact that one-third of the names and incantations she uses in the book are rooted in what people in Britain used to believe in (as noted by the author in various interviews), people take this to mean that she is inciting witchcraft and leading people to it, promoting it, etc. Also the argument is that by reading these incantations the reader gives power to the demons and could in fact call on the action of the incantation (funny because in the movie they always had to practice in order for it to work) that I have trouble with this based on my points below…
Item number one: J.K. Rowling has stated in multiple interviews with different people at different times that she is a Christian and does not believe in witchcraft. Since I do not know her, nor have I been given the power to judge others by God, I must take what she says as valid knowing no information to refute it (except the uninformed judgment of some “Christian” right wing folks who just “know” that she is really a witch…. Either way I leave this to you to decide.)
Item number two: As with a blessing, such as when you ask a Priest to bless a crucifix, the intent of the blessing is the important part. What I mean is, if you are holding a crucifix in the box you purchased it in while the Priest blesses it, only the “crucifix” becomes the blessed object because that was the Priests intention for the blessing. Secondly, during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, gestures are reserved for those making or offering the prayer. For example: When we say “and also with you” we hold our hands out because we are the pray-ers. Conversely when the Priest is praying the Consecration prayers or Eucharistic Prayer, we make no gestures because the Priest is the one offering the prayers (our offering is united with his theologically, but he is the one doing the work at the time). So it is illicit for us as laity to hold our hands as if we were holding the bread making the offering.
Okay, all this leads to my argument on so-called witchcraft incantations. IF the preceding is true (which it is), then just reading words in a book with no intent behind them would bring no power or action without the intent of the reader. If the intent of the reader is to enjoy literature, and not to call upon demons, then that is what will happen. In the movies the characters go to classes to LEARN how to recite and properly execute the incantations. Simple recitation of them wasn’t enough. And some were better than others at getting the spells to work for them if I recall. Just like we as laity do not have the Ordination Grace necessary to properly bless objects, neither does the common person posses the ability to rock the world with incantations while reading a simple piece of literature.
I feel compelled to note here that I do believe in the devil, I think he is a liar, he is present in the world trying to undermine the work of the Holy Spirit, and I believe strongly in spiritual warfare. These are far from the cry of the Harry Potter haters however and I believe the informed conscience can properly protect themselves and know the difference.
Okay, if you’re still with me, this one may be one to many layers. This is where the men and boys are separated, and which side I’m on we’ll leave up to my wife.
To fully understand my next argument I need to clarify some definitions:
1) Truth: There is only One Truth as determined by God and revealed through Scripture and the whole of Revelation.
2) Freedom: True Freedom is knowing God’s will, and doing it.
3) Concupiscence: The attraction of Sin, the fleshy pleasure in it
Note the common misconception of freedom in American culture. Freedom and truth are both necessary to life a Truly Authentic Catholic Life. Okay, on to propaganda.
My last point has to do with how we raise our children.
Imagine little Billy is all grown up and off to college. We have homeschooled him and kept in sheltered from any potential devil Harry Potter influence, or any of the like, that is Temptation. Little Billy goes off to college and the first thing he is met with is Da Da Da Da…….TEMPTATION!
Having never seen, felt, smelled, or dealt with temptation before little Billy experiences what we call “Concupiscence”. If it looks good, smells good, and feels good, then it must be right. Right?
And little Billy falls into a sin. To what degree is irrelevant. The issue is this.
HOW CAN WE EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS IF WE DON’T TEACH THEM HOW TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS?
Look at someone like Brett Favre. Like it or not, Favre is one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. Or let’s look at Barry Sanders, one of the best running backs. Neither of these men would be in anyone’s memory if they hadn’t practiced their tail off to be the best at what they do.We wouldn’t know names like Mother Teresa, Pope John Paul II, St. Francis of Assisi, or anyone, if they didn’t practice and form themselves in knowing the difference between God and satan and praying for grace when faced with temptation.
I want my boys to be able to face the devil and say, “I am God’s handwork and I do His will, be gone devil!” I would love for my boys to look like I do into temptation and simply recite the Hail Mary with full knowledge and belief that through the intercession of Our Lady God will provide the protection and Grace to keep me from sinning. Or to look into temptation and say as St. Benedict did “Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!”But if they don’t know temptation when they see it, how will they make the right response.
Be careful, I’m not saying we should expose our children to temptation just for sake of education. I’m not jumping the gun and offering my 5 year old a beer.
What I’m saying is, for a child of 15, 16 or whatever age they are informed and able; to simply read Harry Potter for entertainment value is not going to invite the devil into our home. First because we will discuss the books/movies ahead of time and second because up until the time in which my child wants to read these (or anything else like it), and my wife and I decide he is able to handle it; we will be seeking to form his conscience in God’s will and law. We will be instilling in him a life of prayer. We will be leading him to Christ in our words and actions and teaching.Men, it is up to us to protect our family and our children from the devils influence. But it is also up to us to help our children do the same for themselves when they become adults and take on the world. As Off Brand Dads we live in this world but are not of it. Let’s form our kids to be the same.
I pray that your household is protected from the devils influence, that we as Fathers rooted in Christ know the difference, and that we have the strength to cast Satan away when he comes knocking.
Let’s end with 2 prayers.
Mary, O Precious Virgin Mother of Christ, we ask that you intercede for the purity of our families as we pray:Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death.
And finally, we pray the St. Michael prayer for the protection of our families:Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
