What do you think of the movie "Bedknobs & Broomsticks"?  Is it harmless fun, or is the witchcraft depicted in it diabolical?

There is no such thing as harmless witchcraft.

There have been many historically- and theologically-correct films produced by various companies about the lives of some of the greatest saints of the Church.

If your children want to watch action, why not St. Joan of Arc?

Miracles and young people? Therese or The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima.

So many children are inured to the horrors of sin because violence, immorality and perversion are celebrated in Jєω-lywood.

Why not watch The Passion of the Christ with your school-aged children? Yes, there is gore and suffering, but what better way to introduce the young to a sanctifying and sobering and maturing use of artistic media? At least watching the violence in the Passion is defensible because it is useful in directing our minds and hearts toward the price that was paid for our redemption.

St. Clare of Assisi, receiver of holy visions from God, pray for us, that what we choose to see will help to strengthen our resolve to love Our Lord even more.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Quote from: Stephen Francis

There is no such thing as harmless witchcraft.

I don't think this is correct, at least insofar as literature and other forms of entertainment are concerned.  I've heard many Traditional Catholic encourage certain literature that involves witchcraft/wizardry such as The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.  I was just wondering if people though the film I mentioned falls into this category, or a more diabolical one.

The rest of your post is well-taken.

There is no such thing as harmless witchcraft. Period. A very small amount of writing -- fairy tales, perhaps; some carefully crafted fantasy set in alternate universes where "magic" of some sort is essentially natural according to the laws of that universe -- these may be acceptable in small doses, and I'm not even sure about that. Note that neither LOR nor the Narnia books (written by a protestant, incidentally, although modernists regard him as "Christian" and that's good enough for them) espouses witchcraft. And occult-themed children's "entertainment" is everywhere, and is very insidious. Much better to err on the side of caution.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks, specifically, is unabashed promotion of witchcraft under the guise of "white magic" -- the completely false notion that the black arts can be used to good ends.

I just watched this movie recently, and it highlights the insidiousness of those trying to portray the occult as good, if not harmless. At least the character that Angela Landsbury plays does renounce being a witch in the end. Still, under the pretense of helping the war effort, magic is undertaken.

Star of Astaroth........that should send warning bells a-ringing

yet again all wrapped up in a cute package with loverly songs, humour et al.

There are better animated programs to be sure.

"Just look for the bare necessities......."

It is fun if you don't take it seriously.