Harry Potter Books...

This post is in response to a series of conversations I have had over the past couple of years regarding the Harry Potter books. A friend sent me the link to a wonderful article that I am passing on to you:

http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/139/Jan_Markell

First, let me state:
1) I have read all seven books
2) I am NOT an advocate for Harry Potter.

The Harry Potter series is fantasy. It deals with witchcraft and wizardry, which by nature are definitely non-Christian forms of religion. It is a series that should be avoided purely because it deals with a subject that Paul tells us to avoid - the acts of the sinful nature. In Galatians 5.19-21, Paul tells us:

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

He gives us a lot of things that we should avoid, if only that we do not lose our inheritance. Witchcraft is only one of them... The author of Harry Potter is trying to sell us on the books being about the battle between good and evil. When I read it, I don't see much more than the battle between evil and evil... some just a little "better" than the others. hmm...

OK. Now tell me the difference between Harry Potter and Star Wars. Which, by the way, also deals with the battle between good and evil. It deals with people being given special powers by a creature called a midiclorian. Are the midiclorians good, evil or neutral? Is it a spiritual thing? Since there is good and evil, and based on the content of the movies, they must be neutral because it is by choice that one stays on the "good" side or the "dark" side... hmmm.. sounds kind of like eastern mysticism/Buddhism to me. Again, not Christian. What do you think?

Now, what about The Chronicles of Narnia? Just because the author was Christian, does that make his books Christian by proxy? Not necessarily. The Magicians Nephew? Hmmm, what's up with that? Magic Wardrobe? Talking animals? White Witch? Sounds kind of druidic.

Am I attempting to be an alarmist? No. I am trying to point out that these books offer us an opportunity to speak to the world about Jesus. Since the Potter books offer NO hope of redemption, as there is no guarantee that evil will not return, we have an open door to speak of Jesus as the hope and guarantor of salvation and the one who ultimately defeated Satan and all evil on the cross once and for all.

If we cast the books aside and marginalize those who read them - then make them feel guilty for having read them, we are doing just the opposite of the example Jesus gave us by befriending them and showing them the truth in love.

The lies of this age are huge. Good is evil and evil is good. It's everywhere. We can either choose to engage people where they are with love, or we can hide away in fear and the opinions of others.

Do you want to know why I read the books? Because everyone was telling me it was wrong without giving me a reasonable explaination of what was wrong with them versus any other books dealing with magic and witchcraft. I wanted to see for myself what was so wrong about it. I found the books to be written fairly well - not Tolstoy - but all together not too badly written.

Remember, these books are fantasy; so is The Wizard of Oz, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit... these are all books dealing with the same basic premise, witchcraft and wizards. These stories were all fun to read. Mis-guided? You bet. But still fun.

Now, will I advocate the reading of these books to my children or to yours? No. There are better things to read that I trust will hold their attention and help them to think good and Godly thoughts. Will I forbid them? Again, my answer is no. Does that surprise you? Go ahead, ask me why... Because I have found that people, my children included, tend to think about things more if you say "don't do"something. My commitment to them is that I will do my best to challenge their thoughts and help them to focus on something that will improve their character and self-esteem.

I leave you with this:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. - Philippians 4.8