To all the Christian Parents: Why is Harry Potter Evil?

Question

And I want more of an explination then "Because its witchcraft". Many Disney stories deal with "witchcraft" and I don't see you attacking good old Walt. I'm a Christian, and I plan on allowing my children to read childrens books like "Harry Potter", and watch Childrens movies like "The Wizard of Oz", and "Snow White". If I see them playing around and casting spells on other children, then I'll talk to them about it...Its called parenting, not sheltering.

Answer 1

Well at risk of igniting an unintended flamewar I think you're 100% correct about the "selective" nature of modern christian morals. I think the justification is more along the lines of that magic and witches/wizards are portrayed or "glorified" as heros in the HP series while in Snow White, Narnia, etc.... they're always portrayed as evil villians. Many of the conservative christian parents choose to shelter their children from any culture/lifestyle etc... that does not glorify God as they know God to be. Not to mention that many of the christian movements now follow church leaders almost as if they were prophets themselves. The very minute a man like Jerry Falwell speaks out about the evils of something like Harry Potter you can expect hundreds of thousands if not more of those in the Baptist Church to immediately shun Harry Potter when they perviously may not have had a problem with the books in their house. I agree with you wholeheartedly when you state that it's "parenting" not "sheltering". When a child is sheltered from the mainstream world (however evil or sinful it may or may not be) and brought up to view the world in the rose colored glasses of the church they have a very difficult time adjusting to life on their own and dealing with those who may have different beliefs and at least from my personal experience people raised in households like that tend to be quite intolerant of others because they view them as inherently different from themselves due to the lack of diversity in lifestyle and belief they experienced in their formative years.

Good Question!

Answer 2

I don't think the Harry Potter series is evil at all. And I find it absurd that some people do (I don't not believe you that people think this, I just think it's stupid). I'm a huge fan of the Harry Potter books and movies. I think they're fun and family oriented. I don't like the Lord of the Rings or the Chronicles of Narnia; but not for the reason that I think it's "evil". I find them boring, those movie series are just not my cup of tea. People might think Harry Potter is evil because of its wizardry and witchcraft, but that has absolutely nothing at all to do with Satan or God or anything related to the Christian religion. It's just a cool science fiction/fantasy book series turned movies. Talking about the Christian authors, how does anyone know if JK Rowling (the author of the Harry Potter books) isn't a Christian too? No one does! She might be. But it doesn't matter if she is or not; she's just the author of uber-popular books that have eight very successful movies based on them. I don't think any series is better than the other based on the author's religion. It's merely the content (talking about how interesting it is, not compared to like the Christian religion) and the audience's appeal for it. Also, there is never any mention of God or Jesus in a negative terminology. There's a few "bloody hell"s in the movies. But if that's considered evil, well then there's some more movies besides Harry Potter that need to be reevaluated (sarcasm). *lol* BQ: My kids are too young to watch Harry Potter but my 9 year old niece and 15 year old nephew (who are currently in my care) love the Harry Potter movies! In fact, my nephew has read all the books. We even watched the Harry Potter movie marathon that was on ABC Family yesterday!

Answer 3

I don't think Harry Potter is evil. The books are fiction books portraying an imaginary world. The interesting thing is the way many Christian over-react to these things. There was a phase when some conservative Christians believed C.S. Lewis' Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe were evil too.

Answer 4

I am a Christian parent and I don't think Harry Potter is evil. Yes, they are Wizards, but the story like also presents life challenges and making decisions for good or bad. Harry always chooses good things. It isn't that much different from the Narnia collection, that was written by a Christian author.

Answer 5

I do not believe Harry Potter is evil. I know some Christian Parents forbid the Harry Potter Stories in their homes, But I am not one of them. My son has the entire collection of Harry Potter Books right next to his collection of Narnia books. There is no reason why you can't allow your children to read these books and watch the movies that go with them. And as you said, if you see them do anything out of the ordinary, then discuss it them. Talk to them about what you believe.

Answer 6

You have a very good point there. I guess because some convictions are more real in some family's opposed to other family's. I personally dont see anything wrong with harry potter because there are movies out there that are way more worse than that. Its imagination in those child movies. I am a christian also, and yet i believe you have to put a stop to "sheltering" to a certain extent. Let kids be kids.

Answer 7

I agree. I am Christian and I love Harry Potter. My kids are younger, but I have read the books and watched the movies.
A lot of Christians don't have enough faith in their selves to watch things and not get tempted, or feel guilty like they are doing wrong. I know a lot of Baptist that won't allow their members to eat at restaurants that serve alcohol. To me, that is silly. If you are tempted with alcohol and have to stay completely away from it, then you must be the one with a problem. ( not you) It is a personally preference. Yes, Disney does have a lot of magic as well. It isn't like they are going to go study witchcraft. I didn't want to after reading it. Did you? It is make believe and fun. That is all. You have to be strong enough in your faith to understand that.

Answer 8

I would suggest you do as I did...read the books for yourself and decide if they are appropriate for your children to read.

I have read the first 4 and I can honestly say the the Author is very talented, there is a good story line that flows smoothly.

I can also say that I would probably not let my "child" read it because of use of curse words in the first book, and the fact that children are killed. I personally feel that a 6-8 even 9-10 year old may not be mature enough to read this book without being frightened.

The topics of revenge, and disobedience are major themes in each book, and that may or may not effect your child.

My advice, humble as it may be is to find out for yourself...read the book with your child. If the topic of magic comes up. Compare what you are reading with what the Bible says about it.

Answer 9

By the time you see them casting spells on other children it may be to late to talk to them about it. I am also a Christian and I don't allow my son to watch or read harry potter because I want him to know that magic and miracles are not the same thing and that it is better to wait in faith than have instant gratification through darker forces. I really recommend the Veggie Tales movies.

Answer 10

Veggie Tales? Come on. For may 3-8 year olds. My son and daughter both converted from pagan to chritian. they say hary potter is a real christion thing with out the magic. I respected my children choice they can be what religon they want i am not oging to force them to be wiccan or christan or even a devil worshiper. i say to the parent that dont let them read Harry Potter, that they are pushing there children away and denying them the right to read what they want. FOR GOODNESS SAKES IT JUST A BOOK