As a Christian I love the books and think most arguments are ridiculous, yet some believe it subversively leads young people to witchcraft. I think it's some of the best children's (pre-adolescent) lit. ever and will encourage my children to read it. What are your thoughts?
2006-12-15 05:46:38 · 14 answers · asked by Scott B 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
People keep comparing regular fairy tales with Harry Potter all the time, but that's not correct. They all contain witchcraft, but the witchcraft presented in fairy tales is different than the one in Harry Potter. Fairy tales present witchcraft as something evil, something frightening, therefore the kids get the message that it's wrong and that they should stay away from it. But the difference is that Harry Potter presents witchcraft as something positive. More than that, it presents it as a way of living. And in this way kids get the message that it is something fun, something they could learn more about and even try. For kids, fiction is not just fiction. For them, fiction brakes the barriers of reality.
But the way kids and people perceive the story doesn't change the message that it actually wants to spread.
Not to be rude, but you are ruled by stereotypes just like everyone who thinks Harry Potter represents witchcraft and satanism is. You need to see beyond the surface of the story. If you would truly analyze the story, the plot and the general scheme and meanings of the book, you would surely reach the conclusion that HP DOES NOt represent satanism.
As soon as you hear about wizards, spells and witches, you automatically think "Oh, that's it! This is satanism! The story supports witchcraft!" But that's wrong. If you think like that without analyzing further and examining the story, you only prove that you are shallow.
I know a lot of Christians who only use religion as a pretext to prove that HP is the devil's work. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It's wrong because Christianity shouldn't be used as an extension of one's motives. If you want to judge something, you should judge it individually.
Again, I don't mean to offend you, but I'm sure that you lack a lot of basic information if you can make such harsh affirmations. It's very easy for someone who doesn't have all the necessary knowledge regarding the subject to support an idea. You're only supporting this idea because you are motivated by the purpose of religion, but you haven't examined the subject properly. There's a book about Harry Potter written by John Granger. If you haven't read it yet, you definitely should. Believe me, that book is so great and analyzes every detail and gives you all the information you need. I'm sure it could clear all your doubts.
Before I read that book, I thought that JKR was an evil satanist who just wanted to corrupt all the kids and make them support satanism. I thought she was part of a satanist organization that had the purpose of destroying the world and representing the devil. I thought this was all part of a witty plan and that the HP phenomenon would surely lead to Apocalypse. Freaky, isn't it?
All those opinions I had back then were based on rumours I have heard from various directions. I foolishly believed in them because back then everything that implied wizards and spells meant satanism for me. For me and a lot of other people, the world was divided in black and white. Satanism and Christianity. I thought that everything that contained mentions of spells and wizards was surely devil's work and I automatically sent all those things to the black category without examining them and trying to find out if I'm right or not.
I'm sorry for ranting like this. I'm probably not making much sense to you, but what I am trying to tell you is that you can't just classify something according to its surface. Not everything that presents witchcraft is witchcraft. Read that book by John Granger and you'll understand what I mean.
Note: when I keep saying 'you', I'm talking about that group of Christians :)
2006-12-18 08:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by Cheshire Riddle 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Harry and the gang. I'm old enough to be a grandmother, and I consider myself to be a good Christian. I highly recommend Harry to anyone who will listen. There are serious moral aspects to all of the books. They show Harry's and his friend's strengths and flaws. Through example they teach responsibility.
Witchcraft? The witchcraft is nothing more than an important teaching tool. A way to give these children something other than MONEY to deal with, and to learn to use responsibly.
The books are fiction, good fiction with good strong characters that just about any mother (or grandmother) would be proud to call their own.
Besides all that, as a writer, I find the books easy to read. They give me a lot of creative clues.
I'm looking forward to the seventh books, but I'm also looking forward to what will follow the HP series...
2006-12-15 10:02:09 · answer #2 · answered by Wanda K 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian, I think that the books are just well-crafted fiction that don't have any influence on 'legitimate' witchcraft.
I think I must believe that witchcraft is a real phenomena, but I would consider it something of a "lost art." Can you think of a Wiccan who could actually call up a spirit of the dead?
I don't think Harry Potter would help anyone make any headway in that regard.
And besides, all of fantasy literature is suspect if we lump witches and wizards into anti-Christian motifs. Do you really want to say that about Tolkein and Lewis?
2006-12-15 05:57:29 · answer #3 · answered by spacejohn77 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope, not at all. I agree, most of the arguments are ridiculous- likely from people that haven't actually read the books. There's a lot worse stuff out there- and some things (like letting kids be selfish, for instance) are a lot more dangerous when trying to raise kids according to 'Christian morals and teachings' than Harry Potter.
2006-12-15 05:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by boots&hank 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no problem with the books. I believe they encourage reading, using imagination and being creative.
If the parent is concerned that reading a book can lead their child down the "wrong" path, maybe the parent should encourage open discussions with the child after he reads the book to get an understanding of how the child interpreted what was read. This way the parent can take a more positive role in guidance and encouragement.
2006-12-15 06:09:17 · answer #5 · answered by Carm 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have puzzled that myself. Harry Potter follows the classic mould for literature--good vs. evil, with good winning. the significant personality is a hero who rises from the meek, virtually a Christ-like ensure. possibly that parallel is what they discover offensive. they did not look to discover Aslan offensive in Chronicles of Narnia, although, the position there is an identical parallel. perhaps this is because it takes position in a paranormal international the position there are witches and wizards and that is considered as offensive one way or the different. i'm not confident. i'm a Christian and that i love the Harry Potter books. they're o.k.-written, with this kind of vast quantity of diverse difficulty concerns and literary factors that you do not see in very many cutting-side writings. perhaps they're afraid that folk will commence to worship Harry Potter. that may be weird and wonderful, on the grounds that he's a fictional personality created with techniques from J.ok. Rowling.
2016-11-30 19:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by nastasi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't read the books, but I 've seen the first three movies. As a Christian, I don't have a problem with it. I don't think it encourages kids to get involved with witchcraft. I think most kids realize it's fiction. I think most are intelligent to know they can't go flying around on brooms or become invisable by wearing a certain kind of cloak.
I have more of a problem with kids watching movies and reading books with sexual perversity and violence.
It seems to me that the Potter movies, which I heard are just like the books, have a good basic message- to love others and believe in yourself.
I think us Christians need to emphasize the good instead of the bad and instead of just criticizing others, to get off our butts and bring good to the media and the world ourselves. Jesus said love is what's most important. Harry Potter does radiate love, not hate.
Most of the Christians I have heard who critize Potter haven't even seen any of the films nor read the books. Oh, Please!!!!!!
2006-12-15 06:03:46 · answer #7 · answered by Puff 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you think that these are Christians that may be weak in thier faith? I'm not religious so I am not to judge. I find the books to be well written, exciting and more about the issues youth face when growing up rather than just witchcraft.
2006-12-18 08:20:34 · answer #8 · answered by lbuajlw 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I (being a teen and a christian) think they are great. It's fiction, not real, and as long as the person reading realizes that fact, there is no problem. Also, It's not like it's telling you to go and preform witchcraft.
2006-12-15 07:36:42 · answer #9 · answered by Rainsfriend 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Far from having a "problem" with Harry Potter, I view it as part of the tradition of *Christian* fantasty literature along with the works George MacDonald, JRR Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen Lawhead. Rowlings is, in fact, herself a Christian. She employees Christian motifs (albeit often forgotten, medieval motifs) in her stories.
Find this book: "Looking for God in Harry Potter" by John Granger
2006-12-15 06:10:31 · answer #10 · answered by Elise K 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋