I just love the Harry Potter series, but I am also a Christian, any suggestions about what I should do (except give up reading Harry Potter)?
2007-01-04 14:40:14 · 39 answers · asked by Unknown Booklover 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dude, you can either trust yourself that you can distinguish between what is right and wrong yourself or you can just hole yourself up somewhere away from society and pray. You live in the world, so why not enjoy the world AND your religion?
2007-01-04 14:44:49 · answer #1 · answered by It's Me 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Though they have the best intentions, your parents are daft! Are you a member of a church? Go ask the Pastor. He might be a crazy, but he might just be a real Christian. If Christ was here, he'd let you read Harry Potter. Harry Potter books are just really good childrens story books. They are fantasy books - purely for entertainment. And they don't need lots of discussion about christian values or anything. You are far more likely to be corrupted by listening to politicians or adverts for McDonalds! Don't believe mexican. He's a liar. Actually, it's probably a good idea to ask your parents why. Don't argue with them, just listen to what they say. Let them do all the talking. Maybe they will talk themselves into letting you read the books.
2016-05-23 04:45:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am also a christian and am a great fan of harry potter. I don't think it is wrong tho read harry potter. It is all just fantasy. As long as you remember God is the true god. What you do with your life is more important than what you read. Dont worry about it. As long as you aren't practincin the dark arts then you'll be fine. That is all I can say.
- A fellow harry potter fan-
2007-01-08 14:20:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian has little to do with what you read, but what resides in your heart when it comes to believing what Jesus did for you.
The Harry Potter books are written by someone who was raised as a Christian, and they are full of Christian imagery. The Phoenix, for example, can rise from the dead, and is almost always associated with Harry's ability to overcome evil.
For example, in OOTP, the phoenix flies in between Dumbledore and Voldemort, to take upon itself the curse of death, and then it resurrects after doing so. Sound like anyone else you know?
I find it stunning that so many Christians have missed this kind of imagery in the books. If you are willing to open your eyes to this imagery, and you know the Christian story, you will find many parallels between the Harry Potter books and what it means to be a Christian. If you have trouble finding that imagery yourself, there is a really awesome book out there by author John Granger...look it up...it is totally worth it!
http://hogwartsprofessor.com/
http://www.ev90481.dial.pipex.com/harry_potter_granger.htm
2007-01-07 12:10:39 · answer #4 · answered by crazyperson1972 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because you read a FICTIONAL book about FICTIONAL characters doing FICTIONAL things does not mean you are taking part in witchcraft of ANY form. Reading Harry Potter is NO different than watching a scary movie. Just because you watch someone pretend to kill someone else does NOT mean YOU have committed a sin. As long as you leave the stories and come back to reality, there is nothing wrong with it. I wonder how many people watch CSI, or horror flicks, then are turning right around and saying Harry Potter is evil, do you see the hypocrisy here? If you do, you realize that you are not doing anything but entertaining yourself. I don't think God views literacy as a sin. If he does, then how does expect one to learn and follow the Bible?
2007-01-04 14:58:29 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well, considering they celebrate Christmas at Hogswart, they must be Christians, although sort of inactive ones. There are several genres of fantasy fiction out there - but I would say Harry Potter is borderline Christian - regardless of what the author says or doesn't say. As a Mormon I actually see quite a bit of Christian symbolism in the books, and other questioners have commented on this as well.
See link below for another related question.
2007-01-04 15:13:28 · answer #6 · answered by Cookie777 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm a Christian who loves Harry Potter too. I think the witchcraft used in the series is just fantasy, lots of Wiccans complain that it falsely represents their religion (as if it's supposed to represent it at all). Besides, the Bible condemns witchcraft because the magic used in it comes from the devil or demons (fallen angels).
In Harry Potter, people use magical powers that come from themselves, so even though it's impossible, it's not Satanic. Also, if you tried to copy spells from Harry Potter in real life, I don't think anything would happen. And finally, sin separates us from God. Do you feel that your reading Harry Potter is messing up or hindering your relationship with God in any way?
2007-01-04 14:47:29 · answer #7 · answered by Lady of the Garden 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christian Life is based on Choices that we have been given by God. The thing to remember is Christians are also Human beings. Since we live in this world, we have to deal with everything that is "in" and "of" the world. Therefore, if you wish to read it go ahead and read it. But Be aware that witchcraft and sorcery is also involved in Harry Potter. The idea is not to dwell and fantasize and get involved in occult or witchcraft which will erode your faith.
I watched the Harry Potter series in the cinemas too. But i reminded myself where my faith laid. Its good to be conscious of what is outside the faith but do not dabble in anything beyond.
The rest is up to do to decide.
2007-01-04 15:48:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, you can still be a christian if you read the harry potter series. i'm a children's librarian and part of my job is to read as many books as i can to be better able to answer parent's and children's questions about books. i'm also a junior high sunday school teacher and wouldn't be able to do that if i felt there was a conflict of interest between my profession and being a sunday school teacher. as someone else pointed out, it's not what you read that makes you a christian but what you do with the material you've read. for what it's worth, i too, like harry potter. in defense of harry potter the battle breaks down into the age old battle between good and evil. so far good has won but not without having to "fight the good fight" as it were. i'm looking forward to what j. k. rowling does with book seven.
2007-01-04 14:55:45 · answer #9 · answered by kim m 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Harry Potter is good clean fun. The entire magical world in Harry Potter is MAKE BELIEVE. But wait, what does Harry Potter really teach? Well, the underdog can have special gifts to overcome. Loyalty, friendship and love prevails. Family is important. Getting an education is important and we all grow and develop at our own speeds. Tolerating those who are different is necessary. Doing good is important. It teaches evil does exist and it is important to be good and have integrity to triumph over evil.
I am sure people in the 60's thought I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched would lead to trouble as well. There is nothing in the series to make children think they possess the ability to perform magic.
2007-01-04 14:55:44 · answer #10 · answered by whozethere 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I love the controversy some Christians like to credit Harry Potter with.
It is about like saying, if I read or watch the Wizard of Oz I'm no longer a Christian.
The think I love about it the most is that in order to give credence to the whole thing, they then have to associate it with with the idea of real wizardry.
Come on, sometimes it is hard to tell who is more confused, Those would be witches/wizards or those would be Christians who spend there time worrying about children's fiction.
Read it, enjoy it and respect the gift given to J.K. Rollins to be able to have written it. Isn't that more Christian?
2007-01-04 14:54:42 · answer #11 · answered by MtnManInMT 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋