I am a VERRYY devoted christian. I go to church EVERY WEEK and youth group too, so do not question the integrity of my faith. I, unlike many christians think that the harry potter book series is very imaginative and, quite frankly, one of the best book series I have ever read. It is a FICTION book. JK Rowling is NOT trying to pass it off as truth! So why are some people getting all upset over it? Harry Potter has turned millions of people on to reading, which is a great thing! Its not like Harry Potter is giving us a complete book of spells to try! It does not give us satanic goals to accomplish, like spreading evil. Infact, there are great morals and lessons learned from the books like, good triumphs over evil, and keeping your friends close, and about standing up for what you believe in. It is a childrens book, written by a childrens author. Nothing more. I am soo angry when people try to say that it is an evil book with evil intentions and an alternate agenda.
2007-02-26 06:47:23 · 22 answers · asked by Lauren. 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
One person, within the first 6, said that I grouped all christians into Harry Potter haters. I gave you a thumbs up, though I clearly stated that "I unlike MANY christians..." Clearly not ALL christians.
2007-02-26 06:58:04 · update #1
First of all, You should question your own faith IF you equate going to church EVERY WEEK with you being a devout Christian! Christianity is a relationship with GOD not going to church.
I do agree that the Harry Potter Series as it written so far can be used as a good tool of evangelism, since there are some good themes..
However, the overall effectiveness could still change within the last book.
Yes, there are many themes in the Harry Potter series that coincide with teaching in scripture. However, there are bad things as well.
Harry Potter does not seem to be trying to love his enemies. He does seem to not really respect his authority figures, because he thinks they are blind to what is happening and makes off to do things himself. Just like many people say forget you GOD and try to do things themselves. witchcraft or scorcery is linked to idolatry many times in the Bible.
I suggest you do a word search on sorcery in scripture and you may see that this is close to what I stated above.
That being said I enjoy the series, and I believe they may be used in a way to lead people to reading scripture. I would push for scripture over Harry every day of the week since it revels the truth not just stories to entertain.
Now for those Christians who do not want to even think about Harry Potter,good for them! If that is what helps them grow in their relationship to GOD, than you need to respect them!
You have the liberty in Christ to read Harry Potter! However, it may be a stumbling block to others, so do not pass judgement on them for wanting to avoid it!
While you are waiting for Book 7 to be released, I suggest you read this online book. It will help you understand you faith better!
It is free and in PDF and audio formats.
2007-02-26 10:26:40 · answer #1 · answered by fartica 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I am a big fan of the Harry Potter series and a christian. I don't see what the uproar is all about. I guess the fact that it deals with magic makes some people to equate it with the devil or something. The popular view is that it make children want to try black magic which is so ridiculous. Anyone who has read any of the books would know that it is not so. A sane person can easily distinguish between real and unreal. Besides I have personally found that the people who are against the series are people who have not read the book and are just protesting because they heard that the book is about magic, spells, curses, ghosts, etc. They clearly do not know what they are talking about.
2007-02-26 23:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by Kerry 1 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You have a good point.
People have to decide what they will gain from a novel. Everyone that reads Harry Potter won't go around casting spells or worshiping the Devil. You highlighted the good stuff in the book.
But we Christians sometimes get (sorry to say) a bit paranoid. We see conspiracies against our faith lurking 'round every corner, when we should be minding other more important issues.
Personally I've never read Harry Potter, it is a bit too occult for me but I absolutely love Lords of the Rings. The two aren't quite the same but it comes down to taste in this case.
Give Ms. Rowling her props, she has created an epic adventure which has been accepted by modern audiences. Since Tolkien there have been few really good fantasy writers and the really big epic adventures have been more sci-fi (star wars, star trek).
2007-02-26 06:59:42 · answer #3 · answered by lokai1701 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The percentage of Christians who think the Harry Potter books are bad for children, is minuscule. However, the few that take this position, for some reason, get disproportionate publicity. Perhaps it is just that the media like to report weird news, and the idea that Harry Potter books harm children, is weird. Perhaps also, some media members enjoy reporting anything that puts Christians in a negative light.
2007-02-26 07:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi Dancer!
I'm a Christian too, and I don't think that if you read the book an evil spirit will take you over or such a thing hahaha, but there's something that we all must be careful of. Children have a very very receptive imagination, and they don't have very clear what is worng and what is right; and you know that all we use to listen to, see, read, talk about, etc, will mark our thoughts and then our acts.
I think that children who use to read magic or witch books, or watch tv programas about that, will get very used to such a things, and will seem normal or fine to them.
I don't think you will loose your soul by reading a book like this, but I think it always has an impact on you, and even more when you're a child.
...that's what I think.
Hey, I'm not a native English speaker, so I'm sorry for my language mistakes. Hope you get the idea anyways.
2007-02-26 07:10:54 · answer #5 · answered by Paco JG 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
People always seem to equate witchcraft with the work of the devil. So many "overzealous" Christians see this movie as something that is glorifying satanic beliefs. Being a "P.K." (preachers kid) and a Youth Development Professional, I can say with pretty good certainty that this series of books has done more good in terms of getting children to enjoy reading than it has done harm to peoples faith. If a book such as this which doesn't question religion at all is going to be a stumbling block to someones faith than they should start doing some self examination! Being a Christian never meant that you were to loose your imagination, and live life in a constrained box.
2007-02-26 07:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Many fundamentalist Christians believe that the Harry Potter series promotes witchcraft through the glorification of wizards and magic. Witchcraft has taken center stage as one of the great evils in the world from the early 1100s. The charge of witchcraft became a powerful tool to use against the ancient, pagan religions in order to eliminate followers of those religions. It was also a powerful tool to use against women who did not quite fall into line with Church teachings concerning the decorum of female behavior based on the sins of Eve. Any reference to magic, spells, herbs, and potions is seen through this lense of witchcraft and therefore must be evil. These same people also claim, that because the book is about witchcraft, it is thus promoting an evil agenda to lure young children to satanic beliefs. They completely miss the point that pagan magic and Satan have nothing whatsoever to do with one another. Pagans don't even believe in Satan. Satan is a Christian creation and plays no role in pagan faiths.
2007-02-26 06:57:48 · answer #7 · answered by upallnightwithalex 2 · 8⤊ 0⤋
CS Lewis's *The Lion, the witch, and the dresser* even have magic, yet they are an allegory for Biblical activities. this is been argued that Lord of the rings has religious meanings, yet Tolkien, (a non secular Catholic) denied it. in any case, however, I agree. young little ones could be impressionable, yet i do no longer extremely stick to how they could get from Harry Potter books to Satanism. If there's a God, i'm advantageous she has extra suited issues to do than condemn human beings for analyzing books. and of path, this is in basic terms a vocal minority of Christians who declare this - or so i'm hoping.
2016-10-02 00:55:49 · answer #8 · answered by favaron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my case, what I have found, is that the christians who have a problem with Harry Potter are actually the one's who have never opened up page one of any of the books. They're just assuming that because the books are based in the world of magic that they promote Wicca (sp?). I've read all the books and know that this couldn't be further from the truth. However, people are going to be close minded about it and there really isn't much we can do about it.
2007-02-26 13:12:54 · answer #9 · answered by patgd25 3 · 10⤊ 0⤋
i too am a christian. i have every harry potter book and i love them. just because someone has a very creative imagination where they use FAKE things doesnot mean its evil. other christians believe that children are going to believe in witch craft. they can believe all they want but its not real. they can try a spell or what ever but its not going to turn someone purple or into a dog or something. people need to realise that its just entertainment for both children and adults alike.
2007-02-26 06:57:19 · answer #10 · answered by Harlow 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋