Are They Harry Potter Haters?

Question

What is it about Harry Potter, from the books to the movies to the toys, that makes it something that certain people see it as the work of Satan?? What about the LOTR, The Wizard of Oz, The Worst Witch(remember the HBO movies back in the 80's based on the books?), and all the rest of the magical stories and movies that are out there???? What makes Harry Potter such a different type of enigma that extremists see it as a threat, when they themselves have not even taken the time to read the books or watch the movie, as they feel they will be tainted, turned to frogs, damned to Hell, etc.

My theory is that the Harry Potter books and movies are not just about people living or visiting a Magical land, as Dorothy did in Oz, but that it's about children learning spells and magic.....however, they are doing this in a make-believe world, where people fly around on brooms.....and, if you notice, they celebrate Christmas, NOT Yule.....which I find rahter odd.

Anyone else care to have a go at this??

Answer 1

The backlash against the Harry Potter series doesn't just have to do with the whole magic and wizards thing. Yes, there have been wizards and magic before. What scares so many members of the radical right is that so many children around the world love these books. There are more Harry Potter fans than there ever were of LOTR, The Wizard of Oz, and The Worst Witch.

And yes, the world that they live in is make-believe. But the characters are seemingly ordinary kids like you would meet any day. You're right. The books make children learn magic and spells, ordinary children that our own children can relate to.

The problem that a lot of adults have with this is that it blurs the child's sense of reality. If he sees a boy his age using spells and magic, he thinks he can do the same. Often, kids pretend to be wizards from the Harry Potter books. Whether this is done seriously or jokingly, it's still upsetting to so many people that want to shelter their children from such things.

If Harry Potter weren't so popular with small children, there wouldn't be such a backlash against it. But so many people have taken arms against the book because of the way it appeals to young kids and makes them think they can be magical, too.

Answer 2

I personally like Harry Potter but not like some kind of crazed maniac. J.K. Rowling's books have a great storyline and characters. She made up a lot of the names and spells and everything and that is what makes me love her books. She is my role model because she is that creative. I don't care about watching the movies. Reading her books are really fun and entertaining.

But no, I'm not going to go and cry if she kills off Harry Potter or someone. Her books are just to entertain us and that's all. An excellent work of fiction but hey people! guess what? There will be other series and then when they finish making the Harry Potter movies, people will have forgotten about Harry Potter and moved on to the next series, making that a best seller. I think that will go on forever. Harry Potter just seems to be the one in the limelight right now.

I personally wish I wasn't born when they were making the movies and books. I just want to read her books without people making a big deal out of it. I can't wait till all this Harry Potter stuff blows over and I can just enjoy her books(and everyone else can) in peace. But for now, let the crazed maniacs do what they want. Harry Potter is just another series going to be thrown aside later. Cheers.

Answer 3

I am a Christian but I am a Potterhead and I believe it's okay to watch and read Harry Potter. It's just a fairytale, and they don't use real magic, and the magic doesn't come from any higher power in the Harry Potter movies and books.

Answer 4

I dont hate Harry - I own all the books and will buy the last and read it too. But the speculation is driving me nuts. What purpose does it serve? While you are waiting, pick up a good book like Wuthering Heights and read it. It is a much better use of your time. And no, I dont celebrate Yule, I celebrate Festivus. Pax - C.

Answer 5

There are people in the world who won't stop until they try to convert everyone to their way of thinking. The idea of the Harry Potter books being anything but entertaining and imaginative is ridiculous. Even small children understand what make-believe is.

Answer 6

Sure, there are haters. Every success stories have those. But usually they are a byproduct of misinformation and lack of understanding.

Okay, let’s talk of it in terms of morality. What some fail to see is that in every story, one should always look at the meaning beyond the lines. Sure, Rowling uses magic as a backdrop of her stories. But at the same time she writes about one simple morality; of good versus evil. It’s the story of a boy, whom against all odds, fought to overthrow the ultimate evil, Voldemort. She tells of how one should always be pure of heart; about self-sacrifice for the good of others; of good family values; of friendship and loyalty. How could one perceive that as evil? Just because of the magic?

To me, the magic was just the tool to create interest. The most important thing is that the story was written to tell us that one should always choose the right path in life, even if it proves to be the difficult and more challenging one.

Answer 7

I agree. It would be interesting to find out what idiot decided that or who decided that Noddy was racist because the only black character was gollywog and he is miscevious. Did you know that noddy was banned in countries for this?
I think that whatever makes a kid want to read is a good book. Rock on Harry Potter!

Answer 8

Because these people are the inflexible types who believe that the books are attacking Christianity unfairly, promotes witchcraft, and is an evil influence on children.

Answer 9

Sometimes, things become popular.. It's a chance that every writer takes. Now it's true you have to be a good writer to become popular however, I do believe that luck and media attension do play an important role sometimes.. I am sure it'll eventually fade out though..

Answer 10

Yeah