Christians: Why is the "magicalness" in Harry Potter bad, but the "magicalness" in the Narnia stories okay?

Question

C.S. Lewis converted to Chrisianity in his 30s and wrote the Narnia stories as biblical allegory. Christians were pushing the movies hard, and I was wondering what's the difference?

Answer 1

There isn't any difference. But I think the kindly Christian professor that wrote Narnia doesn't scare fundies like the intelligent, witty female from Scotland who writes about Harry scares them.

Very well worded question!

Short little story to add: A very Christian elementary school Principal that I know told me that parents were complaining about Harry Potter. I asked how he handled it, half afraid he'd tell me that he banned it. He said "Well, I give them a copy of the book and tell them to read it, then set up a meeting so we can discuss where they had problems with it." I asked him how that worked out, and he said every SINGLE time, the parents had no problem at all with the book once they read it.

Answer 2

contrary to what an other person who answered said, C.S.Lewis WAS a Christian, he converted as an adult. In Narnia, the magic is attributed to Aslan(Jesus) and The Emperor Over the Sea (God). Not so in harry potter. Also, Narnia was a sorta allegory (though Lewis didn't like it being called that) to Christianity. In 'the Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe' Aslan dying so the Edmond might live is an obvious correlation to Jesus dying for us on the cross.
peace

Answer 3

I find it a little hypocritical.

If we accept Narnia and Lord of the Rings as Christian allegory, why not Harry Potter? Isn't Gandalf a wizard? Why is he ok but Harry isn't?

Tolkein was one of THE translators of the official bible of the Roman Catholic Church. The Jerusalem Bible (for those of you who might beg to differ - the Pope does not read the New American Bible. That's the official bible of the American Catholic Church - which is VERY different from Rome.)

There are some Catholics who are against poor Harry. I'm not. Until it comes down as direction from the pope, I'm keeping my books and movies.

Answer 4

Please don't judge all Christians by the standard of political churches with money, ie..voices. I love the Harry Potter books. The woman is an extremely talented writer. Can't wait for #7!
Loved Narnia too. Possible answer is that in Narnia, good always conquered evil...I see the same pattern HP though.

Answer 5

I think it would be more what the moral of each stories are.
Harry Potter may be a well written book, but the moral behind it and its meaning are what Christians are opposed to. As with Narnia, the moral and the meaning of it were more what Christians are about.

Answer 6

Because Narnia was written by a christian, and HP was not written by a christian. Christianity is devolving into fulfilling its own prophecy. Soon, no one will be able to publish a book, do any commerce unless they are a christian with the appropriate approval with the mark of the beast ....the jesus fish.

Answer 7

What the eff is up with people *coughStephan*cough* who assume that we all worship Richard Dawkins? Jesus Christ. It's okay for people to adore their religious figures, but some atheists can't enjoy Richard Dawkins without it meaning we all love him like one big cult. ****, people irritate me. Anywho, way to go Harry Potter. I admire him for admitting it, at least... I probably wouldn't be brave enough to do so if I were in the public eye so much.

Answer 8

The Narnia series has some unintentional similarities to Christianity. Maybe that's why the Christians like it...

Answer 9

I think both are ok and only fiction. I'm a Christian that was happy more children were reading. There is real evil in the world people should worry about instead of wasting time bashing a children's book.

God Bless.

Answer 10

Hey hisglory, you might want to tell that to the C.S. Lewis foundation.

http://www.cslewis.org/