why do people consider harry potter unholy?

Question

no one said it glorified black magic (if you payed attention long enough the main character was fighting against it) so why do people make a big spectacle out of such a harmless children's book

Answer 1

I agree. Harry Potter is a standard tale of good vs. evil, and good always wins in the end. Harry, the hero, often triumphs because of his upright character and pure motives. Unconditional love and courage are held as ideals of great importance. By following Harry and his best friend Ron, the reader gets a glimpse of true loyalty and friendship! Not unholy stuff I would think!

Answer 2

I'm a Christian who has read all of the Harry Potter books and also has a copy of all of the movies at my home. I've also read the Bible, and have even recently posted a question similar to this. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AguOTivVcuPxP9KuWciUTaTsy6IX?qid=20070412100503AALpU2N

I've found that almost every person who is opposed to the Harry Potter book series based on religious reasons has not read the books, while people who have read the books, don't seem to have a problem with it. Coincidence, or the fact that the people who oppose the books are basing their opinions on what someone else has told them.

As far as what is wrong with the books, there are things about Harry that are not good morally. Harry does bend the rules and because the end justifies the means, Harry gets away with it.

But the thing I have to go back to is that there are some analogies that can be made on a scriptural basis about this book series. Voldemort is a good analogy for the Serpent in the Garden of Eden (ironically, Voldemort has serpentlike qualities). In this case, Voldemort's followers are taught that there is no good and evil, just those who seek power and those who are afraid to seek it (I believe that is in the 2nd book). But isn't that amazingly like what the Serpent said to Eve in the Garden of Eden? That Eve wouldn't die, she would be like God knowing the difference between good and evil.

Also, while there are some portions that are eerily like dark magic, such as in book 4 in the graveyard when Voldemort regains human form. It is clearly designated as dark magic and in no way or form does this book sanction or approve of this type of magic and it is clearly considered evil.

So, from what I can see, if a person has a concern with Harry Potter's magic, then Lord of The Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, virtually all Walt Disney movies with Magic in them also need to be abandoned. Because they also show dark magic.

Answer 3

I've never read any of the Harry Potter books yet, but I believe the reason for this is that there are some people out there who automatically figure that magic of any kind in a book means it is all evil and everything. I don't believe that Harry Potter books particularly are there to 'glorify' magic or anything like that. I think they are simply works of fiction that kids enjoy. It's interesting that the same people who say these things will let their kids watch Disney movies where animals talk or princesses carriages turn into pumpkins, etc, etc.

In my opinion, it's one of those things where something gets popular and so someone out there figures they have to find something against it... People that need things to complain about all the time, etc.

Answer 4

I myself am not against Harry Potter, I have watched the movies and do not see "evil" in it.
I have a friend however who has issues with it, and I grant her the right to her opinion. She said that in the books she felt as though Harry often did things he wasn't supposed to and does not have to answer for it, and actual is rewarded for it.
Again this is her view and I can not even quote the scene in the book exactly so i will not try.
I also do agree that people just seem to have to find a reason to complain about things.

Answer 5

I have heard Christians say that the ideas of magic and sorcery are contrary to the bible and fill children with the wrong ideas. In fact, as I recall, this Pope we have now felt so strongly about it that in his first speech to the world he mentioned it.

We heard the same nonsense about Star Wars with each movie. They seem to miss the idea that good will always triumph over evil, even in the most unlikely of ennvironments, scenarios and odds. That that in itself helps people to overcome and be positive.

Maybe that's it - they are just afraid of losing customers if people can be uplifted by something besides what they are selling and so they CONDEMN it as unholy in an effort to retain their numbers. It's best just to ignore such silly narrowmindedness, I find.

Peace!

Answer 6

I like the books, not a huge fan or anything, but I think the main qualm I have on the religious aspect is the fact that there is no form of "higher" power of any kind. Another words, Rowling sort of left the series in the grasp of an amoral magic "force", rather than stipulating that there is some power over the magic itself.

Contrast it with C.S. Lewis' Deep Magic, and Deeper Magic from the Narnia series.

Answer 7

It because of fear. Fear by ignroance of which most christians know absolutly nothing about and give it the automatic "pagan" aka "witchcraft" or "tool of the devil or satan" label. I don't like the books cause they are dumb in my view. But what most christians don't realize is that kids are picking these books up and actually reading instead of playing the damn xbox for nine hours straight. So let's review: have kids play a game that has graphic violence and lewd sexual references or pick up and read a book about wizards and sourcers? Me, I pick the lesser of two evils and will support Harry over video games any day.

Answer 8

Deut 18 prohibits spiritism. Even if Harry fights it he uses the same things...

Think of it like a wrestling match...both are fighters, people cheer for their bet but they have the same goal/role, to act their part for entertaining (?) the audience.

Harry plays the victim and yer triumphs over those who try to undermine him....he still promote the idea of magic, sorcery, and all things related to spiritism...

Answer 9

There's a sliding scale between everything not in the bible is unholy and being so liberal you can almost invite the devil round for tea and crumpets.

It really depends where you place fictional stories of magic and witchcraft on the unholiness scale. I rather suspect it is the witchcraft element which is most objectionable. Witches are a traditional enemy of christianity.

Answer 10

A lot of the people who think Harry Potter is somehow evil, at the same time love "The Wizard of Oz".....go figure.