I'm a Christian who really likes Harry Potter, why shouldn't I read it?

Question

I've been wondering why some Christians say Harry Potter books are bad. It doesn't tempt me to do witchcraft...I actually read it looking for all the moral issues of good vs. evil. I'm wondering if I'm wrong.

Wow..all of your answers are really interesting. A friend of mine said that all we do should be to the glory of God and that if I could find how me reading this book brings glory to Him, then it's no problem...
On the other hand, I'm not perfect. I'm really interested in whatever else you guys have to say.

Ok..well, what about J.R.R. Tolkien, he was a Christian and he wrote about elves and wizards. I've read that him and C.S. Lewis both believed they had the gift of writing "fantasy" books to expand the minds of their readers into believing in worlds in which we cannot see. Like the Kingdom of God. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I'm a Christian and I don't make it my business to go around telling other Christians what to read, see, say or do. But I do think we need to speak to each other honestly about what the bible has to say about all these things.

In church today we had a sermon about the church and how sin is permeating it. And how satan tries to get a foothold in our lives and make it a stronghold. How compromise starts out small, but a little leaven leavens the entire loaf.

I think you need to think about some of these things. These are books which promote witchcraft as fun, look at the fantasy and power it gives you, no worries, it's all "fiction", anyway. Well....satan doesn't see it that way. What you take in through your eyes goes to your brain and your heart and he will find a way to use it against you.

Please consider what it is you are doing, and I mean that as a sister in Christ.

Answer 2

It's a publication. The publication occurs to be approximately a host of wizards and witches, and magic.... no longer "witchcraft" or the occult, and many others. I feel they are first-class books. In truth, I had my bishop's children over to my residence for a "harry potter marathon". we watched the primary 5 films finish to finish, it used to be plenty of amusing. Things I have discovered from harry potter? In the top, well triumphs over evil. You can not pass judgement on via look, you ought to dig deeper than that. And we're all larger off with peers than we're by myself. I feel it is exciting that Pope Jean Paul II mentioned Harry Potter used to be a well tale, and that it taught kids morals, however Pope Benedict says harry potter is evil and teaches kids evil matters. (my factor being... men and women's evaluations vary...) Your buddy demands to recover from it. There is not anything incorrect with the books or the films. It's something not to desire to look at films with nudity, violence, or dangerous language. It's entirely exclusive not to desire to look at a film given that you have not taken the time to evaluate and realize.

Answer 3

God commands us: "There shall not be found among you anyone who . . . practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord . . ." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)

Well, that settles that but do the Harry Potter books and movie meet that criterion? Yes, I think so, without a doubt! Well-written myths can impact minds, especially pliable minds, as much as reality.

The more children live in the dark underworld of witches, warlocks, wizards, and werewolves the more comfortable they will be wrapped in darkness. When movie star Rob Lowe took his two children to see Potter, they said, "I want to be a wizard." How would you react if your child said that?

In chapter five of the first book, Harry finds a dead unicorn in the Forbidden Forest.

"It was a unicorn all right, and it was dead . . . Harry had taken one step toward it when a slithering sound made him freeze where he stood. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered . . . Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast . . . The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood . . . The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at Harry - unicorn blood was dribbling down its front . . ."

And you want your children to read such trash? Even well-written trash? Not me.

Some argue that Harry Potter will produce character in young people since Harry is loyal, brave, strong, etc, but only those who pursue the occult have those good traits. Ordinary people who are critical of wizardry are characterized as mean, cruel and narrow-minded.

Potterism will not give readers an appreciation of the Bible nor produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. It will not make them more obedient at home or at school. It will not promote truthfulness, kindness, honesty, love and purity in their daily living.

Answer 4

I'm a Christian and I read Harry Potter.

How can you say that something will or will not bring glory to God? That's pretty presumptuous of your friend to say to you. Does brushing your teeth bring glory to God? How about putting on clean underwear? Stacking plates a certain way? I'm just trying to point out the ridiculousness of trying to do only things that bring glory to God.

Tell your friend that it brings no glory to God for a Christian to bash a book that they've never read. That just makes Christians look bad to non-Christians. Now, if you READ the book and could carry an intelligent conversation about it and cause someone else to consider your Christian viewpoint -- THAT would bring glory to God!

Answer 5

Keep reading them ... I do and my kids do too.

You asked why the complaint ... maybe this will answer it ...

I became a Christian at the time Jesus Christ Superstar was popular. That story stopped before the resurrection since the writers didn't believe in that.
Nonetheless, Jesus was not Cool until that stage show came out. It made it easier for churches to appeal to and grow youth groups.

JKR is NOT promoting witchcraft - but other occult groups try to get more support at each book / movie release.
The books themselves are more along the philosophy of Amnesty International ... wanting freedom and equality. That is why we can relate to "Pure Bloods" vs "mudbloods" and "Slytherins vs Muggle born wizards".

(I am hoping Draco, after Dumbledore spoke with him, will reject becoming a Death Eater and help Harry's trio like RAB - Regulus - did by finding Horcrux hiding places and how to destroy them)

Answer 6

It's not bad... someone with lots of power just said something foolish.

Your religion isn't about what the higher-ups tell you to do, it's about what GOD tells you to do! And God never said that you couldn't read harry potter. Go over the bible and see if you can find anything that says you shouldn't read Harry Potter. Not specifically, but anything that has it in a category of "don't read."

What's more, Harry Potter is an inspiring story, It emphasizes courage, friendship, right-over-wrong (even when it is hard to do the right thing), and the danger of politics. Yep even that, see the fifth book.

Answer 7

I am a Christian who is firm enough in my faith to read just about anything and discern whether or not it is good. As an academic, I analyze everything I read. The Harry Potter books actually reflect many Christian teachings and values, both through symbolism and character development. I encourage other Christians to read the books rather than passing over this wonderful and powerful piece of literature just because the preacher said it's bad. Read, think, and decide for yourself.

Answer 8

I`ve never read the books but seen all the movies.If your a Christian I don`t think the books or the movies are going to change that.I am a Christian and I don`t find evil behind every door or around the next corner.I have a strong faith in God and I don`t personally think its an important issue.

Answer 9

Of course it doesn't tempt people to do witchcraft--some Christians want to "ban" stuff like this basically because they're afraid that if kids read these books and find them a more entertaining fantasy than the Bible, then they'll 'stray.'

A typical tactic of destructive cults is to isolate their members from outside information (look at how many Christians denounce public schooling and advocate homeschooling instead), in order to keep them dumb and dependent, like children. It's no coincidence that the most educated people are the least likely to be religious.

Answer 10

Oh that's a fine book to read....any one who says otherwise had better not watch/read Star Wars either it will teach of withcraft too. I read both Star Wars and Harry Potter they are great books and movies. Funny thing is that the older genertain telling you it is bad probally had something simliar in their generation that they read, listened ect. that was also labled evil.

Answer 11

Alot of people see the "Witchcraft" in Harry Potter stories. But heres the rule; It's not real. It's just a story. I don't read them personally because it find them stupid.