Christians only plz .....serious answers only plz?

Question

My neighbors are christians and their daughter wants to start reading the Harry Potter collection of books .....her parents say that they don't approve because it has to do with witchcraft. Are they right? Should christian children not be allowed to read this sort of material or is it ok becomes it just make believe? Thank you! I'm asking because their daughter asked me and I said it was up to her parents but I alwso want to know for my kids as well.

I meant "because" it is make believe ...sorry for the typo

another typo...sorry typing to fast I guess. " Also" was the word

Thank you to all who answered! This is going to be hard to choose just 1 good answer.

Answer 1

God says to keep your thoughts on Him. Colossians 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2) Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth. Mark 12:30 'And you shall loce the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. Romans 7:25 I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
God also says to raise your child according to the Bible. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
And to stay away from witchcraft. Exodus 22:18 "You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
God puts sorcery in the same class as murders & adultery. Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultry, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20) idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21) envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
I wouldn't want to expose my children to such things.

Answer 2

As some on this forum may know, I am a very traditional Catholic. With that being said, I have an avid love for "high fantasy" (like "The Lord of The Rings" and "Chronicles of Narnia"). I am also a fan of Dungeons and Dragons, especially the novels like "The Icewind Dale Trilogy" and all of the rest of the Drizzt Do'Urden novels.

It is proven that fantasy expands one's mind and increases intelligence. The only beef that I have with the Potter books is that they are aimed at such a young audience who may have a harder time determining what is fantasy or reality, and what is acceptable as a Christian and what is not. I also don't like the fact that they use the term "witchcraft." I think that it would have been safer to use just "wizardry" or "magician" exclusively. Sometimes simple language can have an immense effect, especially on a younger mind.

This is a touchy subject that I would have to say would require examination of the child in question and his or her personality. But, I do believe that many of the fanatical Evangelicals take this subject entirely too far.

Answer 3

I think the wise answer is no. Harry Potter books are fiction. That being said, they are about witchcraft and magic. Supposed to be fun, right? Well satan doesn't make a differentiation between things that are "just for fun" and getting his foot in the door of one's mind with the occult.

Harry Potter books glorify magic. See how fun this is, look at the power you have, don't you wish you could do this. Christians need to think differently about things. Any sort of magic is the realm of the occult, and the occult is the realm of satan. Give him an inch, he will take a mile. What appears "harmless" to us, isn't. If a Christian parent decided not to bring those books into the house, I would think they are being wise. No need to give the enemy anything to work with.

Answer 4

My girls watched a couple of the Harry Potter films, but turned them off at the "scary" parts .... they don't like to be scared.

Would I let them read the books? Maybe when they are older I will, but I'm still trying to impress upon them that not everything they see on TV is real (they are 3 and 5 btw). Does the magical part bother me? No, my girls know that magic isn't real, it's from someone's imagination ... and I teach them that imagination is a wonderful thing!

So I guess to answer you, I'd say that MAYBE a Christian kid should watch it, maybe not. Depends on whether the kid gets it that it's all make believe. I think too, it depends on whether the parents are open with the kids about talking about the difference between what they believe, and what they see on TV.

Answer 5

It may only be make-believe, but it glorifies witchcraft, which is straight from the devil himself. My dad wouldn't even let us watch Snow White, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and MANY more. But, it didn't kill me.....I turned out just fine. :)

I, personally, wouldn't let my kids read the book. That's exactly how satan makes things seem harmless---By making them SEEM make-believe. Witch craft is real and the devil is too. We shouldn't down-play that at all....For our childrens' sake.

Best I can tell you is to pray about it. Take it to God for the answer.

ETA: To the person with the answer above me, Jesus WAS NOT a wizard, and neither was Moses. Jesus was the Son of God and Moses was able to do the things he did thru God's power. You apparantly are NOT a Christian because a Christian KNOWS what you've said is NOT true! People like you frustrate me---Telling people things about information you know NOTHING about.

Answer 6

The Harry Potter books are not the first to address witches, and it will not be the last. Ever hear of 'The Wizard of Oz'? How about 'The Lord of the Rings'? Wizardology is popular and a fun way for children and adults to imagine a fantastical life. Let the children read the books.

Answer 7

Harry Potter is fantasy. It helps to get kids imaginations going. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, I think that kids who learn to use there imagination will end up more creative (also better at problem solving). If you want to use the series to enforce your Christian beliefs, then point out themes in the books that enforce those values. Ex: the battle between good and evil. The importance of friendship. Overcoming adversity. The importance of treating others fairly. Read the books along with your kids and discuss things with them. Let them know that the book is pretend and let them ask questions. We have a hard enough time today pulling our kids off the computer and into books. If they want to read, then we should encourage it.

I agree that it is up to your neighbors to decide what to let their child read (although I don't agree with the decision for her not to read Potter).

Answer 8

The Harry Potter books, while seemingly portraying harmless fun, actually promote witchcraft and should be avoided.

There is some proof that the author is using intimate knowledge of actual spells and rituals of the black arts to write these books, so, while they are fantasies, they are far from harmless make believe.

Edit 5/16/07: I see from checking back that alot of you put these books on par with "Lord of the Rings", the Authur stories, Chronicles of Narina, Wizzard of Oz, and such books.

The Harry Potter books are NOT comparable to these. The Harry Potter books are actually showing how to cast spell, acutal spells using the correct indgredients and proper terminology. There is a huge difference between portraying witches and majic to teaching witchcraft. The Harry Potter books teach witchcraft.

Answer 9

As the popularity of the Harry Potter series continues to grow, Christian parents are left with some difficult questions. Some believe that the magical world of Harry Potter is little more than harmless fun and fantasy. Others fear that these books and movies are an invitation to the occult. Regardless of a parent's viewpoint, Harry Potter has become unavoidable, as he now boldly lines the shelves of children's bookstores, public libraries, and schools. Without question, Christians should have some concerns and need to use careful discernment in deciding whether or not to allow their children to indulge themselves in the world of Harry Potter.



Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.



Unlike other fantasy children's stories that contain witches and the like, such as C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter does not have a positive biblical worldview. The distinction between good and bad can become blurred as both the "good" and "evil" characters participate in different types witchcraft and magic. The Bible clearly condemns all kinds of witchcraft, sorcery and spiritism (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). Philippians 4:8 tells us to "fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable." So does this mean that all Christians should avoid Harry Potter altogether?



For some families, the answer to this is yes. The Harry Potter series is not for young or spiritually immature children, as they may not have the ability to distinguish between reality and fantasy, right and wrong, or good and evil. At best, they may be left confused about God's views about the occult, and at worst, they may become enchanted by the magical existence of Harry and his friends, becoming desensitized to occultic lifestyles. In addition, there are issues such as violence and mildly foul language that each Christian family will be sensitive to at different levels.



On the other hand, there are positive aspects to Harry Potter. Love is shown through selflessness and self-sacrifice; Harry's own mother died to save him. There is a sense of justice, as good always triumphs over evil. Harry faces his fears and finds courage, even risking his own life for greater good. Friendships are defined by loyalty and unending devotion, even to the point of death.



To any family who is facing the debate with their children about whether or not they should be allowed to watch or read Harry Potter, my suggestion is this: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done" (Philippians 4:6, NLT). The Bible tells us that God cares about what happens to us, and so we should give all of our worries to Him (1 Peter 5:7).



Christian parents have the responsibility to not only teach their children about the virtues that please God, but also about the spiritual forces that we are up against (Ephesians 6:12). When a child gets to a point where he or she has a personal relationship with God, and is able to fully discern between what is good and bad according to God's standards, reading Harry Potter books or watching the movies can serve as not only entertainment, but can empower parents to raise up wise Christian thinkers.

Answer 10

OK I'm not Christian but I would like to answer.
Its just make believe. Trust your children to know the difference. Using your imagination is linked to better English and Science grades. There is no harm in pretending Hocus Pocus magic or unicorns. Its just for fun. And while Harry Potter has "witch craft" in it, that isn't real magic anyhow. Its just a story about good versus evil, with good usually winning.