I know this is a very controversial subject, and there are tons of articles that have been written about it. I want to know your opinion. I, myself, used to read Harry Potter, I read the first five books. I watched the first two movies as soon as they came out. Once I started going to church, however, aware of the huge controversy over these stories, although I was unsure of whether or not they really should be condemned, I stopped reading them. This was a big step because I was a HUGE Harry Potter (and Ron Weasley) fan. I am still unsure, however, about how bad or okay these books truly are.
2007-06-04 04:40:27 · 39 answers · asked by Inya 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is definitely a touchy subject, even with my family.
I'm a Christian and up until now (I am 15) had no experience with and had no desire whatsoever to read the Harry Potter books. I had an opinion quite like the Dursleys, that witchcraft was bad and reading about it would be bad as well. (I agree that choosing the word "witchcraft" in the school name was not the best choice.) However, this summer I decided to see what all the fuss is about concerning these books, so consulted my local library and brought home the first three.
That was one week ago, and I am now 60 or so pages into book number four, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. These books are phenomenal! I found myself sucked into such an imaginative fantasy world that I didn't want to put the books down, just wanted to keep reading. There were surprises with every page.
The bottom line is that the series is FUN. Pure fun! The notion that reading these books is somehow unholy or un-Christianlike in any way is bogus. The fantasy world of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is beautifully depicted, and the adventures of Harry and his friends provide excellent entertainment that I have previously found in only a few books. J.K. Rowling has such a beautiful imagination...what excellent, excellent books!
Sincerely,
A Christian AND a Potter fan. (Proud to be both!)
2007-06-10 15:16:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Harry Potter. I think they are wonderful as entertainment, but can be taken too seriously. I mean, they are a fantasy series, and should be read as such. I think it's overdoing it a bit to say that they are "evil" or "of the devil," just because the characters do magic.
Ok, so things that bother me a bit: the characters lie about five times a day, and most of the time, get away with it. They also swear a lot, and in the sixth book, there's a lot of making out. But, hey! They're teenagers! It's just being realistic. There's a lot of stuff like that with the rest of the kids in my area.
So, some things could be said to degrade the books, but I think that they are excellent. I will always be a huge fan, and will never think that there is anything wrong with reading them.
GO HARRY POTTER!!
2007-06-10 08:30:10 · answer #2 · answered by punker_rocker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Christian churches and groups that condemn the reading of such books are so scared that their followers will loose their fear of all things "evil" and then you will be wide open to the real world. Fear is always the best way to make people toe the line or be scared enough to come running to them for comfort. Fussing about Harry Potter is a good way for them to ride a media wave and get their views into the public eye.
I am a Witch, I don't have a wand, I don't ride a broom and I don't have a hidden agenda about getting people to accept me. I do not believe in the Christian devil or the Christian religion. I live out in the country where it is beautiful and I can be closest to Mother Nature.
Should you read these books? That is between you and God and I don't think he will say much. Stop following people and start following your heart. Rupert is getting cute as he gets older and his biggest crime is making money playing the role in this movie, which I'm sure has been very profitable.
2007-06-04 05:34:32 · answer #3 · answered by humanrayc 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason some churches are against Harry Potter is because thet consider ALL "magic" to be witchcraft and ALL witchcraft according to them is EVIL see the verses below
Deuteronomy 18:10 (New International Version)
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,
Micah 5:12 (New International Version)
I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
However I have been a born again Christian for 20 years and I was a full time youth pastor for 8 years. Whenever the church has done any kind of boycott over the last 10 years I have researched it in depth to form my own opinion on the matter. "Hogwarts School Of WITCHCRAFT and Wizardry" was a poor choice of words on J.K. Rowling's part who by the way is also a Christian. Harry Potter has nothing to do with actual witchcraft at all. The true witchcraft mentioned in the Bible is in a realm of Dark Art even Voldemort himself could never reach. However Christians who have not done the research for themselves see that word a throw a big fit over nothing.
Actually if they would just open their eyes they could see a way to use Harry Potter to bring more people to Christ. There are very few people in the world today who are not at least somewhat familiar with the young wizard boy who's life was saved by LOVE. Here's another verse for you.
1 John 4:8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
If the church could just let go of their foolish pride and see that they were wrong in launching this boycott they could use the books as a great analogy of how God's love will always save us from EVIL
2007-06-06 06:52:05 · answer #4 · answered by teresacmt 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are books, a work of fiction.
What about The Lord of the Rings? would you not read that? There are fantasy creatures, magic - 'good' and 'bad'. Some characters strive for the greater good of the whole, some strive for more personal power.
How is this different from Harry Potter?
The only controversy is in the cramped and twisted minds of a tiny minority of the population.
Now, if you were talking about the His Dark Materials trilogy - I predict that there will be sparks flying when The Golden Compass/Northern Lights comes out as a movie later this year.
Edit:
Considering the lack of protest over TLOTR, and other magical books, I wonder if the main concern of these people is not the magic in HP, but the fact that he goes against the establishment. The HP books portrays the magical government as unthinking, dogmatic and in denial of reality. In the books Harry questions this and then circumvents the authorities. Maybe the protesters do not want people thinking independently, questioning authority and acting on their own thoughts and feelings.
2007-06-04 05:01:19 · answer #5 · answered by Simon T 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I believe that Harry Potter portrays good vs. evil, light vs. dark.
I believe that the Harry Potter books are excellent examples of how the choices we make influence and affect others. Remember, in the first movie, when Harry was being selected for a certain house? He chose the house, by verbalizing his choice. He instintively knew ....and chose the side of the light.
Yes, Harry Potter books are about magic.......but it is Hollywood's idea of magic. Everyday, we do the same things as Harry Potter, we make choices. Some positive, some negative. Some selfish, some selfless.
I do not believe that these books need to be condemned, but read with understanding of their symbolism.
Remember, growing spiritually will create within you a release from fear. If you are instructed to be afraid of something, then question your instructor.
2007-06-04 04:53:05 · answer #6 · answered by Grace 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who feels the need to read them should.
To answer your question you must first honestly answer some simple questions about yourself first.
1) Did the book make you believe you could cast spells?
2) Did you become a bad person from reading the books?
3) Do YOU think the books are evil?
4) Do you feel the books destroy people?
All answers are probably no. The reason it is a controversy is because some overly religious sects believe the only books that should be read are the bible and books pretaining to the bible.
You quit reading the books because you were told they were bad, that is horrible. You are an individual FIRST then a member of the church second. Do NOT believe everything you are told merely because someone told you so. Be an individual with a unique brain capable of decisions derived from your own thought, not dependent on the thoughts of others.
2007-06-04 04:51:46 · answer #7 · answered by BOB 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I say Christians should definately read Harry Potter. Any religion should not restrict something as simple as a fictional book. I am a Christian and a HUGE HUGE HUGE Harry Potter fan. I see nothing wrong with reading something I enjoy, whether or not it goes against certain beliefs of my religion, because it is afterall just fiction! And even though I am a big fan, its not like I'm going around trying to curse people or something. I say if you love the books read the books! My pastor actually spent one of her sermons on this subject and she was all for it! She was able to sight many good things about the book, such as the good morals it teaches, friendship, loyalty, etc. Go for it and enjoy!
2007-06-04 04:47:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Reading is NOT bad. Let me put it this way. The last two books I read were about Manson and Hitler. They did not make want to kill people. I read them because I am a History major.
I read Harry Potter because I love well written books with great characters.
It does not mean I am bad.
I am more concerned that preachers think they can rule their congregation and dictate their lives to them. That's scary.
for book 7 theories and info on the books, movies, and theme park visit my personal HP site
http://rpccstudent.tripod.com/
2007-06-10 04:00:24 · answer #9 · answered by kellyrv_bsa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harry Potter is nothing but fantasy, total fiction. There is nothing wrong with Christians or anyone else reading it. To be afraid that it would convert someone to witchcraft is total hogwash for two reasons. One, a book cannot convert someone to begin with and two, what is in the Harry Potter books is not real witchcraft anyway. Real Witches do not fly on brooms or turn people into toads.
2007-06-04 05:11:13 · answer #10 · answered by BlueManticore 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋