Why do some christians believe that the Harry Potter books teach evil things or that the author JKR is against Christianity? When they haven't even read the inside flap that explains about the story or watched the movies, they just asume it's evil, I mean they don't even know what it's really about. I'm Christian and I don't see where it is a threat to Christianity. There are plenty of other books that are far more worse than Harry Potter. It is a FICTIONAL book meaning everything is made up. I just don't get it. Please will someone fill me in on something that just doesn't make sense to me?
2007-06-06 07:21:31 · 11 answers · asked by Jen 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I am a Christian and I know several other Christians who have read Harry Potter, so Christians don't see anything wrong with it and others believe that Christians should not read it, because it encourages witchcraft.
Just a comment to the first answer. Why are you so judgemental of Christians? I have nothing against muslims I love all people, God created us all to do be different.
2007-06-06 07:34:38 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some fanatics love to believe that ppl's gifts are satans doing. No matter if they use their gift for good or not. I don't know why they believe that if someone is given a gift for for being a doctor or scientist or something that it is god's doing but if they are given a gift of magic it must be satanic. I believe that all ppl are given gifts or abilities, it is up to your discretion whether you use it for good or evil.
Also I find it funny that some people cannot just appreciate a well written fictional book. How come the Lion the witch and the wardrobe is a great book but Harry Potter isn't? They both use magic for good vs. evil.
On another note. My mother is a principal at a Catholic grade school and her boss' told her to remove the Harry Potter books from the library and she said "no way" anything that gets the kids to read is good. And if the kids can't tell fact from fiction we have bigger problems than worring about the morality of the story.
2007-06-06 10:22:09 · answer #2 · answered by jbenishmlt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not really that the books are a threat to Christianity, it's that many Christians don't want their children to read books about magic and stuff. You're also talking about the Religious Right and card carrying members of the Bible Belt. I think that the anti-Potter people are worried that their children will begin to explore magic and demonology and things of that nature if they read Harry Potter. It's a slippery slope argument at best, but that's what they think.
Also, many Christian parents abide by the "no appearance of evil" rule which states that you shouldn't involve yourself in anything that even looks like something a Christian shouldn't do and I've heard lots of people say things like "A Christian shouldn't read about magic ... "
So those are two reasons. I hope it helps a little.
I'm with you, though, especially when you consider C.S. Lewis' Narnia series which is filled with both magic and Christian symbology and is acceptable reading material for Christian young people.
2007-06-06 07:38:44 · answer #3 · answered by Cinnibuns 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some Christians not all of them see the Harry Potter books as a book that would get kids interested into "magic" such as witchcraft or wicca. The bible says in Mark that you shouldn't lead a child astray and some believe that harry potter has variations of satanism. Also the bible tells us not to participate in "occult" or things such as wizardry, medium, spells, charming, and etc.. most of which the bible says the sentence is death. Just look at
Isaiah 8:19
19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
I personally do not have anything aginst the harry potter books but its good to research the other side of the issue sometimes instead of just outright condemning. Christians don't need to "open the cover" of harry potter book because the most important book anyone will ever read is the bible and this is what many use to condemn the books.
1. as earlier the bible says do not lead astray anyone just not children.
2. Christians believe the books will make kids interested into withcraft, wicca, occult or whatever else which is condemned by the bible.
3. Last but not least in Matthew 18:8-10 the bible tells us if something offends us/makes us sin whatever then to get rid of it because it is better to live without it than to be cast into the lake of fire.
I guess some Christians would rather do without it and condemn it rather than let there kids get involved and end up going to hell because the book got them interested in a form of wizardry, occult, etc..
agian i say I dont personally condemn the books i just like looking at all sides and since i only seen one response i figure i would research it and tell you what i came up with.
God Bless =)
2007-06-06 07:56:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
harry potter and muslims have nothing to do with one another but on to harry potter.
many christians believe (falsely) that the books deal with sorcery which is all the fault of the american publishing company because they insisted that no american child would read a book that contained the word "philosopher" in it. so it was made into sorcery and christians are of the opinion that sorcery is evil.
also they feel that children will be drawn to witchcraft with the book series as an inspiration and they will become satan worshipers.
i agree that it is ridiculous for them to think that as good and evil are clearly defined in the series and there is no satan worship going on anywhere. i suggest that you read the book "finding God in harry potter" in order to arm yourself with rational explanations and arguments if you have friends or family (which i have) that are totally against hp and think that all of it's readers are some kind of blasphemous traitors.
2007-06-06 10:48:24 · answer #5 · answered by somebody's a mom!! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi my name is Taylor and take it from me my mom is one of those christians you are talking about that condems harry potter! After I finished reading the first one I was told I couldnt read anymore she flipped out and I got a huge lecture! I remember shortly after the first movie my mom taking my brother and I into a room and praying for those people who were going to be effected by harry potter and how evil it was and praying for J.K. Rowling herself! It was odd and I was kind of upset about it! But that was when I was 10 or 11 and now I am 18 and recently brought it back up with her I did reasearch on harry potter for hours trying to persuade her to let me read them and still yet she showed me one verse in the bible that says that you are not to involve your self with witchcraft...and another that says not to partake in anything that could be a stumbling block for someone else and after that I finally got it...She is going to feel that way forever and I cant change it...I am 18 and have to discover what my beliefs are and interpretations on the bible...so all in all there are going to be people that intrepret the bible one way while there will be others who believe differently...I have read or watched all six books and have found things that could be related to chirstianity...the book is like The Narnia books...but all in all that is how I inturperet it...I dont condem people for how they feel but I have my own opinion and if a parent feel they need to ban it from their child okay do it...it is your child...but as for me I think they are harmless!
Thanx for your time
Taylor
2007-06-06 13:16:34 · answer #6 · answered by Me 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
COnservative christians believe Harry Potter is evil and that it teaches children about bad magic and the occult things that are directly linked to sata.
i think its quite hypocritical since many of them still watch movies that have violence and cursing so i don't really see the whole problem with harry potter and magic when violence is so much more prevalent and awful in this world
2007-06-06 12:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Tom B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people believe very strongly that even speaking about witchcraft, etc. is a sign of devil practices. They are extremists, and the reason why Harry Potter is their current focus is because it is such a widely read text. It's silly to most of us, but thats what they believe.
2007-06-06 07:35:09 · answer #8 · answered by susanb14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Harry is the evil fictional incarnation of the anti-Christ. He has power over others, but is no god. He leads his evil followers on journeys of Witchcraft. He is really a blood-thirsty disciple of Satan, and wants to reap as many innocent souls as possible. Plus, he is an annoying little kid. Or..., I could be wrong.., except about the last part; he is annoying.
2007-06-06 07:35:52 · answer #9 · answered by uknowalready 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The first poster makes herself sound as ignorant as the Christians she thinks are so ignorant......sad.
Anyways, the reason (not that I agree) is because it shows witchcraft in a possitive light, and that is not what Christians believe in. trust me, just as many Muslims have the same issue with Harry Potter, it's not just those Christians.
2007-06-06 07:34:15 · answer #10 · answered by Sunny And '74 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋