The ENTIRE Harry Potter series is not purely Christian, but it does have conservative elements that are often found in genuinely Christian literature, like C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:
1. There's absolute evil in the world, and a savior must arise from the depths of the mediocre; as with Christ, the act of saving the world will likely take Harry's life.
2. The educational system at Hogwarts is very traditional, with an all-knowing, old man-god as headmaster. The first few novels turn the female characters first into annoyances and then into damsels. It's a highly conservative plot structure that perpetuates stereotypes. I won't say more so that you can read for yourself.
3. I think a better question is, what do you parents think Christianity is? Have they read the Bible? It's all about violence and miracles, devils and saviors. I can't imagine a better companion to Christian indoctrination than the first two Harry Potter books. But the religious right for some reason thinks the books are "liberal." I think it's gotten to the point where the right and the left are two sides of the same madness. Harry Potter is a "conservative" story and that's all there is to it. It's a story that you've heard before and has residue from the Bible all over it.
2007-06-06 08:49:26
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answer #1
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answered by God_Lives_Underwater 5
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I know the debate has raged back and forth between Christians since the Harry Potter books hit the bookstore shelves way back when. Some Christians say these books are benign, others say they open people's hearts and minds to demonic forces. While I try not to be alarmist about these things, my concern about the themes used in these books is that it maked wizardry and witchcraft appear harmless, recreational, and fun. While I admittedly have not read the books or seen the movies, and am probably speaking from ignorance, it seems that Harry and company are in control of the forces they summon. In the real world, those same forces are demonic in nature, and no one short of Christ can control any of them for their own purposes, benign or not. Satan is far more powerful than any of us. The Bible makes it clear that the only way we have any chance of standing firm against the devil is by putting on the full armor of God.
I wonder how many people out there have started exposing themselves to casting spells or performing different kinds of magic because of what they have read in the Harry Potter books or seen in the Harry Potter movies. Hollywood does a very good job of making evil look pretty attractive, and I think this is another example of something Christians should avoid. If Jesus were here today, would He think portraying wizards and the like as harmless entertainment is something Believers should be involved with? That is an answer every Christian must answer for himself.
Mike
2007-06-06 10:32:29
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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My biggest issue with this argument is that people who don't want you to read the series have never themselves read the series. I love the books and I let my children read them, and I'm not a witch and neither are my children. If reading a book could make you a witch then I should be able to point to an object across the room with a wooden stick and say, "Accio" and it would come to me...sadly, it doesn't. The Harry Potter series is about good fighting evil and the struggles that one has to go through to ultimately conquer evil. Also take into account that nearly 800 million copies of Harry Potter have been sold around the world. There aren't 800 million witches in the world. It's a fun story and much better written and a much better moral story than Twilight. (Which I've also read.)
2016-05-18 02:48:33
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answer #3
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answered by loma 3
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No, I dont believe that Harry Potter is a Christian book - and I dont know where you get your information that Harry is going to die and return from the dead. JK Rowling has specificially requested that all rumors, innuendo, potential spoilers etc.STOP and that people wait until the books come out and people are about to read them without all this preconcieved notions. Congratulations on defying your parents. I am proud that i raised a child who doesnt defy me - even though he is almost 21. He respects my decisions. He is free to read Harry Potter but has been taught to read classics and has no use for Harry Potter. And if you believe Harry Potter is Christian - take a peek at Mugglenet's adult section and read the fan fac stories that kids are writing - homosexual acts between Harry and Draco, pedophilia between Snape and Hermoine. And yes - JK Rowling is well aware of the Mugglenet site. No, there is nothing Christian about Harry Potter. I have read all 6 and will read the 7th, but I hardly agree that reading Harry Potter makes you an intelligent reader. Read Finnegan's Wake or Don Quixote and then I will say you qualify as an intelligent reader. Pax - C
2007-06-06 08:17:07
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answer #4
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answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7
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I do believe that Harry Potter is not a christian book, BUT i do not believe that parents should ban it from thier kids for the simple fact that it is all for entertainment AND is not promoting the devil, or any other god for that matter. It also does not promote a godless world nor any anti-religious/christian actions. Witchery and wizardry is a myth of the past and has been brought to the future by authors, and movie producers simply for entertainment reasons only and to make money.
Although, i have not personally read the Harry Potter series i HAVE in fact watched the movies and read several articles arguing both sides of the story, and have developed my own opinion on the matter.
2007-06-06 08:05:15
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answer #5
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answered by princess 3
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I do not believe that Harry Potter is a Christian series because of its source of wizardry and magic. Christianity is not based on this. However, I will mention that the books are totally amazing! I may be a Christian, but I'm not stupid enough to believe that magic and all of that hoo haa is acually real, nor do I practice it. The series itself is meant for entertainment, nothing more.
2007-06-06 08:11:11
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answer #6
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answered by Amara 3
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I don't think it's a Chritian series, but I don't think Christians should shy away from reading the strong moral and ethical messages inherent in the series either.
We had a neighbor that banned all things Harry Potter because it was "evil" and based on "witchcraft"--but then was in love with all things Tolkein and loved the "Lord of the Rings" movies. They were into elves and castles and unicorns, etc. so I thought it was rather silly of them to ban Harry Potter.
It's a wonder to me that Tolkein is acceptable, but Harry Potter isn't. Very strange, but it appears to be fairly typical.
2007-06-06 08:38:30
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answer #7
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answered by chocowriter 3
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I don't know that it is written to be inherently Christian. I just read all six of the current books in May and did not get the impression that there is a particular religious undertone to them. You mention the possibility of Harry dying and coming back. If anyone dies and comes back, I would think it would be Dumbledore. His pet is a Phoenix which comes back to life after bursting into flames and turning to ash. In the end of book 6, Dumbledore's tomb bursts into flames and disappears. I got the impression that this is foreshadowing his return, as the Phoenix rises again.
As to my opinion on the books being banned, I do not agree at all. I believe most people who ban them believe that witchcraft is anti-Christian and thus do not want their children/students reading them. I think this is a foolish and old-fashioned stance reminiscent of burning witches at the stake. A child (12 years old) I know whose parents won't let her read the books told me that if she read them "she wouldn't do the spells" making me believe that she truly believes that people are going around doing magic from the books and that is why they are banned. Isn't that a scary thought, that banning an innocent childrens' series would lead to a crazy conclusion such as that?
2007-06-06 08:19:41
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answer #8
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answered by vagirlhi 4
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One...Rowling has said that when people in her books die, they are dead and will not come back. Two...they are witches. Witchcraft is not Christianity. (Nor are they "devil worship") Far from it. They are not a Christian series, but it doesn't matter. How sad that your parents were so close-minded to keep you away from such a great book series. My eldest child is 8 and we've read them all together.
2007-06-06 08:09:17
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answer #9
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answered by Jessie P 6
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you should read the book called "finding God in harry potter" i found it to be very informative and interesting. i find that there are many christian elements in the book but i wouldn't consider it to be a "christian" book. but it definitely isn't an "anti-christian" book.
i find it ironic that many evangelical christians (including many of my family members) are so strongly against the books even tho they have never read them just because there is magic in them however the lord of the rings books are hailed as great christian works. it definitely confuses me but whatever. i love the series regardless of what the collective consensus is on religious ties.
a good book is a good book.
2007-06-06 10:41:26
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answer #10
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answered by somebody's a mom!! 7
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