Do you think that Harry Potter books are appropriate for Christian children?

Question

I don't see the problem with them as long as the child is old enough to understand the difference between fantasy and reality. I think it's great that kids are reading and expanding their vocabularies and imaginations. But I know that a lot of Christian families think these books are bad for their children and I would like to know what some of you think.

Answer 1

It's up to every family to decide what is appropriate. However, I think censoring such good, and well-known, reading is bound to backfire. Kids will read it eventually and wonder why it was such a big deal and what your problem was. And what else is good that you're telling them is bad.

Over-shielding kids can seriously erode a parent's credibility, especially as the kid gets older. I don't advise it.

Answer 2

I don't think Harry Potter books are appropriate for Christian children. Philippians 4:8 gives a good guideline for the type of things we need to be dwelling on as followers of Christ. I would also recommend taking a look at Ephesians 5:10 - 13. The Harry Potter books basically teach witchcraft, in novel form, and as Christians we are to stay away from witchcraft and the occult. (Galatians 5:19 - 21) I believe reading these books would expose them to possible attack by things they would then need to renounce and be set free from, so it would be good to find other literature for them.

I looked at quite a few articles on this subject and the ones below seemed to me to give quite a good, clear presentation on it.

(This is my first time posting an answer on yahoo answers.)

Answer 3

The only objection Christians seem to have to the Harry Potters are the use of magic. And yet, there's plenty of magic in both the "Lord of the Rings" series as well as the "Chronicles of Narnia," both series which are especially dear to the Church.

As an English teacher, I think any book that promotes self-esteem, virtue, and a love of reading is a GOOD book to read. The Harry Potters offer clean fun and a good-hearted role model, and they're well-written.

You just watch. Christians already have their own brand of romance novels, historic adventure, and supernatural (think Frank E. Peretti's "Piercing the Darkness." The Harry Potters will be accepted - and their style even COPIED - before the decade is over.

Answer 4

Im a Christian and Yeah i think the books are fine my son likes the movies too. Its a work of fiction and as long as the child understands that then yeah no problem I would encourage reading it will help your children in school and life. Some people tend to take it overboard. Im a Christian but i still listen to rock, rap and i reak Stephen King , Dean Koontz, Ann Rice and i go and see tons of movies not just religious things. Just be cause you are Christian does not mean you cant have an open mind.

Answer 5

Harry Potter books are suitable for ALL children. And that includes 50 year old kids like me. I've got mine on order. Not because I'm a witch. Just because they are great reading.

Answer 6

My mother and I had a conversation about this when the books first came out. She's very deeply christian, her view was that they are made up stories and therefore don't matter. But this is the same woman who raised me listening to my daddy read LOTR as often as possible (a tradition i've continued with my own children). It's just a story, and if you tell your children that it's just a story right from the start, they won't see it as anything but a story.

Answer 7

Honestly, I know a lot of Christian folks who think these books are fine and a lot who think they are evil. I think it has more to do with a family who approves of sci-fi or fantasy rather than a religious issue.

What kills me are those people who says these books are evil because the bible condemns witch raft but they will read and watch violent movies...

I think they are fine, as long as the kids remember they are just books.

Answer 8

I agree completely, as long as the child understands that the book is fiction. Same thing with The Da Vinci Code.

Answer 9

There are even Christian organizations that use Harry Potter books to portray the ultimate Christian paradigm: good conquering evil.

Any Christian that thinks the books portray anything accurately about Witchcraft knows nothing about it: the fundamental lesson of Witchcraft is to BALANCE good and evil as they are both necessary, not for one to conquer over the other.

Answer 10

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

God Bless =)