Do you think that it is a sin to read Harry Potter?

Question

I don't. I think that it is a fiction book. But many parents are against it, along with many Christians. What is you opinion? I will not mark you down or not choose your questions as best if you disagree with me. I just don't understand why I can be damned to hell, or summmon Satan. I believe in God, but I am not a STRONG religious person. I go to church sometimes.

Answer 1

It is not a sin to read Harry Potter books. The books do not give instruction in witchcraft. These books are as much about witchcraft as Baywatch is about lifegaurding.

Following is what the US Catholic Bishops have to say about the movies:

"Goblet of Fire" presents the clearest delineation between "right" and "wrong" in the series thus far, even introducing moral imperatives into the students' hocus-pocus curriculum.

Despite lots of wand-waving, the real victories are won through self-sacrifice. As Gambon's Dumbledore counsels, "We must face the choice between what is right and what is easy." Such life lessons would support the contention of Father Peter Fleetwood, a Vatican official formerly of the Pontifical Council for Culture, that "the chief concern of ... (Rowling) is to help children understand the conflict between good and evil."

Answer 2

Chronicles of Narnia were about magic and make believe, and they were written by a Christian. Ask yourself important questions about anything you read. Does the book change your thinking to the point where it causes YOU to sin? If you see it as fiction entertainment, then it's not a sin. If you see it as a book that will show you how to be a witch or a warlock, then it probably is a sin for a Christian. I have never read any of the books. I've only seen a couple of the movies. They look like simple entertainment to me. But, we all know that young children love to emulate characters they read. How many kids are running around wanting to be like Spiderman? So, I can see how some Christians would be worried about impressionable young children wanting to "do magic like in Harry Potter." Some parents may see it as a "gateway book" one that may open doors to serious books about the occult. So, maybe we should say it's a book that's harmless when read by the right aged kids.

Answer 3

Some people feel threatened by it. They see a kid who will pick up a book about "witches" and not pick up a bible. Of course, these people don't pay much attention to the fact that Harry Potter is about a struggle between good and evil and Harry is on the side of good.

Some people also believe that Harry Potter is for recruiting kids to become witches and warlocks. I have a feeling these people have problems separating fact and fiction. They look at the stuff in Harry Potter books and think that people will want to do this stuff and never begin to think that people know (for the most part) that this stuff is not possible.

I have actually heard one person say that Star Wars is evil because of people using the force and being Jedi.

Also, if anyone points to anything in the Old Testament and says the the OT tells them this is a sin, ask them why do they not follow all of the laws of the OT.

Answer 4

I do not think there is anything wrong whatsoever with the Harry Potter novels. They do not promote witchcraft or 'black magic' or anything of the like. They are simply fictional novels used for entertainment value and nothing more. I have yet to understand why so many Christian parents have been in an uproar over these books.

Answer 5

Of course not. The Harry Potter books are works of fiction. I've been a Christian all my life, and have been anti-censorship since I was old enough to understand the concept. If people don't like Harry Potter, then they need not purchase the books, but to forbid others to do so is, in my opinion, wrong.

Answer 6

The only reason Christians hate poor Harry is because it encourages witchcraft, which IS a sin. But the type of witchcraft that the bible talks about is REAL witchcraft from the dark ages and not FICTIONAL witchcraft from the mind of J.K. Rowling. Also, parents may be against it BECAUSE of the whole "sin" label attatched to it. Just parannoyed parents if you ask me.

Answer 7

I dont' think there is anything wrong with it. I am christian and so is my family and most of my friends. They have all read them and I have seen a few of the movies. Your parents need to realize it is a FICTION book. It's not like you are going to go out and start casting spells after reading it or watching the movies?

If they have problems with it they shouldn't let you read the Chronicles of Narnia either because of the Witch Craft and Sorcery in it.

Answer 8

Do I think it is a sin if you read Harry Potter? I don't know you, so I probably wouldn't be presumptious. I haven't read them myself, and in fact, have read fiction books mentioning magic - say, the C.S. Lewis books.

The issue is that the Bible has nothing positive to say about magic, and condemns magic and witchcraft numerous places. So most parents would prefer their children not spend their time reading it.

Answer 9

It's fiction. If you really want to extend the argument to it's limit, you would have to say that to read any book which is not the bible is a sin. This is quite absurd, of course, so it has to be a matter of degree. Since this is the case, the only answer I can give that makes any sense is:

It is a sin if you feel it is a sin.

Answer 10

It's the nature of the stories that makes it a bad influence on children. The Bible has strict guidelines about this.

It's not a sin to read it but Christians are advised against it. A more suitable series would be Lord of the Rings.

As for believing in God, satan himself believes in God, does that make him good?

It's what you do with that belief that matters.