Are the Harry Potter books good for teaching ethical behavior?

Question

Quoting from an article written by Darcia Narvaez, associate professor of psychology and director of the Center for Ethical Education at the University of Notre Dame.

“Harry and his friends show ethical sensitivity by noticing things that are wrong or hurt others,” she explained. “They show good ethical judgment by trying to understand problems before deciding what to do, and revising strategies when they don’t work. Harry and friends are especially ethically motivated because they show consistent commitment to help others, cooperate to reach positive goals, try to do things that help the community, and keep working at a goal even when it would be easier to quit.

“Most notably, however, the books are filled with ethical action. Harry and his friends put themselves at great risk to help others. They try to change things that are cruel or unfair and follow through on completing a moral goal, no matter the cost.”

http://newsinfo.nd.edu/content.cfm?topicid=23646

The Harry Potter books are as much about witchcraft as Baywatch is about lifegaurding

Answer 1

Yeah. Sure.

Answer 2

Harry Potter books are full of witchcraft and that is the handiwork of the Devil. Parents should not be promoting such books. They are better off with Aesops Fables. There is wisdom in those short stories. Apart from these classics for kids, they should learn about God and the stories of the prophets. The best source is the Qu'ran. There is much wisdom in the Qur'an to surpass all other books.

Answer 3

Satan is sooooo crafty.

The Harry Potter series is just Lucifer making sure that the children at are very young age are being taught how to rebel against the ways of Yahweh and make it fun, enjoyable and pleasurable all at the same time.


Revelation 22:KJV
15 For without are dogs, and SORCERERS, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

You need to repent and believe this message, Yahweh does not lie.

bay watch, right....

1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Answer 4

I'm thinking in the series of Harry Potter books, while they do stuff that are deemed as negative (especially for more conservative people), the good morals are more noticeable. In other words, they are good for teaching ethical behaviour.

Answer 5

I agree with that, but at the same time Harry's disregard for authority isn't necessarily a good model to follow, and using magic to solve problems isn't necessarily good to teach children either. Personally I wouldn't use those books to teach morality, but they are extraordinarily entertaining. Can't wait for the last one.

Answer 6

Yes and about the repercussions of choices and the reality of evil and good and the need for discipline

Answer 7

It makes very little difference when one considers all the other influences in a child's life these days. But as far as logic goes...forget it! Those books/movies are full of logical inconsistencies.

Answer 8

I think they are wonderful books and yes they are classic good vs evil stories. Harry and pals are excellent examples of strong moral character. My daughter LOVES the books.

Answer 9

For the most part. My only qualm is that they break the rules a lot to take those ethical actions. It is important to learn that rules are there for a reason, namely to protect you. Overall, though, there are far more good lessons that outweigh this one point.

Answer 10

care to burn some with a protestant, my catholic friend?

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. - Acts 19:19,20.

read Acts 19:13-20:

http://www.biblestudytools.net/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=ac+19:19&version=kjv&context=1&showtools=1

Answer 11

Harry Potter is about witchcraft, and God is against witchcraft.