What's so scary about Harry?

Question

I am a Christian - who attends church regularly, and very involved in church (missions team, children's ministries, women's ministries), l am raising my child in the Christian Faith, and so forth and so on...We (me and my child) are also BIG fans of Harry Potter movies. No one at church has taken me aside to say we shouldn't, however, a very dear friend of mine who has 4 kids rushes right out to take her kids to see the Pirates of the Carribean movies (which I love too) that are full of violence and re-animated DEAD people, with strong sexual overtones, etc and so forth and so on - but she mentioned the other day how her kids could NEVER see Harry Potter movies or read those books since it's all filled with witchcraft!

I couldn't believe it. Do I want my child growing up to practice magic/witchcraft, etc? NO. But do I think that my kid (a preteen) can tell the difference between a movie for entertainment and what she believes? Absolutely.

She knows Harry movies are fiction..

and to be honest, I'd rather her see a movie about good friends overcoming evil (even if it's through magic) than a movie where Orlando Bloom gets stabbed through the heart and becomes "undead".

Am I missing something? I don't understand the fear so many Christians have about Harry Potter. Your thoughts?

I don't remember if Harry resurrected or narrowly escaped death - and to tell you the truth, it doesn't matter to me. We love Harry. And we love Pirates too. I just don't see how some can be all Pirates and their bloody scary violent movies are GREAT - but there is NO WAY my kids are gonna see Harry Potter!

Look 777 - that's so close to 666 it's frightening, or didn't you realize that. Stay off of my questions and for God's sake, please leave Rachel and the rest of us alone. You are scarier than Harry Potter will ever be. YOU are responsible for the many people who will NEVER follow Christ because of your condemnation and judgement.

Ichardy, I'm not second guessing myself, we've seen all the Harry Movies and will see any more that come out in the future. Yes, I do my best to raise my child in the Christian faith. I see exactly what you're saying it's what I'm saying too. I'm questioning why so many Christians have a serious hang up with Harry - what are their reasonings behind understanding that one movie - Pirates - is indeed fiction and that their kids won't grow up to stab people through the heart, but that somehow Harry Potter poses this great threat and risks that their children will grow up and turn to witchcraft.

Answer 1

Certain "Christians" - not all, by any means, so don't go nuts - are so jealous of their religion, and so obsessed with maintaining their own particular brand of delusion against all others, that anything that isn't specifically tailored to their beliefs has to be considered as an opposing influence. It's the "If you're not with us, you're against us" mentality, and it's quite epidemic in many "Christian" circles.

Answer 2

Oh ya right the witchcraft isn't even the real reason why these people hate Harry Potter books. It's the money! JK Rowling was a divorce single mom living on welfare and now she's a billionare!! That's what they hate. They fear the fame and the success!

The same people who forbid their children from reading Harry Potter or trying to ban it in schools are the same people who are OK with Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, both series include witchcraft even good and bad sides of magic. The only thing is that Harry Potter books are obviously about witches and just that much more sucessful.

EDIT: And those that fear the imagination are actually more likely to be suffering from a psychotic disorder than to be true believers in any religion. Get help!

Answer 3

I'm not sure where Big Red Machine gets the idea that Christians hate Harry Potter???!!! I am an active Christian and am very involved in church as well. I love Harry Potter! There is nothing wrong with liking the books or the movies. Everyone has different opinions about everything in life from food to health to religion to children - so why would you take to heart what your friend says about Harry Potter?
Are you a Christian? Do you teach your child right from wrong? Do you teach your child to have faith in Jesus Christ?
Why are you second guessing yourself?
If you and your daughter love Harry Potter then there is nothing wrong with that. There are far worse things going on in families today then what movies you see.

Answer 4

I LOVED Harry Potter. I had no problem at all with it.

This is my Child Development major coming into play in this answer:

Developmentally speaking, preteens and teens want to feel like they are special and unique. That they have something that no one else in the world has and that they are "IN THE KNOW," of something no one else knows. This is part of them gaining an identity that they're comfortable with which helps them psychologically to be independent from the parents and also better equipped in relating to the society they will one day be responsible for.

This movie is so good because it's definitely about a group of kids "IN THE KNOW..." They're being good influences to other kids, they're standing up for the truth against evil. It's basically sending out the message for kids to think for themselves and make educated decisions. It teaching kids that as you get older, decisions and actions become more serious (SIRIUS...hehee) and consequences have a heavier weight or burden of responsibility.

I saw a huge contrast of GOOD versus EVIL in this last movie and I was fascinated by the depictions between the two, especially in the end when Harry Potter and "You know who," confronted each other.

I think Harry Potter (this last movie) is very age appropriate for preteens and teens. I think those kids prone to being attracted to the witchcraft are kids whose parents haven't talked about the aspect of "growing up," and taking responsibility for their actions...there is no such thing as any kind of SPELLS or magic to blame things on. Parents do have a burden to explain this movie, it's so much easier to eliminate it than to explain it.

This movie could really open up a lot of communication between the parent and child (preteen/teen), if the parent only took the time to explain it. The kids at this time are smart, they're attracted to things they can relate to...I would concentrate on the uniqueness part and their stance against evil. I wouldn't concentrate on the magic/witchcraft and I'd explain why it isn't real and why it's fiction.

I agree, the bloody and gory movies, I stay away from them as well. I'll take a Harry Potter over Pirates of the Caribbean any day.

Answer 5

I am a Christian, too and LOVES the Harry Potter series. I've been reading the books since before and I should say that it is nothing but mere entertainment. Through the years that I have been reading the book and watching the movies, the idea of trying on witchcraft or believing in such things has never crossed my mind.

My tip for you is to guide your child while she is watching these type of movies and show her the difference between reality and fiction. I'm sure that as a preteen she is old enough to understand the difference but nothing beats the guidance of a parent.

Answer 6

I also like Harry Potter movies but I think some people worry about the movies creating an environment that breeds more acceptance of witch craft and further decays the moral fabric of the world with glorified wrong actions. I did not see any difference in the moral value of Harry Potter movies than I did Pirates of the Caribbean movies where death and morals such as a glorified thieves were shown. To be truth full I also liked that movie too. Its not so important as what you watch as how you teach your children how to decipher the truth. After each movie I would think it a good thing to talk about real witchcraft to show why the lord does not like it and also talk about things like death so they know the true meaning of it.

Answer 7

I used to go to a very conservative Christian college, so I know all about what you're talking about.

Some people's belief that the Bible and God condemn witchcraft of all kinds is so strong that any representation of it or what could be construed as a glorification of it is deemed inappropriate.

But I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, and I loved the moral at the end of the 7th book... Love overcomes evil... Love is the greatest magic of all... Family is greater than power... Companionship greater than seeking greatness...

That is Christian morality if I ever heard it.

Answer 8

My oldest daughter and family love Harry Potter and read all the books and see all the movies as many times as they can. They are very innovative and creative people and look for what they can learn and teach their children from whatever they read or see, good or bad. I think the more we tell someone not to go to a movie or read a book will make them want to all the more. The scriptures in the old testament that deal with witchcraft and magic was a very real and serious problem at that time. God wants us to look to Him for our answers to life's difficulties so it is very important to reinforce our childrens' lives with the Word of God. We also need to study the scripture in it's context and relevency to our lives today. Hope you continue to trust the Lord with your live and your son's life and be confident in what you believe and only fear God not all the horror stories people will try and scare you with.

Answer 9

I am not Christan and I too am a fan of Harry Potter. Some elders think these books/movies are spoilers and will not help us in any way. I agree, they don't help us, but they don't affect me in wrong ways either. I am not going to grow up to be a Witch! I read them because they have got a humor, adventure, fight against evil... and on top of all they make us feel good inside... I have read them and reread them. They are just fictional and I know it. People are jealous!!!

Answer 10

I'm Christian, and one of my friends growing up couldn't even watch the show That's So Raven because it had to do with physics, and we were probably in the third grade. And she totally understood how it all wasnt real. Also my brother is a huge fan of harry potter, and he too knows that its all fiction. As long as you explain to your kids that it is all unreal, I believe it would be perfectly fine if you take them to see Harry Potter.