Anti-Harry Potter Parents out of control...?

Question

I hate how some Christians don't allow their children to read Harry Potter, and I'm one of those kids. (I'm 13) I don't think they (they being people like my mom) think for themselves. They see that its about magic, witches and wizards and they assume it's evil. But why don't they read it for themselves and see deeper within the actual idea of the story?
There are many more things to worry about than kids reading stories about witches and wizards. It makes me mad that my mom makes the biggest deal of it, when there are bigger problems, like kids smoking, getting pregnant etc. And she's worried about me reading a kids book!

And banning the books doesn't help at all. "When in doubt, ban it," is what they're teaching. And that's definitely not right because you can't be cut off from the world, no matter how "Evil" something is. And even though banning the books seems trivial, it could possibly lead to kids leaving their faith, assuming it isn't just book banning. What're your views?

By the way, I admit I've already read all 7 books, the 1st 6 of them at least twice..Sorry if that makes me seem like a hypocrite. It's just that my mom is constantly telling me (sometimes yelling...) that I shouldn't read it, and it really angers me, especially when she goes a tad bit too extreme and steals my books...and making me feel like a criminal for reading them. I'm generally a good person, I'm not at all a troublemaker, I get good grades. I know she's not purposely trying to make me miserable (Ok, I exaggerate
occasionally), but I feel if she let me make some desisions about what I do, I'd be much happier and feel much more mature.

Even when I tell her I'd never go literally insane and start actually trying magic, she doesn't believe me. I think a parent should have some sort of trust in their own child. And when you think of it, there is nothing innapropriate about Harry Potter. There slight are mentions of blood, injuries ,and death but the world isn't much different.

Answer 1

I'm totally with you. Harry Potter has gotten millions of kids around the world to actually start reading, and it's a really AMAZING book! If mothers put all that book-banning energy into other issues, as you said, like drugs, I'm sure the world would be a bit better.
What really bugs me, though, that total anti-HP fanatics are like, "No, you should read BETTER books, like Lord of the Rings and Chronicles of Narnia!" Excuse me, but if I remember correctly, those books have magic and witchcraft in them too. Just because the writer doesn't incorporate the Jesus theme doesn't meant children can't read it. Believe it or not, moms, we CAN tell the difference between fact and fiction. Nobody could actually believe witchcraft is real.
Besides, Harry Potter talks about many Christian ideals and values, namely love. Isn't that the essence of God? Is love not the most important theme in the Bible? (1 John 4:8-God is love. Not God HAS love, God IS love.)
I love the Harry Potter series, and it's too bad some Christian parents don't allow their kids to read it, especially if they haven't even tried and read it themselves (*cough* Laura Mallory *cough*).

Answer 2

Well, I'm sort of an atheist, and my parents don't really enforce religion on me; I mean, I go with them to like religious stuff, but they don't think of Harry Potter as "evil". The only time that my parents ever banned books on me was when I was reading too much, to the point where my eyes would be blood-shot red, I'd read to 3 am in the morning, and I would always forget about school work...and I'm 14 by the way. :) Harry Potter doesn't show evil or anything like that. I mean sure, once or twice I wished that Hogwarts would be real, and going somewhere like that would be AMAZING, but this is all wishful thinking inside of a kid's brain; we don't take any of these things to heart. It's like when I was 5; After reading fairy tales, I've always wanted to be a princess or have a unicorn; Just because we read about magic doesn't mean that we're intending on becoming "wizards". That's totally...loony! So, I think this is a little unfair; I read Harry Potter in the 6th grade, and I thought it was AMAZING! :) And I very much agree with what you said in that last paragraph; Banning things doesn't help at all; you CAN'T be cut off from the world; That's why I HATE when my parents ban things from me. :(

Answer 3

Dear child, listen to your mother for as she is responsible for you right now. She is older and wiser then what you are. She see things of truth that you can't even see right now. Because the Harry Potter books are something that you crave for and "YOU" see no harm in those books don't make it right. I'm sure that you are a good kid and maybe that is all that you are doing ( reading only ) but your mother is trying to protect you. Books can have a lot of influence on a person. Yes, those Harry Potter books do consist of witch craft, magic etc. I also won't allow my son to read them. If you are enjoying reading these books then your mind has already been captured into the world of darkness. Is your mother a christian? If she is then it is her rightful duty to instruct you to do away with evil. And if she isn't a christian then she still have the common sense to know the difference. Listen to your mother and obey her because one day you will be glad that you did. There is a lot of sinful things in this world that looks good, sound good and even make you make you feel good but these things of darkness is only to lure your innocent little minds into the hands of the devil. I would say burn them!!!! Free yourself child! Never look back! Obedience is better then sacrifice. You haven't been in this world long enough to make drastic decisions. That is why God put a good parent over top of you.

Answer 4

Actually, Harry Potter supports Christian morals. It's good versus evil, love versus hate, and goodness and love prevail. Parents ban that book not realizing that they are banning a FANTASY story. Why be picky? Ban LOTR, Wizard of Oz, and every other fantasy story. Why pick on Harry Potter? No one is supposed to believe that they can wave sticks in the air, say a few funny words and get whatever they want. That wasn't J.K. Rowling's point at all. All parents like that are doing is stifling imagination and taking away books that keep a person's brain engaged and sending their children to go watch T.V., play video games and other mind-numbing activities. What I don't understand is why parents can call a book that's about goodness and love for others evil. You're right, parents should be more worried about those things than a silly kid's book (however much I adore Harry Potter, it is silly compared to those things). If you really want to read the books, talk to your mom. Try to reason with her.

Answer 5

There is a lot of truth in what you say.

I was in the military while President Carter was in office and I had an opportunity to see the way the "US war on drugs" was destroying third world nations. It became obvious to me that the US legalizing recreational drugs would help politically stabilize these third world nations. Just because something is obvious does not mean anyone is going to do anything intelligent.

The same is true of Harry Potter. In the last book Harry carves a cross over the grave of a fallen comrade. It is the only reference in any of the books I have seen to Christianity.

Your mother is trying to keep you away from "bad things" and sometimes parents over protect. You will understand why when you have children. That does not make it "right" and you probably believe that you won't make the same mistakes your parents made when you raise kids. You will make some of the same mistakes in different ways and you will make some of your own mistakes.

The reality here is that you are being just as intolerant of your mothers opinion as she is of yours.

Of course she can keep you from reading somethings when you are around her, but, if you are a normal kid you are sneaking books and reading them anyway.

It has been happening that way for thousands of years. It is not going to change no matter what anyone does.

Answer 6

The Harry Potter series may seem innocent to many, including many Christians. But think of it this way, it does show witchcraft as an item of enjoyment, something that is natural to all. In reality it is opening the door to many other little white lies.
Compare it to an alcoholic in the presence of alcohol. The temptation is strong to take a drink. So strong in fact that they often give in to the temptation. The enjoyment of a simple book that speaks and encourages witchcraft and evil opens the Strong temptation.
It's been proven somewhat already in the fact that you've disobeyed your parents and read the books already.
A healthy person seldom gives a sick person health by associating with them. But a sick person often spreads their illness to a healthy person. For this reason we need to avoid things that can make us sick.

Answer 7

I do feel bad for you, but trust me, not all Christians are like that. As a person of Christian faith and a Teacher, I've seen how wonderful the books are, children want to read!! As far as magic, witches, and wizards, all I know is my parents were very strict on what we were exposed to as children. However, the show "Bewitched" was one of our favorites. It was a T.V. show, just like H. Potter books are just that, books. I agree with you about the trivial things, I rebelled and became a wild teen-ager. Still have my faith in God, anyway I'm much older now.

Answer 8

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
--Harry Potter

Hey, I'm a big HP fan myself. I've read all the books several times and love the movies. I think there's much worse stuff on prime time TV. Still, I can understand how some people might not approve a character that says stuff like the quote above.

Answer 9

Parents. If they acted like real parents and taught their children right and wrong and values and morals, then they should have no worries. Instead of leaving the house to protest a book, why do they not stay at home and be in their children's lives? It is like violent videogames. If parents talk to their kids about what is fantasy and reality there should be no problem with the child. Especially if the child is brought up in a healthy household where from since birth they are taught right from wrong from both parents. Seriously, Harry Potter? I can think up more important things to protest that teens and kids do nowadays than some silly fictional book about a boy wizard.

Answer 10

What do I think? I think you should listen to your parents for they care for you.

What is my opinion...
Not only is it not evil.. it is pure undeniable fantasy. It's fiction. It's meant to be that way. I think any parent who cannot appreciate a fairy tale for what it is, should re-assess their values. If I were to say "there are pixies" in the bottom of your garden do they go running to see? No. Are the pixies evil? Clearly no, by the simple reason that they do not exist, not even at the bottom of your garden.

Oh yes, and I loved the book. One consolation is that you can always make a choice to read it when you get old enough to make decisions for yourself. It will be just as entertaining then.

Of course you could always show your parents these answers but then you would be banned from Y!A wouldnt you@!