Harry Potter vs Chronicles of Narnia?

Question

Why do some people ban and consider Harry Potter bad and evil when Chronicles of Narnia is concidered a religious story? What is the difference?

both:
*magic
*creatures that dont exist
*good vs evil
*kids defeating evil

Answer 1

I'm a Christian and don't consider either to be harmful. I recognize the Chronicles of Narnia as a Christian allegory, but then again, so is the story of Beowulf. I don't recognize Harry Potter as a Christian allegory, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying it as a great piece of literary work and entertaining movies.

I caution Christians who are quick to judge and ban any books out there to take a step back and think. It's a slippery slope that one goes down when starting to determine which books should be banned and which should not. We as Christians believe that we're to be IN the world, not OF it. But being IN the world means being aware of what's out there. If you choose to judge Harry Potter as evil, make sure you've read it and you form your OWN opinions.

I remember back in the 80's when "The Last Temptation of Christ" came out. Fundamentalist pastors everywhere were protesting it and calling for an outright boycott on Universal Studios for distributing it. Most, when asked, admitted they had never seen it. They just "heard it was blasphemous." It was called "blasphemous" because supposedly, it showed Jesus having sex with Mary Magdelene. While this is true, that's not really how it was...the context of that scene was when Jesus was on the cross...the filmmaker suggested that he was tempted to come down off the cross and end his suffering. (As a Christian, I believe that in his human state, he probably WAS tempted to come down off the cross.) And the filmmaker portrayed him as thinking, "What if I didn't do this? What if I was just a carpenter, and married Mary Magdalene?" And his thoughts went to thinking of sharing a marriage bed with his wife. I see nothing wrong with that at all...and it certainly isn't blasphemous, to me.

The point of all that: Christians (or any other group) should not allow themselves to be swayed by someone else's claims of what is evil or not. They should judge for themselves.

I think that if Islamic people would do that instead of listen to fanatical mullahs rant about what is and isn't slanderous to Islam, there might be a lot less violence from radical muslim extremists.

Answer 2

Harry Potter

Answer 3

Scotty Does Know!!

Lion (Aslan) represents Jesus Christ and laying down his life for the sin of another, rising again, and defeating the witch who represents the deceitful devil.
The weapons the children use represent the full armor of God.
In the end the children sit along side Aslan on the throne of Narnia which is a promise that is made to those who believe that Jesus is the Messiah. We will all be crowned in heaven.

Harry Potter(like Scotty said) is Godless but good vs evil and good wins. I enjoyed the books and the movies and look forward to another from JK Rowling.
My Christian friends and I often disagree on what is ok and what is not. Everyone must make their own prayerful decisions on what to watch or allow their children to watch.

Answer 4

The lion in Narnia is looked upon as a Christ figure (the magic comes from an outer omniscient source).

In Harry potter the magic is godless because it comes from within. This can be viewed as a form of narcissism which Christians believe to be sinful.

Answer 5

Because Harry Potter has wizards that aren't like the Chronicles of Narnia..
Narnia has a witch that can do power..
In Narnia not everyone can do magic..

Harry Potter however is a wizard and
not only is there crude Language there
is also evil that people are afraid of..
J.K.Rowling invented characters that
people want to be and act out..
S.C.Lewis did not they are just good books
to read..

So people are afraid that someone is
going to try and be like people in that
book and also,
Withcraft is bad in religion.
Harry Potter is violent,while
Narnia is about innocence and
how family sticks together..

Hope this helped..
Utep.

Answer 6

Chronicles of Narnia untilizes mostly Christian imagery, the Lion, the prodigal son etc, whereas Harry Potter contains more diverse mystical imagery, traditional magic spells, mythological creatures, etc. Also Narnia is known to be a Christian allegory.

Answer 7

I see your point. I started reading the Narnia story a long time ago and lost interest. I quickly tired of reading the words "Son of Adam, Daughter of Eve" over and over again. The Harry Potter series was more fresh and exciting. But they both have dark undertones. I suppose it's a matter of personal preference. Religious people don't like ANYthing that takes the spotlight off of Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

Because people haven't read them. They go by what everyone else has said about the books, but don't go and read them for theirselves. Like that one person said, the lion is like Christ, with magic from him, and in Harry Potter it comes from yourself. It's just like Lord of the Rings vs. Harry Potter.

Answer 9

Well, Narnia is a story about kids "imagining" this magical world. However in Harry Potter, this world is real.

Answer 10

Good argument/point. :)

Well one thing they may think would be that the protagonists in HP use Magic, which influence "the children" into beieving it's a good thing. (pah). The main magical-evil-dooers in Narnia are the antagonists, (correct me if I'm wrong) so they may not think it's influencing the poor little children...

But it's ridiculous to hate Harry Potter for any reason, imho. ;)