Christians Enjoying Harry Potter – Good Idea, Bad Idea?
2 Aug
Is Harry Potter good or evil?
That question may sound silly to some readers, but there are many Christians who believe it’s wrong to watch movies like Harry Potter (some very close to me whom I love dearly feel this way). I know because I’ve seen every HP movie in the theater, and have had this discussion with more than one Christian after they heard I was a fan.
Some Christians believe it’s wrong because Harry and his friends make witchcraft look like fun, and guess what – I understand their point of view.
Witchcraft is a serious sin as the Bible points out – check it out:
Galatians 5:19-21
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Those who “live like this” – that is, those who practice witchcraft as part of their ongoing, unchanging lifestyle “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Wow! Sounds like Harry Potter could be dangerous if it causes someone to want to practice witchcraft, but is it?
Patrick Mead made a post on Tentpegs today that I’d like to share with you … he writes:
… this is a timely question that came in recently via Facebook.
I saw on your Facebook page that you and your wife went to see the latest Harry Potter movie. How could you??? The Bible is very plain in condemning witchcraft. How can you support this evil with your money???
I’ve heard things like this many times since the first draft of Harry Potter was written on the back of napkins over lukewarm cups of tea. Why did I see the movie — and all the others? Because I’ve seen evil, and Harry Potter isn’t evil. It is a fantasy. I am just barely old enough to remember preachers condemning Rex Harrison and “Doctor Dolittle” for talking to animals (and, yes, there was even a Cincinnati preacher who railed against Mr. Ed for the same thing… and claimed that playing the song backwards revealed Satanic messages). I’ve read the articles written against C.S. Lewis for engaging in fantasy, calling him a supporter of witchcraft. Tolkien fought against the same charges.
Some people have a very hard time differentiating between fantasy and fun on the one hand and evil and darkness on the other. In the Bible, the witchcraft being condemned involved ritual murder, the killing of children, bloodletting, serial adultery, etc. I’ve met with witches (self styled), coven leaders, Satanists, people who were convinced they were Warlocks… and found them almost without exception to be sad, lonely people. They are the precursors to the lonely man/woman playing computer games where they are a twentieth level mage… while in real life they work at the Quiklube.
Then I have met others — sorcerers and necromancers and pagans of a different ilk. They were evil. You could see it in their eyes, hear it in their words, and watch them as they spread darkness wherever they could. I have seen photos and films made of butchered men, women, and children; pregnant women whose wombs were ripped open and their babies killed for the amusement of this or that army that stomped its way through their village, raping and burning all the while. THAT is evil.
Harry Potter — and thousands of other like minded books, plays, and movies — are allegories. They are stories of light versus darkness where light is treasured, heroism is lauded, and courage, honor, and loyalty are elevated highly. The characters are told to do the right thing, regardless of personal cost. TRUE darkness mocks the light and encourages people to follow the Satanic slogan of “Do whatever you want to do” (that is translated from their faux olde English styling).
You find witchcraft everywhere nowadays, but it is disguised as comedy, music, and drama. Watch carefully and you see that everyone’s problems are solved by self love, self esteem, etc. and by applying either sex or violence to the situation. Self sacrifice, humility, and grace are never in sight. Light is covered up in darkness. Witchcraft no longer uses brooms and the devil no longer cares about cauldrons and potions. Darkness has moved into the cultural center and calls itself light.
And if Christians can’t see that but, rather, spend their time fighting about Madeline L’Engle, C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, or Harry Potter… if they can’t tell the difference between metaphor, symbol, and reality… then we are in real trouble.
As Patrick points out, I don’t believe enjoying fantasy movies like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or the Chronicles of Narnia is the same as practicing real witchcraft.
But could Harry Potter and movies like it still be dangerous? I mean, the Harry Potter stories do glorify witchcraft by practicing it in the books and movies, don’t they? Could the books and movies cause a younger person (or even an older person) to become interested in looking into real witchcraft?
Of course they could.
But could watching the latest season of American Idol or America’s Got Talent influence someone to become obsessed with fame?
Could watching Jack Bauer handle business in 24 influence someone to commit an act of violence?
Could watching Judge Judy influence someone to act like a condescending jerk to everyone they come into contact with?
Yes, yes, and yes – the potential for evil is there in all of those things.
Here’s my feeling: almost any television show or movie a person watches has the potential to influence them for evil. I believe it’s up to individuals to decide how they’ll allow themselves to be influenced, and I believe it’s up to parents to do a good job teaching and explaining things to their kids (like the dangers of real witchcraft, and how Harry Potter is just a story that someone made up).
That’s how I feel, and I’m going to stop right there and ask you these questions:
Do you think Harry Potter be should be completely avoided by Christian families? Why or why not?
If you do believe it’s ok for kids to read the books or watch the movies, do you believe any precautions should be taken (i.e. should you talk to your children about real witchcraft before allowing them to read the books or watch the movies)?
What do you think? I’m interested in hearing from you.
Now, for no particular reason, here’s a picture of Harry Potter smoking a cigarette:
Harry prefers menthols ...
Tags: anti harry potter, c.s. lewis, christians against harry potter, christians vs. harry potter, christians vs. witchcraft, chronicles of narnia, cs lewis, evil world of harry potter, fantasy, gal 5, galatians 5, galatians 5:19-21, harry potter books, harry potter christians, harry potter cigarette, harry potter danger, harry potter dangerous, harry potter evil, harry potter good or evil, harry potter movies, harry potter smoking, harry potter vs christians, harry potter witchcraft, j.k. rowling, j.r.r. tolkien, jk rowling, jrr tolkien, judge judy, live like this, lord of the rings, no harry potter, patrick mead, patrick mead tentpegs, patrickmead.net, practicing witchcraft, sin, tentpegs, witchcraft, witchcraft evil, witchcraft sin, wrong to read harry potter, wrong to watch harry potter
My entire family thoroughly enjoys Harry Potter. The books AND the movies. We have had this same discussion amongst ourselves and I appreciate and agree with the way my dad puts it: “When we go to a movie or read a book, we are putting our own world aside and entering an entirely different world – a world of fiction. Reality is different. If the author or screenwriter that creates their world without a god or God, then we should accept THAT world without it. I’m not saying we should lay aside our Christian values and beliefs, simply that we should view a FICTITIOUS world the way it was created.”
In Harry’s world, witches and wizards are just another kind of human being. The only thing that makes witchcraft evil in that world are those who choose to use it for evil. Also, my sister did some research on the 6th and latest movie and told me these two things. I admit I have not done my own research and have not verified it for myself, but I believe what my sister told me, so I’ll just throw these two things out there for your consideration. The Vatican supposedly blessed the 6th movie for its clear representation of the fight of good against evil – the side of good uniting in faith and hope and standing against an enemy who seems so much stronger. Also, many law schools are using the 7th HP book as required reading because it teaches valuable lessons in ethics.
In short – do I believe Harry Potter is evil? Absolutely not.
I’m not a Harry Potter fan, but my wife is…and I don’t mind. I enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy much more, but that is just a personal preference.
Like Patrick Mead, I have worked with witches, too. One was malicious. The other was kind but misguided. Witchcraft is a sin against God in either case, but one is more obvious than the other.
As for teaching children, I believe in teaching my son about the dangers of witchcraft while allowing him to have some exposure to it in the media. Last Christmas, we bought a Scooby Doo cartoon video for him–I have forgotten the title. In the movie, the writers and director tried to tell kids that Wiccans were merely misunderstood people who drank herbal tea. I explained to my son that the people who made the movie were trying to deceive him and other children. Wicca is a false religion, despite what the people who made the movie were trying to teach. It was important that I watched it with him, because most Scooby Doo stories are innocent detective stories, but this one had a bad message. So I would advise parents to watch questionable movies with their children, ask them questions, and answer their questions.
Thank you for this discussion. I saw my first Harry Potter movie with my Grandson this past week and am all mixed up….he said it was because I hadn’t read any of the books (not because I am blond)…..not sure I am going to read them yet.
Keep up the good blogs….
Ben and Terry – I agree with both of you.
Ben – I especially like your dad’s point of view.
Judy – it’s worth renting the other movies and getting caught up, however I’ve heard the books are much better.
Here’s a comment from Bruce Logue via Facebook:
Wes, evil is far more sinister and abundant than Harry Potter. It shows up at work. It is present in the churchman that gossips about a fellow disciple. It sits at the elbow of the man who can get enough porn. Critics of HP need to realize that evil looks far more common and accepted than a book of fiction. It looks more like a friend. Making HP the enemy is disarming and gives the true evil a smoke screen to operate in our lives.
Here’s a comment from Charlotte Sohm via Facebook:
Wes, I started reading the books because I was going to have to talk to my students (4th graders, at the time) about why I *didn’t* read them. In doing so, I became a huge fan of JK Rowling’s writing. The HP books are some of my favorites in my book collection.
Do I think that these books should be avoided by Christian families? No, I don’t… Read More. I LOVE that Harry and his pals try their hardest to constantly and consistantly battle evil. Just as we shoud on a daily basis. Do they make poor choices ocassionally? Of course, but so does every human I’ve ever met – including myself. But the theme of love conquering all and good triumphing over evil is more Christian to me than some fiction works that are trumpeted as “Christian fiction.” The selflessness and devotion to doing what’s right above all else strikes me as something we should instill in all our Christian families. (Next question answered after the jump.)
Our oldest is 4. There is some material in the books that I don’t think he would understand yet, is too gory/scary, and or, is just not appropriate for a child his age. I do have to admit that I don’t like the swearing (bad language) in these books. I think I would object to this over the “witchcraft” that is preformed in these books. These … Read Morebooks are fantasy, and I would make sure that our kids know the difference between fantasy and reality before I read them the books. Even people who would call themselves true witches or warlocks would tell you that what the students do in these books is NOT true magic – it’s made-up, it’s fantasy.
As I mentioned before, our oldest is 4 years old, so these books are mature for him. A good friend of mine is letting her daughters read these as they get to the same age Harry is in the book. (For example, Harry is 11 in the first book, her daughter got to read the first book when she turned 11, but has to wait until she turns 12 to read the 2nd… Read More book, and so on.) I do think that, once a child gets to about 15 or 16 (maybe 14?), they’ll be exposed to so many other outside things, that it might be okay for them to “read ahead.” But, I like the idea of waiting until my kids are 11 to start reading the books.
Watching the movies is a little different, as the swearing content is down and the scary scenes are downplayed. My children haven’t seen them yet. I think I’d like them to read the books before they saw the movies, but I suppose that’s to be determined as they get older.
Finally, I’d like to say a huge AMEN to Bruce, who was so eloquent with what he had to say about what evil truly is and didn’t have to monologue like me. Wonderfully said, Bruce!
Here’s a comment from Janet Laudett via Facebook:
Here’s my thought Wes–what about all the Fairy Tales we grew up on of witches, etc??? Has anyone ever complained about them? (Maybe they have; I’ve just never heard it.) To me Harry Potter is a story, showing the value of courage and sacrifice; and the consequences of evil. Just like any story, for younger kids, you probably do need to make sure they understand it’s just a story, it’s not real, and help them learn the lessons to be gleaned from it. Just my thoughts!
Why bring Judge Judy (the $9,000,000 woman) into this forum? Watching her perform raises your sensitivity to patience, insight and proper judgment!
lol … yah I knew you’d like that.
Great post. I am in agreement.
Cool – thanks for the linkage amodernlevite
I am a Christian and I enjoy all the Harry Potter movies a lot The Lord of The Rings trilogy is my favorite 3 movies though . I feel reading or watching the Harry potter books/movies or anything like it is fine as long as you do try to get into anything to do with real magic or a real or fake religion that practices real or fake magic. watching or reading the Harry Potter movies or anything like it should be read or watched for entertainment purposes only so teach your children it is fiction and that real magic or sorcery is a terrable sin in the eyes of God if your child learns that from an early age then your child will be much less likely to dabble in the real occult.
I am a Christian, and I happen to love the Harry Potter series. I don’t find much wrong with them (although, like a previous poster or two, I don’t like the swearing). My mother, when she found out about how Harry and his friends are “witches” and “wizards”, banned the books from our house. I told her that I don’t pay attention to the magic. I like them, in part, because I can relate to the three friends (Harry, Hermione, and Ron). I love their sense of friendship and loyalty.
I am just really confused. I don’t want to make Jesus mad at me, but I don’t really believe that I’d go to Hell because I read a series of books. My pastor says that he thinks there isn’t anything wrong with the books, as long as “children know the difference between good and evil, and they don’t let the bad triumph over the good. And as long as children don’t pick up sticks and try to do spells.” Granted, my pastor is not God, so it’s not like he has the final say in things. What about other fiction? Like the books by C.S. Lewis? It seems like the same thing to me. There is no question that these books tell us that good is better than evil.
Alyssa – I am also a pastor, and I would agree with yours has said.