2 Jun
Harry Potter is Evil (Rerun)
Original post date: June 6, 2002. Just in case you were wondering how many seconds till The Order of the Phoenix comes out:
A debate of the ages continues to rage! Is Harry Potter evil or are his stories imaginative and fun that get children engaged in reading? I would land in the latter group. However, Mary Ann (scroll down near the bottom) feels that Harry is EVIL!
Please understand that I give Mary Ann a hard time about this issue (hence, the bold evil above) and she has no problem giving me a hard time back, but it is an interesting issue.
Harry’s world is filled with magic, creatures, interesting and in my opinion a well written and engaging story line. The magic is what some Christians have the problem with. They suggest that the books are an introduction to witchcraft. Witchcraft is evil and extremely dangerous (I agree with this). However, I find it interesting that the people making these claims have not read the books. They simply jump on someone else’s ill-informed bandwagon.
The magic in Harry Potter is portrayed in the classic fantasy way, the way seen in many literary pieces that they regard highly. In works like the Narnia Chronicles, Alice in Wonderland, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, numerous fairy tales and nursery rhymes, the magic is evidently ignored.
There are movies, TV, and other media that are portraying magic in a real and less fantastic manner, and I would agree that this type of programming is dangerous.
In my opinion, Harry Potter has gotten kids excited about reading. Finally a series of books that does not pander to kids (as a result there are more books that take kids more seriously like The Series of Unfortunate Events). The brand of magic is clearly of the fantasy variety that is seen as fake and imaginary. Every child that I have talked to that have read the books have felt the same way and understood, without me explaining it to them, that the Harry Potter books are pieces of fiction. None of them went out and bought an Ouji board after reading the books.
Do I think parents should be reading the books with their kids? You bet! Especially as the series progresses, there has been a trend in each of the books getting progressively darker. I don’t know what the fifth book will hold but parents should be reading along with their kids.
Want some further reading on this? Try out these articles:
- The Perils of Harry Potter from Christianity Today
- Why We Like Harry Potter from Christianity Today
- Harry Potter Lures Kids To Witchcraft
- What’s a Christian to Do With Harry Potter
Please give your opinion below. I would love to hear both positive and negative responses as long as you know what you speak of. Please do not comment on the quality of the writing if you have not read the books! Or flame other people because of their opinion.
Class dismissed!
Update: Please read the sequel to this entry Harry Potter is Evil and the Chamber of Fear for additional comments and discussion.
Posted by Susan L. Prince on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Saw an interesting article yesterday on this very topic:
http://stacks.msnbc.com/news/868497.asp?cp1=1
Posted by Brenin on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I completely agree that Harry Potter is a good, FICTIONAL work. However, I must clarify for you.
I am a Theologist, studying religions ranging from Christianity, to Witchcraft. Most people today are not aware of what Witchcraft really is. Witchcraft is a religion that honores the earth. Many who practice Witchcraft worship Yahweh, the Christian God.
I feel that this discussion is in need of this clarification. Yes, the Witchcraft portrayed on tv can be called evil, but true Witchcraft is simply working with God to better the earth.
I hope this helps
Be safe, and be well. Brenin Arian
Posted by Darren on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
i think the debate is a side track from the real issue of how we as Christians should see harry potter as an opportunity to journey with kids on a level which leads them to talk about ‘deeper’ or spiritual things….
might post about this
Posted by Justin on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Hello, I am a 19 year old practicing Wiccan (Witch). I do not beleive that Witchcraft also known as Wicca is in anyway evil nor is Harry Potter. Harry Potter is a great story I enjoyed the books and the Movies the same. Harry Potter was not written to recruit young witches it is nothing more then a story. Wiccans are not trying to recruit others to Wicca either. Wicca is a earth, peace loving religion that has nothing to do with the devil. Thanks.
Posted by max anderson on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
CONTACT:
Marvin Baker
Baker Trittin Concepts
Phone: 616-846-8550
Fax: 616-846-8575
Email: btconcepts@ameritech.net
Web site: http://www.gospelstoryteller.com
Newly Formed Tweener Press Targets Reluctant Readers and Pre-Adolescent Boys
Grand Haven, MI—July 8, 2003—Launched mainly for the publication of Max Eliot Anderson’s Adventure Series, Tweener Press fills the gap for that often neglected ‘caught-in-the-middle’ group of boys aged 8 to 12 years. Taking up the cause of these frequently reluctant readers in the sensitive age group between the primary grades and teenagers, Tweener Press plans to hone in on this developing niche market.
Due in part to the success of the Harry Potter Series, Christian booksellers are recognizing the potential of this previously neglected market. The message to churches across the country rings out loud and clear; fill the gap with an exciting adventure series. Thus Baker Trittin Concepts, originator of the Gospel Storyteller Series, created Tweener Press. The new publishing company explodes onto the literary scene, and according to one of Baker Trittin Concepts founders, Dr. Marvin Baker, hopes to take up the market slack and to increase literacy in America. Paul S. Trittin, the other half of the publishing company is an internationally-renowned artist who specializes in the Bible and illustrating for Christian publications.
Dr. Baker said, “Max Elliot Anderson has made his mark but is taking a leap into another arena. We intend to help make it equally successful for him.”
Max Elliot Anderson’s enormous body of work also encompasses more than 500 national television commercials as well as his upcoming Adventure Series to be released this year.
Anderson received local, regional and national awards for his video work. The PBS television special Gospel at the Symphony was nominated for an Emmy and the double album won a Grammy. He was the recipient of ‘Best Cinematographer’ for his work on Pilgrims Progress, the feature film that starred Liam Neeson. He was the cinematographer on such notable Christian films for children as Hobo and the Runaway, and the Great Banana Pie Caper. He coduced a one-hour video interview with then President Ronald Reagan.
Max Elliot Anderson said, “Most of what is being produced for young readers today isn’t reaching the reluctant or defiant reader or young boys. Some of the Christian kids’ books are too preachy. Guys like humor, action and excitement. That’s what I’m writing. Dr. Marvin Baker, a noted writer and researcher agrees. The market will have to tell us if we are right or wrong.”
If early reviews by editors, parents and kids are any indication, Tweener Press and Max Elliot Anderson’s Adventure Series have found a hot spot in the market. As Ethan, one reluctant reader wrote, “Other books start to get boring but this one didn’t. Your stories are funny and exciting.” His mother, a children’s books author wrote,” My reluctant reader is right this very moment reading one of your stories. He’s so engrossed…” Later she wrote, “Ethan has decided to buy ALL of your books so I guess I’m committed.”
# # #
Posted by Christopher on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Max,
For future reference, it is improper to use bandwidth to advertise something on someone else’s blog, especially with a huge post like that.
If you have something to add to the discussion I would love to hear it 
, but your ad is inappropriate. I haven’t decided what I am going to do with it yet. It will not be tolerated again.
Posted by Max Elliot Anderson on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
My mistake.
Sorry for the abuse of your system. My point was in showing that there is a need for additional fiction for boys 8 - 13 after the success of the Potter series.
I’ll be more careful in the future.
Thank you,
Max Elliot Anderson
Posted by Cary T. on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I’m 20 yrs old and I am a born again Christian. I believe in the Bible where it states stay away from witchcraft and sorcery. BUT I think that the Christians aren’t reading the spine of Harry Potter where it states FANTASY meaning not real. The Christians are focusing on the witchcrat and wizardry. The same ppl that are saying Harry Potter are bad are the same ppl that let their children watch Wizard of Oz. Whats the difference? Nothing!!!! Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia are purely Chrisitan novels and are no different from Harry Potter. I think the Chrisitan ppl are acting foolish. We need to stop worrying about the negative and start looking at the positive. I love the Harry Potter series and it do has Christian elements. Want 2 know them? email me at belal_reborn@juno.com and I’ll tell you them.
Posted by undisclosed on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
The only smilies that i could see that would fit this thread would be this one
Look i used to go to church and yes I believe in god and everything but how the hell does a childs storybook character be evil? Witchcraft and wizardy can’t be involved with that either as I don’t believe that side of religion as in that we shouldn’t be supporting it or whatever 
Posted by Christopher on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
unsdisclosed, did you even read my entry? Talk about
, you comment takes the cake. 
Posted by MissyBell on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I have been in a raging debate with another teacher at my school ( I teach 9th grade English) about the books. I have read them all and think that there are so many allegorical themes it’s almost sickening… but the story is so incredible you don’t even think about it until you’re through unless you make a conscious effort. I also have found it quite humorous that when I watch Lord of the Rings (the movies), I can see numerous parallels, and the Christian community is actually excited about those books and movies. Harry’s magic is pure fantasy. He makes no pact with Satan, nor is there mention of Satan in the books. It should also be noted that Christian, not Pagan holidays are celebrated in Harry’s world… and it should also be noted that our Christian holiday dates are based around the Pagan calendar (Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day, etc.), so do we chastise ourselves?
Posted by BlueMoon on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
All of the “anti-Harry Potter” stuff is ridiculous!! They don’t have a clue how happy these books make kids feel. These people have based their entier world around religion and how to keep it safe from something that is doing no harm. I am not an Athiest, but just reading the articles that have been written about “The EVIL Harry Potter” makes me want to become one! It’s not fair to the children who look up to these books for courage and hope. They (the christians) say in every article that they must protect the youth from evil, but do you think that they have ever spoken to a child on this issue? Well, they should. In fact they should speak to me, because guess WHAT?!
I AM ONE! I have been reading these books since I was 9 years old, and not ONCE have I ever had the urge to get on a broomstick and jump off the roof, make a deadly potion, or ask my mom if we’re “magical”. It’s so disgusting what the anti-HP say that I actually cried when I read one complaint 
and if they think that Harry Potter is more evil than making a kid cry they are absolutely 
!! So if you have any thing to say that might interest me tell me, ok? Oh, and if you want to see the article that got me so peeved here it is, please read it. http://www.sspx.ca/Angelus/2001_September/Harry_Potter.htm
Posted by Kacy on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Ok i’m usually the kind of person that if a book doesn’t intrest me in the first chapter i stop reading, but when i read the Harry Potter books and i was looking foward to reading them in school. Then I was told that a bunch of parents complained that it was evil. I was appauled, to me Harry Potter is a wonderful and imaginative book that captivates anyone who reads it. In my opinion, the parents who objected to Harry Potter probobly wouldn’t have a problem with their children reading a book about Merlin. It’s literature at it’s finest. These parents also probobly would object to their children reading a Shakespear play such as a Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Posted by SVZ on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I think the entire “anti-Harry Potter” thing is just plain stupid. I’m an atheist but I have nothing against other religions since a lot of my friends have different beliefs.
I also love reading Harry Potter books. The book series is wonderfully written and it catches children’s attention and makes them WANT to read instead of watching TV. I, myself, have been inspired to become a writer because of the book series and my sister who HATED reading now loves to read because she was introduced to the series that made reading fun to her.
As for the whole Harry Potter is evil concept, I want to know WHY people think it’s so evil. Of course, there are such religions that believe anything involving magic is evil, but that’s no cause of banning Harry Potter books.
Well, there are some people who’s religions believe the word “green” is the color of the devil, so every book that has the word “green” should have the word crossed out. (I’m not kidding, this was in an article about books censorship.) I feel that if you don’t like or approve of a book, then don’t read it. You shouldn’t spoil the fun of others who enjoy it.
Posted by Samantha on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Harry Potter is a great story and more kids should read it. How many other books will be banned from bieng read to satisfy a few people. We have the right to read whatever we want( though not porn and that stuff) So all you christians and others that hate it go blah blah blah blah cause ther’re (look I can’t spell!) great books and they’ll be around for a long time yet
Posted by brogblog on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
“All of the “anti-Harry Potter” stuff is ridiculous!! They don’t have a clue how happy these books make kids feel.
So, if something makes you feel good, that means it’s okay? Can you show me that in God’s Word?
Let’s see — here are some other things that make people feel good, I guess that means they’re okay too:
Adultery
Pornography
Stealing
Casual Sex
The point here is that we should be examining things against the Word of God; not against what “makes us happy.” I hate to break it to you, but the ultimate end of God is not to make us happy.
God is more concerned with our CHARACTER than our COMFORT. He uses situations to craft us into who we need to be, not to make us happy smiling sinners.
Posted by Christian Who LOVES Harry Potter on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I just want to say that all those people who say Harry Potter is evil and destructive are stupid enough to act like little sheep and just follow the herd without ever growing a mind and actually reading the book. If they read it they would realize how it promotes Christian ideas. If you are a Christian who thinks you will get possesed by the Devil if you pick it up than I recomend you pick up the book God the Devil & Harry Potter at your local christian book store so you can get the facts about this wonderful childrens book.
Posted by Christian Who LOVES Harry Potter on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
If you wish to contact me with replies send E-Mail to firebolt_harry_10@yahoo.com
Posted by Tara Bruner on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
You know what i think….
Posted by Tara Bruner on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
(in harry potter’s defense)
Posted by joe suka on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I’m such an idiot. I stand here to say that Harry Pottery is the coolest thing EVER, and I wish I could be as intellegent as all of you. Too bad my comment had to be edited because I said some hateful things.
Posted by Kelbe on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I have to admit that I haven’t read any of the Harry Potter books (or seen the movies, but I have eaten a few of the jellybeans on a dare), thus I will not make any judgments. However, my campus minister loves them and will be using the Harry Potter series (in a positive way) to do a Bible study series this semester. I’m excited and maybe after my 8-week class ends I will attempt to read the books!
Posted by Jan Velsor on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Harry Potter vs the Bible? From a literary perspective, the Bible fails; HP is much better written. From a believable perspective, the Bible fails; good vs evil is better portrayed in HP. Kids (and adults) get their moral values and attitudes from that which that can relate to and understand. It’s all about parables, which is the basis of the Bible. HP is full of parables, better written than the Bible! Christians… stop running scared or become Muslim!
Posted by Christopher on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Jan your commnets have nothing to do with my post. Keep it on topic.
Posted by jake shawn on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
i have a conspirisy theory
to make a book be noticed make it contraversal then everybody reads it to find out for themselves why it is contraversal and millions of books are sold r.k.rowling did this and made money off gossip i have no problem with harry potter but the tactics that were used to make it sell are immoral and i would not be surprised if r.k.rowling started the debate herself
Posted by harmen on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I ‘ve read a lot of anti-hary potter artikels and sites, the most of them have never read the book or are reading the books to seek signs of occult, the weirdest thing i ‘ve read on a site was, green favourit collor of the devil, so we can’t wear green shirts or should we paint every thing what’s green another collor:?:
Has the world turned this way:sad::mad:
I think every literature has to be open for every one, its the childrens parents who are responsible, not the community. Some parents are thinking to much about their children, they are scared that their children are getting other ideas about life and religion that they make their ideas by listening to others and not reading the books to see what its about.
Posted by Ally on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
I am a Christian, I go to church on Sunday, and guess what, I like Harry Potter. It is fiction, and good fiction. The whole concept that it is evil is utterly ridiculous. It’s an insult to children that we can’t tell fact from fiction. And, for all these people that think it is evil, what about Lord of the Rings? Bewitched? Even Cinderella has witch craft in it! Just about 90% of fiction does. So why pick on HP?
Posted by Liza on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Well it’s quite apparent that many of you have no idea what evil is. There are hidden messages EVERYWHERE. In ALL works of fiction. Yes, even those cute Disney movies, good point “Ally”. The point Christians are trying to make when they say they are against Harry Potter is that they ACKNOWLEDGE the evil in it. Of course, when you acknowledge the evil in something, you do either of the following two things. Either hide it, or bring it out to light. I believe true Christians that really understand the Bible and what God is saying will keep their children from reading such a book. People like to argue their way out of many situations. In most cases, they over-argue their cases like a litany. Now I am going to shock you all by saying that I’ve read the first 5 of the Harry Potter books. I knew the moment I picked up the books that I was about to read about all the things God detests. And guess what, the books were as I expected. What was most shocking was their demand to be READ. Such interesting books they were. Enticing and exciting, leaving readers on the edge of whatever/wherever they are. I read the books with a mature mind and found them interesting, yet inappropriate for Christians. Now let me ask you this: How do you think brainless children will take to Harry Potter?? Children are rather stupid, as we all know. They have no minds of their own yet and whatever mind they do have, they are likely to change because of their susceptibility to exciting new concepts. Magic. Enough said. Say a baby wants something. No matter how dangerous it is, the baby does not care. Nor does a baby have a concept of fear/danger. If it wants to grab a jump cable with sparks flying out, it will. Kids are the same way. When being exposed to magic, the child thinks, “Say…wouldn’t it be great to be a witch/wizard to do all that great stuff Harry can do?” e.g.: Cheat, steal, lie; it’s not bad so long as you don’t get caught or hurt anyone in the making, right? Wrong people. I am a Pentecostal Christian and I know Harry Potter to be evil not because someone told me so. I figured it out single handedly. Tell me, if it took me so long to realise it myself, how long do you think it will take children?? Maybe after they’ve converted to Wiccan?? Also note that pastors who endorse Harry Potter are morons and I say this shamlessly. God help us all. My last point: The moment you realize something is a sin/evil, is when you bring out the justifications.
Liza
Posted by Christopher on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Liza says: “How do you think brainless children will take to Harry Potter?? “Children are rather stupid, as we all know.
Liza, do you even know any children?
And well, I’m not going to bother replying to the rest of your dribble you lost all credibility at this site with that statement.
I’m having to edit myself… would hate to resort to name calling like Liza… Hit submit quick!
Posted by Liza on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Christopher: Oh brother. Of course I know children. What kind of foolish question is that? I would not have made those claims about children otherwise. I’ve taken courses in Child Development and have learned the ways children think/communicate. Not to mention the ways they perceive the world in general. If you had any idea of such things…you’d have noticed it in my earlier post. Oh…and I believe it is you, Sir, who is speaking “dribble”. The only point you proved to my mind is that you indeed have made no point. Your credibility is sorely lacking.
Posted by MagmarFire on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
Liza, while I do commend you on NOT manipulating the facts in order to support your argument and jumping on a bashing bandwagon like what other people did on their anti-[i]Harry Potter[/i] articles, I must say that using the absolute, “Children are rather stupid, as we all know; they have no minds of their own. . . ” is rather foolish. From both a scientific standpoint and a spiritual one.
Scientifically, if someone weren’t to have a mind at all, s/he wouldn’t be able to move freely. They would be no more than puppets. This isn’t the case. Children are not as scatterbrained as you’re making them out to be; come to think of it, they’re resourceful, if anything. When they were toddlers, they would cry when they were hungry or sad. They would cry because they didn’t know our tongue. They had to do [i]something[/i] to get parents’ attention. Is that mindless to you? It’s not like a child’s always going to stick a knife in his/her gut in hopes of having candy spewing all over the floor because an older sibling told him/her so.
And what is this talk about “stupidity”? Define [i]stupid[/i]. By comparison, who’s the dumb one, a straight-F student or a straight-A student? Technically, you can’t really tell; the former may be at a terrible handicap. Doesn’t mean s/he is stupid.
My point here is intelligence is [i]relative[/i]. It’s not like on a shade-of-gray spectrum where you have a control and “points” where people are at intellectually. Granted, there are IQ tests, but those are incredibly inaccurate, even professional ones. Why? Because there is no definite trait that determines one as either “mindless” or “wise.”
Whom do you base “stupidity” on? Solomon? Jesus? If it is on either the latter or former, then it is not only children who are stupid, but [i]EVERYONE!!![/i] We are all manipulated to some degree. Thus, you can’t call people stupid without putting into account your own actions. Believe it or not, you, too, have made bad decisions.
As for your siblings, have you ever put into account different learning environments? With siblings comes sibling rivalry, and there’s bound to be some chaos there. The thing is, there are hundreds, nay, [i]thousands[/i] of different situations that can help drive a person’s decisions. With that in mind, you cannot base everything you know on children from just one environment and formulate an absolute. It doesn’t work like that. You need to look at every party’s side to fully understand, and basing all of your knowledge on children’s mentality on your siblings and child development classes won’t cut it. You need to go deeper than that. Otherwise, you’re being unfair and prejudicial. Proverbs 18:5 (NIV): “It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice.”
And about your child development classes… Yeah, have a rigid and stale mindset about how children’s minds operate, why don’t you? For Pete’s sake, children are [i]different[/i]! Me, I have something called Asperger’s Syndrome (if you’ve never heard of it, look it up). By general consensus, I am not “normal,” but what is “normal”? True, I don’t think or act the same way as other teenagers do, but I nonetheless wish I were treated like everyone else. That doesn’t mean I am. While I consider it a blessing from God, I wish that sometimes it would be nice if I were like neurotypical people to see how it’s like. What I see, though, from you, you’re judging all children regardless of whether or not they do give a crap about doing the right thing and making good decisions. How would you feel if you do your best to do the right thing, but are being unfairly labeled because you’re a child? You wouldn’t like it, would you?
And about the baby grabbing the electrical wire with sparks spewing from it, that’s also a shaky argument. While it can be true that a baby may do it if he or she wants to, it doesn’t mean that he or she is mindless. Curiosity isn’t a mindless thing. Heck, if it weren’t for the curiosity of people in the past, then much of the technology that we have today wouldn’t be around. The light bulb? Scratch that. Telephone? Forget about it. Knowledge of electricity? Get out. Vaccines and antibiotics? Impossible.
Point: curiosity may harm, but it’s not particularly mindless. If a certain action is taboo, then by all means, children do need to be instructed to avoid it! But that’s just it–instructing, not commanding. If children were truly mindless, then you’d be able to command them without much resistance, if any. But children can [i]think[/i]. (Oh, my gosh! NO WAY!!!
) They (usually) ask the big question, “Why?” As believers of God, we should give them the big answer if we can, not just, “BECAZ HE SAYZ SOOOOOOO!!!111!1″ In fact, it would be good to instruct them beforehand, as well. That doesn’t mean that children are dumb, though. They had no warning to begin with.
Remember the story of Jonah and the Ninevites (I wish my spell check would help me here…)? The Ninevites would do all these bad things: stealing, violence… But they had no warning. They never knew it was bad. Did that mean that they were mindless? No. Same with children. If they do stuff that’s dangerous, wouldn’t it be best to warn them about it and not label them as mindless puppets to the media?
Anyway, that’s the gist of it. Don’t depend solely on generality to get a fair conclusion. Search past your siblings and your classes. You won’t understand it all unless you look everywhere.
[i]kthxbai[/i]
P.S. And saying pastors who endorse [i]Harry Potter[/i] are morons… That’s not an argument at all! Calling someone a moron because he or she has a differing view than you… While you might not feel yourself shame, I bet you that others feel you pity.
By the way, we are all children of God. By saying that all children are mindless and can’t think for themselves, wouldn’t that mean everyone in the universe is the same: mindless?
Posted by Lordofwrath88 on 02.06.03 at 10:23 pm
As a Christian, i believe that the only good sorcerer,…… is a fictional one.