In life there are some things that are black and white issues and easily discernable by Christians. The Harry Potter series, however, lives in the grey matter between the two. There are two extremes in the Christian community. The one extreme is Christians who believe that anything dealing with fantasy and the imagination is wrong and sinful. The other extreme feels that we as Christians need to live in the world to understand it. These Christians would have no problem with reading Harry Potter. So, who is right? Tiring of hearing Christians who haven't read Harry Potter comment on them like they had, I decided to read the series myself and draw my own conclusions.
MAGIC DISCLAIMER: Before I begin I think I need to define the term Magic.
When we are discussing issues within the realms of reality and real life a discussion on Magic can be broken down into two types: 1.) Illusion and slight of hand and 2.) Magic that is found in witchcraft and other cultic practices. The first definition is not really touched on in Scripture, although we do find people like Gideon using it in warfare (Book of Judges). The second definition is blatantly sinful according to the Bible. Witches and wizards are condemned for their sorcery. Why? Because they did not believe and worship the God of Heaven and believe in his Son. Instead they relied on their own powers and control, seeking fame and fortune by thir false practices of divination, looking to themselves and spirits to give them power. Yet is not magic the use of supernatural powers? Could not a Christian who prays for a sick person who mysteriously becomes well be comdemned for using magic? No. It is not the use of spiritual power that makes "magic" bad. It is looking and calling for spiritual power from the wrong places that makes it a sin. So what do we say when we see a Wizard like Gandalf in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings use magic? At first, nothing. We must examine the source from which it comes. Further review of Tolkien's masterpiece will show that Gandalf is using powers that were established by an all Good Being during the creation of the world. Only later when some powerful spirit beings rebelled did wickedness enter the world. It was this wickedness and evil that Gandalf used his magic to fight. The same can be seen in the Chronicles of Narnia where we find magic rings, a magical painting, and a magic wardrobe. And what about all that magical stuff Aslan did? Again, we need to examine the context. All powers used in Narnia were from God. I am not, at this point, endorsing Harry Potter. All that I am asking is that when you deal with Fantasy Magic, you must realize that it may not be what you think. Read it. Understand it's context. Then reach your conclusion from there.
Harry Potter Series overview comments:
The book is about a young boy named Harry who finds out on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. He is sent off to Hogwarts school of wizardry to learn to properly hone his skills as a wizard. The seven book series covers the seven years he is at Hogwarts. The same problems of greed, selfishness, and discontentment that plague our world also plague the world of wizards the Harry lives in. At times, it even appears to be better to be an ignorate muggle (non-magic person) than to know the real goings on.
Book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Introduction: Rescued from the outraeous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
OVERVIEW: Book 1 is an extremely well-written fantasy that any child would die to be a part of. The book moves along at a nice pace, has several, well planned surprises, and brings the reader to a smiling, happy conclusion. It is easy to see why the first part of this seven book series garnered so much attention and popularity.
GOOD POINTS: Throughout the book events happen that show why it is so wonderful to have good friends. Friendship and sticking up for each other is exemplified.
PROBLEM POINTS:
On page 29 we find Hagrid pouring himself a Brandy.
On page 41 the author uses the word d-mn.
On page 133 astrology is suggested as a possible way to find out about the future. Hermione, however, disagrees by saying later that "it is a very imprecise branch of Magic."
On page 181 Hermione, who, to this point, has been a wonderful character who always keeped the rules starts to enjoy breaking them. "Hermione had become a bit more relaxed about breaking rules since Harry and Ron had saved her from the mountain troll..." Humanist Lesson: "It is o.k. to break the rules as long as you don't get caught."
On page 255 two people were in trouble. One was Harry's friend (Neville), the other his greatest enemy (Malfoy). His comment, "You don't think they've been hurt, do you?" whispered Hermione. "I don't care if Malfoy has, but if anything has happened to Neville..."
Humanist Lesson: "Love those who love you, hate those who hate you."
Summary: While there are these few bad points, overall the story would be somewhat acceptable for Christians and I don't think Christian kids would have a problem discerning what is right and wrong. However, Book one sets a very deep hook. Any child that reads this book will want to read the next six. Because I have a problem with books three and four, I am afraid I will never allow my children to read these books.
Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
OVERVIEW: After Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone raised much controversy with Christians in both their homes and classrooms it appears that J.K. Rowling set out to prove that her books had no connection with the actual Wiccan religion (witchcraft). She pulls from numerous well known fictional creatures, from the phoenix and pixies to gnomes.
GOOD POINTS:
- Something is wrong and Harry and his friends are going to do what it takes to save the school, including risk their lives if necessary.
- Friendship with good friends is great to have, especially in tough situations.
- There is some funny humor in the book, keeping it in the realms of a child's fantasy story.
PROBLEM POINTS:
- Arthur Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic. He is in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office which collects common items that have been jinxed, hexed, or in some other way altared by a witch or wizard. Usuing such items by a wizard is illegal. However, Arthur Weasley himself tinkers and collects Muggle items. It is this sort of hypocracy (do as I say, not as I do) that is prevalent throughout the book.
Postmodern lesson: It is o.k. to do something just as long as you do not get caught. Even then if you feel it is o.k. then it is fine. Right and wrong is up to your interpretation. There are no absolute standards.
Summary: Again, another great book. Again the book dives right into the postmodern thought of relativism (it is o.k. to do it if you think it is o.k., regardless of the rules.) The book has many good points to it and, overall, was a fun read.
Book 3: Harry Potter: Escape for Azkaban
OVERVIEW: J.K. Rowling continues to keep her story somewhat light, although Malfoy and his goons are getting extremely annoying by the end of this book. There is also considerable swearing in this book with the words D-mn and G-d appearing several times.
GOOD POINTS:
It is getting harder to find good points. All of the characters seem either distant or traitors. The funny humor is being replaced with a more pressing storyline. It is getting really hard to find a good hero in this series.
PROBLEM POINTS:
- Harry, as a third year, is now permitted to go to the town of Hogsmeade during the weekends. (Hogsmeade is an all wizard town.) However, because his evil step parents will not sign his permission form, he is not allowed to go. Instead of going to the proper authorities who had made the law and explain his situation, he decided to sneak there instead because what his parents had to him was "not right."
- (chapter 6) In the class of Divination, Harry and his friends are taught to read tea leaves as well as other items to tell the future. All of them believe it is a big joke and the way they pass their classes is by making stories about how they read the leaves, star charts, etc. They found if they predicted they were going to die horrible deathsit please prof. Trelawney. Regardless of wether or not it is "real" in the books, items like Tarot cards and how to read them can be found in any Barnes and Noble book store. I am afraid seeing such books on a bookshelf might spurn some young Harry fans to "do what he did." Just go to Barnes and Nobles and ask for witch kits. They will take you right to them.
- A genuine trance takes place. Trances had happened before in the story but it is made clear later in the story that they are just hoaxes. However, this time the trance is real. Their professor is possessed and predicts the future. We as Christians know that trances are something that are very real and often used improperly in the occult to communicate with demons. We are to avoid such things.
Summary: While this book has some neat twists, it is starting to get a little more real. Items that seemed to be only made up and phony, like traces, are now actually happening for real. This makes me very concerned for what might come later.
Book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
OVERVIEW:
While the plots of the first three books were light and often humorous, the plot takes a darker twist that remains unresolved at the end of this book, hinting rather strongly at the darkness that is to come.
GOOD POINTS:
I am afraid this book left me both hanging and depressed. My favorite character, who I thought was a good role model, actually turned out to be a fraud. Relativistic depression rules this book.
PROBLEM POINTS:
There is numerous swearing in this book: D-mn (8 times), H-ll (2 times), G-d (2 times). What a disappointment. It is not needed, especially in a children's book. If Charles Dickens can write a masterpiece without swearing, I think Rowling can as well.
- Irresponsible gambling is found when the Weasley brothers bet on the National Quidditch match. They are too young to do so but their father, who is standing right beside them when they do it, does nothing about it. They never get in trouble for doing so. Instead, after the match they are mad that they did not get the money they had won. No point is made that they had bet all the money they owned and if they had lost it they would be in major financial trouble.
- On page 202 Ron calls his teacher a "miserable old bat" with no reprimand. And we wonder why students talk back to teachers...
- Page 229-230 '"That was a lie, Harry," said Hermione sharply over breakfast, when he told her and Ron what he had done. "You didn't imagine your scar hurting and you know it." "So what?" said Harry. "He's not going back to Azkaban because of me." "Drop it," said Ron sharply to Hermione as she opened her moutn to argue some more, and for once, Hermione heeded him, and fell silent.' Postmodern lesson "The lie seemingly didn't hurt anything. Let it go. Whats the big deal."
- In the contest for the Triwizard Cup, it was a custom to cheat. No participant was to know what the three tests were until they met them that day. However, all four participants showed up ready to fight because they had all cheated. In fact, Harry is even built up to be a sort of savior to Cedric Diggory. Cedric had no idea what the first test would be. Harry had told him just before the event so that he would not be killed. What is interesting is that the test was hard enough, even for those who knew what was coming. Why not make it common knowledge what the test would be? If a person actually played by the rules, they would have died. Postmodern lesson "If you play by the rules you lose. Only cheaters are winners." Sadly Rowling is only mirroring the world's athletics of today.
- On page 576 Harry has a prophetic dream in a trance-like state. This hit very close to home to witchcraft and other occultic practices. I am curious. Rowling has made no mention of any all-powerful spiritual being. So, from where did this dream come?
- At the end of this book the reader experiences the first death of a somewhat well-known character in the story.
- Voldemort is "reborn" and Dumbledore is scared (at least it appears so). This also is very upsetting because Dumbledore seems to be a great character who always does what is right. He listens to everyone, regardless your name or rank. It will be a very sad day if Rowling ever decides to make Dumbledore into a fraud as well.
- p. 722 "It is my belief, however, that the truth is generally preferable to lies..." I'll let you guess what is objectionable to that quote from Dumbledore to Harry.
SUMMARY: What is so depressing about this book series is that there is no stable, unchanging, righteous person in it (i.e. The Chronicles of Narnia has Aslan and The Lord of the Rings has Gandalf.) Madeye Moody set a great track record throughout this book, only to turn out to be an imposter. It is even hinted that Dumbledore, who has been the stalwart of justice and fairness, apparently is for Voldemort getting his body back and returning to power. I think I need to put down Harry Potter and read Lord of the Rings again. Postmodern lesson: "You can trust no one because no one is worthy to be trusted."
Book 4's Postmodern Lession: "Life stinks. Do the best you can but expect nothing better.
Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
OVERVIEW: Book 5 reveals more of Harry's past and reveals more about his parents. He falls in love for the first time with Cho and even gets his first kiss. But, with every relationship comes this first break-up as well. Lord Voldemort returns in physical form and duels it out with Dumbledore but not to the death. Then the book ends.
GOOD POINTS:
- With hints in book four that Albus Dumbledore might be involved with Lord Voldemort it was good to see in this book that Dumbledore is not only againstVoldemort but is more powerful than him. This leaves a unanswered question, however, as to why Lord Voldemort is so greatly feared with someone more powerful in existence? Maybe this will be answered later.
PROBLEM POINTS:
First of all the first 3rd of the book, all 300+ pages of it, is full of SHOUTING AND ARGUING! DID I MENTION IT WAS FULL OF SHOUTING! YES! IT IS! I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY UPPER CASE LETTERS IN ONE BOOK! IT GOT TIRESOME! O.k. enough of that. Oh yes, did I mention that Harry was arguing with everyone! Harry argues with his aunt and uncle. He argues with his friends. He argues with his uncle. With his uncle's house elf, with his friend's mother.
The punishment of Harry's was nothing short of mascasime. It is sick.
There is swearing in this book: D-mn (5 times), H-ll (2 times). What a disappointment. It is not needed, especially in a children's book.
Summary: While the first couple of books were fun and exciting with the new items and enchantments around every bend, Rowling has choosen to stop exploring and delve into the depths of the characters beings. This is fine for an adult book, but we are dealing with children here. Also, many plots and characters are re-warmed so many times they are boring.
Book 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
OVERVIEW: Harry and his friends return for their sixth year at Hogwarts. All of this is overshadowed, however, by a growing war between the Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters. Killings and disapperances abound as the students warily go about to school. Due to the times, Dumbledore finds it necessary to give special lessons to Harry were we learn a great deal more about Lord Voldemort, including why he is still alive. In the end, Dumbledore is killed and Harry is ready to set out with a vengance to rid the world of Voldemort.
GOOD POINTS: The Weasleys' Wizard Weezes shop was enjoyable, harkening back to when the Harry Potter books were light and fun.
PROBLEM POINTS: The first 200 pages were absolutely not necessary. You could have read the first 200 pages of any of the Potter books, picked up the Half Blood Prince at page 201 and been fine.
Alcohol once again flows freely in the Potter series as does swearing; H-ll (2), D--m (3),
G-d(3).
Once again Rowling mixes in real magic into her books, talking about Tarot card reading, reading ancient runes, charms, divination, herbology, potions, and the number 7 being magic's most powerful number.
My major issue with book 6 is that of the premise that love defeats evil. How? Dumbledore falls all over himself exclaiming how Harry is different than Voldemort because he can love. Harry is "pure of heart", he is "untarnished and whole". When Dumbledore mentioned that, I almost fell out of my chair. Harry has stolen, lied, cheated, thrown temper tantrums, hated and envied others and is in every way sinful. In what way is he pure? In what way can he love? Looking back over the series, the world "loving" is not a word I would connect with Harry Potter.
The problem altogether lies with the problem of evil. The "good" person only studies and performs "good" magic, while the "bad" person studies and performs both good magic and magic that is considered "evil" or "out-of-bounds". Now, logic tells us that the person who has studied both good and bad magic truly is more powerful. How does Rowling handle this? She takes the redemption story from the Bible and gives the lead role of Jesus to Harry to try to pull it off. But there is a major difference in the two choosen ones. True, they both are fighting evil. However, One was pure in every respect. He came showing love and compassion to all, turning the other cheek when he was struck, loved his enemies and ultimately dying a horrible death so that His enemies might be saved in the end. The other person is not pure, doesn't have a clue how to love, seeks revenge and retaliation at all costs. It will be interesting to see how Rowling finishes her tale with such an imperfect savior.
SUMMARY: Like the previous serveral books, poorly written but the hype keeps it selling. I am curious as to how many kids actually read the whole thing. The entire storyline is getting very stale. I am glad the series is almost done.
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