Here is my $0.02 on the HP matter:
It is unfortunate that this huge popular phenomenon glamorizes "witchcraft" and appeals to children to explore the occult. I believe that it will expose many of them to dangerous consequences.
In addition, and perhaps even more subtly and deviously, the children in the story regularly disobey the rules -- or decide which rules they can disregard -- and are then regularly commended and rewarded for doing so. I think this sends a very dangerous message to children that it is ok for them to disobey their parents, teachers, laws, or whatever if they don't happen to agree with the rule/law. If the moral teaching from the story were that the bad children are the ones who disobey the rules and the consequences are usually unpleasant for disobedience, that would be one thing; but unfortunately the moral message is that disobedience is fun and good.
then you and i agree completely, vast.
Harry Potter was huge when xsbrownie was in kindergarten. i remember one of her little friends was obsessed with Harry Potter, and when they wrote things for class, i recall Nicole's said something about wishing she were a witch etc. Because i had not read the books and wasn't into it, it struck me as extremely strange and unsettling.
I haven't read nor seen Harry Potter, and I don't intend to put that on my agenda. Having said that, I always wanted to be Glenda, The Good Witch of Oz.
Good point! The rewards are (Constantly!) going to the rule-breakers, who had already disregarded the "stated rules" of the School and (fellow "adults").
Though, of course, the rule-breakers (evil ones) are condemned first.