I love the HP Books, especially in light of how (IMHO) the events reflect the terror, and evil in the world-both past and present.
The evil, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named rises to power on a platform of racial purity..those not of pure blood must be eliminated.
In Order of the Phoenix, when confronted with the growing menace of evil, murder, and terror, the students are told that non-retaliation and negotiation are the better option by a Government mandated teacher who takes control of the Hogwart's school, and it's curriculum.
The children are told there is no threat, and the government, because it is in denial, refuses to acknowledge that there are those who wish to kill the everyday folks who don't wish to embrace their beliefs.
In the book, one of the heroes says that while evil cannot be eliminated, it can be contained, and some things are worth dying for in that fight against evil.
I could go on about the books for hours-the Death Eaters operate like a terrorist cell-some of them have respectable fronts in the community, but when they get the call (the dark mark), they go into action carrying out whatever task has been assigned to them by their leader.
There are people who exert influence on government by virtue of throwing money around to certain officials.
The lamestream Media in the books tries to discredit those who speak out about the growing menace of terrorism.
I just think there is so much in the books that is relevant to what's going on today, and since the story takes place in a fascinating, magical world..kids are going to be interested in reading it.
As to the spells-I can say "scourgify" all day long, and my house isn't going to clean itself, or "occulis reparo", and my glasses will still be broken.
Yeah, and I could REALLY use that one, dang it!
This is all so much clap-trap! I love the books, and am a faithful Catholic. The books don't threaten me or my kids, who are also hugh fans, and it hasn't turned us away from the Church or toward the Devil. In fact, Harry Potter respresents a large part of the fight against evil in his world, and I think kids like identifying with that.
http://www.speroforum.com/site/print.asp?idarticle=2511
*** "I can't see it [popularity of Harry Potter] doing anything but help magick. First of all, it presents magick in a positive light and I have to hand it to Rowling's [sic] she captures an almost Thelemic neutrality between good and evil....I think Harry Potter fans of today will be real magicians of tomorrow."
From Duquette of the O.T.O.