Some Thoughts on the Harry Potter Series

Michael D. O'Brien

[Brookhaven]

The author of the other Harry Potter thread didn't seem to do a good job explaining why Christians have problems with the book series. This author seems to do a better job.

I bolded part of the article because that seems to be the primary argument of the posters defending the potter books.

The other pro-potter argument seems to be name calling or portraying those that object to the potter books as nuts, which is really no argument at all. It reflects an old adage. When the facts are on your side argue the facts. When the facts are against you, attack the person.

[AmericaUnited]

Librarians around the English-speaking world have noted that due to the unprecedented marketing pressure and media attention surrounding these books, and the resulting fascination young readers have for them, a spin-off phenomenon is occurring. Among the young, an interest in witchcraft, sorcery, and allied occult activity is growing at an astonishing rate.

Mission accomplished! You have to be completely naive and devoid of any understanding whatsoever to miss this. The number of "occult" books, games, movies, etc. has been increasing at an ever increasing rate and is now a flood. Only fools believe this is by accident.

[Notwithstanding]

May all fathers be inspired by Saint Joseph to lead holy families!

[Notwithstanding]

May all fathers be inspired by Saint Joseph to lead holy families!

[WriteOn]

This is much more reasoned than some of the other posts I've seen on the "evil of Harry Potter." Because of that I will look more critically on fantasy books that I offer my children. So far Narnia and St. George and the Dragon are about the extent of their guided travels into fantasy.

Thanks for posting this much more rational discourse.

[geaux]

Ping to the blasphemers!

[Ingtar]

And I strongly disagree with those reviewers (sadly, even some Catholic reviewers) who compare her work to solid Christian fantasy writing such as C.S. Lewis's Narnia series, or J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, or the imaginative novels of George MacDonald.

I am not sure how seriously I can take someone that seems to indicate that Tolkien's novels are Christian Fantasy. Even in the Chronicles of Narnia, there are those characters that use Magic, both wisely and unwisely. The Potter book are also a conflict between Good and Evil. But, instead of being external forces, this Good and Evil is a part of each person. It sounds more realistic to me. And, unlike other current literature aimed at children, choices and actions seem to have a bit more consequence, unless you are Harry Potter. (Seems a reflection on today's society also.)

[snorkeler]

Previous thread with hundreds of replies HERE

[mechadogzilla]

More sober insight into this topic

[RnMomof7]

Excellent article..and worthy of a good bump

[The Green Goblin]

My four year old read all of the Harry Potter books, twice. Soon after, I caught him trying to order this from Amazon.com with my credit card:

[tpaine]

A pox on sanctimonious freepers.

[DallasMike]

I am not sure how seriously I can take someone that seems to indicate that Tolkien's novels are Christian Fantasy. Even in the Chronicles of Narnia, there are those characters that use Magic, both wisely and unwisely.

Well said. One cannot tell whether Tolkien was a Christian just by reading his novels. Many might think just the opposite.

If J.K. Rowlings had issued a statement last year proclaiming that she is an evangelical Christian, the author of this piece would be prattling on about how deeply her Christianity had expressed itself throughout the Harry Potter series. For all I know, Rowlings may be a Christian.

[sinkspur]

Imagine that!

One author (who writes books for children) ripping a more popular author (who also happens to write books for children).

[sinkspur]

A pox on sanctimonious freepers.

I see you've somehow learned to kick yourself in the ass.

[IncPen]

I disagree with the naysayers on this. My wife and I have a strong Christian home and have read three of these books with our son.

He knows it's fantasy, and we've discussed the 'magic' many times

Rather than try to extinguish this, I think responsible parents ought to learn about it so that they can act responsibly.

Like any other part of culture, your kid is going to deal with it sooner rather than later; better to be prepared.

Incidently, I'm more concerned that this whole thing is being run by Warner Brothers than I am about the 'content' of the books.

You can't go anywhere without being hit by the WB media machine.

That's disturbing!

[95Tarheel]

I agree completely. Tolkien and Middle Earth as solid Christian fiction? Whatever!

I wonder how many libraries really put the occult section next to the Potter books? This author implies there is a widespread move from these books towards the occult- with more dire warnings/predictions/generalizations than any real evidence. I guess I'll have to go read the books and decide for myself.