I think those who are making a stink over Harry Potter are making a mountain out of a mole hill, and are giving witches, etc, more importance than they'd otherwise have for the kids.
But, you know, parents aren't perfect, they just do their best. And some are more susceptible to this kind of worry than others.
The point for me is that the parents on a tear about Potter have a perfect right to their beliefs and concerns. They aren't trying to impose those beliefs on anyone else. They aren't trying to pass laws against Potter. So, let them be. Who isn't at times irrational?
Yes indeed, Harry Potter has many evil detractors in the stories, and yes wizardry is used. But if people's faith is threatened by a 12 year old boy with a wand, I dare say that perhaps they need a bit more examination of their own faith that they embrace.
Don't misunderstand me, I do not make light of someone's Christian beliefs. (Our family is devoutly Catholic, and we attend Mass weekly.)But you have to wonder if Harry causes this much of a stir, (no pun intended.) one must wonder what kind of panic the Wizard of Oz must have caused during its debut?
Lighten up those of you who seek to destroy Harry. Grab the Sorcerer's Stone, a good Afghan, (Whoops... did I just violate National Security?...)and read this delightful book!
Go Harry GO!
"Ans-Wingardium Leviosa!"
From the article:
The American Library Association says there have been attempts in at least 13 states to ban the book from schools and public libraries.
Yes, they can believe whatever they want, but when they start trying to ban books (or burn them, as happened in Pittsburgh last year), it worries me.
Some Christian parents will feel it's a bad influence and not permit their children to read the books or see the movie out of a real concern for keeping them from viewing witches as harmless fun.
That is their right and duty if they believe it's harmful to their children. Others will allow their kids to indulge in the Harry Potter fad, being careful to instruct them that it's fantasy...a made-up story, and not to be taken seriously. I see no problem with that, either. It's parental choice based on parental judgement, something parents have to do all the time.
I don't believe that attempting to 'ban' Harry Potter from a public or school library is valid as Christians have no right to dictate what others may read (or watch) and this type of attempted censorship always generates the kind of backlash (and golden opportunity for Christian-bashing) we see every time Harry Potter is mentioned on FR or elsewhere. The fact that school and public libraries have lots of material that may be offensive to Christian children is a reality but beyond protesting the most egregious manifestations of the 'anything goes' attitude of the schools and libraries, there is not a lot that can be done, other than avoidance.
I find that the attacks on Christians who protest Harry Potter are often from the same people who ridicule anyone with religious convictions, attempting to live a spiritual life. Nothing new here. In those cases the Harry Potter fad just becomes a vehicle non-believers can use to criticize and mock Christianity while appearing to be oh-so open-minded and intelligent about the whole thing. Been there, done that. No one convinces anyone of anything but we all get in our shots. Way of the world, which is not and never will be favorable to Christ and those who follow Him.
Jesus warned us of this so no Christian should be shocked or dismayed. Christ was alive before the world was formed and will still reign long, long after 'Harry Potter' has been forgotten. Take heart.