Correction appended
With the fifth installment of the ”Harry Potter” film series released Wednesday, discussion of whether or not the boy wizard is appropriate for Christian audiences is expected to become more heated and wide-spread.
Many ministry leaders in the past have criticized the ”Harry Potter” series over its use of magic and argue that it promotes the occult – an assertion that, if true, could be serious since the movies and literature target children who can be most affected by negative spiritual content.
But even after five movies-worth of discussions, Christians are still split on the issue.
”By now, there's nothing new under the sun when it comes to the use of magic in the Harry Potter series of books and movie,” explained critic Lindy Keffer of the Christian movie site Plugged In Online. “Even with all the magic in the air, the worldview of ‘[Order of the] Phoenix’ can't be called consistently occult. Like the world we live in today, it's a hodgepodge of ideas that are accepted simultaneously, even if they don't really fit together.”
Dr. Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide.org, however, was much stricter in his review.
“[T]he movie version of ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’ is liable to still do great business at the box office,” he wrote. “Regrettably, however, this means that even more children will be lured away from God and His Infallible Word, which says that witchcraft is evil and abhorrent. Instead of dreaming about the joys that God gives us through Jesus Christ, they will be dreaming of casting spells, using magic spells, riding brooms, and rebelling against their parents.”
In the newest “Potter” film, Harry’s magical world is interrupted by an evil disturbance. The main villain of the films, Lord Voldemort, has returned to the world and is mounting an army to regain his former strength.
Harry, his friends, and several mature wizards such as Professor Albus Dumbledore must struggle with the current Ministry of Magic who refuses to recognize the dire situation. In an act of civil disobedience, the group must unite to prepare for an attack from Voldemort, despite the wishes of the wizardry government. The Order of the Phoenix is reunited, bringing together the “good” wizards to again fend off the dark lord.
While there is obviously still a huge outcry against the new movie from several conservative Christian groups who warn families to keep their children away from the film, asserting that it can leave ill effects for normalizing a dark spiritual world, there has also been a new wave of Christians supporting the literature. They feel that others exaggerate the problems of witchcraft found in the books.
One author and home-schooling mother recently had a change of heart when she read the books. After keeping “Potter” out of her house for years, Nancy Brown from Illinois gave the books a chance and said she found the books to be actually positive for child growth. She has written a new novel, “The Mystery of Harry Potter,” that came out mid-June to even encourage Christian parents with the material.
"After reading Harry Potter for myself, I had to conclude that the Potter series is not about the occult or witchcraft but actually just the opposite," explained Brown in a statement. "The stories are morality tales filled with excellent opportunities for family discussions. In short, the Harry Potter books are great for all families and especially Christian parents, who for centuries have used literature to illustrate the struggle between good and evil when teaching their children."
The movies gained huge victories when conservative ministry heads such as Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries gave their stamp of approval.
But looking at the whole landscape, it may be impossible to gain a firm consensus on how Christians feel about the wizard themes found inside “Harry Potter.” Is the material innocent enough for its audience?
“Though the film version of ‘Phoenix’ is not as gloomy as the book, the story presented therein is still far too severe to justify the affections of its primary fans: kids,” concluded Plugged In Online critic Keffer. “And that's true without even mentioning the ongoing dilemma presented by the omnipresence of magic and the clash with the real-life truth that there is no such thing as a good witch or wizard.”
According to The Associated Press, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" took in $44.8 million in its first day, the best single-day gross ever for a movie on a Wednesday. That included $12 million from screenings that started at midnight Tuesday.
Correction: Thursday, July 19, 2007
An article on Thursday, July 12, 2007, about the debate over the megahit “Harry Potter” series incorrectly reported that Focus on the Family Founder James Dobson had given the movie a “stamp of approval.” The ministry leader has not yet gone public with his opinion.
Comments
BlackRose Warrior, you are seriously the smartest person on here. The others are the same people who when I was at the Christian Fantasy Book tour in July, gave some of the authors "the evil glare" just because they were writing Christian Fantasy. All you haters go read Dragons in Our Midst, Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul, The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson.
Ignore the spelling mistakes in my below post. I am a huge multitasker who does too many things at once.
Okay I know what you are saying, but are seriously making me extremely perturbed by now acting like Harry Potter is some type of pornography. Just because I freakin read Harry Potter, does not mean I'm going to have sex out of wedlock. Also, when I read Narnia, I became obsessed with Narnia, I wanted to go there when I was little. In the end it heightened my interest in God. Harry Potter saved my life, by helping me to understand that in our world we will always be surrounded by dark forces. Are saying that is bad, You just said its bad to become obsessed. Harry Potter had definitely not made me a Wiccan, its made me stronger Christian with its them of love and honor and truth. Its not the nasty pornographic book that many Christian debunk it as. Anyways, Guess what I am obsessed with fantasy books. I can change your view of Fantasy books, please read Legends of the Guardian King By:Karen Hancock, Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis. My question is have you read Harry Potter? Most people who outright say its bad have never read it, they assume the televison evangelist who said it was bad, who probably did not read them either,
Fantasyfreak-
I agree with what you are saying to a certain extent. There is nothing wrong with fantasy or using your imagination. But the problem with Harry Potter is that it endorses sorcery and witchcraft. You said "Its only a sin IF YOU P...R....A...C...T...I...C...E.. Witchcraft, see the word practice". I have to disagree with you there. Why even be involved in something that could be "misconstrued" as a sin? The Bible tells us to flee from all appearance of evil. That's like saying, "Well, I look at pornography, but I'm not having sex out of wedlock, so it's not a sin." Do you see how absurd that is?!
The other problem that people have with Harry Potter and other fantasy like books and series is that they have a tendency to become addictive to a certain extent. Many people get caught up in the imaginative worlds and stories, and it becomes the center of their life. This is a problem. So maybe the major issue people have is not the book itself, but the idolistic quality it can take on- and that can be anything- not just Harry Potter.
God gave us imaginations to use them, yes. I personally have never heard of anyone that wanted to keep their child from using his imagination, but okay, maybe you have. I say give your kid a book to read that is completely wholesome in everyway- where there is no QUESTION as the morals. The Bible itself has some pretty awesome stories for kids to use their imaginations on... I'm just saying.
Just some thoughts for you to ponder should you ever return to this post...
I'm sorry but there is a reason why I read Christianity Today and not Focus on the Family, because Christianity Today has actual smart writers who have read the Potter series and do not act like Pharisees! I have read the Harry Potter books, never have I gotten into Wiccan. Never have I gone outside and waved a wand screaming incantations. Yes! you may all think I am hell bound because I read Harry Potter. I'm sorry I am just sick of how much people go to scream their views in other people's faces and become all militant to get the books out of schools. Its absolutely ridiculous! You people are worse than Professer Umbridge herself. You people make me laugh, you are no different than the school Eustace and and Jill had to attend in Narnia. CS Lewis meant the metaphor of the school making the students learn useless things to parody the fact that some Christians do not want their kids to have imaginations. Also, you know there is such thing as CHRISTIAN FANTASY. Its some pretty awesome stuff, even though people look down on it just because it has dragons and fantasy worlds. Instead of boring your children by devoiding them of imagination, give them something to read. God gave us imaginations for a reason. Of course it can be used for bad, yet anything can be used for bad. Give your children Door Within By Wayne Batson, Dragons in Our Midst by Bryan Davis, Dragonspell by Donita K. Paul. All these are wonderful books that are fantasy, and contain Spiritual truths. Fantasy is not bad! Harry Potter is not bad, it has the same good versus evil element as LOTRs and Narnia. Why are you people so militant about it! Its just a book! If you are wasting your life trying to get these out of schools and verbally attacking someone if they are Christians like me who like Harry Potter, then please go out help the poor, go to other countries and show God's love. God does not want you to turn off Christians by making people think all Christians are all hotheads who think anything with mystical beasts and talking animals are that of Satan's creation. I respect those who share different opinions than me, but not those who are hotheads and want everyone to believe what they believe. I like Harry Potter, you may not, and you are not going to stop me from reading it. God never said it was a sin to read Harry Potter. Its only a sin IF YOU P...R....A...C...T...I...C...E.. Witchcraft, see the word practice. Sorry but reading Harry Potter does not mean you practice Witchcraft. For all you hotheads here are some articles written by Christians to ponder, and no they are Christians, not Wiccans.
Article Links
http://www.ctlibrary.com/48545
http://www.infuzemag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1262
The amount of filth and evil that is now available to children is unbelievable. This devil filled rollercoaster ride to hell should be banned and the writer punished. Anything my children are exposed to is extremely sensored by me to protect their souls. I have cut off my mother-in law and a lot of my family because they refuse to stop bringing subversive books and videos to my children. It starts off innocently they watch sesame street, a show my children are forbidden to watch. They sprinkle questionable education snippets with full on blasphemes. It is full of Talking animals and demons(that they call monsters). The world is sick. Why is it that we can only entertain children with demons and possessed animals. This Harry Potter now has now made millions of Worshippers(readers) searching for a black church to worship the devil. I am in the process of finding out how to qualify for home schooling as we speak. I refuse to lose my babe's immortal souls and I will take on the responsibility for saving them . The Bible is the only book they will ever need. We will huddle together at the End of Days comforted in knowing that our souls are safe. I will pray for all these Harry potter worshippers souls .
Jaime
Ah, all right...so if I kill someone but am very religious, I'll go to Heaven, right? That's how it works, according to your standards. And no, I did not say that a spiritual life is boring. It is in fact very interesting, as I feel I live one myself. The spiritual are not afraid of the end; only the religious are.
man, this one is tough for me as well. however, my spirit just doesn't like the movie series... it's not really that entertaining. there are godly shows that add to the spirit. I agree with PamiT, "I can do all things, but not all things are good for me."
Why does it have to point to Satan to be healthy imaginitive fun? Could one instead encourage their children to emulate a young David taking on Goliath or Noah building an ark? It amazes me that an occult-steeped non-reality is seen as imaginitive and that a prayer for salvation (for either yourself or others) is seen as dull.
Good works = so what. Works don't get you in. The battle is spiritual.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (..maybe false teachers purporting that evil practices condemned in the Bible are harmless).
Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Is it wrong to put a little imagination into the world these days? Or are we supposed to just sit with our heads bowed in prayer day and night until we drop dead in the hope of gaining salvation? I played "Harry Potter" with my friends when I was a kid, but I knew I wasn't really doing magic, nor did I feel like bowing down and spontaneously worshipping the Devil after I put one of the HP books down. Stop focusing on stupid little nitpicks and focus on the world around you. People are dying. People are hurting. All over the world, there is misery and death and war. Fix that before you whine about subliminal messages in children's books.
Even if the government, the entire media, Hollywood, and the majority of “Christians” joined forces to make rebellion against God acceptable and in vogue, God would still hold each person individually accountable for their personal actions and attitudes against Him - some of which begins with a fascination with the occult.
As Samuel said to Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23)
QUESTION: Toward the end of Saul’s kingship from whom did King Saul begin receiving his advice from? ANSWER: A medium or witch. 1 Samuel 28:7-14
I believe that if Christians would live a life holy surrendered in obedience to God and allow the Holy Spirit too fill us and direct our steps and speech we would walk in His kingdom authority and power to advance His Kingdom and the gospel. Youth who have felt powerless and have been overwhelmed by a sense of meaninglessness in life (since the pervading secular world-view demands it) many times become ensnared into the occult, because they have not seen a demonstration of power of God in the Church. We are not to follow the signs and wonders, signs and wonders are supposed to follow us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s all start preaching the Gospel by the Power of the Holy Spirit working in Jesus' name through us! I have seen many youth and adults alike become radically saved and heaven-bound as a result.
Even if the government, the entire media, Hollywood, and the majority of “Christians” joined forces to make rebellion against God acceptable and in vogue, God would still hold each person individually accountable for their personal actions and attitudes against Him - some of which begins with a fascination with the occult.
As Samuel said to Saul, “For rebellion is as the sin of WITCHCRAFT, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king." (1 Samuel 15:23)
QUESTION: Toward the end of Saul’s kingship from whom did King Saul begin receiving his advice from? ANSWER: A medium or witch. 1 Samuel 28:7-14
I believe that if Christians would live a life holy surrendered in obedience to God and allow the Holy Spirit too fill us and direct our steps and speech we would walk in His kingdom authority and power to advance His Kingdom and the gospel. Youth who have felt powerless and have overwhelmed sense of meaninglessness in life (since the pervading secular world-view demands it) many times become ensnared into the occult, because they have not seen a demonstration of power of God in the Church. We are not to follow the signs and wonders, signs and wonders are supposed to follow us who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s all start preaching the Gospel by the Power of the Holy Spirit working in Jesus' name through us! I have seen many youth and adults alike become radically saved and heaven-bound as a result. AMEN
Obviously occult. Deuteronomy 18:9 - 12. It doesn't matter if he is a child witch or a good witch any more than it would matter if he was a child mass murderer or a good mass murderer. funny how we like to view the sins against God as trivial, but it someone is not tolerant of us or our opinion..we strike back a little harder. witchcraft doesn't impact us as immediately as someone stealing our Visa card, but the worship and devotion to one other than God - we hardly notice it. I believe this reveals more about the sad state of our church than we would like to admit.
I like Harry Potter and JK Rowlings series, I've enjoyed reading them all. At the same time I know the Gospel Truth like lots of people. I personally have not have my faith shaken whatsoever and therefore I believe that any1 with a true relationship with God will have the same result. An entertaining read and a good time. Also, if any kid was interested in "magic" after enjoying the movie they would be confined to waving around a stick speaking nursery rhymes. There aren't any real incantations or occult rituals in the series that would give any kid any unGod-granted power.
DannyPoo makes a foundaitonal point - parents dialog with your kids about Harry Potter and other books, movies, video games, etc. Kids are impressionable, this is God's design for passing on the faith, but to give up such responsibility is simply unfaithfulness.
J.K. Rowlings has been gifted with tremendous creativity. Having just seen the Order of the Phonex, it amazes me that she can sustain such innovative creativity over such a long period of time, buildings that expand to reveal a new column of floors, how does she do it? Where does she think up these things? Is this imagination not a gift from the divine? Eugene Peterson suggests that imagination is the cousin of faith. It seems to me that to stifle one you will cause harm to the other. Parents and mentors are intrumental in God's plan to guide and mold this gift of creativity.
Another point is well made in that we have all sorts of imaginitive media well supported by faithful Christians, talking animals, "Mirror mirror on the wall" incantations, Herby the "living" VW, a Rat in France that can cook, etc. These are the products of harmless imaginations, creative people exercising their gifts from The Creator, yet they can become dangerous fantisies, if not guided by loving, faithful parents and Christian mentors.
Let's celebrate the gifts of God and continue to be responsible with our children's developing imaginations!