The subject of Harry Potter among Christians is one which often generates a lot of heated debate. There are those who things it's completely harmless and those who would say it's demonic, inspired by Satan or that it will lead children into the occult.
I first started reading the Harry Potter novels when the fifth book (Harry Potter & The Order Of The Phoenix) came out. I decided that I wanted to find out what all my friends were talking about and see why so many people were gripped with Potter-mania. I felt a bit naughty reading it (I remember not being allowed to watch Aladdin when I was little because it had magic in... or Alice In Wonderland... or Fantasia - but then I was allowed to watch The Sword In The Stone and Cinderalla and Snow White...). I started with The Philosopher's Stone and worked my way through. I gradually got more and more into it, and now I am firmly among those who are looking forward to the release of the final installment later this summer.
But then, at the same time I am cautious not to recommend it to children (and not just because their parents' might not approve). I'm not sure I would have found it helpful to immerse myself in this world as a child (I would have found it difficult not to), when there are other more worthwhile things to be pursuing. Obviously it depends on the child, and I know some Christian parents who are very good at reading ahead in the series and deciding when their children can read the book. Their children accept this, and because they are told that they're not allowed to read it yet because it's "too dark" it means that when they do eventually get to read it they have an awareness of how it doesn't fit with Christianity.
A few years ago I bought a book by John Houghton called Looking For God In Harry Potter. Perhaps I'll write a review once I've read it, but from just flicking through I think I agree with most of what he says (which is basically that the type of magic in Harry Potter is no different to that in Lord Of The Rings and Narnia). I don't know what others out there think; I know that David Fellingham at CCK warns everyone away from it, believing it's demonic. Part of me wants to resist that judgement, but another part of me suspects that as a Pastor he has seen the effects of a side of the occult I have never dreamed of. So I am cautious; not proudly but quietly. But secretly I can't wait for the next book.
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2 comments:
Very interesting. I haven't gotten into this topic at all. I wonder if it can be called the same kind of magic as LOTR and Narnia if it is not being written from a believer's perspective? It it somehow the inverse of the christian types? Now I might have to read one myself...
Personally I would be inclined to take Dave Felly seriously, as I think that's part of his and Rosie's ministry (deliverance , that is).
Like Jul, I'd want to hear Dave F's opinion on it more in depth. That'd be interesting. I struggle somewhat though with the inconsistencies of Christians who can shout, stamp and rant about the world of Harry Potter yet cheer Gandalf or a talking lion.
Maybe it's one of those secondary issues that Mark Dever cited at New Attitude. Get me ... quoting conferences ;)
But at the end of the day like Luke ... I can't WAIT! Bring on book 7 - and the film!
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