Harry Potter

IntoGod33 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:39 PM

Hi Everyone!

I have a question - don't know if it's silly or not.

A lot of Christians have a problem with the Harry Potter series because of it's focus on witchcraft and wizardry. What is the Church's general stance on this - if they even have one? I have an aunt who is Fundamentalist Baptist, and she actually called the entire family a few years ago and told us all that we can't give her children any Christmas gifts that have anything to do with Harry Potter. Don't you think that's a bit extreme?

I just started reading the series and I am hooked! I find it so magical and amazing. I don't see anything negative about it. I am 23, and an avid reader. I see why children are so attracted to this series and personally, I think anything that gets them excited about reading is great (as long as it is suitable for children, of course).

What are your thoughts?

beckysoup61 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntoGod33

Hi Everyone!

I have a question - don't know if it's silly or not.

A lot of Christians have a problem with the Harry Potter series because of it's focus on witchcraft and wizardry. What is the Church's general stance on this - if they even have one? I have an aunt who is Fundamentalist Baptist, and she actually called the entire family a few years ago and told us all that we can't give her children any Christmas gifts that have anything to do with Harry Potter. Don't you think that's a bit extreme?

I just started reading the series and I am hooked! I find it so magical and amazing. I don't see anything negative about it. I am 23, and an avid reader. I see why children are so attracted to this series and personally, I think anything that gets them excited about reading is great (as long as it is suitable for children, of course).

What are your thoughts?

They still carry them in Deseret Book, along with Eragon, and several other "magic" books. Sherri Dew is the CEO of Deseret Book and if the Church had any problem at all with those books, they'd 1) Tell us outright, 2) They wouldn't be on the shelves at Deseret Book any longer.

sixpacktr · #3 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:51 PM

Great series. No more about magic, in my opinion, then Lord of the Rings. About a boy that happens to be a wizard.

RachelleDrew · #4 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:56 PM

My former church was that of a Charismatic/Pentecostal nature. They were HUGELY against Harry Potter, they even had several book burnings organized. :eyeroll:. I spent several days in prayer chapel because my minister found out I owned the books. To this day I see nothing wrong with them.

I have yet to speak with any Mormons who have a problem with it, although i'm sure some exist.

I think they are good books, especially for children. I don't understand why some christians have a problem with Harry Potter, but will turn around and applaud "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". It contains themes of magic and witchcraft in it as well. I fail to see the difference.

Loudmouth_Mormon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:59 PM

If there's nothing with Harry Potter books, that means there should also be nothing wrong with The Golden Compass movie, the trilogy it's based on, or the author's athiest agenda.

LM

FunkyTown · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:02 PM

Oh, I totally agree with these people who hate Harry Potter. No good Christians have ever written fantasy novels with magic in it.

Besides... Y'know... C.S. Lewis who was called by many the most passionate defender of Christianity in the modern day.

Oh, and J.R. Tolkien. Yeah. He was passionately Christian as well. I guess he wrote a lot of fantasy as well.

Okay, so they're completely wrong in saying Harry Potter is satanic. However, I do agree with her on one thing: It's up to her whether or not her kids have Harry Potter stuff. It's not going to kill them not to have it and it really is her decision.

FunkyTown · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:04 PM

Loudmouth? Harry Potter has NOTHING to do with the Golden Compass. Nothing. At all. Phillip Pullman wrote The Golden Compass.

J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter. J. K. Rowling and not Phillip Pullman.

I have to be very careful in saying this because you said something as fact that is not. At all. And it's libellous: J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and Phillip Pullman wrote the Golden Compass. The Golden Compass is trash, but it's not trash because it's fantasy. It's trash because it's trash.

Misshalfway · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:12 PM

I think this is an issue of preference. It is a book.....a fantasy book and I have absolutely no problem whatsoever with the subject matter or with the story itself. Some people don't prefer it and if the reason that they cite is a religious one, then so be it. I don't think that something like this should be something the church should take a position. They have taught us the principles about the kind of entertainment we choose. I choose to be a HP fan and frankly was uplifted by much of the story -- even if it was in a world of witchcraft and wizardry. I found the idea fun and playful. I also felt the author wrote characters that valued family and friendship and honor and courage. I also thought she had a boatload of fun creating an alternate world. I also feel that my neighbor who feels the story is evil has every right to her opinion. As I do my right to believe she is missing the forest for the trees!

I also have enjoyed the operetta Sweeny Todd which is about a demon barber who slices peoples throats while the meat maid downstairs makes them into meat pies which causes her business to increase. It is morbid and halarious and surprisingly entertaining. Not to mention the musical 'Wicked', which has music that is absolutely wonderful and a theme that a lot of mormons could learn a thing or two from. I could list many other forms of theater and stories that I have enjoyed that don't exactly feel like a nursery rhyme and I am glad for having the experience and I still feel just as committed to Christ as I was before I saw them. And I will encourage my children to immerse themselves in the arts and to make the Spirit their guide as they do.

RachelleDrew · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:14 PM

What in the heck is the Golden Compass?

FunkyTown · #10 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 03:21 PM

It's a book that was adapted as a movie. The first book isn't bad: Pretty typical fantasy fare with a serious dislike of organized religion. That's fine. In the third novel, the main characters kill a person named God.

But besides that, it's just a derivative, poorly written piece of fiction.