Harry Potter
So, has anyone out there read the Harry Potter books? I haven’t read any of the them, though I did catch about half of the first movie.
The reason I’m asking is because I’ve heard several of my co-workers talking about the new book, some of which even stayed up all night and finished the newest book in two days. Curiosity started to get a hold of me…
I didn’t get into the series originally because my first impression was that they were children’s’ books. However, once I realized that many adults were reading them too, I still balked at getting into the series because of the witchcraft, crystals and other similar themes that were fundamental parts of the story line. I had read some articles about Christian groups and churches who spoke out against them because of the glorification of witchcraft and thus I didn’t feel that I should be reading them. Let me clarify that this is a personal decision and that I am by no means judging those who do read the books. My mom reads the books and I know better than to mess with her 
However, I felt the same way with the Da Vinci Code, but I did end up reading that book. I did so because I wanted to be able to have an intelligent conversation with others who had read it and wanted to talk about it.
What’s your opinion? Any thoughts from those who have read Harry Potter, or haven’t read them for similar concerns as mine? I know this is ultimately a personal decision, but still wanted to get some thoughts on it from others.
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Aug 4th, 2005 at 11:31:48
so did you end up reading any of them?
Aug 4th, 2005 at 16:39:23
Harry Potter is just like any other fantasy book that kids or adults read. You have to know the line between reality and fantasy. It’s no worse than The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. Sure, you can argue that they were written by Christian authors and have an underlying Christian theme, but do you think a kid understands that? You still have to know that Gandalf wasn’t a ‘real wizard’. To them its all fantasy. Now I’ll step off my soapbox (sorry, wasn’t preaching at you…just my view of it). I haven’t read the books, but Leslie is in the middle of reading them. She seems to really enjoy them. I do, on the other hand, really like the movies. I was hesitant at first to watch them, not because of the witchcraft aspect of it, but because I thought they were kid movies (not that it should matter, I watch cartoons all day)! But after I watched the first one I was hooked. There just a lot of fun.
Aug 4th, 2005 at 19:11:51
I started reading the Harry Potter books with a younger cousin so she’d have someone to read them with, and I got hooked. They’re really fun. For the fifth book I went to one of the midnight parties and watched parents fight over copies of the book! This year, I was working and studying, so I haven’t had a chance to buy them yet.
Aug 4th, 2005 at 19:12:32
er, I haven’t had a chance to by a copy (not them–oops!) yet.
Aug 4th, 2005 at 21:14:13
Elizabeth - Nope, haven’t read them yet.
Jeremy - For me, it’s not so much the issue of separatingy fantasy from reality or being influenced by the books. It’s more a) is this something/someone that I should be supporting financially by buying the book (easily bypassed by making a trip to the library) and b) how will my Christian witness be affected if others see me reading the books. That’s why I wanted to hear some opinions - I didn’t know if “average joe” viewed these books with any controversy in mind, like The Da Vinci Code.
Aug 4th, 2005 at 23:54:56
Well me being the “non-practicing Catholic” that I am have no problem with the items that the Christian groups do. (I’m by no means saying that those opinions are wrong, just different than mine.) Like Jeremey said it’s all fantasy. I haven’t read the books but have seen a few of the movies and they are pretty good. I have only seen one of the Lord of teh Rings movies and would say it’s basically the same level…after all wasn’t “the ring” magic? Just my 2 cents…
Aug 5th, 2005 at 00:02:45
J.R.R Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings, was actually a Christian. He and C.S. Lewis encouraged each other to write allegorical stories based on Christianity and the result was the Lord of the Rings trilogy (and the Hobbit) and The Chronicles of Narnia, respectively.
The ring actually symbolizes the sin and temptation which we all face and struggle with.
Aug 5th, 2005 at 08:29:41
Hi, my name is Paul and I”m an average Joe. I never considered this series of books to be anything more than finctional entertainmnent. I think its one thing if an author writes something intentionally to stir up the pot (daVinci code) or writes it with the intention to make people believe in this sort of thing. But, I don’t think this author had anything more than a fun series of books…and maybe making a few bucks while doing it
Aug 5th, 2005 at 20:56:00
these books are FICTION — ditto to what paul says (except for the davinci code statement). i think people read way too much into things.
Aug 6th, 2005 at 01:51:31
Yeah, I agree with Paul. The “average Joe” wouldn’t view it that way. However, the Bible does say not to do anything that would cause our fellow Christians to stumble, or to damage our witness. There are many things that fall in this category that aren’t sins, but still damage our testimony or image as a Christian. Like you said, it is something you have to decide for yourself. It’s something every Christian has to think about and decide for themselves.
Aug 13th, 2005 at 22:08:14
I have read all the books thus far except for the most recent book. In reading them, I didnt see any influence on my Christian beliefs or anything that even made me consider or think that this is conflicting with any of my religious beliefs. They are fictional books. I see them like so many other fictional books that we read everyday. I never understood what these Christian groups had against the Harry Potter books, whats the difference btwn them and Monsters Inc, Shrek, okay all the old movies are escaping my thoughts at this time. If you ask me absolutely nothing. Its all fictional and made up. Why do people have to find issues with everything?