Harry Potter Comments

As I tried to explain in "Four Faces of Islam," any religion can shift from its idealistic practices to overt evil. That's why I encouraged Christians to ask God to search our hearts and show us if -- in any part of our lives -- we are acting by our human nature rather than God's nature in us. [See Biblical versus Cultural Christianity and Statistics for the Changing Church]

I also thank you for supporting my comparison between the Harry Potter world and the Star Wars myths. In both, anyone who learns to manipulate spiritual forces can choose whether they would operate in the "good" side or the "evil" side. But to Christians, both represent a single spiritual domain that opposes our God. That's why He warned us to have nothing to do with any of those practices. Deut 8:10-20.

From Jeff Allen: I came across your website because it was being laughed at in an internet forum. Let me tell you something about these books and movie. To start, I am a Christian. I have a positive relationship with God. For your website to bad mouth Harry Potter is one of the most ignorant things I have ever read in my life. Have you even read the books? Do you know the difference between good and evil.

The books are a struggle between good and evil (ie God vs Satan). Wake up, Harry and his friends equal good, Voldemort and his followers equal evil. Who wins at the end of each book? Good does, of course. These are works of fiction. They celebrate Christmas in the books and movie. Why, I believe that is celebrating the birth of Christ. Imagine that!

From Leslie: "You bible is just as whacked if not more scary than anything harry potter goes through. What with genocide, and fantasy and adultery and murder and stuff that just won't make sense without the 'faith' factor.

But all that aside: you must be feeling pretty insecure and frightened? You seem to spend a lot of time on stuff that could harm your immortal soul.

From Judith Clark: Thank-you so much for putting out the article, "Twelve Reasons Not to See Harry Potter Movies" as well as the recent lessons, leading up to Isaiah....

I think that it is so important to warn people about this movie (even though I have not seen it, I somehow feel that I should not see it either, but your article helps to strengthen this conviction and also provides help in talking with others about this.

From Sandy (addressed to other visitors): I have read several responses to those of you who do not agree that the Harry Potter books are harmful. Although I understand those of you who are not a Christian would not agree, I was however shocked at the hateful way you responded. These people have as much right to their opinion as you do, yet they answered your terrible letters in a much nicer way than you did.

Some of you even went so far as to wish bad things on them. Yet you claim these Harry Potter books are "harmless". Well I suggest you find the e-mail you sent and take a closer look. If you're love and devotion to this seemingly harmless series has caused you to treat another human being in this despicable manner, I would hardly call it "harmless".

As for the teens that also wrote hate mail, it does not excuse you either, you say you are old enough to know reality from fantasy, and right from wrong then so be it, you and you alone are responsible for your tactless behavior. As for my own opinion on the subject, I happen to agree. And after reading all these terrible post only strengthens it. If your idea of being "open minded" is to attack someone in this nature simply for giving their views which someone has ASKED them for, then I want no part of that. Maybe you all are the ones with the closed minds to not even consider there may be a grain of truth in what they are saying about your precious Harry Potter books.

From Monika Nelsen: Let me preface my comments, by stating that I am Catholic. I believe in & love Jesus Christ. He is the Savior. On a recreational level, I enjoy the Harry Potter series.

Harry, in the muggle world, is scorned, ridiculed, & punished. Actually, he also encounters this throughout the time he spends in school (amongst his own). Being the protagonist, representing Good, we see him struggle and rise above the evil - even symbolically, on his broomstick. Yes, he lies at times in the stories, but he gets caught and suffers consequences. This aspect reflects the human nature of learning. In those times that Harry deceives, it's for a higher cause. I hate to be extremist, but, should the Polish Christians that hid Jews in WW II be faulted for lying to the Nazis?

Harry and his friends were usually rewarded, not punished, for lying or breaking rules.

On a high level, in His lifetime Jesus was also rejected by the majority - including those within His circle. Jesus performed miracles. These miracles are God's 'magic'.

God tells us to avoid magic, but to trust Him. The Bible repeatedly lists magicians along with sorcerers, astrologers and other occultists who use timeless spiritual formulas to manipulate demonic forces and accomplish their spells and magical feats. There is a huge difference and spiritual divide between God's miracles (which He performs - sometimes through His people) and the foolish human attempts to manipulate forces delegated for a season to satan's domain. See The Nature and Tactics of Satan

The Harry Potter books do not contradict God. The editor sites Deut 18:9-12, "... you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. "There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. " Uhm, the Potter books do not do this. Reading about a character that practices witchcraft is NOT the same as having "be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft ...". There's a big difference between hanging out with Wiccans and reading a storybook. The association is especially not valid because the books are not 'witchcraft-how-to'. Reminder - this is fiction for entertainment; not unlike a sailor who eats spinach for strength. Is spinach good for you (truth) - Yes. Do two or three generations of the Popeye cartoon audience believe spinach gives you enormous strength - No.

The imagination allows a person to vicariously enter into an experience and feel as though he or she actually were in the scene. That's why the audience at the Harry Potter movie laughed at some spells and became anxious at other times. They identified with the characters and "felt their pain." They also learned to love the occult practices and to want Harry and his friends to win the battles -- even by using occult means. This process breaks down resistance to what God calls evil, and it causes children to love what He hates. Rom 12:2-9

Okay, next biblical references, "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2. " Harry Potter is not of this world. He is a fictional character in a story. He represents Good. Strip away the story environment - do his intentions or behaviors contradict the will of God?

You just said he was a fictional character. Therefore your question is hypothetical and can't really be answered. But if a real boy involved himself in the domain of Satan, he would put himself outside of God's will no matter how noble his own thoughts and intentions. You can't please God while drawing power from satan.

Look at what Harry Potter does in the books. Ignore (for a moment) the 'magic' environment used to capture the reader's imagination & look at the motivations for his behaviors & actions. Harry always strives to do the 'right thing' based on values that reflect Christianity. Of course, his intentions do not always receive the desired outcome. That's what makes the stories! Really, can 'you' please get past the first layer to see that this character is not anti-God ?!

"Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good." Romans 12:9 Obviously, if 'you' have read the books, 'you' would know that the message of Romans 12:9 is clearly depicted in the Harry Potter series, i.e. Good versus Evil.

With all the tragedies and injustices occurring in our world at this time, it's very shameful for your site to have such an effort against one movie associated with some children's books. Not to say that there shouldn't be any discussion around the occult aspects of this publication - but your audience should already know to guide their children in their own beliefs & to review the media input.

I guess that my response is 'too long' to publish. That's a convenient excuse - I dare you to publish it (provided that your response doesn't give biblical references without explaining how it pertains to your rebuttals). I also welcome any personal responses.

From Todd Antill, Concerned Parent: In response to this article: http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/D&D&Harry.htm

“Both immerse their fans in a plausible, well-developed fantasy world, replete with an evolving history, a carefully mapped geography, and wizards that model the thrill-packed and power-filled way of the mythical shaman. “

True indeed. It is however, fantasy. If a child believes that these things are real, they had a previous problem that had nothing to with Harry Potter or D&D.

“In this fantasy world, adults and children alike are led into imagined experiences that create memories, build new values, guide their thinking and mold their understanding of reality. “

No, it molds their creativity, not their grasp on reality. Saying so only shows your general lack of understanding on the subject. For the most part any values that are learned are good ones. A common misconception (among zealots such as Jack Chick) is that the game is about back-stabbing and back alley carousing. The is not like this. Once again, if you were actually informed enough to write an article you might understand this. Clearly you do not. The game generally involves players taking up the mantle of hero, and pursuing the moral high road.

Todd, what evidence do you have to support your personal opinion? Do you have any valid statistical studies? Did you see the studies that support my position?

And why would advertisers spend billions for clever ads that bring suggestions through captivating images rather than through factual arguments? Think about it. Keep in mind that people today (trained to respond more to feeling-based images than facts) remember suggestions that stimulate emotions far better factual information. Indeed, the ads are designed to produce new values (for the product marketed) and new beliefs (that somehow that product will bring happiness).

Recently Hollywood has been enlisted to help our government gain support for its anti-terrorist efforts. Both movie producers and the media know how to change values through images and suggestions that may have little basis in facts.

This process is reinforced by innumerable other occult images and suggestions created by an entertainment industry eager to please a global market -- a worldwide base of potential customers that favor "inclusive" and "tolerant" pagan entertainment and turn their backs to Biblical values.

Dribble and hogwash. Throughout my childhood I played Dungeons and Dragons, read the fantasy genre devoutly went to church, and made a hard effort to be a good Christian. The only thing that EVER wanted made me want to turn my back on the church was the politics and backstabbing that took place among congregation. Strangely the hypocrisy that I witnessed in the church was far worse that anything my friends and I experienced as we drank coca-cola, ate pizza, and told fantastical stories on Friday nights.

Again you are drawing conclusions based on a single experience: your own. That kind of statistical study carries little weight in this argument, Todd.

In the toys and games industry, two trans-national giants have been swallowing up most smaller companies: Mattel and Hasbro. The latter bought Wizards of the Coast, which makes and distributes role-playing games and cards for Pokemon, Magic the Gathering, and D&D fans around the world. What's more, Warner Brothers -- producer of the Harry Potter movie scheduled for release next year -- granted Hasbro licensing rights to produce a variety of Harry Potter toys and games. Pagan fun has become big business!

No. Fun is big business, it always has.

Todd, visit the children's section of a bookstore -- or look at a catalog for Scholastic, the most popular publisher for classroom books. In the wake of Harry Potter's success, we see a flood of books on witchcraft and paganism.

You are simply trying to shed the two in a bad light. Which you have failed to do. The fact is, Dungeons and Dragons is very responsible for my intellect today. I learned a lot during my formative years from the game. My imagination grew by leaps and bounds, I wrote short stories, I even wrote short stories for my Sunday School class. Harry Potter, which he come more recently, has served a wonderful purpose. My son loves to read now. He loves to be read to. He problem solves, and eagerly learns the terminology of new words in the novels as we come across them.

He hesitated a moment, then answered, "A sun god."

"Like the one in the Aztec and Mayan religion?"

"No, those are too violent. It's more like a Celtic god."

"The Celts were pretty violent too."

Indeed they were. What about the Crusades? Weren’t those violent? Wasn’t that done in the name of God? You can play tit for tat all day in this area.

Please see Biblical versus Cultural Christianity where I answer that question.

From Jocelyn: Look, are you guys in charge of this site? LISTEN TO ME. I AM FURIOUS WITH THIS SITE. Yeah, right, Harry leads us to witchcraft. I am a Catholic, a Christian, and full-heartedly believe in my religion. My fave musical is Godspell, about Jesus, and I altarserve, pray everyday, and sing songs from my religion. Also, my fave books are the Harry Potter series.

Are you saying that because kids love Harry Potter and other fantasies that they will want to be witches? Get a grip; we KNOW that it's fiction! Right, oh Hogwarts exists and we want to go and kill people with the Avadra Kevadra spell. If Satan is lurking, why would he waste his time on Harry Potter books? They're not leading us to sin; the people who believe the books are evil...they're the ones that are leading us to sin!

Jocelyn, please read what God tells us about witchcraft, divination, magic or sorcery and necromancy in Deut 18:9-12. Notice that He refers to such practices as an "abomination." In other words, He despises it.

Then read Rom 12:2-9. Here He tells us to "abhor what is evil" and "cling to what is good." If, in your imagination, you delight in what God abhors, you are not following Him. Jesus gives us an example of the importance of the imagination when He tells us, "everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matt. 5:28 It's a good reminder to girls not to dress as living temptations to the guys, making it more difficult for them to follow God's ways.

Now that you've done this, kids are getting mad at Christians. People are saying I am an idiot and a fool because I'm a Christian. Kids at my school bug me and I say, "Hey listen. I love Harry Potter, and I have nothing to do with this!" I love God, I love Jesus, and I hate your stupid comments saying that if we read Harry Potter we're going to go to hell!

Stop this nonsense. Tell everyone who thinks Harry Potter books are evil about my e-mail. I will fight for this. I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus. I pray. I give to charity. And I'm not going to let people destroy the books children love!

You say you are a Christian, Jocelyn, so you may appreciate this reminder of what it means to follow Jesus and bear His name:

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.... If they persecuted Me they will persecute you... for they do not know the One who sent Me." John 15:20-21

From Hi_2k: I would like to say a few things about your "interpretations" of various fads such as "Harry Potter". You have said that these can lead to various occults involving demon worshiping to human sacrifice.

Actually, that's not what I said. Please read my three Harry Potter articles.

What you have not said is how these promote literacy, imagination, and sharing, and how Christianity itself can be used as lures into "Satan's Realm". For example, the recent World Trade Center attacks were carried out in the name of Allah, the god of the Islamic tradition, a notable offshoot of Christianity and Judeaisim.

Allah is not the God of the Bible. He is one of many of the world's gods whose hatred for Christianity has led to intense persecution and terrifying slaughter of those who refuse to submit. Please read Four Faces of Islam

For another thing, my younger sister was a reader, but most of the time you had to force her before she read something. We handed her a "Harry Potter" book, told her to at least try it, and now we have regular trips to
the bookstore. "Animorphs", another topic of your "Righteous" and "Religious" bashing, is and was nothing more than a Sci-Fi book for children. It has all the positive attributes noted for "Harry Potter".

Both sets of books appeal to a child's quest for occult mysteries, supernatural power and forbidden realms. Not only do they captivate minds, they shape goals and values -- and they immunize children against the Biblical "absolutes" (unchanging truths and values) that made America unique, strong and good -- a refuge for persecute and oppressed people around the world.

With the influx of paganism and acceptance of occult thinking, this nation is becoming increasingly violent. Freedom is being replaced by government control. The kindness and civility that was normal to our culture is disappearing. Those are consequences of turning from God's truths to a humanist ethic and politically correct global values. See Paradigm Shift: Total transformation and Biblical versus Cultural Christianity

From Viet Ngo: I've bookmarked [your site], and I intend to be back soon and often. Keep up the good work, and don't ever let the hate mail get to you!

That's not to say, though, that I completely agree with you -- I think you're reading too much into stuff. To a certain degree, you're always going to find what you're looking for; it's all in the interpretation. It boils down to not over-analyzing things...to be honest, it kind of undermines your overall credibility. I probably would have dismissed your site if I'd started with the Star Wars article -- fortunately, I read the Harry Potter one first, and I agree with that one.

I apologize if I'm sounding all high and mighty; I'm certainly no theological expert, and I'm not that far past being a kid myself. But I kinda felt that it would be wrong for me to just browse on by without telling you about my reservations.

Thanks, Viet. You sound kind and thoughtful, not "high and mighty." I appreciate your encouragement. Are you from Vietnam?

Both my parents are from Vietnam, but I was born in California and have lived there all my life.

From Kacie: I'm twelve and a Christian, and I would have to disagree with the fact that you say that Harry Potter is luring children to witchcraft, and that Harry Potter is bad and evil.

You said in one of the comments that: you were concerned that the book will turn children in Christian homes away from Jesus Christ. Well, I am a Christian and reading Harry Potter did not, I repeat, DID NOT change that thought that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Even my friends that attend my church think this was a good book, knowing them as well as I do, they didn't start praticing witchcraft after reading the book.

Kacie, what does being "a follower of of Jesus Christ" mean to you?

If you accepted the Bible as a standard, you would have to agree that the witchcraft itself -- or love for stories about witchcraft -- clash with God's Word. Just read Deut 18:9-12 and Rom 12:2-9. And if you don't take His Word seriously, how can you know where He is leading you? And how can you follow if you don't know His way?

May I suggest that you pray and ask that He show you His way. It sounds as if you listen more to your friends than to Him. Conforming to the crowd and doing what's popular is rarely His way. Remember what He said about the wide and the narrow road. Which one have you chosen?

Some people may ask why Rowling wrote about such a thing of magic and such, well, a book like this keeps childrens attention, and makes it so they want to read, so they want to find out what happens after each chapter. And most likely, they don't turn the page of the Harry Potter Books so they can find out how to cast a spell, and anything of that sort!

What do you expect a child to do at a young age when he or she doesn't want to do anything but read books (Yes, I am talking of Harry Potter.) that have nothing to do with their religion, are you going to pull them away from there book unwillingly and tell them they're a bad person if they read it?

Imagine this, say you weren't a Christian and you wrote the Harry Potter book series (and you wrote it only to give children something they would want to read), and one day you decide to go online and find some comments about what you wrote, and only to find that someone is saying that the book is luring children to witchcraft, and saying book is bad and evil? How would you feel?

Thank you for your time.

I show what I would do in Bewitched by Harry Potter and Harry Potter and Dungeons & Dragons: Like Peas in a Pod? If you haven't already, please read those articles.

From Kenneth A. Lower: The following is the opinion of a Christian who is, by no means, "The Poster Child" for the faith. I encourage and desire dissenting opinions. Now in my mid-thirties, I spent countless hours in high school playing the game Dungeons and Dragons (D&D). At the time, I was a "cultural Christian," but had no true understanding of what being an "actual Christian" was. However, although I don't, I would have no problem playing the game even today.

D&D is, in some respects, far more "dangerous" than H. P. or Animorphs (sp?) could ever dream of being. In the game of D&D, one "becomes" the magic-using (witch, warlock, wizard, what-have-you) character (some of the "spells"
involved in the game are, quite obviously, utterly Unchristian (involving the summoning of demons, et cetera). However, I believe that these things are to be taken in an overall perspective.

If Christian parents want to protect their children from, what I believe to be, the VERY REAL dangers of the occult, they must begin with a strong faith base. If the home is one dedicated to Christ, the children will be exposed to that 24/7, whereas contact with H. P., or what-have-you, is only temporary.

Faith is not like fantasy. Faith is, properly, based on intellectual reason, historical fact, and Truth (capitalization of the word being significant). A person (adult or child) with a strong background in Truth will know when to "draw the line," and where that line lies for him/her (some can involve themselves to a great extent in fantasy without endangering themselves Spiritually, while others cannot).

By doing our best, as parents and as human beings, to emulate Christ, we set the standard in God's name. Truth is not, nor could it ever be, endangered by fantasy.

I respectfully submit that your H.P. website provides a valuable service, yet, at the same time, a disservice. One who wants to know how to protect oneself from the occult needs look no further than the pages of The Bible.

We Christians are called upon to stand against evil; true; however, we need to pick our battles. The weapons of Spiritual Warfare are faith and prayer, not unrelenting rhetoric (not that this is what you are, personally, doing). When we, allegedly in the name of God, fail to remember the most important law: love, we sometimes, oft inadvertently, misrepresent Christ.

Thank you, Kenneth. Would you like me to post your letter? I would be glad to respond to some of your comments. But first, I have one question. You say, "I respectfully submit that your H.P. website provides a valuable service, yet, at the same time, a disservice. One who wants to know how to protect
oneself from the occult needs look no further than the pages of The Bible."

Would you please explain what you see as "a disservice"? Thank you.

I, most assuredly, meant no disrespect nor "attack." I would humbly suggest that you might want to consider adding to your disclaimer about how you are not attempting to ban H.P. with your page. Rather than jumping right into H.P., or any other subject for that matter, I would propose that you include advice about where to find Truth on ANY issue: The Bible.

Thanks for your response; hope you will address the rest of the issues I raised too (re-included below); In Him,

Kenneth, I will try to get back to your letter tonight. If I can't, I hope I can tomorrow.

Martel: I doubt I'll be able to add much after the vast hail of comments you've recieved already, but As for Harry Potter, this is a tricky one, mainly because J.K.Rowling doesn't specify the source of magic in her world.

That's right, but when you see reality from God's perspective as shown in the Bible, you realize there are only two sources of supernatural power: God and Satan. The two are not equal in any way. God is the Creator of everything, and He is far greater. He also sets the boundaries for Satan's influence in the world. The latter tends to operate in secret, ofent masquerading as "an angel of light." These practices are part of his Satan's domain:

"There shall not be found among you anyone who... practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord...." Deuterononmy 18:10-13

I've only read the first book (and, frankly, I think it's been rather over-hyped, but that's just a personal opinion), but it seems to me that Rowling depicts magic as a talent: it's inborn, you either have it or you don't- but if you have it, you can learn to control it more effectively, a little like some of us might have, say, aptitude at sport while others do not.

For examples of "inborn" sensitivity to occult spirits, see this description of African witchcraft. It has terrified and oppressed the people for thousands of years: African Witchcraft

As for the idea that it may be pulling youngsters to paganism, firstly: hey! They're just kids, and as such, have an extremely large sense of enthusiasm for whatever may have grasped their imaginations at that particualr moment.

It's not just a notion. It's happening throughout the Western world. Read the first part of Harry Potter Lures Kids to Witchcraft.

I don't have any first hand experience of any pagan cults, but my guess is that this enthusiasm will start to fade severely after they realise just how little accurate divination and enchantment goes on. Secondly, what's so bad about paganism? Last time I checked, we were in a religiously tolerant society, and a lot of Christians believe that it's perfectly possible to achieve salvation without following Yahweh, as long as one does follow a moral lifestyle. Ultimately, it's far better to do the right thing for the wrong reason than the wrong thing for the right reason.

Finally, I appreciate that your articles were aimed at parents, rather than at the gaming community, but I still feel that maybe you should loosen up a little. One of the reasons people get involved in the gaming hobby is that it provides a parallel world, a way in which we can bring our dreams- or even our nightmares- into being, just for a while. It acts as a focus for our imagination, our originality, and can act as a valuable stimulus for both.

Please be sure to read the section on African Witchcraft. As for the your last point, read Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion

Second letter from Lauren Foagazzi: I have more to say about harry potter and also post this please. God well i really don't know when he was born i don't really think he was born he is just a spirit. Well i can tell you that christ was not born on december 25th. He was born i think in feb. Well i was a big bible freak till i was 7 and saw no point in going with ALL of gods veiws. There was to much to explore in life than reiling on the bible for every second of my life.

I started exploring different books and playing more and having fun. Now I have a new theory about how the world was made the big bang. That is the only explainable reason. If god was really the one who made earth than how did he do it. I don't beleive that he made the world but made the planet become alive with color!

Lauren, God is God whether you believe it or not. Your thoughts cannot create or change the realities of the world He created. Children may believe in tooth fairies, but their thoughts -- contrary to some popular New Age notions -- cannot produce such a supernatural being. Nor can people eliminate God by denying His existence.

Believe Him or not -- but if you (whom He has created) choose to live as if He doesn't exist, you become the loser, not He. He has promised amazing peace and joy to those who will follow Him, but those who rebel against Him will face unthinkable consequences. You and I may choose which way to turn.

But I beleive that your veiws on Shrek and Harry Potter are just evil thought to bring some great sucess down. I think that you knew J.K rowling and know are jeulous of her. I pity your thoughts and dreams about everything and let god be with you. Like i said please be kinder and don't bring evil veiws on something you don't know about. I don't care if you read it. I bet you loved the books and only want to be faithful to your so called god. You probably laughed at the funny parts and brought down the parts with evil and so calle dshape shifting but it is not. Good day and let god be with you :)

From Lauren Foagazzi: I have read your quotes over and over and laughed till I cried! The Bible is not always right. What do you think god wrote it?

Did you mean "why"? First, to teach us the truth about Himself -- His wonderful love as well as His high standard and painful disciplines when we, as His children, reject His wisdom and purpose.

Second, to show us the way to eternal life with Him.

Third, to encourage us with His promises, His guidelines and a deepening understanding of the amazing privilege of being one with the King of the universe.

And you said in your comment section that the only safe place was with Jesus well that ain't true. If you have read the bible it says SOME WHERE that god said" Thowe will have no other god before me" Well look at all those gods christens have. You complain and complain that Harry Potter LURES KIDS TO WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDY, Kids don't have to read the bible and follow what it says. It is called in the U.S.A people have a freedom of speech and can do almost anything they want to. Like I said the bible is not always right and kids don't have to follow biblical values. And at the End of the veiwers comments you said "Since many visitors who disagree with our position on Harry Potter and witchcraft" I have to say almost evryone in america loves Harry Potter except stuck up christians like you who can't take a little break from reality. I am not christian(thank god) I am wiccan. The books do not emphasise evil they emphasise good over evil. Like lord voldemort and harry. Voldemort is bad and harry not Harry always wins.

It is a fiction suspense thriller. It is where everybody can take a break from reality. Lots of christian kids I know some did sneek harry potter books and read them and told there mothers and fathers to read
them (remember the moms and dads didn't want there kids to read it) and they said it was a wonderful peice of fiction and a break from reality. Like i said i am wiccan and I am a witch so while you are critsizing the books you are also critising religions,kids and lots of people in the world. Please consider this letter and take your awful and unholy comment of of your christian brain washing page.

Lauren, I realize that the what I call holy you would call unholy -- and vice versa. I worship the Biblical God and you, since you call yourself wiccan, probably worship either a personal or an impersonal goddess. Spiritually we cannot agree, but we can still be kind to each other.

I have had friendly discussions with many witches -- both male and female. You can read about some of those encounters in A Twist of Faith, Chapter 1 and Chapter 4. They may help persuade you that I am not trying to restrict you or deny your freedom to pursue your own goals or delight in Harry Potter's wizardly world.

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From Melanie: "hi!! i'm from austria (europa). my mother tongue is germany. this is the reason why i'm not very good in english. but i will try not to do many mistakes. i'm a big harry potter fan and so i found your page. i don't understand every word, but i know that you think that harry potter is bad. BUT IT ISN'T!! have you ever read one of the books?

Of course. I read them all, Melanie. How else would I be able to quote and analyze them?

We disagree because we see both reality and fantasy from two different perspectives (or points of view). As a Christian, I use the Bible as my standard for what is good and evil. I'm not sure what standard you use, but most young people today have learned (especially through their government schools) to base their values on personal feelings and the consensus of their friends and peers. The latter changes with the changing cultures while God's trusted and tried values are as perfect today as they were thousands of years ago. See Col 2:8

harry potter is a young boy who wants to by a normal boy, but he isn't. a black wizard tried to kill him when he was a baby. now, ten years later he wants to come back. but harry and some ofther good wizard don't want this, so the fight against voldemort (the black wizard). it is a very good book, and think you shouldn't say it's bad, because you even not read it!! and this is VERY unfair!!!! nice greatings from austria (i hope i don't make many mistakes)

Might it be a bit unfair and unwise, Melanie, to accuse me of not reading the books? Though you don't agree with me, I do know a lot of things you don't know. Believe it or not, I'm older and wiser than you. :-) Be careful not to close your mind to all opinions that clash with your own. You would be wise to try to understand my position. See What it means to be a Christian and Isaiah 5:20.

From an "Angry Reader of Your Articles: I am writing to tell you some of the reasons that you are wrong about harry potter. First of, you always use quotes from children that are praising harry potter and twist them to make them seem evil.

Are your referring to the letters in the Comments section or in my articles? Both show many more positive responses to Harry Potter because that is what I see and receive. Apparently, most children who share their opinion do so in defense and praise of Harry Potter. But when Christian children love wizards and their occult power, they cannot love God's Word. Instead they learn to reinterpret the Bible in order to justify their choices. And you cannot love and follow God if you ignore or twist His Word. See Psalm 119:11

as for the quotes that say the children wish they were witches and wizards, well children will be children. The children know that magic is not real, but that is the reason that they are so fascinated by it. I also noticed that in some of your quotes you added some things of your own to them as to make them sound more evil.

Could you please give me an example? I can't respond to your correction unless you point out the specific error.

The worst part about it is that the things you add are completely wrong. In one quote you add in that professor Lupin( one of harry's teachers) is a shape shifter. Well he's not a shape shifter, he's a warewolf, neither of which is a bad thing. I will refuse to listen to yours and others oppinions of harry potter until you have sat down and read all of these books with an open mind.

I agree that Lupin is a werewolf. But remember, this is fantasy, not reality. You are allowing a fictional book to define words for you. In the real world of paganism, shape-shifting includes all kinds of mythical beings and visionary shamans or witchdoctors who claim to change their shapes.

Of course, no living being can really change back and forth between a human body and an animal body. Real witchdoctors or shamans only seemed to do so by putting themselves into a trance and receiving occult visions through spirit possession. These paragraphs from "The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft" by Rosemary Ellen Guiley illustrates the supposed shape-shifting from human to wolf:

"Shape-shifting (metamorphosis): In the Middle Ages and renaissance, many believed that witches could assume the shape of an animal.... A woman imprisoned on suspicion of witchcraft 'claimed to be able to transform herself into a wolf. The magistrate promised not to have her executed, in case she would turn into a wolf before him. The witch rubbed her head, neck and armpits with an ointment and fell into a deep sleep for three hours. She could not be roused by 'noises or blows.' When she awakened, she claimed that she had turned into a wolf, gone a few miles away and killed a sheep and a cow. The magistrate investigated and discovered that a sheep and cow in t he location described by the witch had indeed been killed. It was evident that the Devil 'did that mischief' and that the witch had merely experienced the dreams and delusions created by Satan.

"In shamanism, shamans metamorphose (shape-shift) into their guardian animal spirits or power animals (animals form who m they derive their chief power). The shape-shifting is done in an altered state of consciousness." page 225-227

From Meghan: I honestly laughed over your articals on Harry Potter! Every single person I know who reads those books absolutely LOVES them! A huge group of my friends and I discuss them regularly during our lunch break. They are in the school library, awaiting people to check them out.

Meghan, how do you decide what is good or bad? Do you base your values on what your friends like? On what's popular? On what feels good? Or don't you think about that?

God tells us to base our values on what He considers good and bad. He warns us not to be led like sheep by peers who don't know Him or His ways. Please read Psalm 1:1-6 and Col 2:8.

Did I mention that I go to an all girls Catholic high school? Or that teachers have recommended them to us? Of all the numerous friends I have at this school, (surprise surprise!) not one of them, since opening Harry Potter. have decided not to be confirmed, or that they should join the occult? Since you have asked us to be open minded, how about you go to your book shelf, take down that Harry Potter book, and read it as a NORMAL person would- simply to enjoy the wonderful adventures that Harry Potter enjoys! If you can't enjoy them, I honestly feel sorry for you.

From James (See his first letter): Sure, Andy (or Berit?) post away. And, I owe you an apology. I was a bit harsh yesterday.

I would like to say to you both that I'm not looking to make y'all my adversaries. I hold no ill will nor hard feelings towards either of you; I respect you for holding to your beliefs, even if I don't agree with them, and I hope you respect me with the same understanding for sticking to mine. I'm sure you're familiar with the line about the Lord working in mysterious ways.

We are, and we probably interpret it in different ways.

We're all here for a reason and I believe that the majority of us are on the same side. I agree that the world is heading down a grim road and the atrocities we read about daily are grievous, but the character Harry Potter is not evil. In fact, he and his friends do their level best (after all, they're only 12 or so years old,) to fight the evil being(s) of their realm. If they do it by waving their wands around, why is that wrong? The ends are the same, but the means may vary.

No, James. The ends are as different as they can possibly be. That's why Christian love means sharing the truth as well as His kindness. See What it means to be a Christian

We all need to work together as one to make a positive change. "We are all enemies of the One Enemy" as Tolkien wrote in "the Lord of the Rings." The saying holds true not only in that fictitious work but in our real lives as well. All the faiths need to band together in order to save ourselves from destruction. Teamwork, Andy. Teamwork, Berit.

One last thought: The last line of the Wiccan rede runs thus: "If it harms none, do what ye will." It would seem they're on our side, too. Not too shabby for a bunch of pagans. Thank you,

Thank you, James. May I suggest you also read The UN Plan for Your Mental Health?

From Mark Adamson: I would just like to answer a point you make on one of the hp pages, the one titled "Harry Potter lures Kids to Witchcraft. Now I'm not saying whether harry potter does or doesn't lure kids to witchcraft. It didn't lure me, but then at 17 I'm slightly more able than some of the younger readers of the series to discern between fantasy and reality.

My response to your ten points, Lindsay:
1. Like Hogwarts, today's schools and culture have little room for Jesus in their Christmas celebration. The world shows far more devotion to Santa, reindeers, food, gifts and an illusion of earthly peace than to the heavenly King who was born in our midst. In addition, remember that the timing of Christmas coincides with winter solstice in pagan cultures around the world. Families around the world now blend the two together into an essentially pagan feast. See Christmas and the links at the top of the page.
2. Like pagan cultures around the world, Harry fights dark magic with what might seem to be white magic. Both represent the occult forces of the evil one -- the demonic realm -- and are forbidden in the Bible.
3. Your statement backs my conclusions, Lindsay. Many would consider Harry Potter and his friends "good." But God's Word tells us that witchcraft and all the occult practices that help Harry win his battles are evil. In other words, the HP books prompt children to turn God's values upside down. See Isaiah 5:20
4. You don't have to join a coven or call yourself Wiccan to embrace the main tenets of witchcraft and other earth-centered religion. Many who call themselves Christian know little about God and the Bible and have wholeheartedly embraced the basic beliefs behind witchcraft. Just read the first three chapters in A Twist of Faith and see for yourself.
5. Harry is no stuffed animal. He is a likeable flesh-and-blood hero with familiar wants and feelings. The fact that his occult world includes normal facets of human relationships as well as distorted version of Christmas helps readers to enter into his imaginary world and identify with his challenges.
6. Please go back and read what I actually said in Harry Potter Lures Kids to Witchcraft. You have exaggerated and distorted my message so that you could ridicule it. What I did say I also documented. If you disagree, you might want to challenge the Pagan Federation rather than me.
7. It's far easier to identify with Harry Potter's world and friends than with those that your mentioned -- unless you already play a band instrument. That's why is why these books are both more seductive and more effective in changing values.
8. It is real. Read A Twist of Faith--Chapter 4
9. When I was growing up, everyone was reading. We didn't have Harry Potter. The solution to today's disinterest in reading is, first, to teach phonics in schools so that everyone learns to read. Second, keep children from being addicted to emotional thrills and occult entertainment. There are plenty of good books for those whose minds have not been seduced with today's selections of pagan thrills. Finally, keep in mind a principle that is true for our minds as well as our bodies: it's better to eat a smaller amount of healthy food than to eat lots of cookies and candy.
10. The Power Rangers were banned from many schools -- not by Christian parents or teachers but by educators who recognized the power of suggestion and didn't want their students to act out what they imagined in their minds.
You call yourself a Christian, but do you read the Bible as well as Harry Potter? If not, you may want to start with Romans 12:1-9, Ephesians 5 and Deuteronomy 8, 18 and 28. If you haven't already read all my HP articles, please do so. And please pray that God open your mind to His perspective. You might also pray for the humility to admit that people who hold views that differ from yours might actually understand reality better than you. See Proverbs 12:15.

From Karey: I am a Catholic. I have been raised in a Christian house. I am a teacher. And I love Harry Potter. Children (as well as adults) can always misread a book. People can see something that wasn't meant to be there or read what ever they want between the lines. Children need to have make believe in their life. It gives them the opportunity to exercise imagination. This is why a child plays dress up. Why a little girl places a crown on her head and says "look, daddy, I'm a princess." She knows that she isn't, but it's only play. As long as readers understand that what they are reading is fiction.

Harry Potter is fiction, made up, not real. It is also a fantasy book, meaning that not only is the story not real, it is not possible. The children in my class understand this because we have discussed what it means for a book to be a fantasy. C.S. Lewis wrote fantasy, Alice in Wonderland is Fantasy, Peter Pan is as well. I know that a book that discusses witchcraft as an everyday part of life is scary. That is what I thought too. But then I read the books for I knew that I could not have an opinion without doing so. I highly recommend these books, especially to boys. If a parent has a concern about what the books discuss then sit and talk with your child. Use these books as a reason to discuss religion and beliefs with your child. Make it a positive family time. Read them together and enjoy!

Karey, I appreciate your sincerity but I wonder if you read any of my articles. As I explain in Harry Potter Lures Kids to Witchcraft and Harry Potter and D&D, fantasies and imagined experiences can be even more effective in changing beliefs and values than real experiences. By delighting in spells and magic, children learn to love what God tells us to shun -- then rationalize their moral and spiritual compromise. You cannot take a stand on God's absolute and unchanging truths with one foot resting in the world of the occult.

From Kat: I am writing in response to your articles refering to the popular children's series Harry Potter as something that will "lure" children away from the christian faith. I'm not trying to say anything to critizise what you believe in this letter. J.K. Rowling has stated many a time that her books are ment solely for the enjoyment of the reader. You state that certain schools have banned the books because they teach things that "clash" with
your religion. They dont teach ANYTHING.

Kat, every show you watch or book you read teach you something -- especially if you really enjoy and feel good about them. They leave images and suggestions in your mind and memory that influence your thinking and affect your values. When Christian children delight in Harry Potter's use of spells and magic, many become fascinated enough with occultism to read the stories over and over. Next, some want to explore this topic more deeply and experience this mysterious power themselves. Please read Harry Potter Lures Kids to Witchcraft.

Our God tells us to have nothing to do with witchcraft, magic, sorcery or spells -- not even in our imagination. Deut 18:9-12 I explain that in the above article. But my message doesn't apply to you, Kat. You have made your choice. Harry Potter would only confirm what you already believe, not change your values. I am not trying to tell you and others what to read.

They mearly present a concept that creates quite a remarkable fantasy world for kids to enjoy. Personaly, I think that as long as you are satisfied with your religion as well as yourself, you shouldn't have to go around preaching against certain things such as the Harry Potter books. Is'nt it enough to know that YOU and your FAMILY are faithful to your religion? I don't think you should be so concerned about other people. Each individual person has the right to chose their faith, and if that faith happens to be pagan, so be it.

But even young children have the right to explore new and different things, and that doesn't mean that they should start casting spells without a second thought. Most religions to day require study and a knowledge of what it's "all about", as well as wicca, shamanism, etc. but as long as they are dedicated, they can follow what their heart believes in. And I don't think that you have any right to interfere and tell them it's wrong.

Presently, I am 13 years old and I live in los angeles, a society with MANY different religions. I practice the religion of Wicca, and I am still studying to learn more about it. The Harry Potter books were very enjoyable, and imagination is a part of a child's life. Don't try to destroy such a wonderful thing.

p.s. you tend to overrate the "dark magic-satanism" thing. I know there are some people who believe in such things, but face it. Logically, most people are smart enough to avoid that kind of thing, even small children and teens like me. :) Blessed Be.

Believe me, I don't underestimate the power of "the dark magic-satanism thing." The Western world has been shielded from the dark terrors of sorcery and shamanism -- and today's media and entertainment leaders distort the truth or argue it away.

To fuel today's quest for a global spirituality that will unify people and promote worldwide "solidarity," educators have used classroom stories about animist and other pagan cultures to present an idealized form of earth-centered religions, not the real thing.

We saw the cruelty of modern leaders under Satan's control in Hitler and other totalitarian rulers who sought occult powers. Neither human nature nor satan's tactics have changed much through the years. The evil one still masquerades as "an angel of light" and deceives his followers into believing he will actually deliver the "power" and "wisdom" he promises. See America's Spiritual Slide and The Nature and Tactics of Satan.

Angry Reader of Your Articles: I am writing to tell you some of the reasons that you are wrong about harry potter. First of, you always use quotes from children that are praising harry potter and twist them to make them seem evil. as for the quotes that say the children wish they were witches and wizards, well children will be children. The children know that magic is not real, but that is the reason that they are so fascinated by it. I also noticed that in some of your quotes you added some things of your own to them as to make them sound more evil.

Please give me some examples. Unless you tell me specifically what you think I did wrong, I cannot explain or respond.

I have read the books and you don't need to listen to my views. I surely didn't make you come to our website. That was your choice.

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