How Christians Warmed to Harry Potter | thebereancall.org

TBC Staff

How Christians Warmed to Harry Potter [Excerpts]

After praising the "Harry Potter" books in 2001, author Connie Neal said that she opened her inbox to see death threats scattered among the reactions from fellow Christians. The one time the California-based writer found her book, "What's a Christian Got to Do with Harry Potter?," at a Christian bookstore, it was on the occult/New Age shelf.

In its early years, "Harry Potter" was a litmus test of orthodoxy for some conservative Christians, who expressed concern over its portrayal of witchcraft. A Christian lawyer sued a public library for encouraging young readers to check out the series. Texas Pastor John Hagee called the books a "precursor to witchcraft." In 2005 a Canadian website published a letter opposing the books written by Pope Benedict XVI when he was Cardinal Ratzinger. (In 2009, the Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano published a favorable review, seeming to reverse course on the series.)

The hysteria has largely died down, and not many religious leaders asked their flocks to avoid the final movie, which [opened July 15]. Potter observers cite a few possible reasons for the waning concern, including a natural desire to move on to other entertainment issues, but also an interest in the themes that unfolded.

Christians today are certainly not universally enchanted by the series. Over time, however, more readers have begun to express praise for its honest depiction of fear, loneliness and sacrifice as Harry faces the evil wizard Lord Voldemort. Many Christians have cheered the portrayals of loyalty, courage and love, as the main character repeatedly risks his life.

"These books are not written for people who have a mechanical faith," says John Granger, author of "Looking for God in Harry Potter." "For Christians who are consumed with moral elements and symbolism, Potter mania was ironic beyond words." Spoiler detail about the movie aside, the idea that sacrificial love conquers power, including magical power, is strongly suggested in the final book.

(Bailey, How Christians Warmed to Harry Potter, Wall Street Journal Online, July 15, 2011).

[TBC: "There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer" (Deuteronomy:18:100-11).
This popular series glamorized witchcraft, disobedience and magic. “Over time,” Christians have moved away from the Scriptures and it is not surprising, though grievous, to see Harry Potter finding favor with some. Connie Neal is also the author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter.]