Great post! I don't really care much about Harry Potter, but I have experienced those Christians who think it's evil. My family and I don't have anything against the series. It's actually one of my older sister's favorite series. I can tell that you probably like Harry Potter just about as much as I like Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
I read a book published in 2002 by Abanes, "Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick," about a year ago when I was studying fantasy literature and wanted to know more about the context of the HP panic during the series' release (because there was a legitimate uproar against the series). I didn't agree with it per se, but I thought it was well-reasoned, and it being a product of its time gave a great snapshot into how the series was viewed and some of the fears, articles, or reactions to it while it was ongoing, especially in the early part of the series. I haven't read this one, but I was shocked to see a review on a book by the same author because it does seem niche to find, especially now.
i did get a book recently called "how harry cast his spell" (i have yet to read it) but it actually supports the claim that HP is biblical and shows biblical references from the HP series and explains how it is a good series, so i'm interested to read that book.
also i think a book like this is really stupid when it comes to its topic (some of the messages apparently look good, but don't relate to the topic at all) because he has 0 evidence for anything apparently. i hate it when people have 0 evidence for anything (for example: dungeons and dragons is NOT satanic and NEVER HAS BEEN! That's just a lie made up by the Christians of the 70's because they were afraid of dragons).
I think it's more important to teach people to think for themselves and be discerning than it is to hate on any one book series. If I'm not devoted to God, I'll do whatever the crap I want, but if I am devoted to God, then Scripture and the Holy Spirit will help me discern what books are good for me or what are not, and I won't be unduly influenced by books or music that aren't 100% sound.
This post was delightful. I read it and laughed out loud. XD Any one who's read them knows that the HP books rock, and here's an extra-fun-fact for the author of "Harry Potter and the Bible": there have been HP readers who were so moved by the ending allegory to the series that they researched Rowling's original inspiration, discovered Christianity, and gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
...Sounds pretty demonic, am I right? Readers coming to Christ definitely sounds like the Devil's end-goal. XD
This book by Abanes has a very specific context: it was written during a few years of a strong debate in Christian circles about whether the wildly popular HP books were a danger for kids to read. Abanes wrote his book after only 2 or 3 of the HP books had been released, so he didn’t know where the series was going or how it would end. In 2005, at the heart of this debate in Christian circles, the university where I teach hosted a debate between Abanes and John Granger (several books being written at the time on this topic of the dangers of merits of HP). That debate fostered good dialogue amongst our students about reading choices (& Granger showed better the merits of the HP books than Abanes the dangers). All that to say, it was a book written for a very specific time and does not hold up past that time.
I don't disagree that the criticisms can be over the top, but I personally know someone who dabbled with witchcraft and the occult as a child as a result of her love for Harry Potter. Thankfully, she repented.
The most reasonable criticism of HP versus Tolkien and Lewis that I know is that HP follows seemingly ordinary boys and girls that become extraordinary due to their own magic use, and it's presented as something good and desirable. It's very inviting to certain types of children. In Lewis and Tolkien, the reader is not invited in to try spells and incantations. They are more of a plot device used by extraordinary characters of a different nature to humans, and the corruption of humans who exercise power is clearly shown.
That being said, I read all seven of the original series multiple times and was unaffected. I won't give them to my own children, though.
I think at this point personally it just comes down to the person reading it and what mindset they have going into the books. If you train someone before letting them read HP that it's all fake and just fictional then they will more likely not be affected and genuinely enjoy the story
I haven't even read Harry Potter (I will soon; I promise) but this (no offense to the author) sounds like a joke and a half.
One thing I have noticed is when an apologist wants to convince everyone that a specific book series/movie/tv show is satanic, their logic doesn't really add up very well. Keep in mind though, there are truly satanic books and movies out there. Even so, I always find it odd and comedic when someone says "(super popular story), praised by Christians and atheists alike, is evil and you all must repent of your sins and must model the perfect image of a Christian: me." Of course, you should be careful of what you read and how it affects your life, but they often come off as self-worshippers. (I don't mean to say that apologists are dumb. I love apologetics).
Anyways, I should be done with this essay.
This post was absolutely hilarious. Great job, Jack.
Great post! I don't really care much about Harry Potter, but I have experienced those Christians who think it's evil. My family and I don't have anything against the series. It's actually one of my older sister's favorite series. I can tell that you probably like Harry Potter just about as much as I like Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
I read a book published in 2002 by Abanes, "Fantasy and Your Family: Exploring the Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Modern Magick," about a year ago when I was studying fantasy literature and wanted to know more about the context of the HP panic during the series' release (because there was a legitimate uproar against the series). I didn't agree with it per se, but I thought it was well-reasoned, and it being a product of its time gave a great snapshot into how the series was viewed and some of the fears, articles, or reactions to it while it was ongoing, especially in the early part of the series. I haven't read this one, but I was shocked to see a review on a book by the same author because it does seem niche to find, especially now.
i did get a book recently called "how harry cast his spell" (i have yet to read it) but it actually supports the claim that HP is biblical and shows biblical references from the HP series and explains how it is a good series, so i'm interested to read that book.
also i think a book like this is really stupid when it comes to its topic (some of the messages apparently look good, but don't relate to the topic at all) because he has 0 evidence for anything apparently. i hate it when people have 0 evidence for anything (for example: dungeons and dragons is NOT satanic and NEVER HAS BEEN! That's just a lie made up by the Christians of the 70's because they were afraid of dragons).
hilarious 🤣🤣
I think it's more important to teach people to think for themselves and be discerning than it is to hate on any one book series. If I'm not devoted to God, I'll do whatever the crap I want, but if I am devoted to God, then Scripture and the Holy Spirit will help me discern what books are good for me or what are not, and I won't be unduly influenced by books or music that aren't 100% sound.
very true
This post was delightful. I read it and laughed out loud. XD Any one who's read them knows that the HP books rock, and here's an extra-fun-fact for the author of "Harry Potter and the Bible": there have been HP readers who were so moved by the ending allegory to the series that they researched Rowling's original inspiration, discovered Christianity, and gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
...Sounds pretty demonic, am I right? Readers coming to Christ definitely sounds like the Devil's end-goal. XD
This book by Abanes has a very specific context: it was written during a few years of a strong debate in Christian circles about whether the wildly popular HP books were a danger for kids to read. Abanes wrote his book after only 2 or 3 of the HP books had been released, so he didn’t know where the series was going or how it would end. In 2005, at the heart of this debate in Christian circles, the university where I teach hosted a debate between Abanes and John Granger (several books being written at the time on this topic of the dangers of merits of HP). That debate fostered good dialogue amongst our students about reading choices (& Granger showed better the merits of the HP books than Abanes the dangers). All that to say, it was a book written for a very specific time and does not hold up past that time.
That's so interesting to learn! Thank you for this context.
*dangers or merits of HP
I don't disagree that the criticisms can be over the top, but I personally know someone who dabbled with witchcraft and the occult as a child as a result of her love for Harry Potter. Thankfully, she repented.
The most reasonable criticism of HP versus Tolkien and Lewis that I know is that HP follows seemingly ordinary boys and girls that become extraordinary due to their own magic use, and it's presented as something good and desirable. It's very inviting to certain types of children. In Lewis and Tolkien, the reader is not invited in to try spells and incantations. They are more of a plot device used by extraordinary characters of a different nature to humans, and the corruption of humans who exercise power is clearly shown.
That being said, I read all seven of the original series multiple times and was unaffected. I won't give them to my own children, though.
I think at this point personally it just comes down to the person reading it and what mindset they have going into the books. If you train someone before letting them read HP that it's all fake and just fictional then they will more likely not be affected and genuinely enjoy the story
I haven't even read Harry Potter (I will soon; I promise) but this (no offense to the author) sounds like a joke and a half.
One thing I have noticed is when an apologist wants to convince everyone that a specific book series/movie/tv show is satanic, their logic doesn't really add up very well. Keep in mind though, there are truly satanic books and movies out there. Even so, I always find it odd and comedic when someone says "(super popular story), praised by Christians and atheists alike, is evil and you all must repent of your sins and must model the perfect image of a Christian: me." Of course, you should be careful of what you read and how it affects your life, but they often come off as self-worshippers. (I don't mean to say that apologists are dumb. I love apologetics).
Anyways, I should be done with this essay.
This post was absolutely hilarious. Great job, Jack.