A Question for Christians about Harry Potter?

Question

I am puzzled and would love your input if you could please supply it. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are both Christians. They are separated and my niece lives with her mother. My niece is 9 years old and is behind her reading level in school. She does not like to read because she doesn't like the books she is exposed to. Last year for her birthday, my husband and I gave her the first Harry Potter book, thinking that if she could not read it herself, one of her parents might read it to her. My sister-in-law went through the roof and subjected me to a 10 minute diatribe about exposing her child to witchcraft and Satanism. The thing that puzzles me is that she routinely watches PG-13 and R rated movies with her child. My sister-in-law regularly watches films like "The Ring" and "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" with my niece. Why is Harry Potter not appropriate when films made for adults are? Why does she have a problem with Harry Potter, but not with violence, horror, and sex?

Answer 1

In my opinion, your sister in law's attitude comes from someone telling her that Harry Potter is bad and an evil influence on kids. She is missing a great opportunity to dialogue with her child concerning things spiritual. Allowing your child to read and/or view things that is age inappropriate is certainly not something that I endore. However, certain topics, especially ones that you have a strong opinion on, should be talked about openly and not just shoved aside with the label that those things are evil or Satan inspired. No matter how well you control your child's environment during their growing years, they will, in spite of you, form their own opinions and attitudes someday. Better that you teach them how to evaluate things and ideas based on their own merit. It sounds like you sister in law has never learned how to evaluate things for herself either. There is nothing you can do to change her mind. There are plenty of comparable "Christian" books for children out there. I would visit a local bookstore to see what's available.

Answer 2

The Harry Potter books do, in fact, glamourize "witchcraft". The good guys in the books are practicing witches and wizards, and the author makes no attempt to conceal this.



I think the books are a wonderful fantasy for kids, and I applaud the author. However, even as an atheist, I will say this...



I don't like the fact that it does glamourize something that is actually believed to be factual by a sizeable group of people, and many of these people are not the types I would want my kids spending time with.



For example, I may not be a Christian, but I do not associate or condone anyone that wants to be a "Satanist", for example. And the same goes for "witches". Yes, I'm sure many of the "wiccans" out there will disagree with me. But to call yourself a "witch" is not a positive way to live your life. I would not want my kids attempting to cast spells any more than I would want them to join a cult, or sacrifice a cat, or anything else.



I would have no problem with my kids reading the books, but I would certainly make sure that they know that it is escapist fantasy, and has nothing at all to do with "real" witchcraft, as practiced by the leather-clad weirdo down the street...

Answer 3

Well, I would say that your sister-in-law is very hypocritical. I am a Christian, and the problem that I have with Harry Potter is that it makes light of witchcraft. Witchcraft is a WICKED, DISGUISTING thing. Harry Potter approaches it as being cute and fun. I want you to realize that Satan is absolutely behind Harry Potter. He would love for you (and most of America) to believe that witchcraft is fun and exciting. Well here is the cold, hard truth: I have met many witches/wizards/wickens, and I can tell you that they are all miserable, depressed people. On the other hand, the other movies that your sister-in-law watches are just as wrong. They go the other way, and display man as more powerful than Satan. This is also not true. The only being more powerful than Satan is God.

Answer 4

That is puzzling. The Ring and The Excorcism of Emily Rose would be considered a lot worse than Harry Potter, which isn't even bad. Witchcraft is only bad if the intention is, and Harry Potter has absolutely nothing to do with Satanism. It seems to draw more from paganism. I don't wish to offend you, but your sister-in-law sounds like a hypocrite.

Answer 5

Don't stereotype an entire group.... there are plenty of us that enjoy Harry Potter. And plenty of ministers that enjoy it as well. As a teacher, I see all of the lessons that come out of it. And that is what my 12 year old daughter has picked up on as well. Now, she does want a marauders map, but who can blame her... that would be very cool! I do think that parents need to make sure the kids are old enough to read the books and to understand them. Not sure the 4 and 5 year old crowd really gets it! My girls had to be 10 to be able to read Harry Potter, since that was how old he was in the first book.

Answer 6

Your sister-in-law is being a hypocrite.



Harry Potter is about good versus evil, despite the overall theme of the books/films. He doesn't teach you to do witchcraft or even believe in magic. The point is, good always overcomes evil, as it is in Christianity, since Jesus has overcome the world (and the prince of this world, Satan) by what He did on the cross.



If the child is interested in the book, teach her that magic is indeed fake but the moral of the story is that good overcomes evil.

Answer 7

The mother does have the right to teach her children what she deems appropriate.



I am Catholic and have read all the Potter books which I really enjoy. However can see how a devout Catholic/Christian would object to the magic and witchcraft in it. If you have ever studied the history of the Catholic Church and the separation of the Protestants from the Catholics you would have a clear view of why the Protestants/Puritans adhore such practices as magic and witchcraft. It was the Puritans who did the "Witch" burning in Salem Massachusetts.



Gosh, there is so, much history behind this fear of witch craft and magic in many of the religions ... unless you're religious too, it's really hard to go into without delivering a novel.



I can't really answer to her psychology behind allowing the other media like "The Ring" and other violent-sex entertainment ... but again, as she is the mother, I would have to say she's go the right to attempt the raising of her children as she deems appropriate.

Answer 8

I find that very odd, if not hypocritical if, as you say, your sister-in-law is happy to watch supernatural and horror films. Does she watch them perhaps because she feels it's her duty to keep aware of what might be threatening and to be able to prevent any supernatural harm coming to her daughter? Or does she watch them with her daughter perhaps to frighten the child into keeping away from such things? Either way, I don't think it's very healthy at all - but who am I to judge?



Harry Potter is harmless fantasy - didn't we all read or have told to us fairy stories with fairy godmothers and wicked witches? Even "The Wizard of Oz" is still loved today by young and old, and I don't think all of these have inspired young people to experiment with black magic. And I don't think Harry Potter uses anything like a ouija board - we all understand Hogwarts is a wonderful, fictional world out of J K Rowling's imagination. Isn't there just a little part in each of us that would have loved to go there? But we all know it's fantasy, and without fantasy life can be very drab. Plenty of adults read it as well as children, and read sci-fi and other fantasy too!



I think your sister-in-law might be swayed too much by whatever kind of Christianity she believes in and has not or will not read the books herself to make up her own mind. If her church says "Don't do this!", then she will just obey without thinking it through. I am a Christian myself, and have absolutely no problem with it; I've read and enjoyed Harry Potter, and have given them to young friends to encourage their reading - which it seems to do! Your niece, I think, is old enough to make up her own mind - I doubt very much you would give her something unsuitable to read!



Anyway, the bottom line is that I do not agree with your sister-in-law! Perhaps you could try to explain the books to her - what does she expect her daughter to read? I personally would not allow any child to watch horror films, or those with sex or violence, as they could do far more harm than a little enjoyable fantasy. (And J K Rowling draws on the classics, and mythology.)

Answer 9

I think that the problem here is that your sister-in-law only knows what she has heard about the book series, and that information is loaded with inaccuracies. I am the daughter of a minister (not the rebellious type, either), and I love the series because it deals with the themes of real life and of the overarching conflict of good and evil. Assuming that a book series about witches and warlocks is simply about witchcraft and Satanism is a very narrow way to think. It is about witches and witchcraft, but it is not about Satanism. It is about a boy who struggles with being different and deals with the loss of those he loves, all while trying to do the right things in life. It is about trying to be a good person in a world (his world) filled with evil. Sure, magic is involved, but not to a bad end. Encourage her to read one of the books herself, and she will see. She doesn't want to be one of those people who speaks in ignorance, does she? The other films she lets her daughter watch are beside the point, but are a true testament to the irony of the situation. Good luck.

Answer 10

good grief! well, u really cant tell her how to raise her kids, but i think shes totally off with her assumptions cuz Ive just read HP and i thought with all the stuff ppl say about it it would have some dark references or something but it doesnt. Its a really good book about GOOD vs EVIL and how Love conquers all as well as loyal and sweet friendships forming. Given the kids mature & so do their situations so ur niece may be a bit young to start reading the later ones (5) but these are ideal books to get a kid interested in reading! In my opinion, theres nothing wrong with them and u should ask ur Sister in law to read them before she judges them that harshly, but I hope everything works out well. You could try other boos like The Chronicles of Narnia (ur sis-in-law might find those more suitable) and Nancy Drew (I was crazy about both of those series at that age) Best wishes!

Answer 11

It seems somewhat inconsistent, and I can only guess, but it may be possible that The Ring and The Exorcism of Emily Rose are OK to her because they present satanic elements as being bad. They may be more violent, but they're clear on what's evil. The problem she might have with Harry Potter is that it presents something she considers evil (witchcraft and sorcery) as being good (depending on who uses it). And that, to her, might be a worse influence on her child.



I'm not saying she's necessarily right, but it could explain the apparent inconsistency.

Answer 12

Chances are she is just hopping on the Media bandwagon. She has probably not read the book and has no idea what the book is about. Ask her if she liked the Fellowship of the Ring movies. Talk about sorcerery and witchcraft in a Godless land, yet it is heralded as a metaphor for the Christain faith.



Children she be allowed to read, and only guided by their parents. By preventing them from reading something they are interested in is telling them that their interests and opinions don't matter to anyone.

Answer 13

This is something that has confused me as well, as my parents won't allow my son to watch Harry Potter movies while at their house, although I allow them at home. I personally think that it's a good time for a Christian parent to discuss with their child the differences between fantasy and reality, as well as the spiritual aspect of the film. For instance, to discuss the reasons why they are Christian, and the things in the film that they do or don't agree with. I think that with children, this should be a standard thing with movies, or TV shows. Ours is a culture of kids and teenagers that are lacking understanding of so many things, because so many parents just set them in front of the TV as a babysitter.

Answer 14

If she had read the book first and then decided her daughter could not have it I would say she must have seen something she did not like... I personally love the Harry Potter books and have read them all.Whenever a new book comes out I buy 2 one for me and one for my 15 year old niece (my godchild)

The woman definately has a closed mind and I am afraid your are more than likely not going to change it.

Answer 15

People are tricky sometimes. It's not always easy to pinpoint something like that. Harry Potter is a common hotbutton for the average Christian these days, though. In the future be more mindful of the gifts you present to a Christian (or even more so, a Christians children). Sometimes they DO behave irrationally, but I guess you could say that about just about anybody.

Answer 16

I'm not really Christian, so I can't answer this question for you. However, I ask a question a while back about Narina and Harry Potter, and I did not receive any good answers. You just can't explain the stupidity of people some time. My friend won't let her son watch Family Guy, but he can play Grand Theft Auto as much as he wants. (In case you don't know, it's a game where you can steal cars and kill anybody you want, even hookers.)

Answer 17

I am a Christian and see nothing wrong with Harry Potter, but many Christians do. Their reasoning is that it takes witchcraft, and puts in terms that seem harmless and fun. Entertainment has been doing that for years though, and even "The Cronicles of Narnia" does it. If you want your kids to understand that witchcraft is evil, then talk to them about it, don't shelter them from the world.

Answer 18

I really couldn't call it. I don't know why she would be against one and not the other. Maybe you should gently tell her that you'd didn't see a problem because of the movies that she exposes your niece to. Maybe that will convict her and she will see the errors of her way.

We routinely, as Christians, get stuck in the media hype about certain things and then brush off other things. I'm sorry that you have to go through his. Hopefully you will be able to help her. You never know.

Good luck!

Answer 19

Why I can not understand why a mother would let her 9 yr. old watch such films, or have the audacity to call herself a christian, while watching those things, and then get all bent out of shape over a book about witch craft, and Satan, it makes no sense to me. It may be that she has a warped sense of Christianity, in that it is OK to be in her sin, and transmit it to her daughter, while at the same time get mad about a book about evil. They are both evil, and neither should be indulged in.

Answer 20

As a pastor, I would like to say that Harry Potter is great mythology and provides great moral lessons for children. I just purchased a book titled, "The Gospel according to Harry Potter." I can't wait to read it and share its' contents with the youth in my parish. I have every Harry Potter book and have seen every movie.

Answer 21

HArry Potter is targeted at KIDS!!! many more kids are exposed to this "innocent" book than they would be of adult Movies. what makes H.P. so dangerous is because many parents let thier kids read about witchcraft, etc. Then kids put scar marks on their foreheads (early form of the Mark of the Beast???) The Bible states that sorcerors don't enter heaven. Dont let your love ones get into magic it is evil!!!! have them read the Bible instead!!!! God Bless.

Answer 22

That seems very odd to me that she would let her watch R movies and be worried about her child reading a fiction novel that might get her to read. I mean, as long as you explain to the child its fiction, I see no harm. I think your sister in law is just plain crazy :)

Answer 23

Harry potter is about witchcraft and satanism as much as mcDonalds is about health food.....

Answer 24

I really don't know why. I think that is seriously ridiculous and hugely hypocritical! I just can't even begin to tell you why people think and do these bizzare things, but I hope they get some psychological help, because they really need it!

Answer 25

Sounds to me like she has been gullible enough to listen to someone else's opinions and then adopted them as her own... you didn't do anything wrong. She's being a HUGE hypocrite.

Answer 26

it's 2006

your relative should open her mind