from the Bible

Harry Potter and the Occult (A Response)

by Taylor Fordham

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After reading the sermon on the Harry Potter series, I appreciate the points the pastor is attempting to make. I do, however, think that some critical thinking is in serious demand.

You highlight these nebulous "occult" references, yet you fail to mention the countless lessons that Rowling teaches. On Harry's journey of identity, he develops relationships, learns the meaning of self-sacrifice, and is poignantly moved at numerous trials to risk his life, if not die, for his friends. If you want to battle with biblical references, I would advise reading John 15. When you have "conflicting" elements in a series like this, you have to identify the author's intent, and this can be accomplished most easily by identifying the elements in the books that are glorified. No, these are not "Christian" books, but they advocate Christian values.

Rowling never exalts the dark forces, the bad guys never win, and yet profound life lessons are learned by the books' most significant characters. In understanding this critical element of the series, the magic then becomes the backdrop, the fantasy, the imaginative element, NOT the focus. It is the feature that brings life and humor to the books, challenges children to create vivid mental images, and excites us in the same way that Narnia instilled a sense of wonder.

I can only conclude that those who think these books are subtle messages advocating the occult were predisposed to this irrational thinking before ever picking the books up. Perhaps our problem is that we're always looking for a source of blame. Perhaps the real challenge here is to look humbly in the mirror and see just how the church is failing. God took a great risk when he left his witness to this body of believers - we are, in fact, his manifestation, and disunited we are. Kids that revert to the occult after reading Harry Potter are simply looking for an excuse to follow something to fill a gap that nothing else has filled. Our problem is in our families, and the problem is in our churches. The problem does not lie in a wonderful children's fiction series.

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