Can a Christian Enjoy Harry Potter?

Let's face it. Harry Potter is the hottest thing since...well, since almost anything. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was a best seller for months before it was actually released to the public. The series has sold over 325 million books, and J.K Rowling is now estimated to be worth about $1 billion (US), making her one of the richest authors alive. The Harry Potter books appeal to boys and girls, both young and old. Adults buy them to read for themselves, as well as to read aloud to their children. Kids who used to say that they hated to read now devour 600-800 page books with gusto.

Unfortunately, it's still impossible to please everyone. Many conservative and fundamentalist Christians object to the Harry Potter books on the basis that they promote witchcraft, and are being used to draw children into dangerous practices. Being a Christian myself, I decided to explore this issue. I researched the Christian views for and against Harry Potter, and also read the books with an eye towards determining if I would benefit from reading them and if I would allow my (future) children to do so. I also wanted to see if there were any redeeming values or moral lessons to be found in the books.

In my research I found J.K Rowling stating repeatedly that she did not write her books with the intention of drawing children into witchcraft. She also says that she has never met a child who stated that he wanted to become a wizard after reading her books. When asked about her religious beliefs, Rowling says that yes, she is a Christian, and her actions bear out that statement. J.K Rowling is a member of the Church of Scotland, and her older daughter was baptized into that faith. Rowling also gives a substantial amount of money to charities that focus on humanitarian and social justice issues.

It is true that the Bible speaks very strongly against witchcraft, fortunetelling, and other such practices. However, the "witchcraft" of the Harry Potter books is distinctly different from that of most pagan and wiccan practices. Spell casting in Harry Potter's world is mechanical- people wave a wand, say the right words, and something happens. This is the same fantasy-based "magic" used in Mary Poppins (how else would you jump into a chalk drawing?), Cinderella, and Aladdin. This is much more simplistic than the real practice of magic. The wiccan and pagan practices involve drawing on power from various deities and spirits. The characters in Harry Potter wave wands and brew potions, but they do not make contact with a supernatural world. True, some characters in the books use astrology and fortunetelling, but they are not seen as being reliable or trustworthy. While magic is a tool used by both good and evil people in Harry's world, only the evil side uses permanently destructive magic. In actuality, the most highly valued things in Potter's world are not wands and spells, but courage and loyalty.

The Harry Potter books are about much more than kids who cast spells. There are numerous moral lessons to be found, many of which parallel important Christian values. The fundamental theme of the books is a colossal battle of good versus evil. One of the most obvious Christian parallels is that Harry's mother dies sacrificially in order to save Harry's life. This act gives Harry protection from evil that lasts until he becomes an adult. Countless other characters in the story risk their lives to help friends, and sometimes even enemies. Throughout the series, evil characters are those who are deceitful, cruel, and tyrannical. They value power above people, and they lie, cheat, and hurt others. Good characters, the ones who are ultimately rewarded, are brave, loyal, and resourceful. They stand by their friends, protect their families, and do what is right instead of what is easy or convenient. In fact, one of the common criticisms of the earlier books is that the morality is TOO black and white- characters are either obviously good or blatantly and almost comically evil. This is a problem that Rowling remedies in the later stories.

Personally, I think saying that the Harry Potter books will draw kids into witchcraft who wouldn't have ventured there otherwise is underestimating kids. By the age of 10 or 12, most kids have developed the ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. They understand that what they see on TV, experience in video games, or read in books is from someone's imagination and does not necessarily reflect reality. I know of very few kids who would read Harry Potter then go around waving sticks and expect something to happen. Expecting Harry Potter to draw kids into witchcraft also takes the responsibility away from the parents, who really should be reading and discussing the books with their kids. Harry Potter and his friends get away with a great deal of mischief. They sneak out past curfew, break rules, and fool teachers and parents. Thus, the series provides lots of opportunities for children and parents to discuss right and wrong, bravery, loss, and a host of other important themes.

If it isn't already obvious, I have to say that I think that a Christian can enjoy the Harry Potter books without feeling guilty. If you, personally, are afraid that the books will draw you into witchcraft or occultism, then don't read them. If you, as a parent, do not want to expose your children to fantasy books, then don't let your kids read them. Just don't forget that if you eliminate fantasy books your children won't be reading TheLord of the Rings, or TheChronicles of Narnia either. But don't criticize the choices of those of us who choose to enjoy fantasy. We're probably too busy reading to hear you anyways.