Being an avid reader of any and all things, including stupid kid's books, today's opinion piece in the Press-Citizen slamming the Harry Potter books as anti-God really got me annoyed. I've no patience with those who condemn without examination, and the writer has obviously no familiarity with the works beyond reading attacks against the series written by others. And while I have no problem with anyone who wants to burn their own books for any reason whatsoever, be sure you know the facts before you tell me to burn mine.



****NOTE: This is really a viceral response to a subject that particularly annoys me. Forgive the diatribe and feel free to skip this post or head over to any of the blogs at the left for more about the Iraq war, the fake rainforest, or other more important issues.****



"Church and the teaching institution of Sunday school should not include anything that does not accent the Gospel message of Jesus Christ ("Harry potter goes to Sunday school," July 16)."



This I can grant, though I'd broaden the definition to include "and how that message is applied to areas of life outside the church." Note the distinction between sunday school, not public school.



"The Word of God shows the church as a palace of refuge, prayer, deliverance and teaching."



Not always. Note the scene prior to Easter when Christ is shown overthrowing the tables in the synogogue because of his anger at the crooked moneychangers. But as a general rule, I'll grant the principle.



"Sunday school is designed to be a place where the Word of God is taught rightly divided. Giving individuals the opportunity to learn what is needed that they might grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Nothing should defile the house of God."



Again, though redundant, I'll grant the point.



"Through the Word of God, Christians are given repeated warnings about participating in cult activity. Let me say that there is nothing - no ideas and certainly no themes - that Harry Potter and the Bible is in sync with."



Really? The first book alone is ripe with examples of the same principles found in the Bible. How about the basic premise of redemptive love, which is demonstrated in the books by Harry's parents sacrificing their lives for him? How about the prohibition against covetousness which is portrayed in the ending of the first novel through Voldemort's downfall stemming from his coveting the Sorceror's Stone, and the characterization of the Mirror of Erised - a trap showing that the illusion of providing the viewer's most precious desire? Not to mention the portrayals of fair play winning over cheating in Quidditch games, the warnings against judging on appearances alone when the novel reveals that Snipe was not a traitor after all? There are many more examples, too numerous to list here, in the first book alone. And I haven't even touched the others. The critique here ignores all this.



"Harry Potter is an 11-year-old boy who is a wizard (and the Bible warns against such characters). He uses his magical powers given through life's experiences in his quest to "do the right thing." Although the books are filled with mystery, intrigue and heroism, the bottom line is deception."



Yes, the Bible warns against wizards. But this is a fairy tale. Such use is permissible in fairy tales and fantasy, when clearly deliniated from everyday life. Otherwise, explain to me how C.S. Lewis, arguably one of the greatest Christian writers of all time, justified the use of the Narnia series in explaining Christian principles to children? He's got a magic wardrobe, and children who can wish themselves out of WWII Britain. He's got magical items given to the children to help them out of all sorts of problems. He's also got an overall redemptive theme that blatantly knocks you over the head with the biblical message. But the point is, he uses magic in a fairy tale to get the point across, and I don't know of anyone who claims to have been dragged into demonology by the series.



"Harry Potter books are filled with blatant demonstrations of witchcraft, occult powers, violence and all sorts of New Age teachings. Each book is a manuscript to children in "how to" use 'good magic.'"



Um, I don't know how to break this to you, but the 'good magic' doesn't work. No matter how many times you say any given "magic" word in the book, it ain't going to turn anyone into anything. The book explains this to the children by stating that wizards and witches are not "muggles" - ordinary people. I don't know what kid hasn't wished they could fly or disappear or magically turn tables on some bully. But kids have the common sense to separate fantasy from reality. A Christian parent should be able to use the book as opportunity to stress this difference and discuss with the child real, live coping skills to assist with everyday problems in a biblical manner.



"One can see how manipulative spiritual powers can be used to get what the child wants. An example: A child goes to bed angry with a family member because he/she can not have what is wanted; the thought from what Harry Potter portrays is to cast a spell and that thing can eventually become yours. Demonic powers are real! Why open the door for our children to experience this kind of activity?"



When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true. Is this 'demonic'? Every child in the universe would be possessed if that were the case. I agree that some children can become obsessed with magic and dabble in occult practices. Just like others can be involved with drugs, self-mutilation, and a horrifying spectrum of self-abusive coping mechanisms used as an escape from a life over which they feel utterly powerless. Is the book really to blame? If a child seeks unhealthy coping mechanisms it is because they've either never been taught healthy ones, or the problems/abuse they face are too large to be vented through normal channels. Either way, the book merely serves as a mechanism or inspiration for the child who was seeking the escape in the first place. Dr. Seuss could serve as well.



"Christian parents who take their children to church and instruct them in the Scriptures while at the same time allowing them to participate in, play with activities, literature and programs laced with philosophies of the occult and witchcraft are opening doors for children to demonic activity."



So if I read my nephew a book about Mike Mulligan it will turn him into a steamshovel?



"Here are just a few things that Harry Potter books present to children, as outlined in Phil Arms' book, "Pokemon & Harry Potter, A Fatal Attraction":"



Now we see the source material - not a familiarity with the books and an independent analysis.



"• 'Harry Potter teaches children how to manipulate demonic forces by the power of witchcraft," Arms writes. "It teaches the child how to use God-forbidden techniques to accomplish objectives. The Word of God, however, teaches children how to live a life of faith and how to believe in God to accomplish divine objectives.'



To reiterate: the books are not a primer on magic. They explain quite well why magic won't work for the child. They do not teach about God, that isn't their purpose. But they do demonstrate many biblical principles.



"• 'Harry Potter trains children to rely upon the black arts and occult powers. The Word of God trains children to trust in and place their full confidence in their Heavenly Father for all things. Harry Potter justifies the use of evil to reach personal goals. God's Word equips children to know the difference between evil and righteousness. It demonstrates how righteousness and truth will ultimately triumph over evil.'"



At what point does Harry justify the use of evil? The closest example I can think of is sneaking out of his bedroom at night. If that is the definition of pure evil, than my friends and I have quite a bit to answer for on judgment day. Like most of our high school career. Not that we don't know it already.



"• 'Contrary to the philosophy espoused by Harry Potter, the Scriptures teach children that right is always right and that wrong is wrong and that it is never right to do wrong. Harry Potter, by repeated inferences and by the omission of spiritual facts, instructs its readers to ignore the reality of a personal God. Harry Potter's world is a world where no one needs to be concerned about the consequences of their sin and rebellion against a Holy God. In Harry's world, the only deity one needs to be aware of or accountable to is him or herself. Self-actualization and self-service are the goals of the individual and therefore people need not concern themselves with any future accountability to the God of the universe." (emphasis mine).



Here lies the crux of the author's real issue with Harry Potter. Like many extremist Christians, she believes that if a work doesn't specifically mention God as the source of all inspiration, edification and strength, it distracts from God and is therefore evil. I understand that a primary principle of Christian teaching is to rely on God, not your own power, and to give Him the glory for your accomplishments. But it doesn't require every thought to about God, or else be automatically banished as unbiblical.



I recall once as a child overhearing a television program being watched by a relative, in which the televangelist denounced rock and roll, country, and all other forms of popular music - including Christian contemporary - as not edifying God and therefore unfit for Christian ears. He left no room for any music that was simply fun. The same relative later harangued me for listening to the devil's music: "We are Family" by Sister Sledge. (Yep, I'm that old). By that definition, "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" is unbiblical and should be banned from existence as a threat to Christianity. What kind of a narrow, weak God can't handle that kind of competition? Certainly not one that has the power to create the universe.



"Harry's world is one of darkness, deception and treachery, where evil is praised and wickedness is rewarded. In that world, children learn to trust satanic forces and to fellowship with demons."



'Nuff said. I understand some Christians feel as though their influence over society is waning and this erosion must be resisted on every front. But given all the rape, murder, drugs, hate, violence, war, and other problems in the world, can't you find something better to pick on?