Makayla Heaton
Blogs, Eng 242
Mrs. Watson
The Gospel take on Harry Potter
Coming from a Christian private school, I recall reading Harry Potter in middle school, and I can still feel the dirty looks I received from my peers. I had always wondered what the big deal was, and why everyone thought it was so terrible that I was reading this series. In 7th grade, my English teacher stopped me and informed me how “I was partaking in a sinful action by reading that silly, nonsense of a book!” Needless to say, the look on my face was a surprised and confused one. Some Christians believe that reading this series means your supporting Witchcraft. Witchcraft has always been frowned upon for Christians; that is why some do not celebrate Halloween. What I did not understand is, how am I supporting witchcraft just by reading a fictional book about it?
Some believe Harry uses evil to solve his problems, aka magic. The bible speaks again witchcraft and sorcery. Leviticus 19:31 states “Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God." But how can this make a book so harmful? In my Christian private middle school, I was informed it was a sin that my family and I had a pet black cat. I am pretty sure the whole school was praying for us at this point.
However, maybe there is a good side to Harry Potter. Not only is it a top selling book, and phenomenal movie, but also a possible tool for Christians. Instead of being so against the series, look within it to find ways for it to help share the Gospel. Harry and Voldermort are the perfect example of good versus evil, and in the end good always triumphs over evil. Not only that, but the wizarding world in the series show a need for a higher power.
For me, I believe it to be quite silly that Harry Potter is seen as sinful and against Christianity. Among other things like Halloween, and something as simple as having a black cat, it is what you make of it. Some like to take things to a certain extreme, but in my faith, I want to make everything I do about God. Halloween does not have to be about dressing up as evil creatures; it is simply a fun kid holiday. A black cat is just a cat, like any other cat, nothing wrong with that. And Harry Potter is simply an adventurous series that has grabbed the hearts of millions, not a way to brain wash the new generation.
Works Cited:
CBN. "The Harry Potter Controversy." CBN.com - The Christian Broadcasting Network. CBN.com, 2011. Web. 01 May 2011. <http://www.cbn.com/special/harrypotter/>.
Christ, Jesus Lord, and Apostles. The New English Bible; New Testament. [New York]: Oxford UP, 1961. Print.
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