Is Harry Potter helpful or harmful ???!!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew Massie on March 29, 2011 at 11:49am

I have not read the books; however I would like to make an assessment based on what I have seen from the movies. Harry Potter films have contrasted the power of good and evil within the world of witchcraft and wizardry. This is extremely important to point out because in many christian circles, like you said, witchcraft is frowned upon. If christians can focus in on the "morally thought provoking" aspects of Harry Potter, then it will undoubtedly overrule their preconcieved ideas about witchcraft.  

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cole on March 29, 2011 at 4:11pm

Great response Andrew! I enjoy that you responded even though you haven't read them to show their can be lots of experience outside the novels themselves. What I am gathering is that you don't necessarily condone what they teach but just raise the issues for readers to work through?

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Permalink Reply by Chanelle Rafter on March 29, 2011 at 12:50pm

First of all, no i don't think Harry Potter is the devil, i think satan is. Now, i am obviously against whichcracft but i think HP is just like any other book; meant to be read for entertainment not something to base your morals or life off of. It's like Twilight; i didn't read those and think ok now i want to become a vampire or a werewolf, nor did i think that they were real. It's just for fun. I didn't watch Barney as a kid and think that my stuffed animal could turn life size and play with me during the day. So basically i think that they are neither helpful or harmful, they are just for entertainment.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cole on March 29, 2011 at 4:12pm

Fair enough :) Thank you for responding

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Permalink Reply by Elizabeth Blum on April 10, 2011 at 10:20pm

I agree with the fact that Harry Potter is meant for entertainment purposes. I also agree that I do not condone or believe in witchcraft but I do not think that the series promote that. It is like any other creative series that was meant to be read for fun and not overly analyzed. I do not think J.K. Rowling's intentions were to promote witchcraft and after personally reading the series it never made me want to do witchcraft. Therefore... I think the books were just created for fun. Much as any other series I do not believe that it influences people to want to mimic the behaviors in the book and I don't think that Harry Potter is "the devil." So... I do not think that the series is harmful but just intended to be read by those who like fantasy books.

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Permalink Reply by Shannon Thomas on March 29, 2011 at 2:26pm

My experience reading the books have been really amazing. The books are all about good conquering evil. Many people have thought that J.K. Rowling isn't a Christian but I think differently. In an interview, she hinted that if you couldn't see her religious opinions in her books by the seventh book than the reader probably isn't looking. I suspect she doesn't push her religion on to others, but Christian morals come through the book for me, atleast. In contrast to Twilight (which I have also read), the Harry Potter series actually shows the main female character (Hermione) in a strong independent role, clearly unlike Bella from Twilight.

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Permalink Reply by Susan Cole on March 29, 2011 at 4:24pm

It is interesting that Twilight came up so quickly in this dicussion thread - mostly because the quick success of the novels and movies has been compared to HP - I do agree with the presence of Christian ideas within the novels mostly because I can find them in most literature, and I am glad you have been able to enjoy these books as much as me

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Permalink Reply by Kim Whitehouse on March 29, 2011 at 6:26pm

I see only positive out of Harry Potter:  First, the Harry Potter series has encouraged many young and old to read.  Second, Harry Potter is an example of good writing.  Isn't this part of what we want form literature?  (Overall message is positive too.)

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Permalink Reply by David Juarez on April 1, 2011 at 1:30pm

The respones to this post have surprised me.  I would expect to  see positive and negative answers reflecting the writers beliefs.  If you are a staunch Christian you would believe Harry Potter was bad, but the comments have been well thought out.  I believe that Harry Potter is a great read.  It's setting in a school of witchcraft  allows for fantastic elements of action much like a story in outer space or one set in the distant future.  The basic story line is not much different than Star Wars;  good vs. evil and as Joseph Campbell would say "The Hero Quest".

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Permalink Reply by John on April 11, 2011 at 1:51am

Harry Potter movie touches all the aspects of human emotions. Witchcraft and spells have been added just to have that magical effect. Apart from that its a beautiful portrayal of the good and evil that is hidden in us. It has a very good moral and connects well with the younger generation. These books takes the readers on a journey where every incidence is a new lesson learned. The story has been written so well that it really helps in developing the creativity of a child. It depends on us what we want to take from that story and use it in our life.

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Permalink Reply by Larry B on April 12, 2011 at 3:32pm

I personally think Harry Potter is a wonder work of literature for people of all ages that should be praised as such, rather than marks as the devil or praise of witchcraft. However, since there is controversy among some people,. I think doing an in-class reading of it might be unfortunately controversial so I would suggest possibly sending out permission slips with the students. If there is any need, obviously alternative readings could be used.

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