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The Problem with Harry
By Paul Bicking
The phenomenal popularity of the Harry Potter books and the anticipation of the first Harry Potter film have revealed differing viewpoints in Christian ranks. Some denounce Harry outright, quoting such Biblical admonitions as ‘thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.’ Others fall into the more benevolent camp that relegates Harry to fictional fantasy and therefore, relatively harmless. Yet others claim Harry as possibly beneficial since his stories have created an interest in reading. Some even find Christian allegories in Harry’s adventures and use them as evangelistic tools. So where should we make camp?
Turning Harry into an evangelistic tool is admirable. The Apostle Paul did much the same in Greece, using that society’s superstition and belief in many gods to introduce Christianity. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul says he became all things to all people, that he might save some. However, knowledge of the culture for evangelistic purposes does not justify acceptance of Potter for young Christians. Paul was well rooted and mature in Christ. Many Christians, young and old alike, have difficulty separating what appears good to the world with what is good in God’s eyes. That’s why a positive outcome or positive motive often overshadows, and even justifies, possibly negative acts, particularly in entertainment.
After reading the first book of Harry Potter’s tale, I feel I can better understand the problem. J. K. Rowling is a talented author. Her stories combine various elements of familiar myths and legends with a likable underdog of a hero. Something in our nature wants us to root for a generally decent person who is treated wrongly. We want Cinderella to go to the ball and cheer when Joseph becomes Pharaoh’s right hand man. We also like evil to be defeated and sent away, Darth Vader spinning out of control, no longer protecting the Death Star, Goliath felled by a single stone. And like the labors of Hercules, we want the heroes to prove themselves by overcoming obstacles along the way in an intelligent and honorable manner. Rowling includes all these elements in Harry’s books, which makes them not only good stories but also appealing to our subconscious sense of right and goodness. We want Harry to rise like young King Arthur from orphan and mistreated nephew to his rightful place as prince of wizards.
Some messages resonate particularly strongly with Christian and non-believer alike, such as Harry learning that his evil enemy was nearly destroyed by the sacrificial love of his mother. And much of the story takes place in a fantasy dimension inhabited by unicorns, centaurs, trolls, and goblins. Even noted Christian author C. S. Lewis used such fantasy figures in his Chronicles of Narnia. However, in Lewis’ writings, the witch and magician were evil characters overcome, not by his heroic children, but by the kingly lion, Aslan.
For the secular world, Harry could be commended for teaching positive ideals about courage, bravery, righting wrongs, friendship and even love. And the messages are wrapped in an entertaining package. At the same time, the world of Harry Potter advocates witches and wizards as superior to non-magic people. It shows them as wise and makes their powers seem natural and attainable. If Harry existed only in the fantasy land of Hogwarts school, perhaps dismissing the story as fiction would be easier. But part of the story takes place in the ‘real’ world. The witches and wizards of the books wander back and forth between the world of Hogwarts and the world we consider ‘real.’ Some even comment about being half-Muggle (the term for a non-magic person). Others mention their family’s pride at discovering a witch in the lineage, much like an Englishman discovering his relation to the royal line. And there is no doubt that witches and wizards are real. Pharaoh’s magicians could duplicate the first few of Moses’ demonstrations. Harry Potter’s nemesis pinpoints the problem by saying, “there is no good or evil, it’s about power.” Just as the snake in the Garden told Eve, “you will be like God.”
The problem with Harry is not that his stories are well written and make entertaining movies. Or even that they feature witchcraft. Just as the problem in Genesis is not with the fruit on the tree, but when the snake says that the fruit looks good and tasty. It makes us focus on the product and not on the results. The problem with Harry, from our viewpoint, is that it presents something the Bible calls evil as positive and enticing. And like Eve, less discerning and less mature Christians could find themselves taking a bite.
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