Author: Angelia Kelsey -aka- ~Air Angel, KMC HP Forum Moderator~
"THE ONE WITH THE POWER TO VANQUISH THE DARK LORD APPROACHES…BORN TO THOSE WHO HAVE THRICE DEFIED HIM, BORN AS THE SEVENTH MONTH DIES…AND THERE THE DARK LORD WILL MARK HIM AS HIS EQUAL, BUT HE WILL HAVE THE POWER THE DARK LORD KNOWS NOT….”
That passage piece from J.K. Rowling’s most recent book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is intriguing to most readers. However many Christian parents support the banning of the Harry Potter books in belief that the books teach children to accept witchcraft and to allow Satan into their lives.
Staff Sgt. Barbara Schleppenbach is one of many Christian parents who believe that the books are unfit for children. “These books create bad images in your mind I personally would rather have my daughter involved in more educational readings.”
Despite many organizations’ attempts to ban the books, more than 250 million copies of Rowling’s books have been sold around the world.
Furthermore her books have been published in 200 different countries and translated into 55 languages.
Rowling’s books encourage millions of children to challenge their reading abilities because of their interest in Potter’s magical world.
“I think the books challenge children to reach for their dreams, no matter how difficult it might be,” said 18-year-old Reginald Halbert.
In addition, Rowling’s books have been honored with numerous awards to include the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year. She also received a special commendation from the Anne Spencer Lindbergh Prize for her outstanding contribution to children’s fantasy literature.
When Schleppenbach was a child she was taught that when you read something you are getting involved with it. Therefore she believes that if her 6-year-old daughter were to read the Harry Potter books then she would be opening her mind to evil.
Nevertheless, there are families around the world who have grown to know and love the teenage wizard star, Harry Potter, and his trusty sidekicks Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger.
“I am a Christian, and I can see why the books could be perceived as a threat to many. However, I think it goes without saying that these novels are a work of fiction, and nothing more,” said 17-year-old Dawn Bergemann.
Throughout their magical adventures Potter has fended off dementors and death eaters, otherwise known as dark wizards. He has defeated many magical beasts, but has not yet conquered the evil dark lord himself, Lord Voldemort.
Since Harry’s main defense against those creatures and wizards is magic, most Christian organizations believe that these books influence others to worship Satan.
“The story is about a boy who lost both his parents and one day finds out that he is a wizard,” Halbert said. “I think people have confused that simple story and created it into some witches cult that teaches kids to practice magic, spells and all that jazz,” he added.
Michael Terry suggests that its is simply attracting more people worldwide than any church has done. “The books are plainly harmless, not even remotely worrisome to a Church, it must be its popularity that is causing such an outcry,” he said.
Because of the Harry Potter craze that has hit the world; many churches have rallied to ban these books because of the books contents. Which include witches, wizards, a great deal of magical creatures and of course the school’s name includes the word witchcraft.
The Bible states in Psalm 34:14: "Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
Also stated in the Bible in II King 21:6, "He made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft, and consulted spiritist’s and mediums.” The Lord called this evil in his sight.
A sorcerer is defined as a person, who is knowledgeable in the occult arts, and also who is a conjurer. Those are people who can summon up a devil of a spirit by invocation or spell.
In contrast, a witch is defined as someone who uses magic wizardry,
sorcery and also is considered to be in an occult.
“They should be done away with, even the movies,” said Airman 1st Class Nicole Henley.
Airman 1st Class Tamika Washington believes people will hear about the books regardless of what’s done to prevent reading them.
If the Harry Potter books become a part of Schleppenbach’s daughter’s school curriculum she said she would have no problem with her daughter reading them, as long as they were read at school and not in her home.
On the contrary, Lori Prewitt has a different opinion. “My kids are not allowed to read that book or study it in or outside of school. So, if a teacher tries my kid will not. I will go to the board about that, it will not happen.”
In addition, she said, “The book actually was in our school, the teacher taught a grade above my child’s and was reading it to the kids, and my son would have had her the following year. However, many complained to school officials and she’s not reading it anymore,” Prewitt added.
In agreement with Prewitt, Henley and Washington both said they would talk to the school officials if the books ever became a required reading.
Although many schools in the U.S. and Europe have banned the book, the books are still available to purchase through bookstores and online. Libraries have not been as quick to ban the books. Most libraries still carry the books and they are available for children to check them out.
“I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, “Ms. Rowling, I’m so glad I’ve read these books because now I want to be a witch.” They see it for what it is. It is a fantasy world and they understand that completely,” Rowling said in an interview with CNN in response to Christian accusations against her books.
The books have had a profound increase in children’s reading
interests and they challenge kids to read more difficult books.
“Each book is hundreds of pages long and challenges children to read them from the first to the very last page,” Halbert said.
Furthermore, Potter is also a role model for children because he is a fictional character who somehow manages to survive the obstacles that are put in front of him. This makes him the hero in the end.
Though Rowling writes about the thrilling, dangerous and exciting adventures of Potter’s life she has told the public many times that she does not believe in magic, and she is still shocked at how her books have touched the nation.