I had forgotten the division in the Christian community over Harry Potter. That is until I went to see the movie last week. While 95% of the Christians I know don’t have a problem with the books or the movies, there are a few who are vehemently opposed to them. And vocally opposed I might add.
The main argument is that magic is demonic. They also say that wizards are demonic. While the occult often uses the same terms to describe themselves and their activities I do not believe they are the same. For one reason it is merely an imaginative story that never claims reality. Also, even though I haven’t read the books, I have seen most of the movies and I’ve never seen worship of any kind – whether to a person or object. There is definitely the forces of good and evil; which, by the way, evil is pretty plainly shown as evil.
So what is all the fuss really about? Well this isn’t the first time I’ve seen a Harry Potter movie and then been accosted by well meaning but boorish acquaintances who are quick to rebuke me for my association with something so evil. In September of 2007 I wrote a post about it on my previous blog. It was called “The Harry Potter Question” and I believe it is still relevant in light of the renewed criticism ignited by the recent release. Here is what I wrote 2 years ago:
The Harry Potter Question
I often find myself in situations where I have a choice to make where there isn’t an obvious right or wrong. I call these choices the “Harry Potter Question.” This is what I mean: As a Christian, is it right for us to read Harry Potter? I’ve heard vehement arguments by devout Christians against these books. But then I read I Corinthians 8 and Paul says there is nothing wrong with eating meat sacrificed to idols. He says we can do whatever we want but that not everything may be beneficial.
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:4-9)
The point is that as Christians we aren’t governed by a set of rules and regulations. Remember, we are free! Instead, we are governed by a love for each other and a love for God. And we know there is only one true God and one true power in the universe. If we are strong in that, then reading about (or watching) the magical and mystical adventures of a school boy is purely entertainment. It does nothing to sway our faith. In fact, because of our security in the Lord we don’t even consider Harry Potter as an attack on God.
However, there are weaker Christians who cannot read Harry Potter. To them there is something real about Harry Potter that contradicts their faith. Or to them the magical and mystical can only be evil (if such things exist, who created them?) The devil uses this as a foothold to breakdown the brittle foundations of their faith. Out of love for our neighbor, we need to me mindful of this. It doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the book ourself; it just means it might be prudent to take care about who we read it around or who we discuss it with. And if we do meet a weaker brother, and they are often easily identified by their dogma, we ought to love them to a sound relationship with Christ rather than argue and belittle their lack of faith and understanding.
