First of all, as a Christian, I find this stuff to be unbelievable. The main theme in all the HP books is the struggle and (hopeful) eventual triumph of good over evil.

The idea that there is some sort of malicious "code," lain down to program kids into sorcery and witchcraft, in the HP books is, IMO, ridiculous. All fantasy contains just that: fantasy. It is not meant to be a guidebook for real life; instead, it is there to stimulate the mind and the senses, to inspire something inside each and every one of us.

Last, and most importantly, these books provide us with models that are most often found in our treks through life: struggle, elation, heartbreak, terror, etc. It shows people in these extraordinary situations, and allows us to live vicariously through them - it allows us to examine what kind of people we are, what we would do if faced with certain things, and what we are meant to do in life.

Eek, sorry for the rant. That's just how I see it. :flowersmile:

Everything Templar Knight just said :flowersmile:

I can't understand how people always throw religion into the mix, personally, I would rather my children read JK Rowling than the bible.

I am not a total atheist don't get me wrong, but if my children want to believe in fantasy and magic, at this present time I would rather them live in a bubble than know what this world is really like. Because children grow up way too early these days, and they are going to realise how crap this world is sooner rather than later anyway.

As for the adult fans, they know better than to listen to all this pathetic ramble, oh hang on, let me go buy myself a cauldron and brew newt eyes and bat wings... oh please!!

If anyone here is Christian or religious, than good for you, this post is not intended to offend.

~Swizzlestick~

NO COMMENT :ermsmile:

JK Rowling has come out a thousand times saying that the books aren't meant to be evil and lead to other demonic literature... they, as templar knight says, are supposed to be a triumph of good over evil. It's just good literature. Only the true fundamentalists in religion (and not just Christians, I might add) make a big deal about her books and only because she has made them witches and wizards.

And the solution that I propose is that if they have a problem with the books, they simply shouldn't let their kids read the books. Parents have a right to do what they see fit for their children. But their kids can always pick them up when they are old enough to make their own decisions about what they would like to read.

This has been the issue ever since The Sorcerer's Stone came out. Everybody's been analyzing and criticizing the book because of it's "witchcraft" theme and all... but really... Harry Potter is all about fantasy... and MOST of all, besides "triumph of good over evil", it's also about FRIENDSHIP and trust. Basically, it's also about having a very complicated life. Most children nowadays don't live a perfect life... either they have divorced parents... they're under drug abuse or what. This book is about having to deal with the complications of life. It's about children who grow up living complicated lives, too and trying to overcome fears and difficulties to hold on to a bit of a normal life. And it's literature... people sometimes take things too seriously. They should give humans a bit more credit because we know how to discern dangerous contents... and we know that even if it's about sorcery or whatever BS they think that book contains... that we know we won't do or copy it IF it's WRONG or dangerous for other children.

I've heard this discussion a lot, and I can never get over why people think these books promote witchcraft. I'm Christian- Catholic, actually- and I love love these books, and am actually kind of obessed with them- but it's a GOOD obsession- I want to keep reading to know what happens next, and I love discussing all the theories and possibilities in the books.
Okay sorry, I got a bit off topic, but anyways these books are about good FIGHTING evil. HP books aren't like, "Voldemort's so cool so let's be evil," not at all! Harry, with the help of his friends (note: shows value of friendship) try to stop Voldemort from coming to power. That's why I'm so confused why people accuse these books of being evil- sure, they have magic, but it's FANTASY, and kids should know that in order to be able to read them. It doesn't teach morals maybe, but it shows how important it is to stand up for what you believe in (ok, cliche, I know, but true) and other great values. All in all, I think it's a great book and it's stupid some people want to ban it from schools.

i way agree with Templar Knight. i mean i'm a christian too and yea..it's just fantasy. it's good fun reading. i don't understand why people must get all over analytical. it's not telling you how to become a witch. they tell you that you need a school's letter and a wand and a broom n stuff and we don't have any of it...it's plainly fantasy and just fun to read. triumph over good and evil is a good point because it's mainly how its done. harry defeats voldemort over and over again. christians fight sin...over and over again...it's either all relative..or not worth the controversy.

i am a youth director & i am doing a bib study on book one! everytime i watch the movie i think of another study to do- it's great!
good vs evil,
harrys scar that repelled evil & the scars of Jesus (by his wounds we are healed),
sorted into houses (they are your family) & being apart of the family of God.
i could go on & on!

there is a cute series out there called veggie tails (cartoon veggies telling bible stories), anyway there is a song in one of them called 'God is bigger than the boogie man'... for some reason that song goes through my mind whenever i hear people talk about harry potter being evil!

That is the one of the greatest things I have ever heard - :sorcerer: :flowersmile:

to most of you that posted, GOOD FOR YOU! :flowersmile:

i SO LOVE! the hp books i mean they're the best. but i think that people that criticize the book are mainly the ones who haven't even read them! i don't believe that people can actually go on about how the book is evil after they read all of it through..i mean..nobody in they're right mind could link the hp books to promoting evil.

first of all; if you read the bible you also know that god forgives us for our sins. and if this even counts for a sin he will fogive us!!!!!! seccondly as long as you dont BELIEVE in magic then i think you will be fine

Hello to all. I agree with everybody here. I was raised to believe in a christian or moral way of life. I have a hard time seeing the stupidity in some people. I read a article and then had to look around and then up to the sky because I felt the world was sure to come to an end since satanists were agreeing with christians about harry potter was supposed to be ow so bad. Codswallop as Hagrid would say! Harry potter is nothing but a target for groups that are ignorant of the books and the values contained therein.

It is the same type of thoughts I ran into when playing AD&D when I was younger. People made all kinds of claims about how evil it was. It increased my math skills and let me use my imagination instead of being stuck in front of the television with a controler in my hand. I was fighting evil with friends and trying to save the princess or villages.

Where Harry Potter makes kids really want to read and let's them use thier imagination. I fail to see this as a bad thing.

If you want to believe in magic so what, I see magic in the world all the time, I see magic in the loyality of friends, the love of my niece's, the magic of christmas in the eyes of children, and in my imagination forever.

PS if you want to read the funny and yet sad article it can be found @ www.cynical-times.com/ harrypotter.html

that's so true. many people hear that Harry Potter is about witches and magic and automatically assume it's evil, without even reading one page! I mean, come on, people, at least read it first if you're going to say it promotes witchcraft. That's common sense. Yet they just have this bias against books with magic. Like I said before (and others have too), it's fantasy. Grrrrr. Can you tell this is a touchy subject for me? lol sorry I just am enraged by people burning Harry Potter books. Give them to me, for gosh sakes, just don't burn them! They're not evil! Why why why don't people understand, I don't know, and I'll stop ranting now.

exactly. and not only that, my mom is reading the harry potter series and she finds absolutly nothing wrong with them.

Funny thing is my mother a strong Christian, pushed me into reading the books cause of how well they are written. I as a pegan (earth god beliver) don't think there is any kind of evil undertone in the story just simply a story about good and evil, growing up, just in a different world. :flowersmile: glad this subject came up, I was wondering when it was gonna happen. I found a site which I will not name that the writer stated that he was INFORMED that there are referacnces to evil magick. personally what zibbycomix I agree whole hartedly that people should read it for them selves then they have every right to say what they want about the book.

Me, too. No one is stopping anyone, 'round here, right?! I mean, most parents are like, 'If they like it, they like it, no stoppin' them, IS A BOOK'!! God, you have to know that! So why are you warnin' people who CAN and WILL deal with their own stuff. Sorry for the rudity, but.... I can assure you, most of us would rather you WORRY FOR YOURSELF!! :angry:
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[COLOR=blue]I'M A COOL NEWBIE

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I think it is stupid for people to think the book is about witchcraft and all that stuff. first of all it is a book a fantasy book and if some crazy whachos want to think it is sending a bad message they can but seriously think about it i think it is better for us to read harry potter then watch some of the things that are on tv again. In no way does jk rowling make it a religious matter and if other people do that is their own problem. People who do that kind of thing are just looking for stuff to get all worked up about. :whisle:

THEY THINK IT IS SO BAD. THEY JUST HAVE NOT READ IT. BESIDES THEY DO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AND I DO REMEMBER THAT IN THE FITH BOOK RON SAID "THANK GOD FOR THAT" SO THEY ARE NOT AGAINST HIM. THEY JUST NEED TO GET A GRIP IT IS NOT BAD

The people who say that Harry Potter is evil haven't read it. Which makes there decition incompleate. If they don't like it they should decide evil or good, AFTER, they read it!

You know why this urks the crap out of me? Because I'm a witch that's why. I'm getting really fed up of all these christians saying how bad the "occult" is, and what not. Witchcraft is evil. NO! HELLO! Witchcraft and paganism has been around BEFORE jesus even walked the earth. These Fundamentalists are just finding excuses to blow out their extra energy on.
I-am-a-witch. Call me evil, I dont care. But think of how many other frig'n books, movies, other mass media thats out there that involve witchs and the occult. The Craft, for one was a wonderful movie and definatly had to do with the occult. Its stupid. If these fundamentalists would just get their HEADS out of their rear ends they could see the light of day and realize the whole world is not christian. let your children read what they will, think what they want. We arent communists, and we cannot control everyone. Why is it that parents are so stuck to controlling the light in front of their children's eyes? All they are doing is creating a race of total sickly children with the mental and emotional strength of a two year old. Its not right. Its not fair. They need to back down. If they dont want Harry potter in their home, fine, dont buy it. Their own home, their own domain, but trying to BAN them from schools and what not? Idiocy. What about freedom of speech?
Can anyone see a bit of a historical link here? In the 1920s, fundamentalists tried to ban schools from teaching the theory of evolution. It didnt work then, and its not going to work now. Just because the bible says one thing, doesnt mean you have to take it literally. Fess up people, get that stick outta your behind and see the light of day. You arent so self rightous.

SeraFaerun very well put :claps:

thanx. This just a subject that makes me want to deck someone, you know?

people who think that hp is evil and all that are those kind of people who criticise anything that is popular.

For all of those who have defended the harry potter series..........good for you, i agree completely. as many of you have said, the harry potter books arent meant to offend christians. they're meant to entertain and encourage the imagination. witchcraft isnt the basis of the story (although it plays an important role) the basis is good vs. evil. REAL LIFE PROBLEMS. i know for many people, including me, harry potter has been a role model for them. not that they want to be a wizard or do magic. they want to have the courage to stand for whats right, they want to be like him beacause he has great character. i think thats exactly what J.K wanted to make her novels for.................that is all i have to say