I avidly read all of the Harry Potter books. The first one was published when I was in primary school. I wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding them until I'd read them all.
I'd same I'm fairly discriminating about what I read. I don't read modern novels as a rule, because one never knows what content they'll contain. Books are not given age-appropriateness ratings. Recently, I read and enjoyed the first novel in Henning Mankell's 'Kurt Wallander' series. Although the book was gripping and enjoyable, I was saddened by the recurrence, towards the end of the book, of the 'f' word. Nevertheless, I purchased the next book in the series and began reading it, only to find, on the first few pages, the 's' word. So, I stopped reading it and won't buy a modern novel again.
That's the level of discrimination that I take when it comes to what I read. On my non-ministry bookshelves, there's mainly authors such as Dickens, Tolkien, P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh (a little more questionable, I know).
The Harry Potter series is firmly rooted in the realms of fantasy. Many of the characters are ridiculous and the events laughably absurd. It is true that the tone of the books grew darker as the series went on, with the level of threat growing. This is the case with many books which Christians would happily have on their shelves, it is simply a narrative choice with the author of the Potter series has made.
Some suggest that the Potter books will encourage Christian young people to practise black magic. When I hear that, I can't but question what kind of upbringing these young people have had that they blur the line between what is fiction and imagination and what is reality. The Bible speaks of what is real and substantial, novels do not. As a child, I devoured books of all sorts, containing stories of magic, superheroes, young adventurers, talking animals, ghastly monsters, et. al. Never did I imagine that any of these fictional constructs existed in real life. I read the Harry Potter books and enjoyed them as exciting, and often, amusing stories. But just that, stories. Never did I imagine that I could brew a 'love-potion', or perform a 'levitation charm' or cause someone pain with the use of a 'magic wand'. It is patently ridiculous, and I question the parenting techniques of parents who're afraid that their children will attempt the 'magic' described in the Harry Potter books. Parents should be far more concerned that their children are trying to recreate the dangerous idiocy portrayed on television shows such as 'Jackass' or being made to feel a pre-pubescent insecurity about their bodies and fashion-sense thanks to mindless 'celebrities' selling their empty lifestyle to impressionable people.
I think it is every parent's right to control what their children read, and I would not criticise the decision of a parent not to let their children read the Harry Potter books. However, I would strongly contest the view the well-brought up children who have a knowledge of Jesus as their friend and Saviour will be so easily led astray by a work of fiction.
Moreover, while Christians are busily engaged burning (in a metaphorical sense) effigies of Harry Potter, other, more potent evils are entering the household. If you don't let your children read Harry Potter, or you don't read it yourself, I suggest you dispose of your television as well. I don't want to seem self-righteous, but I've never owned a television and would never let one into the house. I remember an anecdote which was told to me once about a Christian gentleman who decided he wanted a TV. His Christian friends advised him not to get one, but he was determined he would. So, he ordered the set to be delivered to him. Along came the delivery van, with the words 'Bringing the World Into Your Home!' emblazoned on the side. The gentleman, seeing this dire warning, met the delivery men at the door and told them to take the TV straight back to where it came from, and that he didn't want it.
I've rambled somewhat off the point, but what I'm trying to say is that when you let novels or television or the useful but potentially harmful internet into your home, you're bringing the world into your home. In this respect, I could heartily repeat the apostle's words about being the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1 v 5) for myself. We shouldn't get so wrapped up in condemning one attempt of the world to get into our homes that we neglect to watch out for others...
: :roll:
