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PART ONE of a 2-part series"In order that no advantage be taken of us for we are not ignorant of his schemes" 2 Cor 2:11 By Chris Pollard (Hobart, Australia) A little bit of background. J.K. Rowling author of the Harry Potter series of books in a magazine interview stated, "She had not expected her first book to be so wildly successful". But successful it was. And since its launch in 1995, three more volumes have joined it on the shelves of bookshops, public libraries and in primary and secondary schools world-wide. To date, over 30 million copies have been sold. They have been translated into 28 languages, and published in 115 countries. Prestigious book awards have poured into Ms Rowling's lap. And now she has signed contracts with Mattel to manufacture Harry Potter dolls and Warner Bros to produce a feature film, with cartoon spin-offs, home video sales, theme park rides, and interactive games in the pipeline. There doesn't seem to be any sign of a decline in interest in these books, and what is fascinating is that though they were originally written for children, they have captivated the adult best seller lists. People are raving about them, literally. The world is just "wild about Harry" said one major newspaper. So what we have here is more than just a fad. Why the fascination? "You know that when you were pagans led astray to the dumb idols, however you were led" (1 Cor 12:2). Reading the blurb on the Potter books soon tells us why the interest. They are filled from beginning to end with a dazzling array of occult activities such as sorcery, witchcraft, astrology, divination, reincarnation, telepathy and much more. Characters vary from Harry the hero wizard, to Lord Voldemort, a being of absolute evil who fittingly enough has a large snake as his main companion. It's all so intriguing that readers, adults and children, say they find it hard to put a book down until they have finished it, and will often read them over and over again. No wonder when you read a few quotes from them. Think on this little gem: "He is with me wherever I go", said Quirrell, referring to the murderous wizard Voldemort. "I met him when I travelled around the world. A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it. Since then, I have served him faithfully." (Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, p291). Does that make your Christian ears prick up? How about this comment from a Centaur, (Greek mythological being half man, half horse). "We have sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret?" (p257). Sound like astrology? It is. Lastly from the third book in the series (The Prisoner of Azkaban pp 427-428). "You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? You know, Harry, in a way you did see your father last night. You found him inside yourself." These are not isolated comments but are part of a general theme of fantasy with occult practices that runs through all the books. Woven into all of this there is an undertone of nastiness and a brooding darkness that is difficult to define. If you wish to investigate further there are plenty of bookseller websites that offer full chapters for you to read. One last observation comes from Marcia Montenegro of "Christian Answers for the New Age" who was a practising witch until she was saved. "Either Rowling has done a lot of research for her books or has had some exposure to occult and magical practices, as she could not have imagined the detail she gives". Makes you think doesn't it. What the experts are saying! "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine" (2 Tim 4:3). A quick read through the secular book critics around the English speaking world demonstrates a unanimous and enthusiastic acceptance of Harry and his escapades. But that's to be expected. However what has been the response in the Christian world? Dr Chuck Colson on a radio broadcast commended Harry and his friends for their "courage, loyalty, and willingness to sacrifice for one another-even at the risk of their lives". He dismissed the pagan practices as "purely mechanical as opposed to occultic". Christianity, a British magazine praised the series, quoting Mark Greene of London Institute of Contemporary Christianity. He regretted not giving the books to his god-daughter earlier and states "I wish I had been the one to introduce her to Harry-fine lad you know, courageous, resourceful, humble, fun, good mind." I wonder what he means by "good mind?" Back in the USA, Christianity Today *1, a magazine founded by Billy Graham declared in its January editorial, "We think you should read the Harry Potter books to your kids". With all these glowing endorsements from high profile sources can we then take it that the Harry Potter books are no more harmful to our children than C.S. Lewis's Narnia tales? "No" says Anne McCain in World Magazine. She points out that Lewis's stories clearly define "the difference between good and evil". In comparison, Harry Potter's topsy-turvy moral universe is confusing. John Andrew Murray in an article in Teachers in Focus agrees. He points out; "Rowling's and Lewis's works are as far apart as east is from west. Rowling's work invites children to a world where witchcraft is "neutral"and where authority is determined by one's might or cleverness. Lewis invites them to a world where God's authority is not only recognised, but celebrated—a world that resounds with His goodness and care. "In other words they are as different as chalk and cheese. Harmless or hazardous?" "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking some-one to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). At this point you may be totally confused and feel like a good old-fashioned panic. Well don't please. Some have done just that and got themselves into a real mess because of it. Diakrisis International tells of some believers being taken in by an article in an American magazine called "Onion" of all things. It was entitled `Harry Potter books spark rise in Satanism among children'. "The result" says Alan Morrison, director of Diakrisis, "was a mass promotion of the article as fact in certain Christian circles". The truth is the whole exercise was a rather warped piece of made up humour "designed to play on the fears of naive Christians" he says. Be that as it may, the books are certainly not just harmless old-fashioned fairy tales such as we used to read in our childhood days. In an article in the San Francisco Chronicle entitled "What readers think about Goblet", comments by young Potter fans were printed. Here's a couple. Gioia Bishop, aged 10 said, "I was eager to get to Hogwarts first because I like what they learned there and I want to be a witch". Another came from Harry Libarle, age 7. The third book contains a character Professor Lupin. "This cool guy is a shape shifter who turns into a werewolf", says Harry, and he really likes that. Such comments from children at such a tender age shows just how easily they are attracted to Harry's world and are learning to love it. This certainly breeds an unhealthy interest in the occult. Hence in Britain The Pagan Society claims it receives over 100 calls a month from children wanting to become witches. They also state they are so busy they have employed a youth officer to handle the situation. All this points to Harry's adventures being a door into things, which on the surface appear harmless, but in reality are hazardous. Sorting the wood from the trees "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits unwavering, without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). There is always a temptation whenever we come up against an issue we have doubts or concerns about to do one of two things. Either fall into line with majority opinion and just run with it, or ignore it in the hope it will eventually resolve itself. But such actions benefit nobody, least of all you and your family. The way to deal with every situation is to ask, "What does God have to say about this?" James 1:5 encourages "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him". And if we want His wisdom and are prepared to seek for it, it's all there for our guidance in the scriptures. Back in the Old Testament when God gave the law He gave specific warnings against involvement in spiritism (Deut 18:9-13) forbade any involvement in witchcraft, sorcery, omens, spells, spiritism, and calling up the dead, "For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord". All the nations around Israel were into everything of that type, and if His people got involved with such activities, it would draw them into relying on supernatural powers that are subordinate to God, and hostile to Him. In other words, if they relied on magic they would be abandoning their relationship with Him. In the New Testament, God is just as clear in His enmity to all things occultic. There are precise warnings of the danger of entanglement in Revelations 21 and 22. "Sorcerers, idolaters etc., their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Unrepentant involvement in the supernatural leads to hell, to put it bluntly. Perhaps you are thinking, "I don't believe in any of that stuff in the Potter books. I only read them for a bit of relaxation". Well 1 Thess 5:22 tells us pointedly "Abstain from every form of evil". Some bibles translate that as "every appearance". In other words, we should stay right away from even a whiff of what God hates. If we dabble with things we know are tools of the devil we put ourselves, and perhaps others, in great danger. Oh it may seem harmless, like the Harry Potter books appear to be, but never forget "For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light". What you see is not what you get in the long run. You will be opening the door into a realm beyond your control, a power that if you persist with it, will take you over. Let us remember the Lord has given us armour to wear due to the nature of the forces we are up against, so they are definitely not to be trifled with. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). Interestingly enough, Ms Rowling predicts regarding her future books, "I don't want to give anything away, but I can tell you that the books are getting darker, Harry's going to have quite a bit to deal with as he gets older, sorry if it gets too scary!" Talk about playing with fire. But that's to be expected in a world where biblical principles for sound living have long been cast aside, and there are no taboos to keep people in check. It reminds me of the days of the Judges in Israel. "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes" Judges 17:6) Dear friends, as Christians we do have a king, Christ Jesus the Lord, and He calls us to do what is right in His eyes. "For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Eph 5:8). To live as a child of the light is to look to the One who is the "Light of the World", and resist every effort of the prince of darkness to undermine that relationship. We must remember we are not in some sort of lighthearted game, this is a very real battle, a spiritual battle. The aim of the enemy is to undermine and weaken our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ, His unchanging Word, and win the hearts and loyalties of our children. No wonder the bible urges us to look into things cautiously. "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1Thess 5:21). Last thoughts, ours is very much a pagan society, so we should not be surprised by the direction it's heading in. Harry Potter is just the next rung on a clever ladder of desensitisation and manipulation of children to accept the occult as quite okay and just a form of enjoyment. It's all a matter of gradual moulding of the tender and vulnerable minds of those most lacking in discernment. "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child" (Proverbs 22:15). As parents we are called by God to lovingly raise our offspring to know Him. "And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). To that end it is important to communicate well with them, listen to them, and pray with them regularly. They are under the enormous power of peer pressure to conform to the norm, but a loving Christian home were parents demonstrate a bible based lifestyle is a far stronger power. "And these words which I am commanding you today, shall be in your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deut 6:6-7). In other words we must reflect the reality of God, His love and sovereignty, His promises and his warnings. We must demonstrate obedience, faith and trust in Him in our own lives, so that our children seeing God's greatness will learn to put their faith in Him also. Only in that place is there a sure path for you and your family to walk on, irrespective of the pressures applied. We are the Lord's chosen, let us live in a manner that reflects that relationship. "What fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). The Lord bless you. All scripture quotes from the NASB. [ TOP ] Appeared in Issue CETF 6.2 December 2000 |
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