Harry Potter Insanity
Yes I call it insanity, because that's what it is. It's one thing to be a fan, but it's another to become so engrossed in a product that it borders on hysteria. Star Wars fans for example do some crazy things, like stand in line months before the movie releases in theatres, or dress in character. But Harry Potter has reached a fevered pitch. I understand that it is fantasy, it may be fun to read. I am turned off by the hype of it all, the obsessiveness to which fans go over these books. Too much of anything isn't good for you at all.
When I look at this from a Christian perspective, I see fanaticism over books that teaches kids about the occult, witchcraft. One cannot deny that the subject matter is slanted towards the practice of witchcraft. The casting of spells, etc. The kids in the story attend a school on witchcraft and wizardry to hone their magic skills over the years. Is this what we want our children to be reading? Even though Harry Potter is viewed by some as fantasy, the subject matter or plot may drop ideas into kids' heads that witchcraft is something of interest to try ( BBC NEWS | Education | Potter prompts course in witchcraft , Telegraph | News | Harry Potter distorts the soul, says Pope ). Witchcraft is dangerous. You are dealing with the spiritual realm, and it brings consequences. Witchcraft is not innocent play!
J.K. Rowling's latest installment in the Harry Potter craze ...Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince talks of revenge ( J.K. Rowling, the author with the magic touch - Dateline NBC - MSNBC.com ). Now, I've heard Harry Potter being compared to Christianity. Since when is revenge a tenet of the Christian faith? I ask you, what sublingual messages are we sending our kids in this book? Also, in the Half Blood Prince, a love connection takes place. The characters have grown up, and a budding romance occurs. I don't think I would want to expose my kids to adult themes. To me, Rowling's targeted audience is questionable.
Now, let's take a look at a couple of well-known fantasy stories. The Lord of the Rings trilogy spoke of the triumph against evil...and resisting the temptation to "give up" or "give in". I hold Lord of the Rings in high regard. There was a moral to the story. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe has a Christian theme. There was a witch involved, but the subject matter and focus was not on witchcraft. So far, Harry Potter has offered nothing but one theme, the practice of witchcraft. I will not frown on anyone who wants to read the books. I do ask parents to exercise caution. What will the reader take away with him/ her after reading the Harry Potter books? Is there a lesson to be learned? Are values spoken of? If I were J.K. Rowling, I would want to make money through an avenue that enriched a person's life, not through dark fantasy mentioning the dark arts. But to conclude with a message that would help others. An ending with a purpose in mind.
Going overboard
Kids are likely to want to play out the characters in the Harry Potter series. So it's no surprise when I hear there is an actual camp where children are immersed in the Harry Potter world ( Children discover magic at Harry Potter camps - Harry Potter - MSNBC.com ). Is this what you would want your children to be doing with their free time? Not me! How is mixing potions going to develop their sense of being? Develop character? So instead of going to a summer camp to learn about wilderness survival, and other popular camp pastimes, these kids are attending a makeshift "magical boarding school". THAT is what I call going completely overboard! We must give our kids tools to help them survive in this brave new world, to involve them in activities that will help them grow as a person, not feed them tales on witchcraft. We all need to escape from reality from time to time, but again, I'm looking at content. This is about witchcraft.
Marketing
We live in a society where "anything goes" and people don't think about their actions and what consequences they could have. Our senses have been dulled. Everything is being done in the name of sensationalism. Including the marketing of a children's book. However, the marketing is only successful if we "bite". What may be marketed as something that is just innocent fun, may not be at all. Looks can be deceiving. Now I am saying this in regards to anything that is over hyped. When we give in to the hype, we go overboard and lose our sense of direction in order to satisfy the thrill at the moment. As adults, we are responsible for keeping a level head and for ensuring that our kids stay focused, and productive. But on positive things. I say this because I've seen parents become as immersed in the Potter craze as their kids.
So when the Harry Potter craze hits again, about every 1-2 years, I say "Here we go again...sigh." Just like we monitor what video games our kids play or what TV shows they watch, we need to make sure that their reading material lines up with good values (there is a lesson to be learned or meaning), or it is something that will develop critical thinking skills. Kids are known to soak up everything they read, watch, or hear like a sponge. Parents, beware. Pay close attention to the content, not the savvy writing, or marketing, or the hype over the book to suck you in. Harry Potter isn't the kind of fiction I would say that will give the kids a positive, creative outlet. Sorry J.K. Rowling, but your Harry Potter books aren't something I would rush to the bookstore to buy.
12 Comments:
Another overboard fanatic that complains about something that they have admittedly not read.
It doesn't teach the children about witchcraft any more that Gandalf or Aslan taught them about sorcery. That is just the world in which the characters live.
Do you know what saved Harry's life at the start of the series? Love. Do you know what Dumbledore (Gandalf like Wizard) told Harry was the most important thing he had in his arsenal? Love. The enmy does not understand it and it will be his undoing.
I suppose that children should not be exposed to 'adult' themes until they are older. So it is probably wise if Mommy and Daddy sleep in separate rooms and don't kiss (at least not on the lips) less the child begin to wonder. And teens! Well, they should be completely separated from children and from the opposite sex. Well maybe all the way up to age 22.
We must protect the children from these adult things.
Get REAL!
Lurk
I am no more fanatic than your average mom who is concerned about the overall subject matter of the series...yes it's witchcraft. I offered links in my article to support why I feel this way. I did not bash Harry Potter readers, I simply asked parents to be careful how their kids interpret what they read. Kids are impressionabe. I see many parents going wild over it, and not necessary stepping in to say that practicing magic or witchcraft is not something that is productive. I put in an article link that shows that there are camps that kids can go to to be immersed in the Harry Potter world...playing with potions and such. I don't know if that is healthy. The point of writing this article is to raise some questions, get you to think, not to enrage. Though I know that people are going to draw whatever conclusion they want from it. Take it as you will. But I am asking you to think about what our children are picking up. Thank you for reading.
Dear Ms. Benamon …
I’m not sure that I follow your logic either.
In my mind, to assert that “magic” or “witchcraft” are inherently immoral or evil is analogous to asserting that ALL guns are inherently immoral and evil.
The tools of consciousness are never inherently good or evil in-and-of themselves. It is only the purpose for which those tools are employed by consciousness (i.e. “the action”) that can be labeled as good or evil.
Look, semantics aside you could claim that God (or Jesus) employed “magic” (i.e. powers beyond ordinary human comprehension). Would that make God and/or Jesus evil by your same logic? If not could you explain why?
And for the record, I have not read any of the Harry Potter books myself, but I have watched the first two films with my children. I should also probably mention that I am not a “Wiccan” or some sort of new-ager.
The Serpent
Thank you for your response, but still I failed to convey my intent. It was not that you commented on Harry Potter, but rather that you felt competent to comment on it without reading it.
It's nice that you posted links to places that parents can send their children to practice and learn potion making a spell practising. J.K. Rowling was a smidge lacking in that area of the book. Just a few made up words and wand waving that wouldn't even catch the notice of a band conductor. She completely left out the formulas.
As for the link that the Pope didn't like the books ... well, that comes out after the Pope in question died, though he made no discalimer in his life about his alleged endorsement of the books. There is no reason to give the recent reports any more credence than the previous reports. Besides, it is not Catholic doctring, dogma nor teachings that Harry Potter is evil.
I can say that I have read the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and the Harry Potter series and that I find nothing objectionable in the books. The significant difference is that Rowling has been much more realistic in her characterizations and comparisons to life than either Tolkien or Lewis. Each of the series uses magic on both the sides of good and of evil. None of the books (as I recall) attempts to teach any magic or spells to children or other readers. None of the books attempt to say that magic is a be all, end all for people, just a tool.
Would Aslan be Jesus? He came back from the dead. Is that blasphemous?
Honesly, what I have difficulty with is the whole notion that a person should seek to warn people to be wary of something that they have not even experienced; somtheing which they have not taken a moment to examine and understand. This is the problem.
You haven't read it. You know of a few surface details, yet you join the ranks of the stone throwers to attempt to destroy it. This is the problem with stoning as it was in Jesus time, and as it is now.
We fear what we do not understand. And we do not understand what we refuse to examine, personally.
Lurk
Perhaps in the orginal comment, the first commenter reacted a little more strongly than I would have, my sentiment is much the same. The magic is not the story, it is just the framework of the story. Essentially the same tale as Harry Potter has been told in numerous different settings. (An evil person is undefeatable until a prophecy tells of one who can defeat him, whereupon the evil person sets out to defeat the prophecy, fails in killing his nemesis, and instead sets the events in motion that will bring him into conflict with the only one who can stop him).
No one is being taught witchcraft from the book, nor alchemy (potions). It might be possible for someone to become more interested in chemistry from reading about potions, but again, this is all background stuff, not the story itself.
You ask if values are being spoken of. Well, as mentioned in the first post, the value of Love is highly spoken of. Also, through the interactions of the characters, the value of study, perserverance, honesty, and courage are shown, without being bludgeoned over the head with them.
You also ask if there is a lesson to be learned. There are many, including how first appearances can be deceiving, the value of friendship, how people can be hurt by prejudice, and others.
You ask how mixing potions is going to develop a child's sense of wellbeing. It may not. It's just a fun exercise which, if set up properly (which I don't claim to know if it was or not) may teach something about how following instead of doing things willy-nilly can improve results. Also about developing character - no one has suggested that this kind of camp needs to necessarily be instead of some sort of wilderness camp.
You also mention the last book mentioning revenge. The final book has not been published yet, but from all indications, the final reckoning will not be revenge - Harry will see that revenge is not the way, that duty and honor will carry the day. He is, after all, still a minor, and is still developing the maturity and clarity needed for fully adult interaction.
Once again, I would urge you to read the books, even though the notion is distasteful to you, before you declare them void of value.
My 14-year old son is reading the latest Harry Potter book right now.
Someone sent me an email demanding to know why I would publish such a 'moonbat' as Felicia (Fee) on the pages of MND... but considering the quality of the discussion after the article, I am confirmed that I did the right thing in letting Fee have her say.
Obviously the publication of Fee's views does not in anyway constitute an endorsement of those views... instead, our objective here is to air our thoughts and let them be tested by a reasonable mature community of readers.
-ed.
I am upset that you would stoop so low as to post a comment made by a reader regarding this article: the "moonbat" comment.
You may not agree on issues that I write on, but at least show me some respect. That goes for anyone who disagrees.
My articles are to get you to THINK. That is what OpEds are for. Expressing your opinion and leaving it up for debate. I will be happy to address people's concerns, but when it becomes personal, I will not tolerate it.
I have some really bad news for you folks in Harry Potter Land. Fee is 100% correct! Harry Potter is nothing short of evil, and satanic. The Word of God speaks very clearly about sorcerers, wizards, and STAYING AWAY FROM THEM. When God says something, that's all I need to make my decision for me. God's word says not to even delve into these things out of curiousity, because there is power in astrology, wizardry, and other cult activities, but it is all evil power. No,it's nowhere near on a par with the power of God, but God will allow you to reap the consequences of not listening to HIM. This is also a fullfillment of the prophecy of the last days. Many will be fooled, or lulled into a false sense of security.Beware of anything to dowith Harry Potter!!!!!!!!
Again, I am confirmed in the value of this after-article discussion.
Fee raises some very big issues in her piece - which is why I published it in the first instance.
As many of you know, MND is always a work in progress.
With the NEW blogwonks system, writers will have full control of their publishing regime. In the meanwhile, I have been testing the system using MND's guest commentary section for reader-interaction.
I am satisfied that the level of after-article discussion is not of an abuse nature.
In fact, if any one wants to continue this discussion, I will invite Fee, and any of her readers to come together at our Science and Religion discussion thread. All visitors are honored and everyone is intrinsically welcome.
http://www.mensnewsdaily.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=47
I think any child READING today should be appreciated and any parent still buying books should be applauded.
Having said that I do think there is a greater issue of unpredictability which reveals hoq fickle we are as a people. The Harry Potters of the world ONLY get to be as large as they are BECAUSE of us, the population. We need to stop blaming other factors and take responsibility ourselves.
It is along the lines of why Natalee Holloway is getting so much attention while others are not: look in the mirror your answer is still there.
If we do not want to be part of marketing and capitalistic outrageousness :THEN DONT BE..where is the issue. Parents need to stop feeding their own insecurities of overloading their own children with the gimmicks or toys.I am sick of seing all the little girls with princess things and all the little boys with whatver they take to school these days..Look to the inappropriate values of each parent...I have raised a son without issue on such things and to this date as a young adult who still likes nice things he does not NEED to belong to such membership...GROW A SPINE...the book already has one..
Thank you Gayle, I appreciate this so much. I agree with you entirely. Our kids are allowed to watch educational shows and the occasional cartoon. They are only allowed to watch shows that do not use merchandising to do their "educating" for them.
Books, two books every night at bedtime no matter what (unless they are being holy terrors.) Book time is a privalege as well as a necessity to my two kids (ages 6 and 3). Both of them are in their age-appropriate and above early stage reading.
I am so tired of this "Harry Potter Hatred" I could just throw up. Really. I AM Pagan. I am not Wiccan..so I do not practice witchcraft. I do not belong to an organized religion. I am what one calls "Solitary eclectic spiritualism"
JK Rowlings does not describe witchcraft accurately in her books..I assure my readers of this. Dumbledore is the qunitessential figure in all this. Think about the class lessons...even in the movies they barely covered spells and incantations. IF you would like to know what an incantation actually looks like...feel free to ask me :) Magick is everywhere..and I believe in some things that Christians find sinful. They would find it more sinful that I don't believe the evil exists that some posters have been spouting off about. As a mother of two impressionables I really do believe I will probably buy the books for them one day. They do exude the values that I hold dear.
A. If you have no intent...then nothing will ever happen.
B. If you have bad intent..then it will come back to you at least 3 fold. (I believe in Karma...I don't put money in a plate every week and drink a little wine and expect to be forgiven by some unseen diety, I take physical, mental and spiritual responsibility for myself. If I need help..Diety will help me when I as for it..and not before. I would not presume to trouble my dieties with so many problems. WIth all that is going on in this world..God/Goddess does not have time for things like "protect my child from literature" stuff. Really..its selfish I believe to even think about that.
God didn't invent us...we invented God. Man wrote the bible...NOT GOD..when will people understand this?? Peter, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Amos, Rebekah, Esther...Mary, not to mention the lost books of Thomas, Mary Magdalene, and some of the other lesser known diciples. Lets give some of the authors some credit shall we?(There were actually more than 12!!!!) As an artist I hate it when people don't give me credit for my work...if you believe that these people in the Bible were real, how can you say that GOD wrote the bible??? I am an artist..I cannot imagine what I would feel if after writing something as significant to humanity as the Bible that GOD had much to do with it..unless I was praying for relief from chisel cramp, quill cramp, etc. The Bible has been translated and retranslated..some phrases do not say exactly what they said in the original Arymeic language. Oh..and can anyone tell me how it is that Chrisitans Venerate Jesus as a God...yet in the Bible it is stated quite clearly that he was born to Jewish Parents?
Yikes..a little off topic I must say..but not completely. Christians can say what they will...but not everyone is Christian and its people like Ms. Fee and friends on her side of this issue that would do well to remember that. I am tired of my spiritual beliefs being trampled on by people like her that feel it necessary to stand up for a religion that holds a large majority..its been proven...Yer all snowed LOLOL..(Just kidding..really I actually venerate Jesus as a very great teacher and healer who had the MAGICKAL ability to change lives in a positive way for the most part. He also created some problems for people though too. He wasn't a warrior..he was a pacifist. Therefore a lot of people died on his behalf..so I figure as far as the crucifixion goes...well..ya know when millions have died in his name...and supposedly he died to save them...well, I am not sure that sounds quite even to me. Really..I'll forgive my own sins..and pick up a good book like Harry Potter with a clear conscience.
Thanks for reading these ramblings..its my first time to this site and I have been absolutely absorbed. Even the posts that I disagree with were well written. I have to say though that there are a lot more serious issues for children to worry about than Harry freaking Potter. When people complain about that series I tend to think of the fact that a couple of thousand years ago...people didn't take so kindly to Christians either...and Ms. Fee's post lays a perfect example of why. She sees evil in benign things like words. Words are not evil Ms. Fee. Only the intent in the words...and if the intent of the book was to entertain children then I think Ms. Rowlings achieved it beautifully.
Gayle-sorry to double up posts on your posts...its dinner time here so I was in a hurry to do my first post. Your post was great :) "GROW A SPINE...the book already has one" ....ooooo I think I might use that sometime LOL....I like it!
Heidi
Deacon Dan...ummm becareful..Jesus used Magick...and I hate to do this to you but I will give you the perfect example:
I believe in God the father almighty Maker of Heaven and earth (an invocation of a diety if I ever heard one)
I beleive in the Holy Christian Church, The Communion of Saints
and Life everlasting AMEN (This is a statement..of faith)
I believe In Jesus Christ
God's only Son
Our Lord
(Another invocatin and declaration of faith)
He was conceived by the holy ghost (OH PULLLLEASE>..if you can explain this one without going into graphic details..please do..cus really...immaculate conception is for the birds in my opinion) If this is not Magick I do not know what is folks
Born of the virgin Mary (She's no virgin if she has a baby folks...nope nope..not possible...remember God cursed Eve and all women because of her first sin???? Impossible to be a virgin and be pregnant under God's own rules._)
Suffered under pontious pilat (this simply means he lived under pontious pilat..and maybe suffered when arrested.He didn't suffer as a child..that nulls the passover..his people did..he was protected.
Crucified..okay..real enough
died...no problem
buried..okay..typical reaction when someone dies
On the 3rd DAY (OKAY...lemme explain..in witchcraft the number 3 means EVERYTHING!!!!)
he rose again from the dead...(NOPE..not if magick wasn't used. Magick is anything not explained by human understanding or scientific means.) Jesus by all rights..was raised by Magick if he was raised at all..remember the Bible was written by man in several languages that don't translate well).
He sits at the Right Hand of GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY
From there he shall come to judge both the living and the dead
"Judge not lest ye be Judged" I am sure you can give me the chapter and verse number on that...I can't remember I'm too into the Lost Books of Merlyn right now.
I said that creed for several years before I questioned it. Then I realized if he judges both the living and the dead then God really doesn't exist because Jesus was a living breathing human being right? If we are to have no other Gods before God himself then why deify Jesus Christ who was a lowly carpenter with some amazing abilities and a pretty big mouth that ended up getting him dead.
Sorry, Deacon but you tread on my religion I am twice as likely to tread on yours. That Ole time religion..that ole time religion..guess what...my particular faith IS as old as they get..in fact older than Christianity I might add.
And you only think it wrong of me to practice witchcraft because you have no idea what it is. If you knew...you would not say it is satanic.
I must go now. But will keep this bookmarked now for sure and probably even join LOL..I just haven't gotten that far yet!
Heidi
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