BY Anita Oliver
 

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Two years ago, I attended a convention in which the speaker gave us a sheet with names listed on it, asking us if we recognised them. There were words like Dumbledore, Potter, Pokemon and Hogwarts. Almost none of us did. We were then told that our students would.
 

I became concerned: How could I possibly be so out of touch with popular culture that an eight-year old would recognize and use 50 words I'd never heard of? So I got the first Harry Potter book, a pack of Pokemon cards and Pokemon book, and a book on Animorphs.
 

I read the Pokemon book and was not charmed: it wasn't well written and its use of violence to gain power over someone else - even a bad person - was antithetical to my view of Christlike behaviour. I haven't had the courage to read the Animorphs book yet - the cover is too graphic - but Harry Potter is a charmer.
 

Harry Potter is a nerdy kid in need of friends. His mean-spirited Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon and Cousin Dudley belittled and severely mistreated him throughout his childhood - they raised him after his parents were killed. While living with these relatives, Harry receives a message that he is to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
 

The first four books in the Harry Potter series describe his adventures at Hogwarts, where he meets charming friends and dreadful bullies, and good and evil wizards. Harry and his two friends are portrayed as three ordinary kids with special powers who get themselves into many scrapes. Through the power of witchcraft and wizardry, as well as their own scheming, they extract themselves from difficulties.
 

Millions of children identify with this orphaned boy - partly because he's so engaging and partly because he's had such a tough life. So shouldn't parents welcome their children's interest in the Potter series? After all, at least now, kids are reading! Further, the books are well written and fun to read, with engaging characters. To many people, this is reason enough to welcome each new book. And since Harry Potter is so engaging, and children enjoy him so much, why not encourage children to read them?
 

For Christians, the issue goes beyond readability and heroes; they have a responsibility to help children decide appropriate guidelines for selecting any reading. Because Harry Potter books are so popular - 76 million copies in 42 languages and now a movie series under way - we have an opportunity and need to consider the issues that the books raise.
 

1. Power
 

The books contain much of the authors philosophy about life. For example, the head of Hogwarts School, Professor Dumbledore, says: "There are all kinds of courage.... It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."
 

This brings up a major theme in Harry Potter: power. How does a Christian stand up to enemies and friends? In Harry Potter, we see a power struggle between Harry and his friends, between Harry and bullies, between evil wizards, and between good wizards and bad wizards.
 

Whether we are talking about "good" wizards like Harry or bad wizards like the evil Lord Voldemort, all either already possess various powers or acquire them in order to control others.
 

The two major power holders in Harry Potter are Harry and Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents. The interactions between them become increasingly violent, with the most recent book opening with several violent murders.
 

In speaking of the evil Lord Voldemort, Quirrel, a character in The sorcerers Stone, says, "He is with me wherever I go.... 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, although I have let him down many times. He has had to be very hard on me."
 

The issues of power and the use of witchcraft or wizardry to control other people are problematic. The power to control other people removes their free will. The underlying argument in many instances is this: If you have the power to force someone else to do your will and you are on the good side, then it's OK to use this power.

 

2. Revenge
 

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, school bullies who have immersed themselves in the dark arts accost Harry and two friends. They make cruel remarks to Harry and his friends. In response, Harry and friends simultaneously cast hexes on them, rendering them unconscious. "Ron, Harry and George kicked, rolled and pushed the unconscious Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle - each of whom looked distinctly the worse for the jumble of jinxes with which they had been hit - out into the corridor, then came back into the compartment and rolled the door shut." Then Harry and his friends sit down and play games.
 

This spirit of revenge is diametrically opposed to Jesus' command to turn the other cheek. Should children take revenge simply because they have the power to do so?

 

3. Struggle
 

Some argue that Harry Potter is a metaphor for the struggle between good and evil. Harry Potter, a wizard, learns how to overcome his enemies through wizardry, not through the principles of good. In a sense, this is evil battling evil. Harry is portrayed as a victim, but, in fact, he is a victim with unusual powers that he uses on behalf of himself and his friends.
 

The argument that one is justified in using violence to overcome evil is not new - wars have been defended by this philosophy - however, in the story of the great controversy, Jesus, the central character, was a meek man who prayed for His enemies, even forgiving those who put Him to death. Although Jesus had the power to blot out His enemies in an instant, He refused to do so because of the principle of love.

 

4. Imagination
 

Obviously Harry Potter is a fictionalised, imaginary character. However, the books are so compelling and well written that he seems almost real. But can we assume kids will know the difference between reality and fiction, and respond accordingly?
 

Physically, the brain can't tell the difference between fiction and fact. It's only the evaluation of information that allows us to make distinction. What goes into the brain stays there, and what is reinforced is recalled longer and better. So what do you want in your child's brain?
 

Indeed, there is some question about how well children, particularly younger ones, distinguish the real and the imaginary. In an interview with Newsweek, J.K.Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, said, "I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore (the headmaster of Hogwarts School)- and it's not a joke - begging to be let into Hogwarts.... They want it to be true so badly, they've convinced themselves it's true."

 

5. Occult
 

Some Christians dismiss the objection that Harry Potter uses witchcraft, syaing the books are only a creative use of the imagination. However, since children have been reading the story of Harry Potter, they've become more interested in paganism and the occult.
 

A spokesperson for the pagan federation, a Mr. Norfolk, told Associated Newspapers (August 4, 2000), "Parents should not be alarmed by their children's sudden interest in magic. Paganism is recognised as a valid religion. In no way is it a cult and certainly it offers nothing untoward."
 

Witches celebrate their positive portrayal in Harry Potter: "For once, the witches aren't ugly old hags," says Michael Darnell, who's been practising witchcraft for 25 years. "For once, they're the protagonists rather than the victims."
 

Such comments should alarm Christians. We need to ask ourselves some critical questions: Is there a war between good and evil and, if so, what does it look like? And, Is the occult real or only imaginary, as some argue?
 

Does Satan attack us in the garb of ugliness, or does he come with charm and enticements as well? Children need to be able to answer these questions for themselves.
 

A related concern is how the Harry Potter books deal with life after death. In the Goblet of Fire, the evil Lord Voldemort's magic wand is able to bring Harry's dead parents, and others of his victims, to talk to Harry. The Bible unequivocally teaches that the dead know nothing.

 

How to choose
 

I've had teachers ask me for a list of "acceptable" books. My response is to give them a list of principles to ascertain that. No-one can or should read all children's books and then tell parents or children what to read. We make people weak when we make their choices for them.
 

To help decide what is acceptable, here are some questions that should be asked:
 

§ If a story is imaginary, does this mean it is OK to read?
 

§ Does the fact that a book includes a few positive philosophical statements justify its reading?
 

§ Will knowing the difference between right and wrong enable one to ignore the "bad parts" of a book?
 

§ Is reading Harry Potter or similar a matter of right and wrong, or is it just good fun?
 

As you read, keep in mind that humour disarms one's sensitivities. The repetition of violence or the occult desensitises us to evil and human suffering.
 

Everything we read, watch, hear or do influences us. For me, one of the biggest issues in Harry Potter or Pokemon is that of influence. We need to ask, What is the overall influence of what I read and see?
 

The author of Harry Potter says that the books will get increasingly dark. This is evident as the plot develops throughout the books. I, along with Harry, closed my eyes to avoid a horrifying mutilation, combined with gratuitious violence and murder at the end of the fourth. How could a good children's book end like this?
 

Remembering that the conflict between good and evil is largely a battle for the mind, consider how media influences your thinking. Does violence and wizardry desentitise one's mind? Is Satan real or imaginary? If a book is fun, is it OK? Is there an evil side of good? Is there a good side of evil? The series indicates that there is a good side of wizardry.

 

Establishing principles
 

1. The first issue is our use of time. In Christ's Object Lessons Ellen White says our time belongs to God. She says we're under an obligation to improve it to His glory: "Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than out time" (page 342).
 

2. Does the reading material fir the principles Paul enumerated in Philippians 4:8: "Fix your thoughts on what is true and honourable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (NLT)?
 

3. Should Christians choose revenge or offer grace? Jesus said, "But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek turn the other, too" (Matthew 5:39, NLT).
 

4. How are we to relate to our enemies and our friends? Do we try to gain power over them, or do we treat them with respect? "Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" (Matthew 5:44, NLT).
 

5. Does imaginary witchcraft or wizardry and other types of behaviour by literary characters influence the reader's mind? "It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell" (Ellen G. White, Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol 1, page 331).

 

Cautions
 

Often, people who find fault with the popular media are marginalised and ridiculed before they've had time to think through or defend their positions. Since this is the case, take care in what you say about Harry Potter. If you are going to critcise the books or their author based on quotes from the books or their author, be careful that your arguments are sound and the quotes factual.
 

I recently received a widely circulated email that contained vulgar words attributed to J.K.Rowling. The source was said to be an Internet site that claims to be a major news site. However, the site is satirical and often anti-Christian - it had invented a fictional story about Harry Potter. The email used this story to condemn the books.
 

This sort of attack harms thoughtful Christians and others. Sincere people who repeat such allegations do nothing to help people learn the facts or support a case.
 

But above the debate are two broader issues for parents and teachers: Is it their role to control other's choices? And what responsibilityt do parents and educators have to protect children? To the first, I say, Teach children how to make principled decisions. And to the second: Make principle-based decisions yourself in order to help children learn to think for themselves.
 

But whether Harry Potter comes into your home is a decision I'll leave to you.

 

Record December 1 2001 Used by permission
 

Anita Oliver writes from La Sierra University, California, where she is chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in the School of Education.