Harry and Religon

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter is the main character in a series of books by author, J.K. Rowling. These books are considered controversial by some because Harry, who attends the "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," is learning ''witchcraft'' skills. Therefore, some people are concerned that these books may lead children to explore modern-day witchcraft and occult practices themselves. Christian critics claim the boy wizard is a tool leading children to witchcraft and sin.

It hasn't been proven yet that the children who have read these books have had any ideas of becoming witches or following the occult way of life. If this were the case, anyone could say that many other "children's" novels and movies have the same concepts which could easily lead the young minds towards the wrong path. There is no proof that conversions have taken place. It is also clear, according to the author, that she did not write these books to encourage kids into witchcraft. On the other hand while the author did not intend on making an impression in children's minds, she is making witchcraft seem positive which encourage the kids to explore the religion.

Christian conservatives have made headlines by attacking the Harry Potter adventure books as violent, death-obsessed and satanic. Other churches see Harry Potter as a strictly religious theme, seeing some characters as holy figures seen in the bible by comparing Harry to Jesus and many other prophets. Then these books aren't seen as anti-Christian, rather fully Christian. It also comes down to the ides of location. While religion in the United States is stressed more on the minds of the people, religion in the United Kingdom is much less conflictive. People are more openminded and are far less judlegmeetal when it comes to controversial issues in books like this one.

Many people acknowledge the fact that the author wants to present secular themes that have been approved by the Vatican to show the way of Christian life. There a clear theme regarding the struggle between good and evil, showing how good will succeed, even if it mean that rules have to broken, and authority figures are challenged.