Thursday, April 14, 2005

It's not about the witchcraft

The name Harry Potter raises a lot of eyebrows in the circles of people I visit. For many Christians the HP books teach the evils of witchcraft, or at the very least, condone a practice that the Bible forbids. These charges have some merit, and parents are right to be concerned about these issues, but, as a father of seven, witchcraft (although I do object to it) isn't my biggest complaint about Mr. Potter and his young friends.

I write fantasy for a living, so I understand how an author can use fantasy elements with no intention of promoting them or their real world counterparts. I have no idea if Ms. Rowling intended to encourage young people to explore real world witchcraft, so this is not my main complaint, although I have heard stories of children dabbling in the occult because of the series.

There is another very real evil shadow lurking in the Harry Potter stories. The concept is simple. The characters constantly break the rules in order to succeed. Not only that, the author takes great pains to promote rule breaking as a virtue. In the beginning of the first book, Hermione is portrayed as a rule-keeper, but she is an irritating brat. Once she joins the boys in their rule-breaking, she becomes "cool." In fact, one sentence reads something like this: "After that, Hermione was less concerned about keeping the rules, and she was much nicer for it." It's hard to get more blatant than that.

As a writer, I understand the need to allow young protagonists to succeed on their own in a story, but they don't have to rebel against authority to do so. There is no doubt that J.K. Rowling purposefully crafted her story to promote a "kids rule" mentality that makes kids the ultimate authority. Her story rewards every instance of ignoring the rules and belittles those who try to keep them. Frankly, I find this digusting.

So many people say that the Harry Potter books are harmless, even beneficial. They say the witchcraft is fantasy that doesn't promote real witchcraft. I think it very well could promote witchcraft, but I think the deeper evil, the spirit of rebellion, lurks as a more sinister reality. It teaches young readers to reject authority, to believe they know better than those older and more experienced, to expect to be rewarded and thought "cool" when they reject the option of trusting anyone other than their peers.

Rowling's work is not merely fantasy; it is a perversion of reality that contributes to an improper view of juvenile independence. Parents are well advised to reject these books or at least closely monitor their children who read them and discuss a proper view of authority, that, yes, some adults are stupid and can't be trusted, but many more are trustworthy, and rule-breaking will ultimately fail to bring about the successes that Harry Potter and his friends always seem to achieve.

20 comments:

PhillyMac said...

While I understand the point that Bryan is making about Harry, et. al., I would like to point out that in the books J.K. Rowling clearly separates the instances when Harry and the crew are breaking rules for the sake of breaking the rules, and when they are breaking the rules for the "greater good" so to speak.

There are many examples in the books where Harry (or Ron or Hermione) will break the rules and they suffer the consequences for their actions, because they are breaking the rules for their own selfish means, or ends. For example, when the children break the rules by drinking the polyjuice potion Hermione ends up having cat features and hair. Are they trying to help? No, they're just trying to find out information without using wisdom and contrary to instructions.

In other cases - such as in the first book where Harry insists upon Malfoy giving back Nevile's remembral and chasing it down - then ultimately Harry is rewarded as he's made the Seeker on the house Quidich team.

If you look through the books, you'll see this theme replayed over and over. When the kids do break rules - that have been made abitrarily or unjustly - while they are specifically on an errand that is required to help or assist someone they generally don't get in trouble. When they're breaking rules as rebellious children, they most often get caught and/or in trouble.

Having said that, I wouldn't encourage parents to read, or allow their children to read the Potter series - especially as by the fourth and fifth books things get dark and they are certainly PG-13 rated. Harry is an interesting character, and Rowling writes a marvelous story, but he's not a hero or a roll model. He's not really someone that your children should want to emulate. Additionally, the Potter series will suck you into the universe - I know it did me, and I was reading it because I just wanted to do the research on it. Personally, I can't stand it when Christians speak about things without knowledge, so I wanted to have a reasoned response. Next thing I knew, I'd read all the books and was checking web sites. So, the stuff is addictive for those with curious minds. Thankfully, by the grace of God and the conviction and deliverance of the Holy Spirit - I stopped that habit. Please remember though, that was the response of a mature adult to the voice of God - you can't reasonably expect a child to exercise the same self-discipline. So, as parents, please be careful when dealing with the Potter series.

Of course, the great thing is that you can let the kids get into the Dragon's in our Midst series. These kids are good role models, the precepts and principles that are espoused and emulated by the characters are firmly biblically based. Bryan does a wonderful job of making that happen.

Hey Bryan, how about doing a learning series that us home schoolers can use as a unit lesson that will allow us to share and enforce these virtues with our kids? :-)

Best,
Phillip

Bryan Davis said...

I appreciate Macphilly's comments, but we have to understand the concept of crafting a story. I understand that sometimes the kids break rules in order to do something that is unselfish, but wouldn't it be much better to create a story so that this doesn't have to happen?

You see, Rowling created the scenarios in which rule-breaking seemed necessary in order to bring about a greater good. This was her choice to create such a dilemma. She could have chosen another way, but it's obvious that she deliberately created a "rule-breaking is good" world.

By doing this, Rowling creates a world in which young people have to rebel against authority in order to do what's "right." This is unnecessary and dangerious.

Why not have a story where the kids follow the rules in order to succeed? Rowling chose not to do that, and for this reason heavy criticism is just and proper.

PhillyMac said...

OK, back in :-)

Bryan is completely correct in his argument of how Rowling created the world and her creating the scenario where there was the necessity to break rules in order to achieve the greater good. It is a vaild point and also one that I normally note. As the author she didn't have to create a situation where by breaking the rules the characters become "heros." It's actually a very familiar theme along with how many books and movies (especially Disney) create worlds where the kids know more and/or better than the adults (which does happen a lot in Potter).

So, again, in this regard I agree with Bryan.

Lynne
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In your situation it wasn't as much your fault in being a rule breaker as the adults responsible for you not recognizing or being able to respond to your needs. If they had done what they should, or had been able to respond to your needs, I doubt you would have been a "rule breaker."

cpquest
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I disagree. I think Rowling could most certainly write a book that would be a best seller without having people "break the rules." And yes, Jesus broke man's rules, but not God's laws. In many cases he did so and also illustrated the hypocracy (sp?) of the laws the Jews had made to replace God's law (selling in the temple, healing on the sabbath, tithing (good) but not obeying the weightier matters like LOVE, honoring parents, etc.).

And God's law is always the higher authority, and that's the reason why if the government said "stop praying" (just like it did to Daniel in the OT) it would still be right and just to continue to pray.

ABOUT Magic
------------
Yes, Potter is a fiction book, all magic in this world is "black magic" which God hates. Having said that, Rowling also created a fictional world where "magic" as it were is inherent in the person, which also makes it different than this world.

The place where once again she made a decision, was that she created a world clearly without God (or even gods for that matter - odd considering all the mythos that she draws from). She created a world where it was all about self-reliance and the power within ones self. By doing this she completely dismissed God - the creator of all things, including her. Why? I don't know. Still, it works to the advantage of the enemy of our soul. Regardless of the world that Harry operates in, if it is devoid of God then it is devoid of real Truth and Love being that God is defined as both (Jesus is the Word, the Word is Truth. God is Love).

So, after all that, yes we can say that it isn't "magic" as we know it, but we can also safely say that Rowling spends her time creating a world of situational ethos, situations where doing wrong (even if it is for the greater good) is rewarded and where God doesn't exist.

I'll stick with my recommendation. Parents, don't let your kids read the books - have them read Bryan's instead. There's no doubt there is a God in heaven who loves us, cares for us and wants to be involved in our life. And, there's no doubt that the kids know that and respond to that, as well as respecting the ones that God has placed around and over them to assist them in their journey. Bravo Brian!

Annie Riley said...

I am a high school student who has been homeschooled my entire life--mostly with A Beka Academy. For various reports and such I have studied HP extensively from a Christian perspective. I have indeed found much that is very, very wrong with the books.
I had never even thought of Mr. Davis' objection as a possibility, but now, that is just another addition to my list of things that are wrong with HP.
I do, however, strongly disagree in one thing: Mr. Davis' belief that HP does not promote Witchcraft. I know from personal experience that it does exactly that. After seeing the trailer for the first film, I couldn't help thinking how totally awesome it would be to be able to do the things Harry does. Of course, I didn't know it was Witchcraft until my mother told me about it. But that's just it! Children want to be able to do the things that Harry does. And they can do them if they are inhabited by evil spirits.
The spells, potions, symbols, and other things in HP are all very real in the world today. The colors, for example, are symbols for different things. Grey, the color of Lord Voldemort's eyes, means death. And he is the lord of evil, of death. Green, the color of Harry's eyes, is the devil's color!
I own an extraordinary video that goes through the main points in HP and exposes them! I have loaned it to friends, and each of them has come away completely awestruck by the things they saw. If you would like to check into this video, I will have the info at the bottom of my post.
I personally believe that JK Rowling intentionally puts things in her novels that may lead children astray, that do lead children astray. I was almost led astray! And I can only thank God that I was not drawn into HP's world of Witchcraft. By God's grace, I am free from that bondage, and am able to tell others about it! I can only pray for those who have been caught up in HP's evil spell.
The video I mentioned earlier is a must-see for anyone who is skeptical about the evil influence HP has on children. In this video, Caryl Matrisciana, who is a Christian expert on the Occult, answers questions and draws "parallels between Harry Potter and true Witchcraft as practiced today..."
Go to www.therealpottervideo.com for more information.

Mr. Davis, I love your books and I can definitely see God's hand in your writing. I hope that the truth in my post does not offend you, but that it will cause you to be in prayer about this matter.
In Christ,
Riley Anne Thompson

Bryan Davis said...

I am thankful that people are chiming in on this topic and that they feel free to disagree. I like friendly interchange.

As you might expect, I disagree with the Harry Potter supporters who have left their comments, and I will try to address them directly.

Jedi kid wrote, "Yes, sometimes they break rules wrongly, but those times they are punished." And cpquest said, "if the charaters are doing any rule breaking, it is doing it for good, so in the way I think, It is promoting breaking rules only for the greater good."

That is simply untrue. Harry and company frequently violate rules for selfish reasons and escape punishment through lying. For example, in book 3, Harry uses a stolen map to get to Hogsmeade. When he returns, he lies, and the lies of Ron and Professor Lupin get him out of trouble. This kind of thing happens many times. Harry is a persistent, selfish liar over and over. Yes, at times he breaks the rules for a greater good, but the story is crafted to make that happen. It doesn't have to be that way. A character can do great, heroic things without lying or selfishly breaking rules.

Some have compared Harry's rule-breaking to Rosa Parks or even Jesus. Give me a break! Harry sneaking into Hogsmeade with a stolen map in order to get his fill of candy and butterbeer doesn't exactly qualify. To even compare the selfish liar, Harry Potter, to Jesus, the completely selfless savior, is beyond offensive.

Something to be said (STBS), said, "The issue of Rowling promoting bad behaviour in youth is absolutely pitiful." and STBS goes on to say "At any rate, part of the joy of being young is breaking the rules and learning the consequences thereof."

Well, my friend, the "pitiful" comment isn't exacty friendly interchange, but I will answer your argument. Harry doesn't learn the consequences of rule-breaking, because he often lies his way out of it. The example I gave above is one proof of that. This is not the "realistic element" I want my children reading about. I want them to identify with heroes who have integrity, not selfish liars.

STBS also wrote, "If parents are so worried about Harry Potter influencing their children in such ways, perhaps they should redirect their attentions to their children's friends-- the people who really make a difference."

This is the old "either/or" fallacy, stated as if an HP objector like me doesn't pay attention to the friends of my children. A good parent actually does both, so your argument is pointless.

STBS also wrote, "Harry Potter is a brilliant concept and story. Perfect in it's simplistic writing and the complexity of it's storyline. Let's not get bitter because someone accomplished something great."

I'm not bitter. I'm merely objecting to a book series for a very good reason. It's an unhealthy story with poor role model characters. We should be able to do a lot better. When you imply bitterness on my part, you're really using an ad hominem attack that adds nothing to the discussion.

I am amazed that so many people are willing to excuse the mean-spirited, lying, and selfish behavior of these so-called role-model characters just because they love the series so much. Sure, they are heroic at times, but at what cost do we excuse or defend their destructive behavior? To call it "realistic" is simply whitewash. My children don't lie and deceive like HP and his gang, and I won't provide them with literary heroes who lie and deceive. If these fictional characters are what is "real" in the world, then I'll teach my children to be unreal.

Nimelen, I was not offended by your concern over the magic and witchcraft. I agree that the HP series should not have heroes who use those arts. I also agree that some children may be pushed toward dabbling in the occult because of their love for the series.

My main point is that the lying and deception is more of a concern than the magic, and the comments of some of the people here prove that readers are not bothered by Harry's lack of integrity. They think that this is realistic, proving that our culture's lack of integrity is so pervasive that people actually expect such behavior even in their heroes. God help us!

Yes, the magic is a problem. I originally wrote, "I don't think the HP books encourage young people to explore real world witchcraft." Since this actually does happen on occasion, I will edit my entry to make my comments more accurate.

Annie Riley said...

Mr. Davis, I am glad that you read my comment and that we agree about this matter. I appreciate your willingness to consider what I had to say.
God bless,
Nimelen

Bryan Davis said...

It may be true the Ms. Rowling did not intend to encourage witchcraft, but the stores who are promoting the newest book in the series certainly are. In Seattle/Tacoma, Borders is offering a tarot card reading to kids who come to their midnight HP party, and Barnes & Noble will include a presentation, "Tarot for Witches & Wizards" by Teresa Michelsen.

Hmmmm. Sounds like a problem to me.

Annie Riley said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Annie Riley said...

I have just read the latest comment by Sparkling and have been impressed to write a response to her comment.
Sparkling, did you read my first comment? If not, then please do. And if you do not agree with what I said, then by all means look into the video I speak of in the comment. I believe you would benefit greatly from seeing it.
I do not think that it is wrong to read books other than the Bible. If it were wrong, then why would God give people such as Mr. Davis the gift of writing? I do not think reading fantasy is wrong either because there can be very many Biblical truths portrayed in fantasy. The Lord of the Rings is an example. The Chronicles of Narnia as well! The authors were Christians and they wrote using the gifts God gave them for God's glory! And look what has become of those tales!
I do not wish to come across as a know-it-all or someone who just spouts off ideas with no idea of what I am speaking about. I do know very well what I am speaking about. Just look at my first comment.
All I can say is that I hope that you will not reject the truth that I am putting into my comments because it is not my truth that you would be rejecting. It would be God's truth. And if what I am saying is God's truth, then parents will answer to God for letting their children be influenced by HP.

In Christ,
Riley Anne Thompson

AJ said...

I've herd a lot about the Harry Potter books and I agree with Bryan's comments

BeckyJoie said...

I agree with your comment that the Harry Potter books promote breaking the rules. They also paint adults as untrustworthy and unknowledgeable compared to the children. Whether or not J.K. Rowling intended to promote witchcraft, she certainly opened the door by teaching kids rebellion. In witchcraft, one of the key ways to "earn power" is by breaking the rules. One example is that people in the occult say the Lord's prayer backwards and do many things backwards, symbolizing the undoing of things that are good. We all know that breaking the rules is rebellion, which the Bible says is as the sin of witchraft. So, regardless of the fact that there are some rare instances where breaking the rules is the right thing to do, the Bible says that we are to obey them that have rule over us, not defy them. The only instance would be if they are asking us to do things which conflict with Scriptural law. In the case of Harry Potter, both the students and the teachers are in defiance of God's law by practicing witchcraft so it might make it a moot point. It is not merely fantasy, but a semi-realistic portrayal of occultic practices and attitudes.

Over all, the series appear to be well-written, interesting and very imaginative. It is regretful that the content is promoting harmful things and behavior.

Southern Mama said...

For starters, I just read Raising Dragons, and I love it. Second, I've read all 6 HP books thus far and LOVE them too. I don't won't to get into the wichcraft aspect of the books, because I truely don't see one. However, I do wish to saw that I can see your point of view about children breaking the rules. And I agree that rule breaking does happen in the books. But I also want to say that sometimes the rules must be broke for the greater good. Couldn't one say that HP teaches us to think for ourselves, and know when the rules must be broken for our own good?? Since rules can sometimes be made and inforced by people who aren't good and rules are just to keep so much control that people aren't able to be themselves. I think the HP books are absolutly great and teaches children alot of good things. And adults. I don't think books can "make" somebody do anything.
And just to comment on something I saw by someone else... the only magic in the world isn't "black magic"...but that's a whole different subject.

Southern Mama said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Bryan Davis said...

Wolfmyjic,

I understand that rules sometimes must be broken. The problem in HP is that the kids often break rules for selfish reasons, and they usually get away with it, often lying to do so.

It seems that Ms. Rowling has created a culture of lying and cheating, making it a virtue of sorts. I gave an example in an earlier comment, and I could give many more.

I know it upsets, even offends, some HP fans when someone criticizes books they love so much. I'm not saying they should be banned or that anyone is sinning by reading them. I'm just giving out a warning, as a father of seven, to anyone who cares to listen. I certainly am not offended when people disagree with me on this subject, so we can have opposing opinions in a spirit of grace and love.



The ma

Bryan Davis said...

Jabez, I appreciate your comments, and I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but I don't have a problem with breaking rules in order to achieve a greater good. The problem is that Harry frequently lies, cheats, and steals for selfish reasons. He is a law unto himself. Many times he lies to get away with his selfish purposes, and he even has authority figures who help him lie.

Ms. Rowling has purposefully created the stories so that rules must constantly be violated to progress the story. Adults are usually either evil or stupid. Cheating is a way of life. This is not a good world for kids to be reading.

Bryan Davis said...

Froggy,

I'll try to respond to several of your points.

You asked, "Have you read the books?"

Through book four, yes.

You wrote, "If you had youd note that rowling clearly marks the line between breaking the rules for selfish means and breaking the rules to help others. when they break rules to help others, they get away with it, whereas if its for selfish means they get punished."

I wish this were true, but it's not. Harry and company frequently lie and break rules for selfish reasons without getting punished. As I wrote in an earlier comment to give an example, in book 3, Harry uses a stolen map to get to Hogsmeade. When he returns, he lies, and the lies of Ron and Professor Lupin get him out of trouble. This kind of thing happens many times. Harry is a persistent, selfish liar over and over.

You asked, "Why condone one series of books when there are so many other things worse that may influence ones mind?"

Do you mean "condemn" one series? If you really meant "condone" I can't understand your statement. In any case, I mention Harry Potter because it's so popular. I would also criticize books that are worse, anything that negatively influences young people.

You wrote, "Harry potter has many more positive aspects then it does negative. such as many of my friends never read, until they discovered harry potter. harry potter books are very long as you may well know. and instead of sitting down playing computer games or video games many kids are reading."

Getting kids to read is good but only if they're reading books that don't carry a bad influence. And I don't agree that HP has more positive aspects than negative.

You asked, "Why complain about something thats grabbing hold of so many peoples imagination that they are reading instead of getting in trouble?"

I disagree with your premise. I think the HP books are getting readers into trouble. They influence kids by giving them heroes who have no respect for authority. They show a world where nearly every adult is either evil or stupid. They create heroes who lie, cheat, and steal whenever it suits their purposes. This helps to create a culture of kids who see this as normal and harmless. The very fact that you can't see this helps to prove my assertions.

annonymous said...

hello Mr. Dsvis! TDY from the DIOM forum here!

I high;y agree with all of your statements about the Harry Potter series. I have read all of the books so far (book 6 is now out), and i am a big fantasy fan. However, I agree with what you're saying about the rule-breaking. It's ridiculous how many times they have gotten away with broken rules (i.e. in book 1 when Harry and Ron went to find Hermione when the troll was in the building. Yes, they got there in time to save Hermione, but they broke the rule at the risk of getting themselves killed. Something the size of a troll should not be handled by first-years).

Have you read Frodo and Harry by Ted Baehr and Tom Snyder? It goes through and compares HP and LOTR, particuarlly the use of magic in both series. I highly reccomend it!

I am confused by all the rumors going around about J.K. Rowling being a witch? OWuld you happen to ahve an idea of these rumors are true? I know she's denied them many times . . .

Anonymous said...

I partially agree with Mr. Davis on this one. It's not about the witchcraft for two reasons: If we're ridding the world of book containing magic, we'll have to get rid of such classics as THE LORD OF THE RINGS and NARNIA. No Santa for the little kids. In fact, we'll have to rid ourselves of fiction! Two: this was all caused by a joke in the UK when a group of comedians made a JOKE about HARRY POTTER promoting witchcraft. It got into the wrong hands, and now even the Pope calls them awful. A work of FICTION! How absurd.

Now for the other part of Mr. Davis's post. I can see where he is going with it, but I think he is stretching too far. I myself read the series as a skeptic, to know what I was up against. The only real magic in these books is the kind that Mr. Davis's books have. The kind of magic that gets kids to read and keeps them reading. The author is a mother! She has kids! She wouldn't teach that behavior to them if she wanted them to become normal members of society! And she wouldn't want abnormal children.

This is a very interesting post anyway, and I am glad someone is confident enough to post it.

Anonymous said...

I heard that J.K. Rowling used actual witchcraft spells in the books...

Bryan Davis said...

I have heard that, too, but it's not true.