Where is Harry Potter?

[denise]

Where is Harry Potter? Today as I was shelving books I thought about all the publicity Harry Potter received when the books first came out and when the movies were released. Many Christians wrote about how the books would lead our unsuspecting children to witchcraft and to dabble in the occult. As this was going on there were far more inappropriate books being circulated without protest. One example is the His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, which is set to be a movie. It begins with the book Golden Compass which features a cute white bear and little boy on the cover. How appealing to a parent who wishes to give their child a fantasy to read. These books look innocent yet they are, in the author’s words, anti-Christian. If parents find that their children are reading these books or have read them, they need not panic. What a great opportunity to discuss what is going on in these books and how the author’s views are opposed to our own. Parents must determine for themselves what they want their child to read and to encourage them in making good choices. There are many quality books out there but the main thing a child needs is loving, nurturing parents. This will have greater impact on their lives than any book.

[jordanl]

you know im a christian but when i read articles about fellow christians taking books out of the line and discussing them and how they should be banned i feel that without diffrent looks on books we would not be able to be as independant as we are. i feel that these christians in my eyes do not see what god has taught me and that is to be considerate of others feelings of course when i talk with my satanic friend at school we leave religion out of it because that just tears people away from each other and i feel that these christains are trying to do that with our liturature they want us to be all the same and all christian belefes and i feel that without people to go against the normal that we would just be like a communism.

[denise]

I think you are right. I hope you realized that when you read what I wrote above. As a librarian I try to put in our library all kinds of books that will appeal to all kinds of people. Harry Potter is one of the most popular. Our students have not turned to witchcraft nor are they evil afer reading the series. The main reason is because they are surrounded daily by parents who love them and they have influences of God in their lives. When they read His Dark Materials they can discuss this as it opposes the values of Christianity they have been taught and discuss why the author might have written these books. To be educated is to have your beliefs challenged and to be able to defend them intelligently, not just run away from things with which you do not agree. Thank you for your comments, keep it up. I would like to hear what you and your friends are reading and why. I read a lot of young adult fiction so that I can recommend books to our students but I don't know about all of them, especially fantasy and science fiction because I don't read much of that. BTW, isn't it sad that religion, the thing that should bring people together, is the one thing that pulls people apart? I wish I had an answer for that one.

[kim]

www.equip.org/free/DH263.pdf

I honestly think that the Harry Potter books address universal human issues, such as the longing to belong and be loved. The only reason Harry beats Voldemort in every book is because he relies upon his friends. In fact, he is pretty weak on his own. I think that is the strength that Dumbledore tried to help Harry see in all the books.

So, the last book ended with Harry deciding to go it on his own. We all know, if we've read the books, that Harry won't make it five inches on his own. He's only gotten there by relying on others. Friendship and love. These strengths point to God Himself, when I, Kim, realize I can't get anywhere on my own, that there is a God who loves me no matter what, who chose this orphan kid who had no hope otherwise.