In Harry's Name We Pray

Can everyone close your eyes for a moment; I want you to think of the thing which frightens you the most. Open your eyes. Now in picturing your deepest darkest fears did anyone think of the Harry Potter books? Surprisingly enough J.K Rowling's children's series sparks fear into the hearts of many adults across America. Because the Harry Potter books had such a large impact on our generation, it is important to understand the controversy behind the series so that we can judge the validity of it ourselves.

Harry Potter first appeared in our lives, 10 years ago, in 1997. The book was met with resounding praise and to this date, according to the Atlanta Access, has sold over 325 million copies. However, along with its instant popularity, came an angry onslaught of criticism, mostly focused on the introduction of witchcraft too the "impressionable" minds of America's youth. Paul Hetrick, spokesman for Focus on the Family, a Christian non-profit organization, spoke on the Harry Potter books saying "it contains some powerful and valuable lessons about love and courage and the ultimate victory of good over evil, however, the positive messages are packaged in a medium -- witchcraft -- that is directly denounced in Scripture." The Scripture he is talking about is found in the bible in Deuteronomy chapter 18:10- 14; which states, "Do not let your people...engage in witchcraft anyone who does these things is an object of horror and disgust to the Lord." In a response to her books being labeled as a gateway that "will send millions of kids to hell," J.K Rowling had this to say, "Not once has a child come up to me and said, 'Due to you I've decided to devote my life to the occult.' People underestimate children so hugely. They know it's fiction." From a Christian perspective it is clear why the Harry Potter books are a threat. The books are mainstreaming magic that could possibly spark some interest for people to go out find out about the occult. Unfortunately, some critics have taken the out lash against Harry Potter too far.

Almost since their release, the Harry Potter books have been at the top of the American Library Association's list of most protested books and many schools and libraries have banned the books altogether. The problem with some of the anti-Harry Potter groups is that they are basing their reasoning on false information. Many people refuse out of principle to not read the Harry Potter books. Laura Mallory, a parent of four, became newsworthy when she tried to ban the Harry Potter books from her children's school. She told reporters, of the Gwinnett Daily Post, that "it would be would be hypocritical" for her "to read all the books." However, in an attempt to keep themselves from being hypocritical many Harry Potter critics are relying on very questionable sources; sources that depict the Harry Potter books as promoting satanic rituals, murder, and sex. By zeroing in on minuscule

information some critics are taking their position beyond the realm of logic. On an internet article titled "Harry Potter Conditioning Kids to Love Magick, Witches, and to adopt the values and attitiudes of the 'Coming Great One,'" it is written that "Harry and his friends are learning how to make drugs and the glory of taking them." This kind of information is created from misinterpreting quotes from the books and twisting them to fit the writer's opinion. The reference to the glory of drugs is found, by this particular author when Professor Snape is talking about his potions class and how "the delicate power of liquids....creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses." This type of false information is creating an irrational fear in many parents' minds and is fueling the opposition's view that Harry Potter is a harmless children's book.

Harry Potter's popularity does not derive from Satan's mystical powers over us all but because kids can relate to the struggles of the characters in their everyday lives. "Kids who love Harry Potter are in no more in danger of becoming witches than kids who love Finding Nemo are in are in danger of becoming fish," Writes Dianne Durante, of the Ayn Rand Institute. Many people agree with her including