The Dark Side of Harry Potter

from the July 24, 2007 eNews issue

This past week the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series broke sales records to become the fastest selling book in history. The book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, written by British author J.K. Rowling, sold more than 8.3 million copies in the US in less than 24 hours. Since the first book was published in 1997, Harry Potter has become a multi-billion dollar franchise. In the past 10 years the Harry Potter series has sold more than 325 million books worldwide, making it the most popular children's book series ever. However not everyone is a fan of the boy wizard.

The Harry Potter books have received heavy criticism from some Christian circles for its dark content. Not surprisingly, many parents object to the detailed descriptions of sorcery found throughout the books as well as the occasional scenes containing graphic violence. They believe that the subject matter is not only unsuitable for children, but also expressly forbidden by the Word of God. What is surprising, however, is the number of Christians who have actually embraced the Harry Potter phenomenon. Such fans insist that the books are harmless, yet the Bible is very explicit on the subject of witchcraft and sorcery:

"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)."

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)!"

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect (Matthew 24:24)."

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12)."

Satan is an expert at parading as an "angel of light." If he did not make evil look attractive, people would not be deceived and drawn in by it. Witchcraft is practiced in the real world today and it has been made to look appealing. However, the Bible absolutely condemns witchcraft, sorcery, divination, consulting with "familiar spirits" or attempting to contact the dead. These practices open the participants up to demonic deception and oppression, from which they may not be able to escape.

If you are among those who think that Harry Potter is just kid stuff, and you are wondering what all the fuss is about, read the article on our website titled "Just Wild About Harry" by Julie Foster for a more detailed critique of the content of the Harry Potter books.