Concerns About Harry Potter

We don't hear a lot from many of today's Christian teachers on the subject of Harry Potter. Why this eerie silence? Some say that anything that encourages young people to read must be all right. But what is scary is that there are those, among very influential leaders, who say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with allowing our kids to subject themselves to occult influences.

Really, should we as parents and leaders, pastors and teachers, encourage our children to make heroes of wizards and witches? It is frightening to realize that the Harry Potter phenomena through books, tapes, and movies, are especially aimed at children ages 8 through 13, a very vulnerable age, when kids are open to spiritual suggestions--a time when our kids begin to understand the distinction between right and wrong. They need to become accountable for their actions.

A large number of Christian families believe that because Harry Potter is a fictional character, the series so popular today must be harmless. Yet the Bible is very clear: "There shall not be found among you anyone who...practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD,..." (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

Should Christians enjoy that which God calls an abomination? Further, Scripture says this in Leviticus 19:31: "Do not turn to mediums or wizards; do not seek them out, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God."

True, there are some positive values in Harry Potter, but that is exactly how Satan works. Instilling the belief that good will overcome evil! The devil is ever ready to trick people into rationalizing away the explicit commands of God. Actually it ought to be the Bible that should be used as the final test for what is right and wrong. In no way should we project our values with the very vehicles that the Harry Potter story uses to project its morals: wizardry, witchcraft, and the occult.

The Bible is very clear that Christians should distance themselves as far as possible from spiritualistic symbols and influences, all potential evils the devil employs to mislead God's called and chosen.

--Adapted, with permission, from Amazing Facts, February 2002.

Beware of the Crystal Dragon. This book points kids away from wizardry and crystals to the true Source of power: Jesus Christ. In an age when spiritualism has gone mainstream, kids need to know what's really going on behind the scenes. Beware of the Crystal Dragon, by Maylan Schurch, will help give children and youth a new and spiritually-accurate picture. Go to search site for book information and order form. You may also order this book in the US by calling the following toll-free number: 1-800-765-6955.


Top of Page Table of Contents Return to Home Page