Are the Harry Potter Books and Films Christian?

My first introduction to the Harry Potter series of books and movies came from a woman whom I worked with for years.  She began to tell me how after work, she was going to stand in line at a store waiting to buy a book. "Have you ever heard of Harry Potter?" she asked me with a smile on her face. I turned my head with a confused look on my face as I had no idea what she was talking about as I'm not always into keeping up with all the latest fades, and then after pausing for a moment, I replied to her; "no, I never heard of it." She laughed, then continued to work while trying to find the words to explain what the storyline of Harry Potter is. She finally thought of a description and began describing to me about Harry Potter saying it was a story geared for kids which happened to be very popular in making kids read books.

She went on to say, "the latest book from the series was about to be release at the stroke of midnight. So working 2nd shift, she found it important to go directly to the bookstore from work, and wait to buy the book. After that, she describes to me what the story line of these books were. "It's about a boy who wants to become a wizard". When I heard this, red flags popped up in my mind. Sounds more like a introduction into the occult, rather than a nice fictional story.

She continued to tell me of her daughter's high interest in the book, and how she loved the story line. As long as she had the interest in reading the book, she said, it was worth standing in line for a few hours to buy it. Even at very early morning hours she was willing to wait. Story content didn't concern her much at all, just the fact her daughter was being motivated to read and it was very popular among the kids. After my conversation with her I then decided to research this book further...
 

Brief Statistics on the Harry Potter Series

Over 125 million copies of the Harry Potter books are in print in 200 different countries. Currently, translated into 47 languages so far. Record setting first printing: 3.8 million copies. At least 9000 Fed Ex trucks were needed on July 8, 2000, to deliver 255,000 pre-sold copies.  The profit of the book series is estimated at; 500 million dollars and continues to increase. The first movie of the book series is called; "Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone". This movie was the second all time leading money maker for films at 971 million dollars. Another production of the Harry Potter movie series, Chambers of Secrets grossed about 87 million in three days, and the latest installment which is the 5th film of this series took in more than 44 million on it's first day.
 

The Fruits of Influence on Children

How has this Potter mania affected children?  Is the Harry Potter series of books and movies a benefit to the Christian faith and kids in general, well actually it's not...In reality, it benefits the occultists.  When Phyllis Curott,  who is a  Wiccan High Priestess,  also President Emeritas of the Covenant of the Goddess (one of the largest and oldest Wiccan religious organizations), told ABS News about the Harry Potter Series saying, "It’s great fantasy…it is positive. Meaning the witches were displayed in a positive light as the good guys, not seen as rebellion against God. She goes on to say, "The book might change the way people feel about us."  Phyllis Curott was right as far as the potential influence of this movie would give her profession a positive boost in the occult, read on...

In an article in Newsweek magazine, Malcom Jones states and I quote...

"I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore [headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the books’ setting], and it’s not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they’ve convinced themselves it’s true."

In the British media it was reported, in regards to the book series and movie which show the occult in a good light, "have fueled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children." Naturally, the island's Pagan Federation is pleased. Though it refuses to admit new members under age 18, "it deals with an average of 100 inquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches, and claims it has occasionally been 'swamped' with calls."  Another example of kids being influenced by the Harry Potter series is, and I quote, "I was eager to get to Hogwarts first because I like what they learned there and I want to be a witch." Gioia Bishop, age 10."  Giving the Harry Potter Series more influence on kids is the fact that many professing so-called, Christian organizations and publications like Christian Today,  have also given their positive outlook on the book series as well as the movie, describing it as good and clean harmless entertainment. 

Harmful or Harmless?

We must ask ourselves the following questions: Is a story in a series of books about a boy who wants to become a wizard harmless based on a child's interest to read it? Is it harmless if the story is fictional with historical real practices of witchcraft, like communicating with the dead, and astral travel? Is it harmless because it's so popular and we should all go along to what the masses say, and do. I have gotten feedback positive and negative regarding these questions and my article on the Harry Potter series in general.  I have even received various reasons from even kids themselves on why Harry Potter is good entertainment.  But the Scriptures, make it clear that the answers to the above questions is a resounding "no"...And here's why...

"When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God grivet thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out before thee." (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).

The Lord not only declares not to believe in those abominations, but not to learn how to do them either. The Harry Potter series is full of these abominations, and shows it in a positive light. Not only that, but the story line has lured kids into the real practices of witchcraft...This is not harmless entertainment in God's sight, but sinful, because it's story line is promoting rebellion towards God.  Remember this which is stated in Matthew 7:17,18... "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." 

In Isaiah 5:20, says virtually the same thing, "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!"  Christian parents need to use the Scriptures more when it comes to monitoring the entertainments of this world.  Bare in mind, not all stories which are fictional are bad, evil, or destructive to the worship of God.  In fact,  there are some good fictional stories out there whereby the whole family can enjoy without sinning towards God...But you have to be on the lookout for sinful practices like witchcraft, being put in a positive light in the story...Witchcraft in itself, is not a neutral form of entertainment.  It's a religion, that teaches rebellion towards God.

We must all strive according to God's will to become more of God's servant, as our sinful nature is at war with our new nature...God states very clearly, whatever we do even eat or drink, we do it for the glory of God, this is what He commands us to accomplish.  And being Christians, we have a desire to please Him...Pray that you may be strengthen in the faith, and walk a closer walk, for without God, it's impossible to get close to Him.