With the fifth instalment of the "Harry Potter" film series released, the debate is bubbling once again over whether the boy wizard is suitable for Christian audiences or the cute face of a more sinister world of the occult that Christians should steer well clear of.
Many ministry leaders in the past have criticised the "Harry Potter" series over its use of magic and argue that it promotes the occult - an assertion that, if true, could be serious since the movies and literature target children who can be most affected by negative spiritual content.
But even after five movies-worth of discussions, Christians are still split on the issue.
"By now, there's nothing new under the sun when it comes to the use of magic in the Harry Potter series of books and movie," explained critic Lindy Keffer of the Christian movie site Plugged In Online. "Even with all the magic in the air, the worldview of '[Order of the] Phoenix' can't be called consistently occult. Like the world we live in today, it's a hodgepodge of ideas that are accepted simultaneously, even if they don't really fit together."
Dr Ted Baehr, founder of MovieGuide.org, however, is less accommodating in his review.
"[T]he movie version of 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' is liable to still do great business at the box office," he wrote. "Regrettably, however, this means that even more children will be lured away from God and His Infallible Word, which says that witchcraft is evil and abhorrent. Instead of dreaming about the joys that God gives us through Jesus Christ, they will be dreaming of casting spells, using magic spells, riding brooms, and rebelling against their parents."
In the newest "Potter" film, Harry's magical world is interrupted by an evil disturbance. The main villain of the films, Lord Voldemort, has returned to the world and is mounting an army to regain his former strength.
Harry, his friends, and several mature wizards such as Professor Albus Dumbledore must struggle with the current Ministry of Magic which refuses to recognise the dire situation. In an act of civil disobedience, the group must unite to prepare for an attack from Voldemort, despite the wishes of the wizardry government. The Order of the Phoenix is reunited, bringing together the "good" wizards to again fend off the dark lord.
