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Yale Divinity course examines theology in Harry Potter

by Elena Garcia, US Correspondent
Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008, 7:40 (GMT)
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Another by the name of "Stan" said it was a "sad state of affairs when Harry Potter is being 'studied' in colleges and universities throughout the USA”.

"No wonder the USA is declining in so many areas and is no longer the moral or technology leader," the reader wrote.

The majority of Christians, especially those in the evangelical community, remain strongly opposed to the book, which they say promotes witchcraft, the occult and defiance against authority to children.

A number of prominent Christian leaders, from American family guru James Dobson to the Pope, have publicly denounced the series. They have either urged a boycott on the books or strongly advised parents to exercise caution when letting their children read them.

Matthew Slick, of the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, which reports on cults and other religious movements, said in a review that he found "no Christian principles at all" after reading the books.

Unlike the parallels drawn between Christian themes in CS Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" series and JRR Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Slick argued that the Harry Potter books taught anti-biblical principles.

In "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", he said that the "failures of the occult side were demonstrated against the power of grace, love, and truth of God, though done through metaphor", something he claims the Potter books do not do.

He added that the books do not condemn lying and deception, justifying the vices as a long as they meet the ends of the characters.

Richard Albanes, author of "Harry Potter, Narnia, and the Lord of the Rings: What You Need to Know About Fantasy Books and Movies", also rejected the comparisons drawn between works of Christian authors like CS Lewis and "Harry Potter".

"There is this whole movement within Christianity where people are trying to say that the Harry Potter books are Christian novels. And that is just untrue," he told Christian Broadcasting Network in a past interview.

Albanes said that while kids cannot replicate the magic in Lewis and Tolkien books, they can "really copy" the witchcraft that appears in the Rowling's books.

"There is this crossover where the Wiccans know it, the occultists know, the practitioners of all these things know it, and they are using that curiosity that kids have for all of this stuff now through Harry Potter to attract readers to their real world how-to manuals. I think many parents just don’t get that. They don’t understand," he said.

He further advised readers, especially parents, to use discernment in choosing fantasy novels.

"We need to not just cut everything out but to take care to look at what is good fantasy and what is bad fantasy."



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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.

Added: Thursday, March 27, 2008, 17:48 (GMT)

I am sorry but you will have to cite for me ant papal statment about Harry Potter.

Joseph Kossuth, Irving, TX

Added: Thursday, March 27, 2008, 16:52 (GMT)

Oh, my! Have the people quoted in the article even read the Harry Potter books? I seriously doubt it. What a bunch of garbage. I am a Christian and have seen numerous Christian principles within the Harry Potter series. As for the idea that children can actually copy the witchcraft in the Potter books, the person who suggested that is an absolute idiot! I've never heard a remark more stupid! This is a case of the writers either being seriously unprepared to write on the subject or being liars.

Anita Boyle, Sugar City, Idaho

Added: Thursday, March 27, 2008, 13:15 (GMT)

I think that Harry Potter shows many signs of Christianity and that it is right up there with Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia- As for those who oppose that idea, its all a matter a envy. They are envious that Jo Rowling has made this big of impact on the world and they dont like it. It is absolutely rediculous to say they have witchcraft in them that is about as sick and stupid as you can get. They are mere fantasy books, I have been Baptized, gone through communion and confirmation and I plan to wed in the Catholic church- and I have read the books and seen the movies since the very beginning and like I said to suggest they are stylizing a cult is rediculous. You people need to wake up its not the times of the Old testament any more and be a little more liberal.

Alyssa , Fargo, USA

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