As an obsessive Potterhead myself, I've always found it interesting when people explain that they haven't read the "Harry Potter" series because they or their parents believe that it is "sacrilegious." Whenever people explain this to me, I'm always left wondering how a series that's based on Christian values could possibly be construed as Satanic. The overarching theme throughout all seven books is "love conquers all," so I find it difficult to believe that there isn't a Christian in the world that couldn't benefit from reading "Harry Potter."
From what I've gathered, the primary reason why some Christians abstain from reading the books boils down to the element of witchcraft. Let me ask you this though, why is it OK for Christians to read "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe," but not the "Harry Potter" series? I've read both of the series, and I'd like to point out that both of them contain witchcraft. So, why is it acceptable for C.S. Lewis to write about magic, but not J.K. Rowling?
1. Sacrificial love is the deepest level of magic in the "Harry Potter" series.
I've heard the argument that it's OK for Christians to read "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe" because love conquers over the White Witch's evil magic, and that's fair. The problem with this argument is that a majority of the people who claim that Harry Potter is sacrilegious and Narnia is not have only read "The Chronicles of Narnia." I always find it incredibly challenging to contain myself when I have this conversation because I know that if all the people against the "Harry Potter" series just read the books they would see that love is the deepest level of magic. Moreover, it's not just any love, but agape, or sacrificial, love that can defeat the darkest magic. Furthermore, I think that 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 sums up the entire "Harry Potter" series perfectly. For those of you who have read the series, I'm sure you will agree.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. (1 Cor 13:6-8)
2. You need to read the books to understand the significance of their message.
It's always challenging to convince a nay-sayer that this is true because I have so much evidence to prove my case, in fact, I just wrote a 20 page paper about it, but I cannot give them my reasoning because I would just spoil the entire series. I just want people to take a leap of faith, yes faith, and trust me when I tell you that every Christian will benefit from the "Harry Potter" series.
3. The entire story is set into motion when a mother sacrifices her life so that her son can survive.
This sacrifice is enough to not only protect Harry's life but temporarily defeat Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all time. While this initial act of Harry’s mother, Lily, was enough to save Harry as a baby, the power within Harry, the young man, at the end of the series is arguably far more powerful than that of Lily. Harry’s magic is cultivated throughout the series, strengthened in great measure by the trials he endures. What began as a spark evolves into an explosion.
4. The series adheres time and time again to the principles of Christianity and even contains biblical allusions.
Rowling even admitted that the books, especially the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," are allegorical. She said, herself, "To me, the religious parallels have always been obvious, but I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going."
5. They're some of the most incredible books of all time.
While the pope may have condemned the books, I have a sneaky suspicion that it is only because he never read them. Once upon a time, my mom didn't allow me to read the "Harry Potter" books, but soon after her dutifully Catholic sister embraced the series, she decided to give them a go. I couldn't be more thankful that my mom changed her mind about these books because this entire series is probably one of the most incredible works of literature ever written. The Christian component alone is reason enough to pick up the first book from Barnes and Noble, but trust me, you'll be hooked as soon as you start.
My mom always tells people who've never read "Harry Potter" that the books are like a Christmas present that you forgot to open, but it's just waiting for you under the tree until you decide to unwrap it.
