" Harry Potter" is not only a series of books and movies, it is the cultural phenomenon of our generation. Everyone knows the story of Harry, Ron and Hermione—and anyone who hasn't was living under a rock for their entire life. At least, that's what I thought before I spent my first year at Charleston Southern University. But I soon discovered that many of my peers heard of the faithful trio and their adventures, but they never saw the movies or read the books. I was baffled.

I couldn't believe that there was a large group of people who never joined the Potter world. I read "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in first grade and I was hooked ever since. The story of Harry and his friends has been part of my life, almost like a beloved family member. It was the one series that my me, my mom and my brother all read.

We'd pass the books around the three of us and then eventually sent them home with my cousins. As I was growing up, the series was a big part of my life and I don't feel that it impacted my spirituality as a Christian.

The central argument against Christians reading the "Harry Potter" books is that Christians claim it is a gateway into occultism and practicing "magic." However, there is a difference between the evil magic described by the "Bible" and the magic described in "Harry Potter."

The story is based in an alternate universe where people are born with magic. In the books, the "wizards" and "witches" are not getting their magic from a source—it is simply the way they are born: a genetic ability they possess that can be passed through generations. For a more in depth explanation, refer to Karen Edmisten's blog post—definitely give it a read if you would like to delve more into the argument. She does a brilliant job explaining how "Harry Potter" can fit into a Christian lifestyle at home.

Now that I've shared reasons why people say you shouldn't read "Harry Potter," let me give you two reasons why you should.

I honestly believe that Rowling's books were based off of a sturdy Christian back bone. But what do I know—I'm an 18 year old college girl who reads too much and is by no means a professional. But please hear me out and stick with me for a couple hundred more words. In her post "Why Your Kids Need to Read Harry Potter," Haley Stewart elegantly stated that "these stories reveal an exaltation of virtue, an orthodox view of evil, a courageous view of self-sacrificial death and a portrayal of the beauty and strength of love." I want you to read those words again and let them sink in. Wouldn't you want your child to read about the strength of love, the courage of self-sacrificing and virtue—especially as a Christian?

To me, every quality sounds like something we as Christians strive for and teach: the love of God and the courage and strength of Jesus who sacrificed himself for the sins of the world. Rowling's characters are human too—they stray from the righteous path and have to deal with the consequences and repercussions of it. Eventually they find their way back onto the path after being lead astray and redeem themselves. Isn't that what we as Christians do all of the time? We fall short of the Glory of God and eventually find our way back into his light. Sounds like a good lesson to read about, doesn't it?

The second reason why I believe children should be allowed to read the "Harry Potter" series, even while they're young, is because it is a series of fantasy books that helps to foster their imagination and vocabulary. There is a reason that the "Harry Potter" books are so widely known and loved—they're good books with good lessons and stories that captivate the readers. These books also teach amazing lessons that are perfect for children to learn: friends stick together no matter what, be kind and accepting of those who are different, our choices determine who we are and love is stronger than evil. There are so many other important lessons that I learned from these books, but these are a brief summary of the major themes. But what's the most beautiful thing about the books? They grow as your child grows. As characters in the book age as your children do, and, by doing so, they lessons become more relevant.

I could go on for hours about why I personally believe you should let your children read "Harry Potter," but ultimately the decision is yours as their parent whether or not you want to let them. I urge you to take what I say into consideration and really think. I'm simply one voice in a huge sea of others on the internet, but I personally do not think that you should blindly follow the lead of those who deem the books as a gateway into the occult because J.K. Rowling refers to her characters in this beautiful work of fantasy as "witches and wizards."

Happy reading, y'all.