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Harry Potter: Even Worse than the Smurfs

Mark Tesreau July 9th, 2007

Recently, I listened to the pastor of a well known mega-church sermonize from Revelation 21:8 that we should not see the Harry Potter movies because Harry is a sorcerer and sorcerers are going to Hell. So as not to take him out of context, his comments were as follows.

"I really think you ought to think long and hard before you let your children go see Harry Potter at the movie. I really want to encourage you in that area. God has, in the Old Testament and the New, come down hard against sorcery, and that's what Harry Potter's about. You say, 'Well it's just fiction.' Well, it's the wrong kind of fiction, in my opinion.

Now, I'm not trying to beat up on anybody. I just…all I'll ask is that you pray about it, study and see what the Word of God says about it, but the Bible says that those who practice sorcery are going to Hell. That's what it says. They won't be in that New Jerusalem.

Now, don't get mad at me. You don't mind if I preach what's in the Bible, do you? You say, 'I didn't see Harry Potter in there.' Well, sorcery…you saw that, and he is one. So, just stay away from him. Amen."

H. PotterFirst, let me say that I agree with the pontificating preacher who shall remain nameless when he says that we should pray, study the Word of God, and "think long and hard"¯ before we let our children go see Harry Potter. For that matter, I believe a parent should think long and hard about every form of entertainment in which they allow their children to engage, not just Harry Potter. We have been charged with a sacred trust "" the very souls of our seed "" and to throw them unprotected, unprepared before the wolves of this world would be the greatest of evils. Nothing and no one should get a "free pass"¯ to the hearts and minds of our children.

Secondly, the fiery friar emphasized that in the Old and New Testaments, God has "come down hard against sorcery."¯ Again, I completely concur with this statement, but not to the extent that it insinuates God has come down harder on sorcery than He has any of the other sins, specifically those noted in Revelation 21:8, which are "cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars."¯ According to that text (the text from which he preached), not only are sorcerers going to Hell, but so too are cowards, unbelievers, abominable (or detestable) persons, murderers, the sexually immoral, idolaters, and liars.

I'm not too arrogant to deny that I'm guilty of more than one of the above-listed sins, and God forbid anyone try to hold me to the standard of Romans 1:29-32. I confess that I am completely overwhelmed and crushed by the weight of God's holy law, and whether or not you want to admit it, you are too. We are all in bad shape when we try to measure up. I can't. You can't. Your pastor can't. My pastor can't. No one can.

In addition, the pompous pulpiteer opined that Harry Potter is the "wrong kind of fiction."¯ He is certainly entitled to an opinion. He even has the right to be wrong. But since this statement is completely (by his own admission) his opinion, I'd really have to know upon what criteria it's based in order to respond appropriately. What is the "wrong"¯ kind of fiction? What is the "right"¯ kind of fiction? Who gets to decide this stuff? Heck, if I were really mean-spirited, I might say something like it's his sermons that are the wrong kind of fiction.

DemonsThere are those out there who don't want to bother themselves with these kinds of questions. For them, finding a strong, charismatic personality to follow blindly is good enough. But before you decide to take the easy way out and adopt someone else's opinions as your own, just remember that these are the same kinds of folk who told us that it's wrong to drink root beer from a bottle, that there was no such thing as "Christian rock"¯, that Star Wars would turn us to the New Age movement, that the Smurfs were demons, that Cabbage Patch dolls were possessed, that Tinky Winky was gay, and that Proctor & Gamble was run by Satanists. Coincidentally, four hundred years ago they told us the earth was flat and the Sun revolved around it.

At the end of his comments on Harry Potter, the pastor asked, "You don't mind if I preach what's in the Bible, do you?"¯ No, I don't mind at all. My favorite preaching is the kind from the Bible. My least favorite is the kind that espouses man's precepts as though they were God's doctrines (Matthew 15:1-14).

Believe it or not, I do have a moral compass. I'm sure that if you've read this far, some of you are actually questioning that. I believe in testing the spirits. I believe in guarding one's heart. I believe in the process of sanctification. I love the Law of the Lord. It is perfect, and it is my meditation all the day. But when issues like this become the source of division and derision in the church, and I'm not sure who's overreacting and who's underreacting, I try to remember two things.

First, I remember the words of Thomas a Kempis, "In things essential, unity; in doubtful, liberty; in all things, charity."¯

Second, I remember the words of the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"¯ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Gay DemonAnd so I ask myself, has J.K. Rowling exalted her fictitious Harry Potter against the knowledge of God? After viewing the first four movies (I have yet to see the fifth film) and reading the first six books, I can honestly say that I don't believe she has. Harry isn't (or doesn't yet appear to be) a sorcerer even remotely in the vein of those warned against in Scripture. He's a wizard not unlike Gandalf or Merlin or the Great and Powerful Oz.

But make no mistake about it. If Rowling should ever decide to cross that line with her beloved hero, I won't hesitate to cast him down and bring him into captivity to the obedience of Christ, or as Harry would say "" Expelliarmus!

Remember, nothing should get a "free pass"¯ into our minds and hearts. Take every thought captive "" be they from a novelist, a preacher…or even a blogger.

Mark Tesreau is a husband of one, father of three, and an all-around nice guy. Mark has no handyman skills, but he's a technology guru and a pinball wizard. He loves The Andy Griffith Show, admires GK Chesterton, misses Rich Mullins, and is discovering the hard way just how amazing grace is. Mark is a displaced Memphian who wants to be a writer/pastor/troubadour when he grows up. You can eavesdrop on his life at ragamuffinwriter.com.

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23 Responses to “Harry Potter: Even Worse than the Smurfs”

Brandi July 9th, 2007

Well said!! You stole the thoughts right out of my head. You would think we were related or something.

Chris July 9th, 2007

Well said Mark. You would have made C.S. Lewis proud with this post.

matt July 9th, 2007

so what about believing in Santa Claus?

Mark July 10th, 2007

Santa? Everybody knows that's just another way of spelling Satan. I mean, come on…a red suit, elves, magic…that's just plain apostacy any way you look at it!

señor jefe July 10th, 2007

I recently saw the newest Die Hard. I think it's the perfect, Godly film. I mean, it's anything but cowardly. There was no sorcery or idolatry… no abomination (ie- gays, right?), sexual immorality or unbelieving. Of course, the bad guy was a lying murder, but John McClane was doing everything in his power to twart such unrighteous causes.

Yup! By this logic, I think Die Hard is the RIGHT kind of fiction!! Plus, it had lots of explosions (which, by the way, I think would be most beneficial to many sermons I've heard along these lines…)

Melissa July 11th, 2007

senor jefe…I hate to poke a hole in your Die Hard logic, but if you remember correctly, John McClane radios for help to a guy named Warlock on the CB band 66.6…isn't that like going to the devil himself??? But hey, there really was some cool explosions…….
yipee kai yai ai mo………………………..

steve July 11th, 2007

To Melissa – - – reread Sr. Jefe's comments. I sense a bit of satire there – - – don't you ?

Brad July 11th, 2007

At the end of his comments on Harry Potter, the pastor asked, "You don't mind if I preach what's in the Bible, do you?" No, I don't mind at all. My favorite preaching is the kind from the Bible. My least favorite is the kind that espouses man's precepts as though they were God's doctrines (Matthew 15:1-14).

Well said!

Jeff July 11th, 2007

I think the pastor was right on in what he said about Harry Potter. To be involved in the occult, witchcraft, sorcery, is simply wrong. But I've seen some Harry Potter movies. I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as you don't pratice that stuff. To me it's just entertainment. Fantasy. What do you think?

Melissa July 11th, 2007

To Steve, Please reread my comments as I too was engaging in satire in response to senor jefe's satire :) Hey, I want John McClane (not to be confused with John McCain) for our next president

Melissa July 11th, 2007

On a more serious note…in response to Jeff's post…while I do think parents need to be very discerning as to what they allow their children to read (or watch or play etc) I think that particular pastor was too close to dictating to his congregation what they should and shouldn't do because the implication seemed to be "hey, you aren't good Christian parents if you allow your children to watch this stuff".

When my own sons expressed an interest in reading the Potter books, I was conflicted at first because I knew nothing of the series. I read a very good book "What's A Christian to Do with Harry Potter" (sorry, don't remember the author's name) and then I bought the books and read them myself before I gave them to my sons to read (a practice I continued as each new book came out, just in case J.K. went over to 'the dark side' so to speak).

To me the important thing is this: think for yourself. If it bothers your conscious to read the Potter books, then don't read them. But don't let someone else (beside God) dictate your conscious for you.

Mark July 11th, 2007

Melissa, your post is 100% on the money! Sounds a lot like Romans 14. Blessings to you.

danny August 2nd, 2007

Hello,
I just finished reading the last HP book. It's more obvious than in the other books that J.K.R. is christian, and the message is in there.
Two scripture verses are present literary there.
It would be great if you discuss this theme sometime live on ETC.

ken August 10th, 2007

I think you all are fooling your selfs
Sure Harry Potter is Fantasy
so what if a person has a Fantasy about Murder?
Or sex
Because its not the real thing Makes it OK?

I don't think so

Please Check the Bible and Pray

Im Not Judging the People that watch and Read
I am Judging the Books and Movies

Mark August 11th, 2007

Ken,

Thanks for the dissenting opinion!

I'd love to follow your advice and check the Bible on this matter, but unfortunately it's full of sex and murder and greed and extortion and incest and genocide and demonic activity and….

Jordan (w.m.s.n.b.s) September 5th, 2007

Sorcerer or not, I would have had a crush on Hermione when I was a preadolescent. Certainly not now of course-eh hem.

Are We Done Picking on Potter? « Daily Illumination (Jeremy Berg) February 10th, 2010

[...] a kindred spirit with Mark Tesreau's thoughts on the whole matter in his little piece: Harry Potter: Even Worse Than the Smurfs posted at Steve Brown Etc. Please check it [...]

Kim April 7th, 2010

I'm a Christian and have watched all the movies that have come out so far. You can debate back and forth whether or not Harry Potter is a sorcerer verses a wizard or whether it's evil or not. My concern is that the movies have progressively gotten more and more dark and I wouldn't personally let my own kids those movies until they were at least teens (my kids are still toddlers). More importantly, the general theme/intuition/feeling I"m getting from the movies is an emphasis on personal, secret knowledge which gives a person power. This, to me, sounds just like the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. I watch the movies with concern and I think it's our identification/sinful heart that makes us attracted to these movies: our desire to be special, to be "the one," to have secret knowledge and powers that no one else possess.

Noah November 23rd, 2010

I have one think to say to anyone who thinks that if children read the Harry Potter books they'll all want to join the occult and become sorcerers: SHUT UP AND STOP CONDESCENDING TO KIDS.

You can't talk down to us! We have brains! We're capable of thought! You are grossly underestimating us if these are your expectations.

JKR has taught me more about love, life, death, choices, courage, and growing up than my pastor ever has. Maybe that's an issue that my church should be dealing with instead of trying to ban books.

Anthony February 4th, 2011

I really do not understand the attraction to all of this stuff, really. As a believer, I understand that there is a war going on for the hearts and minds, not only of our youth, but of our adults. I don't understand how a Christian could look at the cross, then turn to this stuff for entertainment. It breaks my heart. Please understand, I love a good movie, especially an action one. My first movie ever was when I saw Star Wars in the theater when I was 10 (1977). This stuff just glorifies evil, though, with only what is technically sin being the only good. It's witchcraft, people. What's there to understand? Is it not bad because it is only fantasy? Honestly, I can see no more good in the Harry Potter stuff than I can in the Twilight series. All of the moral justification of these films is like searching through a barrel of rotten apples only to find the rare good one.

JonB February 13th, 2011

You know, i see the point the pastor is making about HP. I haven't seen any of the Harry Potter movies nor read any of the books. Given the opportunity to read fiction – I'll chose Lewis or Tolkien any day – as the message does more than entertain – it encourages you to consider rightness and gives positive encouragement to a Godly path.

When HP took off in popularity, i noticed the amount of witchcraft material was being pushed in the book stores… grimoires, astrology, tarot cards – all the merchandise you could imagine to market to children and more than a few parents. How much dabbling in this stuff is OK? How much before you rationalize anything at all?

I understand grace – i understand Steve's messages on "Three Free Sins" I get all that – i've been a Christian since the 70s. But i do believe we need to guard our hearts and minds and not allow ourselves to be unduly influenced by the cultural trends of our day – be it HP or Bruce Willis. ;-) We're to be in the world and not of it and we're to put on the full armor to protect ourselves from the things in our culture that are meant to harm us – no matter how subtle they may be.

Suzie-Q February 14th, 2011

I've read the HP books–all of them–and have seen most of the movies. I'm not overly concerned with the fantasy elements; I read fantasy as my genre of choice. The HP books are not quality reading; they're written for young teens and the writing style is middling talent. (Granted, I was raised on Tolkien, Lewis, and Beatrice Potter. I'm exceptionally discriminating in my reading.)

But what bothers me is how very angry Harry is. He's furious at the world, at his "unfair" situation. He's constantly doubting everyone around him–and most especially those who want the best for him and care for him the most. His self-centered views and unrelieved frustration just put me off….and the frightening thing is how many young people will empathize with him, take on those values and views.

Authority figures are given short shrift in these books. The teachers are not viewed as wise or helpful in a crisis. They are not turned to when things get rough for Harry and Co. Rules are not there for protection or for safety, they are for breaking. Even Dumbledore, supposedly the greatest teacher and kindest authority figure, is revealed to be duplicitous and manipulative.

These books may be read for "fun" but I think the negative values outweigh the morals. Sure, friendship is important but Harry spends a lot of time arguing or outright fighting with Ron and Hermione both. Again, the anger and the self-centered worldview of the main character; it just killed the books for me. I ended up finishing the series just because I'd started it. Not because I enjoyed the characters, the plot, or the series.

But on the whole I'd recommend the HP books more highly than the Twilight books on scales of morality, ethics, and writing. >.<

Robert April 1st, 2011

Great discussion regarding HP. One concern I have, and it is not just with HP but with many of the recent non-Christian books and movies, is the worldview being expressed. A recent Barna survey shows that less than 10% of professing Christians have a Biblical worldview. Too many Christians (including myself) have been so influenced by the world that we are thinking and acting like the world. We must be very careful with everything that we allow ourselves and our children to see and hear and read. I'm not so concerned about my children becoming involved with socery, but I am concerned that they might be one of the 70% of young people that walk away from the faith by the time they are 20. I'm not saying don't read Harry Potter, but I am saying that we must be very careful with anything that the world produces and we Christians consume.

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