Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Thursday, July 16, 2009

From the Archives -- Where do you stand on Harry?

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Lately I've been heard saying to my children, "The slope to hell is a steep, slippery one. Just step away from the edge." But, it seems there's a new edge every other day. Our culture is steeped in sin and sometimes the danger disguises itself -- the wolf in sheep's clothing -- so that we can't even see it for what it is. Often that "sin under cover" is the most dangerous -- and doesn't Satan love it?

I am reposting something I wrote almost exactly two years ago, when the last H.P. movie opened in theaters. I realize by posting this I risk alienating a number of friends here whose opinion differs on Harry. I don't apologize for my opinion.




July 12, 2007
With the release of the newest Harry Potter movie this week, I fear I will have to defend my position on him to friends and family, again. It's not that I am literally afraid to defend my position on Harry, but like so many things I defend, as a homeschooling parent, it does get old. Especially since I'm likely to have the debate with the same people with whom I always have this debate.

I admit, we read the first two Harry Potter books, at least my older two sons did. And I, like most other parents in America, was thrilled by my children's sudden interest in reading fiction. My boys have always been non-fiction readers, seemingly tortured by the mere thought of reading "a story." So, when they became absorbed in the Harry Potter books, I was excited by their interest. I too read the first book, and we all viewed the first two movies. I heard fundamental Christians make the argument that Harry was evil, and I poo-pooed their arguments. Couldn't they see it was just fun?

Well, apparently early on in the Harry craze I just hadn't heard the right arguments. Or maybe I just never heard a Catholic argument. There have been many times that I wish our church would be more vocal about the evils of which we should just steer clear. I know that our church is very large and there are many differing opinions within. But, please, just tell us.

Thank goodness for Catholic homeschooling. Among many things of which I have become educated is Harry Potter. I have found some great articles, written by those much more knowledgeable than I, and they convinced me that Harry is not to be trifled with.

I am not telling others what to think about Harry Potter. I am the parent of four children, however, who I pray I will to send to heaven, and God has given me the duty of making these decisions for them. Unfortunately, they've had to make the Harry Potter argument a few times, also. So, we talk about it and they understand, as much as they are able, why Harry Potter is not for us.

I don't have all of the articles that I have read on the series, but I have bookmarked a few. I believe I've lost track of my favorite article, but, I will tell you that the author got my attention when he posed the question (and this is paraphrased), "If Satan wanted to be successful in tempting young people, wouldn't it be important to get the adults to buy into it as well?" I started thinking (and I'm not implying that JK Rowling is Satan, but Satan uses people of this world to get what he wants) that our children have been completely sucked into this Harry Potter craze, and all of the adults involved in their lives (parents, teachers, librarians, etc.) have been egging them on.

I've already made my decision about Harry et al, and I know there are some good books out there, written by Catholics, but I'm not interested in doing any more research. I'm sticking to my guns, no matter how difficult my decision is to defend. There are however, some good articles out there, if you're interested in doing your own research: here is really good one about why we shouldn't mess with witchcraft -- even just passively reading about it; and here is a good one about the dangers of desensitizing kids to witchcraft and also about why Narnia is different than Harry.

I know it will be hard to keep a straight face (and not roll my eyes heavenward) when I next have a Harry Potter debate, but I will remember my favorite beautitude:

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Matthew 5:11-12


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16 comments:

  1. Peter and I both really liked the whole series, though some of the stuff that happens in the last two books was a bit disappointing to us.

    But I certainly wouldn't let my kids read it while they are kids. Contrary to how they were written and marketed they are not kids' stories (in my opinion)!

    I have good friends that have never read them and refuse to do so, and I have friends that have read them and enjoyed them as much as we did.

    But like you said each mother has to make this decision for her own kids. Good for you for making a decision and sticking to it!

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  2. Hi Barbara,
    Thoughtful post. You've spelled out why you feel the way you do, and as Anne said, keep faithful to your opinions.
    What's more compelling is that you took the time to read and discuss them with your family and talked about the books' pros and cons.

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  3. As a single twenty-something, I have enjoyed the Harry Potter books (and the movies, though they tend to be darker than the books). But if I had children I wouldn't let them read them until they were older. We were all concerned about my nephew's draw toward magic when he read the first book and watched the movie several years ago. My sister is now letting him read the series since he's at a better age to appreciate the books but not get as sucked into them.

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  4. Barbara, your post is quite timely. Several of our children and I went to the movies today to see "Up." I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and so did the youngers even though explanation was needed a few times during the course of the movie. Thank you for the recommendation.

    What surprised and shocked me were the *commercials* for what is considered kid programming today. Matthew, our almost 8 year old, doesn't remember t.v. before we unplugged more than 5 years ago. We've had to explain what commercials are to him since he didn't remember seeing any. During the commercials Matthew became irritated, antsy and even covered his eyes on occasion because girls were *dressed immodestly* (his words).

    About Harry Potter....our oldest daughter read the first four books on her own. She lost interest after I read aloud the Chronicles of Narnia and after she read The Hobbit, etc. by J.R. Tolkien. Our daughter expressed her opinion that the author of Harry Potter copied many ideas from C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. After that, Kaila lost interest.

    We're fortunate in that we don't have cable touting what movies are *must-see* for the summer. Our kids have expressed no interest in seeing the movies or reading the books. I have no intention of encouraging an interest when there is so much classic literature available. I don't pass judgement on those who all or encourage it in their families. It just isn't something we choose to do.

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  5. Barb...thanks once again for your courage and honesty.

    Here's my take: Like the Golden Compass, these books are targeted to a specific audience, and the subject matter is extremely dark, without clearly defined borders between good and evil. And the authors of both series of books wants your children...your children to read them.

    Why? For the sake of entertainment? There are so many choices out there for children...George MacDonald fairy tales, Tolkien and Lewis...a veritable treasure trove of fantasy and wonder. Why Harry Potter? I fear this is more of the "bandwagon syndrome" that permeates nearly every aspect of our culture..."be like us, join us, do what we're doing...you know you want to!"

    I read everything...and I mean everything...and I will continue to emphatically declare that these books are not...for...children.

    A well-formed, catechized adult has the ability to discern many things which children do not. I will continue to jealously guard the innocence and wonder in my brood, and allow them to judge for themselves (when they are adults!) as to whether I erred in this matter. The Lord know the intentions of our heart...we know our children.

    In the meantime, we'll continue to read the Greats...there so much good in the world...that's what we're looking for!

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  6. Thank you for sticking with your well informed opinion, Barbara. I agree with all the previous posters. We have to help our children by using our good sense, and good sense tells us that sheltering our young ones from material that could mislead and even hurt them spiritually is the best path. Even if they seem innocent (and I've read all the books and enjoyed them too, but the movies aren't much to my liking and I certainly don't agree with Ms Rowling's views on homosexuality) they aren't for young children.

    As a side note, whatever happened to reading and recommending wonderful books like Wind in the Willows or Robinson Crusoe or Little Women or so many other classic stories? Are these objectionable somehow? I seem to recall reading lots of books like that when I was growing up. I mostly liked adventure and later, mysteries, as well as poetry. I read the Lives of the Saints from cover to cover more than once! Their stories are fascinating.

    I agree with you also, Barbara, that they should have a group, a committee perhaps, that reviews books, movies, and websites and issues warnings for parents based on teachings of the Magesterium. Didn't they used to have something called the League of Decency or something? That would help me so much!

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  7. Because this has been such a controversal topic, we've stayed away from the books. My son probably would love them, as he is such a big reader, but there are so many other good books out there to expose him to, that we just don't bother with these.

    My worry is that witchcraft is an actual "real" thing in this world. Where as "The Force" is not, neither is a magical clothes closet (Narnia)

    You did a great job on this post, because you have been there, you have read some of the books, you know why people are reading them and why many choose not to.

    Great job!

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  8. You will only get a standing ovation from me! And I say that as a parent who didn't do her research from the beginning and my children read the books and have seen the movies as well (they are adults now). How I wish I had taken the time to understand what they were all about. My youngest was the first to read them and I thought they MUST be ok because she was introduced to them from her fifth grade teacher who was reading it to the class (my very good Catholic friend)! Certainly couldn't be BAD, right?

    But that quote is absolutely correct....Satan isn't going to present something in a way that is distasteful because then no one would bite! Correct?!

    It is difficult to read the word of God and put it into PRACTICE. We are to shield/protect our eyes...minds...etc....and let's face it, that just doesn't seem as much FUN as the lure of the worldly because it's packaged in such an attractive way.

    We must pray for Wisdom and Discernment and I wish I had not been lazy and just "went along" because, you know....that was so much easier.

    God Bless you, Barbara...wish I had known you a few years earlier!

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  9. It is the witchcraft that disturbs me most. Also why are so many people going crazy over this stuff?

    I do not have a good opinion on them because I have not read them or have my children.

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  10. i never cared for harry. and neither did my kids. and with all of the controversy surrounding it i left well enough alone. it does bother me that is SO popular. we adored narnia. and lord of the rings. i think my biggest concern is that in narnia and lord, the good vs. evil was very clear. in harry, it is very ambiguous...a sign of the times i suppose.

    with regards to your "opinion" my mom always told me-if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything.... and as i've said before, this is YOUR space. say whatever you like. the fact that i just so happen to agree with everything you say is pure coincidence.....and i'm just glad i found you on the WORLD WIDE WEB!!!
    hugs.

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  11. Thank you, Anne. You are right -- there is nothing juvenile about the books or movies.

    Thanks for commenting, Gail. Sadly, even though my children understand what my objections are, and to a great degree agree, they still are tempted by all the glamour surrounding the cast and characters, and our society's embracing it.

    Katy,
    I think everyone who gets "sucked into" the scene underestimates the power of witchcraft and how it opens doors for Satan.

    Michelle,
    Loved UP -- why can't there be more movies like that? Like you, I agree there is so much good literature -- why even chance reading something questionable. My trouble with the kids is not so much them seeing ads for Harry, but defending their position to friends (and family!). Making it another "off limits" thing almost makes them want it just because they can't have, though we really haven't had that problem with harry, we ran into that with the Dark Knight.

    Thanks, Kimberly. "The Lord know the intentions of our heart...we know our children." And that gives me such peace.

    Ya know, Elly, like so many good things in our society, those old classics have fallen by the wayside in favor of garbage (except in the homeschool realm). I even know Catholic school teachers who don't teach the classics "because the kids don't want to read that stuff." Bah! Who cares what they want -- give them what's good for them.

    Thanks for your support, Jamie. (Now go put your feet up.)

    Julia,
    You can't knock yourself out. When you know better, you do better. I didn't know better until we had read a few of the books and saw a few of the movies. Then I realized, this is forbidden -- witchcraft is forbidden -- what makes it o.k. to read about witchcraft when I wouldn't let my children read books or watch movies with sex or drug use or bad language? Just because society accepts it doesn't mean we should.

    Christine,
    I think the answer to why everyone goes crazy over it is that Satan designed it to be exciting, stimulating, tantalizing -- so that we want it!

    Love you, too, Regan!

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  12. I responded to this with a blog post . . . between your very engaging reasoning and reading Faith and Family's open forum on this topic and the years and years of going back and forth, my comment wouldn't fit here very nicely.

    I admire your stand and anyone else, too. This is something every parent should not take lightly. The honest truth (which I left off my blog but is of importance is): no one will miss a thing by never reading/seeing HP. Period. It is not important in the large picture.

    God bless you and big hugs,
    Sarah

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  13. I think I'll add that to my post. :)

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  14. Hi Barbara,

    Thank you for your post. The Church in America failed to deliver what the Vatican was saying about Harry Potter. In early December of 2001 (http://www.envoymagazine.com/potter_warning.htm) the Vatican's Chief Exorcist, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, who is also the president of the International Association of Exorcists, stated that "Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil." He noted that the book makes no distinction between black and white magic. Yet North American coverage of the Chief Exorcists remarks were downplayed (http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/jan/02010202.html).

    In February 2006 Fr. Amorth repeated his condemnations of the Harry Potter novels. After 5 years of Fr. Amorth's last public condemnation of Harry Potter, Rome's Chief Exorcist remained even more confirmed in his assessment. This time he stated, in part, "By reading Harry Potter a young child will be drawn into magic and from there it is a simple step to Satanism and the Devil."

    Then in October of 2007 author JK Rowling announces that one of the books' main characters, 'Dumbledore', is 'gay'.

    In an interview with JK Rowling, she said about the development of the books that while she was riding on a train one day in 1990, "Harry just strolled into my head fully formed." (http://www.kidsreads.com/HP07/content/rowling.asp).

    Authors know that ideas are bounced around for a while - not suddenly ingrained into our minds 'fully formed'.

    If parents are in doubt about any decision regarding their children it would simply be wise to take St. John Vianney's quote to heart when he said, "We either belong entirely to the world or entirely to God."

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  15. I'm a bit behind in reading some longer posts. I saw this awhile ago and knew I'd come back to read it. Fortunately, my kids are too young for HP, but I've always been apprehensive about it anyway ... I've heard enough about the controversy that I don't have to read the books or see the movies to know they should be avoided. But if HP is popular now, what is going to be out there for kids when mine ARE old enough??? Yikes! As parents, we just have to do everything to keep them on the path toward Heaven, and in this day and age that especially includes monitoring and limiting media of all types. Thanks for reposting this and for linking to those articles, too.

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!