“...last month, students found that their favorite series had "disapparated" from the school library, after St. Joseph's pastor, the Rev. Ron Barker, removed the books, declaring that the themes of witchcraft and sorcery were inappropriate for a Catholic school."He said that he thought most children were strong enough to resist the temptation," said one mother..”
http://sparkasynapse.blogspot.com/2007/10/harry-potter-banned-in-catholic.html
Okay, so we have all heard of and know all about the Harry Potter books. Most of us love them, but some people out their hate them. Well, think of them more as evil books that teach us about Satan. Yes, it’s hard to believe this popular children’s novel is referred to as Satanic in many different religions. The witchcraft and wizardry is what makes this book so evil in many congregations because the United States recognizes witchcraft as a religion. J.K. Rowling has proclaimed herself a Christian multiple times and many think she is writing against her faith, especially in the last book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
In 1999 congregations and private schools began banning Harry Potter. Protestants, orthodox Christian, Catholics, and Jews are just a few who participated in the banning phenomenon along with other congregations that are world wide. It is interesting to note that most of the leaders of these religions have not taken a stance on banning any book containing witchcraft and wizardry. Harry Potter was actually named “the most challenged book of the 21st century” by the American Library Association in 2006 and has been th
e main cause of at least three book burnings. There have been multiple forums online of people debating this issue, whether it is appropriate for these congregations to put a ban on a fiction novel or not. Congregations did handle this problem in different ways, though.
One Christian congregation said that they wouldn’t tell people what they can and cannot read, but they should seriously pray about the book before they started reading it. Others, like the St. Joseph’s school, flat our banned the book. Growing up I knew a family in my ward who also would not allow their children to read the Harry Potter books thinking they were against our religion, though no one ever spoke against it in our ward.
http://sparkasynapse.blogspot.com/2007/10/harry-potter-banned-in-catholic.html
Okay, so we have all heard of and know all about the Harry Potter books. Most of us love them, but some people out their hate them. Well, think of them more as evil books that teach us about Satan. Yes, it’s hard to believe this popular children’s novel is referred to as Satanic in many different religions. The witchcraft and wizardry is what makes this book so evil in many congregations because the United States recognizes witchcraft as a religion. J.K. Rowling has proclaimed herself a Christian multiple times and many think she is writing against her faith, especially in the last book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
In 1999 congregations and private schools began banning Harry Potter. Protestants, orthodox Christian, Catholics, and Jews are just a few who participated in the banning phenomenon along with other congregations that are world wide. It is interesting to note that most of the leaders of these religions have not taken a stance on banning any book containing witchcraft and wizardry. Harry Potter was actually named “the most challenged book of the 21st century” by the American Library Association in 2006 and has been th
e main cause of at least three book burnings. There have been multiple forums online of people debating this issue, whether it is appropriate for these congregations to put a ban on a fiction novel or not. Congregations did handle this problem in different ways, though.One Christian congregation said that they wouldn’t tell people what they can and cannot read, but they should seriously pray about the book before they started reading it. Others, like the St. Joseph’s school, flat our banned the book. Growing up I knew a family in my ward who also would not allow their children to read the Harry Potter books thinking they were against our religion, though no one ever spoke against it in our ward.
over_the_Harry_Potter_series
Religion has an incredible power over people and it tends to run what they do in their life. So, when do you ignore a teaching from your religion or take the teaching lightly? Should churches really ban certain fiction novels? Where is the line drawn between when a book is all fun and games and when one gets a little out of control? Does a church have the right to ban a fiction book from its congregation? Is it correct for a congregation to take a position on something when the head of the church has not?
Religion has an incredible power over people and it tends to run what they do in their life. So, when do you ignore a teaching from your religion or take the teaching lightly? Should churches really ban certain fiction novels? Where is the line drawn between when a book is all fun and games and when one gets a little out of control? Does a church have the right to ban a fiction book from its congregation? Is it correct for a congregation to take a position on something when the head of the church has not?
I personally find it so funny that so many people around the world have started freaking out about the Harry Potter books. It honestly blows my mind! These book are fiction, and to me they are just that. Fantasy books are sources that take people away from the troubles of the world for a little while to escape and have some fun. I love reading because it does that for me. When I read a fiction book, it is entertainment. In fact, I remember while reading these books I thought of what a good meaning they had because Harry Potter, or the good source, always won over Voldemort, or the bad source. I remember thinking that it teaches us a good lesson because bad cannot win in the end.
ReplyDeleteThese books are fiction, and I think they represent a good meaning. Harry Potter does the right thing and tries to overcome evil. Anyone who sees it differently is overacting.
Tyler and Jenica, Agreed. You'd be hard pressed to find a single example of a kid who went right into witchcraft from reading Harry Potter. It's way off the mark to think novels like this threaten a person's religion. If a book promotes premarital sex, lying, drugs, or plays down the severity of those or other sins, then you may have a threat to your religion.
ReplyDeleteA similar example was the Golden Compass. People were so mad, citing it's seeming atheist message. Truth be told, it wasn't an atheist message at all. It was NOT a story of a world without god, it was the story of a group who in essence kill god. It wasn't written by a true atheist, a person who doesn't believe in god. It was written by a man who is bitter at god.
Even if they can't explain it, I think kids are smart enough to understand these concepts. If they're sharp enough to understand the story is about witchcraft, and they understand witchcraft is bad, then they're sharp enough to understand these stories are just that, stories. They're not any kind of threat.
The strange part is how so many adults don't understand that.
I know the Catholic Church developed The Index in the Renaissance and every book had to be approved through them when published, otherwise the book was banned. So I don't see this concept of banning a book as anything new. It's interesting in today's world however because we've developed a better system for separating our worldly life with our religious life. Whether or not that's better, we seem to justify things because we know they're not real and just make believe.
ReplyDeleteI think it's confusing when churches and congregations begin to act up and ban something. I'm sure there are plenty of books that are worse for somebody's soul that sneak past these feisty congregations. And why do they feel that they have more authority than the real leaders of their church?
I agree with what's been said. Kids should be able to explore these books, and they're smart enough to know what's real and what's make believe. If they're not, well, then we have something else to worry about.
I like the part about the pastor/priest who said that one should seriously pray before reading Harry Potter. To me, reading a fiction novel is just that - fiction. The goal of authors of fantasy stories is to invite readers into a totally new world, where only the surreal and unimaginable happens. engaging them in a world of make-believe. Harry Potter does just that. That is the joy in reading books like these. I find no problem in reading this book, they do not teach Satanic worship or even evil behavior. I am surprised to see church leaders oppose Harry Potter. But, if for some reason it was counseled not to read them by my own, I too would not read the books. Whether its correct or not for leaders to ban fictional reading is ultimately up to the followers who believe them, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if you are a certain religion you should live those beliefs and teachings of that organization. Often there are grey areas when it comes to some things but often people get a little too power-hungry or can’t distinguish the difference between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. When it comes to this subject, I think that the discretion should be up to the reader and what the intent of the author is and what effect the book has on the reader. In the case of banning the book, I think that is crossing the line. But, the congregation is a private community so I guess you can ban the book. Also, then again, if you respect your leader and believe he is a man of God then a follower would (and should) respect the council given.
ReplyDeleteChurches should teach correct principles and let the members make the decisions regarding what books to read.
ReplyDeleteMembers of the congregation are free to choose if they want to speak out against certain viewpoints of others. their opinions may persuade some not to read or participate in certain media; however, their opinions should not be mistaken for the actual stance of the church.
The line should be drawn by individual members. A good rule of thumb is this: when in doubt, don't participate.
I think it's good to be concerned for what young people read and do. I think being concerned for Harry Potter was good. I personally love Harry Potter and just recently finished all seven books again. I remember having discussions with my seminary teacher about Harry Potter, because she thought it was evil. I told her it wasn't and we had back and forth discussions, including scriptural references, about the topic. Neither of us were offended, but it showed me that my leaders and parents were concerned about what I read. Having said this, I think it's important to know what is in them. My main argument with my teacher was that she had never read them, or part of them to know if it was evil witchcraft. How can you judge something you know nothing about? Being concerned is good. Being stubbornly blind isn't.
ReplyDeleteAnother side note. Not too long ago I was in Borders and saw a book entitled, Finding God through Harry Potter. It outlined all the symbolism between the books and the Christian faith. I didn't read it, but it looked interesting from glancing through.
I agree that it's good to be concerned with what members of your congregation are reading or involving themselves in. However, I doubt a children's book is going to cause harm to anyone. Like others have stated, unless the book contains graphic material, church officials should probably stay out of it. Then again everyone is entitled to their opinion. They just need to make sure people know it's their opinion, and not the opinion of the entire religion.
ReplyDeleteI feel this proves the theory, "you find what you're looking for." If people are looking for the bad in Harry Potter books then they are most certainly going to find it. I have friends you have positive spiritual experiences from reading these books. Another series of books worth checking out is the Golden Compass, which raised some debate over its influence on people and religion. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22044388/
ReplyDelete