Are Christians not encouraged to read the Harry Potter books?

Well, several Christians are divided on the issues. In my contact with Christians, most of them have no religious opinion on the novels. Some of them have read the books, and some of them haven't, but if they chose not to read the books, it was due to their own preferences and no strong antagonism towards the series from a Christian perspective.

However, I have encountered Christians online (most of whom have not read the series, although that's not to say it's not a valid opinion) who believe that it's evil because it condones magic and witchcraft and portrays it as "good." I have heard arguments that this is wrong, because there is no such thing as "good" magic and "evil" magic, because it's all from Satan, and therefore, all evil.

Those are, as I understand, the prevailing opinions on the topic in the Christian community in the United States. However, as one who has read the books, and who understands the Christian perspective (I'm not trying to disrespect it), I must put in my two cents.

I have 说 on this site that "The notion that stories of witches and magic promotes demonic activity is about archaic as Leviticus's support of slavery. If Harry Potter is evil, then so is Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, The Legend of King Arthur, and any other story that references good witches/wizards is evil. And I haven't read anyone complain about them." I later apologized for the rude way in which this was said, but at the time, I was aggravated. However, my opinion stands-- it's an archaic interpretation. And while there are many wise and timeless things in Christianity, but there are some that, I'm sorry to say, are not.

The real messages in the Harry Potter books, and ones that children pick up 更多 than the whole "witchcraft" angle is the power of love, friendship, courage and loyalty. It's a series that tells girls it's OK to be the smartest in the class. It's a series that warns boys against 表演 impetuously. It's a series that tells everyone not to judge a single person based on the acts of their parents. It describes the age-old battle of darkness and light, good versus evil, and good prevails.

It is also a series that, in the end, alludes to the idea of something greater than man, verging on spiritual.

The magic isn't about worshiping the devil, and JK Rowling didn't describe any real arcane rituals, spells 或者 potions. In addition to that, it doesn't encourage children to turn against whatever church they and their family ascribe to. Also, it teaches sound and classic values that are found in several cultures and religions. So, in that sense, I think Harry Potter is the perfect series for Christians.

If the word of an Agnostic isn't exactly the "expert" 你 were looking for to answer your question, see what link has to say on the subject.

I personaly do not like Harry potter and yes I have tried to read them and I found very little interest in them. So I guess it all depends weither 或者 not 你 take what 你 read and apply it to real life and cause problems. As long as 你 don't do that I think 你 should be fine.

I definately DO NOT believe that there is anything wrong with 阅读 the Harry Potter 图书 as, after all, THEY ARE ONLY STORIES. I think that it's ridiculous to tell children not to read the books, as they are light-hearted and fun. it's called fiction for a reason... it doesn't mean that we're all going to go out and try to do magic! Just my opinion.

I don't get it, it's just a 幻想 series made to entertain people. Much of these people need get some sense put back in their brain, J.K. Rowling doesn't even believe in magic. And neither do I. I absolutely 爱情 the Harry Potter series.But the point is that Harry Potter teaches (,besides FICTIONAL spells,) love, friendship, courage, and loyalty, NOT satanic worship 或者 something like that, and anyone who says it differs from what I just said, doesn't know what they're talking about. And also sorry if whatever I 说 offended anyone, but this hypocrisy has got to stop!

I have been a huge Harry Potter 粉丝 for almost 10 years and there is absolutely nothing bad in them. If anything, the 图书 have made me a better person. As long as you're not stupid enough to think it real, there is nothing wrong with them.

Your Pastor is right. The 图书 and 电影院 make witchcraft look cool and fun. That encourages kids and adults to want to be like them. Witchcraft is one of the 'deadly sins' I think. I 爱情 to watch the movies. But I prayed to God and ask Him to know my 心 on this. I DO NOT want, I just totally enjoy the friendship of the main characters and the special effects.

I think it's okay to read them as long as 你 don't take them too seriously and keep in mind that they're fiction novels.

This is a very controversial issue, with Christian leaders I respect coming down on both sides. I just think that people should read what they object to first before expressing an opinion. I agree that Christians need to be careful about what they read, and that childrens lit should be fun, yet have positive messages. (There seems to be a disturbing trend of negative darkness in older elementary - high school books, but that's for another post!) I am an adult Christian, and I have read them all, and enjoyed them for the most part. I have problems with a character flaw in Harry. There were several times when he should have gone to an adult for advice, and didn't. He never seemed to realize that some mature advice, 或者 at least a listening ear, would have made a world of difference. I mean, we all want our kids to be able to feel that going to an adult with a problem is a viable option, right? I also was very disappointed that Rowlings brought Dumbledore "out of the closet". That was totally unnecessary in my opinion, and has soured me on any future 图书 由 her. That said, I refer people to C.S.Lewis and his 查看 on magic as expressed in his writings as a good jumping off point for any further discussion.

Pope Benedict 说 himself that Harry Potter is good book, because massage of it is love. (I read this on one site, so i don't know if this is true)

I think 你 should read it, it's great book, it's fantasy, and it can't hurt your beliefs

well im a christian and i 爱情 the series.i have had a few fellow christians try to discourage me from 阅读 it.i also 爱情 the twiligh t series and their have been some remarks about those but i read then anyway.lol.heoped this helped

no, I don't think theres any reason why 你 shouldn't read them- they're only stories- thats a bit like saying 你 should only read twilight (for example), if 你 believe in vampires- which most people don't. So theres no harm in 阅读 Harry Potter unless 你 take it literally, if 你 just enjoy the story then its fine.

no offense but i hate harry potter

Harry Potter is filled with the themes of 'Love conquers all', 'do the right thing, not the easy one' and similar. The 图书 really encouraged me to be a better person.
Also, they're stories. Not life guides.

ok some christian believe no like your pastor some christians believe it is okay. If 你 are over 10 then 你 can be able to make your own decisions regarding this. harry potter will not make 你 suddenly go crazy stop being a christian and becomming a witch. However if when 你 are 阅读 somthing comes up in the book that 你 feel is anti what 你 belive in as a christian then 你 need to a) stop 阅读 b) discuss it with parent, adult 或者 trusted friend. I DON'T think this will happen however and the positives of 阅读 the book that it is entertaining and such outweigh thenegatives. When i was 10 i read the harry potter 图书 - i am a dedicated christian. 阅读 the harry potter 图书 has not changed that!!!! Just go with what your spirit and 心 says!!!!

There's nothing wrong with Harry Potter. My PASTOR at my church, my PASTOR'S KIDS, and my YOUTH PASTOR all read, and loved Harry Potter. We're a Harry Potter-loving church!

Pssh. I'm 阅读 the last book as we speak. I used to not be able to read 或者 see the 电影院 but then my Pastor 说 it was ok. It has Christian things in it actually. The 作者 is a Christian