Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling came under fire in early June 2020 for controversial tweets she posted about the transgender community. Her stance has caused fans and stars of the wizarding world like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Eddie Redmayne to speak out against the author.
Criticism has taken two main forms: allegations that Harry Potter is a pagan text; and claims that it encourages children to oppose authority, derived mainly from Harry's rejection of the Dursleys, his adoptive parents.
What does the Catholic Church say about Harry Potter?
The magic in Harry Potter is fictional, so the Bible and the Catechism wouldn't condemn it. Harry Potter is a story, a work of an author's imagination, a modern-day parable. It's just like how attending a child's magic show does not put one in danger of being involved in “real” sorcery.
As always, it's important to use biblical discernment when reading a book, watching a film, or listening to music. Though Harry Potter is a fantastic series, not everyone may be on board with it and that is perfectly fine. Harry Potter isn't something Christians should avoid but certainly go into with caution.
There is an imbalance between the number of male and female characters in the series, especially teachers. Its racial diversity has been accused of being tokenistic. And it lacks even hints of LGBTQ+ characters. Rowling's claim in 2007 that she thought of Dumbledore as gay is not even suggested in the books.
At the age of six, she was seen practicing magic by a group of Muggle boys. When she was unable to show them how to do the same thing again, they violently assaulted her. The attack left Ariana emotionally scarred and unable to control her magic.
Not all witches and wizards are evil. Some myths and folktales feature good spirits or magicians who help people. These are said to practice “white magic” rather than the “black magic” of the evil witches and wizards.
What does the Bible say about watching Harry Potter?
The Bible specifically forbids many of the things that are portrayed in the Harry Potter movies like witchcraft, sorcery, divination, speaking to the dead, etc. If you are a Christian and genuinely believe it and think it's okay to be entertained by those things, well, there's some disconnect.
The inscription on Dumbledore's family tomb, “Where your treasure is, your heart will be also”, is from Matthew 6:21, while the tombstone of Harry's parents bears the quotation “And the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” from 1 Corinthians, which also informs one of the major themes of the book.
Hermione of Ephesus (Greek: Ερμιόνη της Εφέσου; d. A.D. 117) is a 2nd-century saint and martyr venerated by the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. She was well known as a "great healer" and founded the first Christian hospital in Ephesus.
James and Lily Potter had bible verses written on their tomb stone, so it is known that they did practice, or at least have some belief in Christanity, as they also had a Christening of Harry Potter, their son.
Who was watching Harry and Hermione by the church?
Hermione told Harry to stop as she noticed that someone was watching them this person was Bathilda Bagshot. Bathilda beckoned Harry and Hermione into her house.
Harry Potter books have made headlines ever since the first installment was released in 1999. Parents and religious groups have expressed concern that these stories can not be considered a simple children's fantasy. These critics disapprove of the novels' portrayal of the occult as a positive lifestyle (Booth 310).
Fans have since boycotted the game over what they see as Rowling's anti-trans views. The author has questioned the use of gender-inclusive language and trans people's right to access gendered spaces. Recently, she opposed the Scottish government's proposed gender recognition legislation.
Some people thought the books were inappropriate reading because of the ways in which Harry and his friends manifestly behave. Harry, of course, lies. He breaks rules and disobeys authority figures (including the professors at Hogwarts) and then ends up being rewarded and praised for his actions.
Rowling identifies as a Christian. Although she grew up next door to her church, accounts of the family's church attendance differ. She began attending a Church of Scotland congregation, where Jessica was christened, around the time she was writing Harry Potter.
Harry, as a pureblood Potter, has a prestigious lineage that goes all the way back to the Peverell line just as Jesus came from the line of David. Both Harry and Jesus had to flee their birthplace for their protection because both had powerful enemies from the time they were very young.
This theme at the core of Rowling's wizarding world speaks directly to a universal human reality: The struggle to come to terms with our mortality. Death is obviously big in Harry Potter.
Harry is referred to as the “Chosen One” who survived death and even is resurrected in the last book. This is an obvious reference to Jesus being the chosen one, and resurrecting 3 days after his death. Voldemort is a reference to Satan.
Many wizards, witches and Muggles often used terms such as thank God and oh my God to express excitement, shock, awe, dismay, or supplication; analogous to the wizard-used Merlin's beard.
Bible Gateway Jeremiah 18 :: NIV. "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
Even if you are familiar with what the word “wizardess” means in its modern sense, you should avoid using it as a feminine form of the word “wizard.” The word “witch” is still the most common and widely used term for female wizards.
Hermione is one of Harry's best friends and is a powerful witch. She has parents who are Muggles, meaning they do not possess magical ability. Ron Weasley, another wizard, is one of Harry's best friends and is the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Wizardkind are humans born with the ability to use magic. An individual male human with magical ability, is known as a wizard (plural: wizards), and an individual female human with magical ability is known as a witch (plural: witches), though "wizard" is sometimes used as a gender-neutral singular noun like "man".
