When it comes to the Harry Potter saga being viewed as "anti-Christian", many critics have different examples on what this really means. While more and more children showed interest for the novels, more and more people of the Christian faith became concerned, for many different reasons. Most critics came the conclusion that:
 

• Harry Potter promotes Witchcraft, frowned upon by the faith.

• The novels promote rule breaking, lack of punishment and turn "good" characters "bad.

• The books create a sense of discrimination against non-magic folk for being different.

• The saga promotes violence and "dark magic" and Satanism.

• The targeted audience of children may receive the wrong idea when it comes to the world of "Hogwarts".

• Children not being able to see the difference in the fantasy of the novels and real life.

• Reading these novels can cause children to avoid their faith.

• Un-Christian behaviour in general.
   

    With critics in agreement of these points in particular, readers of their published opinions are forced to develop their own opinion on the matter as well. Having a variety of people develop these opinions causes mixed emotions on the subject. The thing that is most in common to come to a conclusion however, is the promotion of witchcraft. Concerned Christians voice their opinion on the subject and some go as far as relating it back to J.K Rowling writing the novels with testing her own faith in mind. The thing that is for certain however, is the main concern is children and their vulnerability. Are concerned Christian parents really thinking that their children will develop an interest in wanting to learn magic? Or have they just accepted the fact that Harry Potter novels are fantasy books that remain between the pages of their imagination?  This all depends on one's own take after seeing the situation for themselves.

 

 
    According to Richard Abanes, author of Harry Potter and The Bible: The Menace Behind The Magik, parents should be concerned when it comes to their children reading the series. In his book, it is outlined how J.K Rowling uses elements of "wicca" in more than one circumstance, how the views of Harry Potter novels are the complete opposite of the Bible and even how the novels contain "Anti-Christian symbols". Richard Abanes' book goes into great detail on every novel of the Harry Potter series and gives his take on how anti-Christian each novel is, in his opinion known as "Potterethics".  On the front cover of the book Harry Potter and The Bible: The Menace Behind The Magik, it clearly says "not approved by J.K Rowling", and for good reason. Abanes states many accusations about Rowling, with evidence pointing in the direction of calling her an anti-Christian herself. He also claims how she uses mythology and witchcraft in order to create her novels and he goes as far as saying she believes in "wicca" which is the name given to the official religion of Witchcraft, founded by Gerald Gardner [1884-1964] (Page 22). "Wicca" is highly frowned upon within the Christian faith, dating back to The Salam Witch Trials in 1692 in Massachusetts.  For More Information on this, click HERE.

 

   
   "During a 1999 interview, Rowling admitted that she had studied mythology and witchcraft in order to write her books more accurately, stating, "I do a certain amount of research. And Folklore is quite important in my books. So where I'm mentioning a creature, or a spell that people used to believe genuinely worked--of course, it didn't. . .then, I will find out exactly what the characteristics of that creature or ghost were supposed to be."Rowling goes on to say that roughly one-third of her sorcery-related material appearing in her books "are things that people genuinely used to believe in Britain" (Page 23).

      

•    Another example of anti-Christian views supported by Robert Abanes is how the novels create somewhat of an opposite view of the Bible. In the first novel, Harry wants to seek revenge on his cousin Dudley for mistreating him or being similar to an enemy to Harry. When travelling to "Diagon Alley", Harry sees many magic related elements that he believes would be perfect ways to seek revenge, and does not get punished for it besides thinking about doing magic in the "Muggle World". Abanes relates this to the Bible and how it is perhaps the opposite on what the scripture says, regarding enemies, found on page 41 of his book. The examples he gave are:
   

• Thou shalt not avenge. . .[L]ove thy neighbour as thy self. (Leviticus 19:18).

• Recompense to no man evil for evil. . .If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. .  .Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21)

• Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28).
   

    Richard Abanes uses these examples as well as other examples of anti-Christian symbolism in fortune telling, the element of an after-life with characters like "nearly headless Nick", "Moaning Myrtle" and others as a way of showing readers that Rowling's perspectives in her books are anything but Christian. The other views critics have with similar opinions can conclude the series use of disobedience  goes without punishment. Main characters such as Harry and Ron develop a sense of disobedience early on in the series. They are never heavily punished for this and in turn are seen as anti-Christian for disobeying rules and regulations. Eventually, their "good" friend Hermione, who has an attitude to always follow school rules in fear of expulsion turns into a "bad" character and breaks a few rules herself. This is viewed by some critics that this behaviour is both unacceptable and un-Christian. In the same way, adult figures in the novels who are in power decide not to punish the three characters for their wrongs, although they always deserve to be punished. Instead, characters are rewarded or are only spoken to, much like a subtle slap on the wrist. Abanes argument towards this is that "good" characters are only seen as "bad" and not "evil". 
   

    He believes that children reading these books are getting taught that is it okay to break the rules and once you start performing this behaviour, it is hard to stop if you're not getting punished for it. Since "evil" characters like Lord Voldemort, Peter Pettigrew and the "Death Eaters"  are presented the way Rowling intends them, it is hard to see how Harry, Ron and Hermione can be compared to this, leaving the open ended question on where to draw the line between bad and evil. Abanes is not alone in this opinion. Authors such as Helen A. Berger, Douglas Ezzy, and Perry Glanzer have similar views and back up the arguments presented by Richard Abanes in many ways.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

   

 

 

 

     The arguments these authors are presenting can be backed up by many forms of evidence. However, the main purpose of them is saying how witchcraft and disobedience should not be read by children. These authors fear that promoting this can cause young children to test their own faith by wanting to perform witchcraft on their own. Having Harry Potter view as anti-Christian is a huge statement. Having Christianity based on God and his teachings and having 10 commandments to follow sets the bar high for anything that is said to be opposite to this. Harry Potter is seen by many critics as a major disobedience of God and the Christian faith. This is said to be because of the use of witchcraft, the promotion of bad behaviour and the use of fantasy of an afterlife. On the same note, other critics go on to say that Harry Potter is not just anti-Christian, but anti-religious as a whole.