Harry Potter, Personally: Concerns

Some people feel convinced that Harry Potter is a satanic series. Others see Christian themes and symbolism woven throughout the books. The majority of Potterheads, however, just enjoy them as good stories.

Wherever you fall on this spectrum, please bear in mind that I’m not out to convince you one way or the other. I’m not getting commission from Rowling (I wish) or from anyone else. I’m just sharing my opinions about what makes the books great and even edifying for me. If you’re not comfortable reading the series for whatever reason, I give you my full blessing to skip the next few blog posts and the whole Harry Potter series. A life without Harry can still be a life well lived. (Please note I would not say the same about a life bereft of Lewis and Tolkien.)

So, without further ado, let’s look at a few common concerns about Harry Potter.

“Harry Potter is written by a real witch.”

As far as I can tell, Rowling isn’t a witch, Wiccan, Satanist, occultist, or anything else creepy. Actually, she’s a member of the Church of Scotland, a branch of reformed Protestantism. When asked, she identifies herself as a Christian. She regularly attended her local church while writing the series and ensured her daughter was baptized into the church. I don’t know if she still attends church regularly, but I doubt that she’s joined a Satanist cult since then either. 

Does all this make her a born-again, Bible-believing, Jesus-loving Christ follower? Not necessarily. Jesus says that the way to heaven is by repenting of our sinful hearts and accepting his perfect life and forgiveness on our behalf. The fruit of this is a life that reflects the truth of the Bible and the love of God. Anyone who has experienced this is a true Christ follower, including J.K. Rowling. Anyone whose life does not reflect these realities has not yet come to know Christ, including J.K. Rowling. But to answer the question of whether she’s an actual witch, I think the evidence points to a resounding, “No.”

 “Harry Potter promotes witchcraft.”

Rowling may not be a witch, but do her books promote witchcraft? This is tricky because I believe it depends more on the reader than the books. Some people are more susceptible to the draw of the occult than others are. While one person could read the series and come away with no desire to dabble in magic, another person could have their curiosity sparked as a result of what they read. Believe it or not, C.S. Lewis knew his own propensity toward the occult and chose his entertainment accordingly. It’s a mark of maturity to recognize your weaknesses and avoid your triggers. That’s why I don’t work at Krispy Kreme.

But in general, the magic in Harry Potter is not the same as witchcraft. Christian thinker Charles Colson clarified that the magic in the books is “purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic. That is, Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals—but they don’t make contact with a supernatural world.” 

Mechanical versus Occult Magic

This distinction is important. Real occultists have no power of their own but must tap into the demon world. Remember the story of Doctor Faustus from the mid-1500’s? Faustus sells his soul to Satan in exchange for 24 years of power on earth. He does have fun, but in the end he’s completely wretched when Satan drags him down to hell. Creepy? Sure. Instructive? Definitely. My point is that even the presence of real satanic forces doesn’t make this story dangerous because the theme is, “Don’t be a short-sighted idiot like Faustus.” Generally speaking, theme trumps content.

On the other hand, there’s plenty of modern entertainment that crosses the line between “mechanical magic” and actual evil. Personally, I think Marvel’s Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness is one example. Sorcery, witches, dark magic, possessions, and gore are used by the good and bad guys alike. Even the first Sherlock Holmes movie shows satanic rituals enacted by the villain and reenacted by Holmes himself, although they’re not portrayed as  great life choices. In contrast, the magic in Harry Potter is portrayed as a skill that some are born with and others aren’t. Those born magical can practice to get better, but even the bad guys aren’t powered by demons. Rowling keeps a clear line between good and evil, showing good to be admirable and evil to be miserable. That’s one trait of good literature.

“Harry Potter is too mature for kids.” 

With certain caveats, I would agree that Harry Potter is too mature for kids. Again, it depends on the book and the kid. The first three books, while definitely including intense moments and unsettling situations, seem appropriate for a mentally- and emotionally-mature tween or young teen. Beginning with the fourth book, however, the plot takes a mature turn and continues that way for the rest of the series. Each book portrays increasing loss, peril, and darkness. 

So while the first few books may be appropriate for a tween, I wouldn’t say the same for the last three or four. A good rule of thumb is to read the books when you’re the same age as Harry. The series begins when Harry turns 11, and each successive book takes place the following year, concluding when Harry is 17. A mature 11-year-old could enjoy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but he should wait to read The Chamber of Secrets until he’s 12 and The Prisoner of Azkaban when he’s 13, and so on. That plan would take a lot of will power for an avid reader, but I still think it’s wise.  

“Harry Potter isn’t right for my kids.”

Now this is a valid argument, and it’s what I’ve been driving at throughout this post. Just as it’s unfair to say the books are bad for everyone, it’s equally wrong to say they’re healthy for everyone. If you’re a parent who has genuinely done the research about the books and has considered the maturity and tendency of your child, then you’re fully equipped to make this decision. There are thousands of books that are as good as or better than Harry Potter that can help your child thrive. Potter isn’t a necessity. 

So will I let my own kids read the books? Not for a while since they’re still toddlers, but hopefully some day we can read them together, enjoy the stories, and have great discussions. My husband and I want to raise our kids to love Jesus, seek truth in the Bible, and evaluate all of life in light of what God says. I hope they’ll grow into kids, teens, and adults who can ask themselves good questions about what they encounter in Harry Potter and all of life. “Is this true? Does this please God? Does this make me more like Jesus? What are some mistakes and false beliefs I can learn from and avoid in my own life?” These are questions we should all be asking ourselves on a regular basis. 

I hope you found this post helpful. Make sure to join me next time as I discuss the storyline of Harry Potter and why the story resonates so deeply with so many. Until then, brush up on the books to avoid any spoilers!