This article originally appeared in the November/December 2000 issue of Lutheran Parent Magazine

Nearly everything for kids, from cough medicine to jacks, comes with a warning label. "May cause vomiting" or "Danger – choking hazard." I always read the labels. Sometimes, the risks outweigh the benefits and the product goes back on the shelf. Other times, knowing my kids are unlikely to be harmed, I decide the risks are minimal and put the product in my shopping cart.

Looking back, I wish some of the books I read as a child had come with a warning label. From about age 10 to my early 20’s, the supernatural fascinated me. I devoured stories about wizards and magic, power and adventure, to the point of reading three or four books a week. I craved mystical experiences of my own. On the outside, I was a normal kid. I had been confirmed and went to church nearly every week. My school report cards held straight A’s. On the inside, however, I was sliding downhill fast. The supernatural realm took over my thoughts. I couldn’t stop imagining the spirits, power and goddesses I was reading about. They entered my dreams, and finally one day, they started speaking to me.

I cried out to God in fear, and He rescued me. I stood teetering at the brink of the pit, and He pulled me back into His arms. I tremble when I realize how close I came to darkness. I know I am forgiven – Jesus died for those sins, too – but I hope other children will avoid my mistakes.

In our Lutheran churches, we are taught to discern, not censor, but I cringe when I see Christian kids choosing the same mystical-type books I did. To make matters worse, those same books I once searched for are now everywhere. The "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling, about a boy chosen for Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, are by far the most popular. On June 6, 2000, the Washington Times reported that more Harry Potter books had been sold than any other children’s books in history. Scholastic Books printed 3.8 million of the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, for its initial release, and they expect to be reprinting for years to come. Most children read Harry Potter books without lasting effect, but some may start down the same path I traveled. For them, Harry Potter may start a hunger for more, and feeding their new interest in wizards and witchcraft will be easy, with hundreds of choices of books, games, TV shows and even an upcoming Harry Potter movie.

As parents, we need to talk to our children and point out a few problems with the Harry Potter mania. First, the books teach that good magic defeats bad magic, one of the foundational beliefs of pagan or earth-based religions. Many pagans believe that a divine force or power exists in everything. By learning the right rituals or spells or by seeking help from spirits, that power can be harnessed and used to accomplish the will of the individual. Of course, only evil people use the power to practice black magic.

As Christians, we know real supernatural power comes from only two places, God or Satan. God’s power can’t be manipulated – only Satan allows that deception. We believe "Thy will be done," not "My will be done." So, people practicing true witchcraft (often called "magick" to separate it from the simple illusion used by stage magicians) use power directly from the devil, even when their intentions are good. Harry Potter may be fantasy, but this "good magic defeats bad magic" is deception that too many children will accept.

Second, Harry attends classes at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and takes the reader with him. Harry is an ordinary school kid, a nice boy, and his class work sounds fun. Much more fun than I had in school! Who wouldn’t rather learn spells, divination, potions and sorcery instead of grammar and arithmetic? When you look at Harry’s list of classes, it sounds eerily familiar. Compare it to Deuteronomy 18:9: "Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord…"

As the reader, we learn right along with Harry. He studies some silly and cute magic, but mix up his "Draught of Living Death" and you risk real hallucinogenic nightmares. Pay attention in divination class, and you’ll learn actual fortune-telling techniques. Stop in at a large bookstore or go to Amazon.com with a list of Harry’s textbooks and you can go home with The Book of Spells, The History of Magic – It’s Procedures, Rites and Mysteries and Battling Dark Forces – A Guide to Psychic Self Defense. These are real books of witchcraft, not innocent fun.

And if reading about witchcraft prompts you to one step further? Type "Become a witch" in www.google.com and you can learn step by step how to become a modern day pagan. Over 3,000 web sites (Update - do the same search today - January, 2004 - and the count is nearly 10,000) offer tips for beginners, with more under development. One web site says, "Since its inception, the Witches' Voice, has been barraged with email asking the simple question... "How do I become a Witch"?"

This isn’t pretend. This is the dark undertow of the occult, and it can pull under anyone without firm footing on the bedrock of God’s Word. Even now, reading Harry Potter books for research, I feel the tug of its current.

Third, parents need to be ready to explain the attitude toward "muggles" - people who don’t believe in the world of witches or spurn it as evil. In the Harry Potter books, muggles are cruel, boring and stupid people who couldn’t recognize decency if they tried. For example, Harry’s aunt hides him in a closet when company comes. His birthday goes uncelebrated, and his uncle strictly forbids contact with anyone from the wizard school. When Harry’s best friend calls during summer vacation, Harry’s uncle furiously bellows: ‘"HOW DARE YOU GIVE THIS NUMBER TO PEOPLE LIKE – PEOPLE LIKE YOU!"’

The way muggles are portrayed, I agree with the way magical people feel about them! And yet, think about it. WE are the muggles of our real world. The author is talking about people like US. If we found someone we loved practicing witchcraft, would we want him to stop? We would if we believe the Bible. Galatians 5:20-21 warns us that those who practice witchcraft will not inherit the kingdom of God.

What if we were talking about homosexuality? If a children’s book portrayed homosexual acts as exciting, fun and beneficial, and those who opposed them as brutal hate mongers, would we buy it for our kids? The Bible speaks out against sorcery and witchcraft, and admonishes us to stay away from every kind of evil, but nowhere does it say: "Thou shalt not read Harry Potter books." Still, the early Christians burned their books of witchcraft after hearing and believing the gospel. Would fantasy books about witchcraft have gone on the fire, too? This is not a rhetoric question. I'm sincerely asking - If Harry Potter books were part of that scene, would they have been burned?

Finally, we want our children to consider their Christian witness. My daughter might read Harry Potter books without harm, but what about her weaker friend? By giving Harry Potter to my child, have I caused another child to stumble?

We usually make very informed choices of what to feed our bodies. With God’s help, we can make informed choices of what we feed our minds, too. And, thankfully, He can make even our bad decisions work out for good.

So, is it OK for your children to read Harry Potter books? That’s between your family and God. If you choose to go ahead, read the books together and have discussions about whether the characters, actions and situations fit with God’s view. When my daughters have reached a fairly high level of Christian maturity, I WANT them to read the first Harry Potter book – not for entertainment, but to help them recognize the dangers and learn discernment of their own.

If you wish to comment on this article, you may e-mail me at [email protected]