 |
|
 |
| Harry Potter and The Religious Community |
 |
| One of the main arguments presented by the website is that the character of Harry Potter is the Ultimate good, yet this point has come under fire from numerous "Anti-Potter" Christian authors and parents who believe that Harry is at the center of all that is evil with the Harry Potter series. Ignoring the issues regarding witchcraft, the major problem cited by "Anti-Potter" Christians is that, although he stands firm and fights the "big evil", Harry behaves badly throughout the novels. On countless occasions Harry breaks the rules to benefit himself, such as sneaking out to Hogsmeade or breaking curfews to snoop in restricted areas, and because of these actions many claim that Harry is, in fact, an evil character. It is also argued that, because he is supposed to be the epitome of good, yet in fact does all these bad things, the character of Harry Potter makes young readers feel justified in also doing bad things. As Harry's role as the ultimate good conflicts with his bad behaviour, it is thought that younger reads will confuse the real difference between good and evil in everyday life. |
| The Gray Area, Revisited |
| Another point of contention for "Anti-Potter" Christians is the supposed "Gray Area', where a number of characters cannot be identified as obviously good or obviously evil. Like Harry's contradictory behaviour, "Gray area' characters, such as Severus Snape, are portrayed as both good and bad through their actions and appearances, which is again argued to confuse young readers on the real difference between good and evil. |
| The Bible Vs. The Harry Potter Novels: The Real Good Vs. Evil? |
 |
 |
| According to a number of very "Anti-Potter" Christian authors, such as Richard Abanes, the real good vs. evil battle is not going on with the pages of the Harry Potter novels at all, instead the battle is occurring between the novels themselves and the Bible. From witchcraft to the "Gray area", very conservative Christians see the Harry Potter novels as entirely evil, while the Bible, as opposition to the evil of the Potter novels, is entirely good. Even though Harry often sacrifices himself for the good of others, his bad behaviours make his good actions irrelevant. Unlike the Potter series, the Bible is claimed to clearly define the difference between good and evil behaviour and also promotes the fact that any form of bad behaviour is unacceptable, even if you are doing so for a good cause. By following the teachings of the Bible instead of following the actions of Harry Potter, children will be better guided and prepared to face and resist evil in the real world. |
| Conclusions: Harry Potter as an Example of Morality |
| Despite the "Anti-Potter" rhetoric by Christian authors, the "Pro-Potter" Christians have argued that the novels are prefect examples for explaining the difference between good and evil, as they focus on the importance of morality and the fact that, in reality, good and evil are rarely black and white. The character of Harry shows that no one, not even the ultimate good, is immune from doing bad things because no one is perfect. It is when morality is removed that bad things, such as sneaking out, will turn into evil things, such as intentionally hurting someone else, and although good characters (and people) can do bad things and still be good, it is when they intentionally do evil things that they become evil. Also, in the Potter novels, good and evil are rarely black and white, in fact they are only so when it comes down to the Ultimate good and evil, which reflects reality. Christians know that God and Christ are good and the Devil is evil, but judgment of personal character must be used to determine what side everyone else is on, which is by no means easy. To tell children that only bad people are capable of bad things is much more dangerous and confusing than showing them that even good people make bad judgments. It is only when these bad judgments are made without regret or remorse that someone can truly be evil. |
 |
|