The immediate and worldwide popularity of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (initially) by J. K. Rowling, quickly caught the attention of religious (mainly Christian) groups whose children showed interest in the book about the young boy wizard. Many groups began to voice their concerns over the book’s representations of anti-Christian behaviour. The Potter book promotes witchcraft, rule-breaking and immorality – these all significant Christian ideals (Soulliere, 2010). Religious groups immediately became anxious about the possibility of children becoming dissociated from their Christian realities. The obviously positive presentation of magic, witchcraft and wizardry is one of the many dynamics that exists in the religion-popular culture relationship.
Is the danger of pop culture really that threatening and/or imminent? I remember a friend at primary school wasn’t in allowed near the “Harry Potter books” section of the library, (which was just one shelf, really) almost in an effort to avoid the frightening series from jumping out and corrupting her. The point of the genre name ‘fantasy’ is just that – it’s a fantasy. It provides an escape to another world, one that surely we all understand cannot be literally realised. Perhaps these children should be taught how not to succumb to the ever-seductive world of fiction, rather than creating a barrier between them and the rest of the world.
It is perfectly understandable that the said haters of the series are simply trying to uphold their religious beliefs and abide by their religious teachings.
“When you come into the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord; and because of these abominable practices the Lord your God is driving them out before you. “
Deuteronomy 18:9–12
Gospel literature publisher, Jack Chick, maintains that the series offers “a basic initiation into witchcraft for a whole new generation.” JK Rowling (I’m almost certain) didn’t intend for children around the world to be seduced by and subsequently indulge in magic and wizardry and such. Isn’t it enough for popular culture to become part of our identities in the modern world? Must it corrupt us and offend Christians too?
Have a little look at the outraged:
Image source: http://megan2763.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/6a00d83451be5969e200e54f1f48038833-640wi.jpg
Soulliere, Daniel. 2010. “Much Ado about Harry: Harry Potter and the Creation of Moral Panic.” Journal of Religion and Popular Culture 22 (1).
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