The first Harry Potter movie is now available on video and DVD, so there's no better time to reexamine the wildly popular series by J.K. Rowling. Richard Abanes offers an intriguing look at each of the Harry Potter books and the occult practices portrayed in them. His goal is to answer the following questions: 'Are the Potter books harmless fantasy novels fit for adults and children alike? Or do they contain spiritually dangerous material that could ultimately lead youth down the road to occultism? Does J.K. Rowling present a 'moral' world consistent with Christianity? Or do her novels promote unbiblical values and unethical behavior, camoflaged beneath a whimsical mask? Is the success behind Rowling's books just a result of good writing and media hype? Or is there an unseen force of spiritual darkness possibly driving the craze? How should parents respond, especially Christian parents?' If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you need to read this book.
Abanes is a strongly committed Evangelical Christian, and he holds the Harry Potter series up to the light of Scripture and to his knowledge of the occult world. The results may surprise even those who already disapprove of Harry Potter. Abanes offers succinct plot summaries of each of the Harry Potter books now in print (four volumes at the time of printing). Then Abanes points out specific details from the books and compares them to real, specific occultic practices. Abanes also offers what he calls 'Potterethics,' which is a look at the 'morally confusing messages presented' by Rowling in her books. He argues fairly convincingly that these books are definitely not suitable for young children, contrary to the claims of both Rowling and her publishers.
This is truly a fascinating and eye-opening book. Abanes offers a fair and accurate look at the Harry Potter books, balanced by his extensive research into the occult. He is not afraid to look at the very important issues which Harry Potter has raised, including occultism in society, the place of fantasy in Christian literature, and the use of Harry Potter materials in schools. As Abanes comments in the introduction, 'If the Harry Potter series is indeed harmful, then that is something worthy of exposing. If, on the other hand, the books are benign, then that also is something in need of clear articulation.' You will, ultimately, have to decide for yourself whether to let your kids read (or continue to read) Harry Potter, but this book goes a long way in helping you make that decision. It is very well documented, and well-written, and it lays out the true issues clearly and persuasively.
