Should Christians be reading fantasy literature? Is there really a difference between the magic and wizards in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series? What about book burning, or banning books? Isn't it better that children read Harry Potter instead of watching television? If you are not satisfied with quick easy answers to these questions, this book will help.
Richard Abanes is a cult/occult expert. He is also a huge fan of fantasy and science fiction literature. The Harry Potter series gave him a unique chance to combine his two passions, and this book is a fascinating look at both the fantasy genre and the two series which best exemplify it. It is also an exposition of the themes, characters and spirituality in The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Abanes casts an educated eye on the genre of fantasy, looking at both its positive and negative aspects. He even uses child development information to examine how fantasy affects children at various stages of development. He offers parents the information necessary to make wise decisions about what their children are reading.
Abanes never says that Christians should not read Harry Potter. He does point out, however, that some of the fears that have been expressed about the occultic references in Harry Potter are valid, as some children have developed a deeper interest in the occult because of Harry Potter. He has documentation that shows a significant minority of children are more interested in the occult since reading Harry Potter. The most dangerous aspect, in Abanes' mind, is the fact that Rowling and her supporters blithely brush off reports about increased interest in the occult.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is the in-depth comparison of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Abanes focuses on several moral/religious issues, arguing that the magic in Tolkien is vastly different from the magick (the traditional occultic spelling for the term used when discussing witchcraft, divination, etc.) in Harry Potter. Abanes also answers several important questions about fantasy, in general, and Harry Potter, specifically, that people have been asking. Finally, Abanes explains why the occult needs to be viewed as dangerous for children.
This books is very aptly named. It is designed to give parents vital information about fantasy and its related titles, so they can make informed decisions about what their children are reading. Abanes offers us the information we need, and allows us to make our decisions based on the facts. In the end, he urges parents to act as true guardians of their children, protecting them from those things which seek to harm them.
