The Boy Who Lived

If you noticed the big gap in postings, I apologize. This topic took more than the usual consideration, because I want to communicate clearly. I grew up in a tightly controlled church environment, but my parents taught all of their children how to think, rather than the usual what to think.

When the Harry Potter books first started making headlines and the the Christian media immediately condemned them, I knew they warranted closer examination. I have heard all manner of arguments for and against the series. Everyone is convinced they know for certain some detail about the author, or whatever, that proves the books are evil.

In the beginning I wasn't interested in reading them. They're children's books! I couldn't get past the first chapter of the first Narnia book, which I consider to be a similar genre. They couldn't possibly be interesting to me.

I have children, and I have to consider them. They are going to grow up in a culture where everything about this series is common knowledge. The myriad ways in which it has impacted our popular culture are almost without precedent. If I tell them not to read the books, what can I suppose they'll do the moment they're out of my control? Can I really trust a televangelist who spouts fear from the pulpit? I know that fear is not from God, so messages that bring fear are NOT from God. So I decided to be responsible and try to read the books myself.

Amazingly, I was absorbed in them almost immediately. Since I do have a keen academic interest in fairy tales and mythologies, I found the clever mixing from so many sources humorous and imaginative. Nothing in the series resembled modern witchcraft, Wicca, occult or satanism practices or beliefs. Most astonishingly, I immediately recognized the biblical parallels. I told my husband when we finished the first book that Harry would have to die at the end and come back, because he was a type of Christ. The last three books weren't even out yet. I also told him Ron only has a little sister because Harry needs a way to become part of this family for real someday, and that Ron would probably end up with Hermione because Harry and Hermione would be too obvious. Marrying my big brother's best friend probably gave me a little insight into how that goes. The last book was a pleasure to read, but not a surprise.

In the meantime, we decided to let our kids watch the movies and read the books with us. That way we could discuss any questions that arose and explain anything they didn't understand. I felt it far wiser to expose them while still in the safety of our home, than force them to wait until they're gone, making them uncomfortable discussing the subject with us. It's always the things that are completely banned that kids get into the first opportunity away from home.

We've enjoyed playing at being fans. While not seriously absorbed ourselves, it's still fun to hang out with the crazies who are. Thursday night, I took my second daughter to see a double feature of the last two movies, The Deathly Hallows part one and two. It's been something fun we have in common with our kids. It's been a challenging read but she persists. It's opened up doors of communication about relationships, good and evil, love and sacrifice. All things I'm happy to help her process.

It would be ridiculous for me to say everyone should take my opinion on the matter and do likewise. Every family is different and some really have no interest at all. But I hope you will consider the process we went through in determining for ourselves what was appropriate for our children. Be especially careful about what you blindly ban from your house. If you have good reasons you can intelligently discuss with your kids, you might get away with it. If you don't, you're setting them up for rebellion, which just happens to be the sin equivalent of witchcraft.