June 2003

On the night of June 20^th 2003, a mother will sleep very soundly in her Edinburgh home, knowing that when she wakes up on the morning of June 21^st she will be £30 million richer! ($48 million).

Who and how?

Her name - JK Rowling, her fifth book ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’; will have its first print run released for sale. The largest ever single print run in history – 13 million in the English-language – twice as many foreign-language will follow.

The new book has been a long-time coming. Its completion being interrupted by Rowlings marriage and pregnancy. Rowling herself admits she has found writing as a wealthy woman far more difficult than when she was poor. Saying she – “… even considered breaking my arm to avoid the pressures of penning a new novel” Newsnight BBC TV

The detailed content of book number five of the Harry Potter series; is still a well-kept secret. However, there is no doubt the ethos of the plot and characters will be in keeping with the previous four. Although we have written much on Harry Potter over recent years, it is worth reviewing some of our gravest concerns; prior the publication next week. We commend the following thoughts for your prayerful concern, and urge you to find far better, more wholesome alternatives for your children!

“Without doubt, we believe the Harry Potter books are unhealthy, unhelpful, unsuitable reading! The reason for this unequivocal statement is simple. Their subject matter – children attending a school for wizardry and sorcery is plainly unbiblical. Harry is a warlock, as was his father, his mother a witch.  The Lord is very clear these things are detestable in His sight. Deuteronomy 18: 9-13 and 1 Timothy 4:7

We have read and listened to a number reasons to circumvent this position. The main three being -  “It’s so well written and it’s the first time I have been able to get my child interested in reading.”,  “It’s only fantasy, my child can distinguish between fantasy & reality.” , “But in the end it isn’t it just a story of good verse evil,”

Yet to us the fact remains - supernatural powers that are ungodly, (occult or magick*, if you prefer) are being used by the hero of the story and his friends. Providing a gateway for children to develop a desire to delve deeper into the occult and allied practices.

All children have an inbuilt, God given desire for the supernatural. God given because it is His desire for mankind to enter a relationship with Him the supreme Creator of the Universe! However, we have an enemy who knows this too and he does all he can to feed that desire for his own gain. (Just observe the number of occultist supernatural children’s cartoons.) The Harry Potter phenomenon plays right in this desire. Hence, we believe this is the main reason for its great popularity.

It is our belief that if in any book, cartoon or film, ‘good’ characters are using supernatural powers that are unholy in origin to fight ‘evil’ then we must question their suitability

In addition, morals and principles communicated through the books are very negative not only for a Christian viewpoint but also generally accepted ‘society standards’.

Note:

It is worth recording also, that many learned observers have noted that the inevitable conclusion for the series will be for Harry to be killed but then resurrected, to become a ‘messiah’ like figure. Rowling herself has hinted at this.

© Family Fullness Ministries 2001, 2002, 2003.
Not to be reproduced without permission.