Harry Potter A New Twist On Witchcraft

Little is said during the time Harry's parents are killed until he is around 10 years old. At the age of
11, Harry travels to Hogwarts, where he and other students are taught by the faculty, all
accomplished wizards and witches, how to properly use magic tools, spells and rituals.

One such tool is a tail feather from the powerful, mythical Phoenix bird. The school Headmaster,
Albus Dumbledore, owns such a bird, a symbol of resurrection. Both Harry and Lord Voldemort uses
the tail feather in their wand, perhaps symbolizing, as some critics say, that the source of their
powers come from the same place, even though Potter and Voldemort are enemies, one using
"white" magic and one "dark arts". The wand is only one of many magical items used and studied.

A Fantasy World

Children are understandably fascinated with the kind of power that Harry and others in his world
possess. Author JK Rowling says,

                "The idea that we could have a child who
                 escapes from the confines of the adult world and
                  goes somewhere where he has power, both
                  literally and metaphorically, really appealed to
                  me." [6]

Certainly power is appealing, especially "white" witchcraft like this that is made to look so innocent.

Even some Christians leaders agree that it's "just fantasy" and generally acceptable for the Christian
reader, including Chuck Colson of Breakpoint, the editors of World Magazine, and Connie Neal
(author of What's A Christian To Do With Harry Potter?) [7] However, occult experts, Marcia
Montenegro of Christian Answers for the New Age [8] and Caryl Matrisciana, author of Gods of the
New Age [9], disagree with their Christian peers. Both have personal experience in the occult before
becoming Christians

As one example among many, Caryl points to a chapter in the fourth book entitled "Flesh, Blood and
Bone".

"Harry is magically transported with his friend Cedric to a dark,
scary graveyard. There, Harry is tied to the headstone of Lord
Voldemort's father's tomb by Voldemort's slave, Wormtail -- a
shapeshifter who takes the form of a rat. A slithering snake,
synonymous with the presence of Voldemort, circles around Harry.
Following an order to kill from a voice of unknown origin, the slave
utters a death curse. In shock, Harry witnesses the murder of his
friend Cedric." [10]

Perhaps all of this sounds a bit scary, but nothing to be concerned about. Potter fans say that this
world is just make believe and has no bearing on the real world. While a few Christians don't even
like to read or see classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Lord of the Rings, or Chronicles of Narnia due
to the mere presence of evil, most Christians recognize the good vs. evil element as being clearly
delineated. Evil is evil, and good is good, and good is promoted while evil is not.

But in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The "good" guys practice "white magic", while the
bad guys practice the "Dark Arts". Readers become fascinated with the magic used (explained in
remarkable detail). Yet God is clear in Scripture that any practice of magic is an "abomination" to
him. God doesn't distinguish between "white" and "dark" magic since they both originate from the
same source.

"There shall not be found among you anyone who ...practices witchcraft, or a
soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures
spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do
these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these
abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall
be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will
dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your
God has not appointed such for you."
Deut. 18:10-14

Furthermore, if one were to use the reasoning that such objectionable material can be included in
fantasy literature, then "that line of reasoning would tell you that you could include in fantasy any
violence, pornography, whatever you wanted, and still defend those books by that very same
statement." [11]

The problem is, witchcraft is not fantasy; it is a sinful reality in our world.

"J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has gone
through an awful lot of research. She is very accurate (otherwise
we would have witches all over the country and the world saying
'this is not a true representation of our religion'.) This is a true
representation of witchcraft, and the black arts, and black magic.
And yet we have people that say this is merely fantasy and
harmless reading for our children. Actually, what makes this more
dangerous is that it is couched in fantasy language, and children's
literature, and made to be humorous, and beautifully written and
extremely provocative reading. and it just opens up children to
want to have the next one. This is what is so harmful." [12]

Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged studies elements of Rowlings's imagery and writings, including
the use of the "Potter" name in Pagan religion [13], shapechanging [14], meditation [15], human
sacrifice [16], feminine power, Wicca (the religion of witchcraft) [17], the tools, spells and curses
used in witchcraft [18], Christian youth and their involvement [19], communicating with the spirit
world, reincarnation, situational ethics in witchcraft, the lightning bolt as a power symbol, broomsticks
and witches' hats as phallic symbols, dabbling in divination and sorcery, recruitment, teaching
children dark arts, Scholastic Inc.'s involvement, and more.

We can be sure that this video by Jeremiah Films, while probably the first of its kind to deal with
Harry Potter from a biblical cautionary perspective, will not be the last. The Christian Booksellers
Association's 13,000 member annual meeting in 2000 had a noticeable lack of anything Potter.

"Clara Sessoms, who manages Living Water Christian Books in Marion, Ind. [says] 'I don't think
people fully realize what they're dealing with, and I think anyone who knows anything about spiritual
warfare knows those books can open the door to spiritual bondage.' 'And I think it's worse that
children are the target,' said Jessica Ruemler, a buyer for Living Water. 'It opens the doors for young
minds. You put sorcery in, what do you expect to get out?'" [20]

Many concerned parents agree. According to the American Library Association, the best-selling
Harry Potter series has topped the list of the nation's most frequently challenged books for two years
in a row. Complaints rose 37 percent in the past year. [21] Author John Andrew Murray believes
that...

"With the growing popularity of youth-oriented TV shows on witchcraft -- 'Sabrina, the Teenage
Witch;' 'Charmed;' 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' -- a generation of children is becoming desensitized to
the occult. But with Hollywood's help, Harry Potter will likely surpass all these influences, potentially
reaping some grave spiritual consequences." [22]

Potter has caused quite a stir in many nations, with several Australian Christian schools supporting a
banning of the books. "Dr. Chas. Gullo of the Christian Outreach College, a private school in
Queensland state, said he read one chapter from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and was
exposed to four murders. 'It was pretty gory,' Gullo said in Brisbane's Courier-Mail newspaper." [23]
Rev. Robert Frisken of Christian Community Schools Ltd in Australia says: "The ordinary person is
typified as being bad because they have no (magic) powers, and heroes are the people who are
using the occult. Good finds itself in the occult, which is an inversion of morality for many Christian
people" [24] Even many non-Christian parents have been concerned due to the greatly heightened
fear that their younger children have after reading Potter's books. [25]

While some practicing Wiccans flatly deny any link between Potter's world and theirs [26], the
evidence is undeniably clear that Potter promotes an interest in magic and the occult. Parents,
whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being exposed to and
determine what is appropriate. Christians especially should be guided by God's Word, the Bible.

Author Richard Abanes has written a book called Harry Potter and the Bible. He says that the movie
and books not only teach anti-Christian lessons on the occult, but also moral relativism, and
desensitize children to profanity and off-color humor.

So, what is a Christian to do? Ask, seek, and knock. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead
your family in taking a biblical worldview of morality, seeking to please God (and not conform to
man). Seek out what the Bible says about the occult (be sure to read our other articles) and how
Christians are to react to it. And knock on the doors of your friends who may also be unsure what to
do with Harry Potter. We highly recommend obtaining a copy of Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged
to share with your family, your church, and others.

MOVIE REVIEWS

Movie review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Movie review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Movie review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Documentary movie review: Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged

Notes and References

1.Dark Arts: "...differ from other forms of magic in the intent of the wizard using it. Most magic is
relatively neutral--it can be used for bad or good. Some magic, however, is Evil in its intention
through and through. Spells of this kind are often called curses. Curses are spells that are often
intended to cause harm to another person. This intention to do harm places that spell into the realm
of the Dark Arts..." as quoted from Steve Vander Ark's "The Harry Potter Lexicon" http://www.i2k.
com/~svderark/lexicon/

2.ibid

3.Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

4.Some fans mimick this marking by giving themselves a lightning bolt on the forehead. This marking
causes some concern, as the lightning bolt, in mythology, is known as Thor's calling card (the god of
thunder, rain and fertility), later used by Hitler's Nazi party in the form of two crossing lightning bolts
(according to Christine Hall's February 3, 1999 article in ESP Magazine.)

5.Caryl Matrisciana in Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

6.Scholastic.com

7.In an interview with Michael Ireland of Assist Ministries, Connie Neal justifies her book by saying: "I
saw tremendous opportunity to overcome evil with good, diffusing and using Harry Potter to educate
kids about occult dangers, share the gospel in a relevant way, teach kids principled moral decision-
making, and spiritual discernment. My friends convinced me that I could help Christians who aren't
comfortable explaining Bible teachings as they correlate to popular culture."

8."Christian Answers for the New Age is a ministry responding to alternative religions: to inform and
educate others about New Age and occult beliefs; to respond to those involved in New
Age/occult/Eastern belief systems with the love and truth of Christ (I Peter 3:15-16); and to serve as
a resource on aspects of New Age/occult thinking and practices such as astrology, psychic powers,
meditation, Witchcraft/Wicca, alternative healing, Magick, etc." Marcia Montenegro, http://cana.
userworld.com

9.Caryl Matrisciana, "cofounder and producer of Jeremiah Films Inc., is an author, film producer,
commercial artist, researcher and world renowned expert on contemporary religions, cults and the
occult [who] helped produce more than thirty documentaries revealing today's cultural trends, with a
special emphasis on religious cults." She is the author of Gods of the New Age, The Evolution
Conspiracy and God Makers II. Info from http://www.therealpotter.com/ask_caryl.htm

10.Julie Foster, staff reporter for WorldNetDaily

11.Robert S. McGee, author of The Search for Significance, as quoted in Harry Potter: Witchcraft
Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

12.Caryl Matrisciana as quoted in Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

13."Potter" is a Pagan witch, "the female goddess of Babylon who is considered the potter who
created the human being from clay. God, unable to give birth, is essentially believed to have tried to
mimick the Potter. The feminine oriented cult of witchcraft sees the woman and her process of birth
as fundamental in the new life, the transformation, the alchemy, the changing of the inner man to
higher consciousness which is what Harry Potter is all about... This is an upside down reversal of
what a Christian believes. When they come into a personal relationship with Christ they are
transformed and take on the mind of Christ." Caryl Matrisciana in Harry Potter: Witchcraft
Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

14.Harry's father appears to Harry as a horned god (a stag).

15.Meditation is a recurring theme. Harry is always being encouraged to "concentrate hard enough
[and] you can have what you want."

16.The concept of human sacrifice is brought up several times in the Potter series. "Lord Voldemort,
Harry's archenemy, takes a vile of blood from Harry in book number four in order to have the blood
run through his own veins in order that he can be resurrected and have a body." Caryl Matrisciana
in Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged © 2001, Jeremiah Films.

17.Caryl Matrisciana calls Wicca "The fastest growing religion in America." Robert S. McGee, author
of The Search for Significance, explains that those involved in Wicca believe "there is no Satan, and
therefore no evil spirits. Yet they report experiencing spiritual power from which they receive their
power, refusing to label these powers evil, they choose to believe their origin is either from nature or
natural from within, but neutral."

18.When it comes to spells, proponents of the Potter series defend the books by arguing that the
spells aren't real. While this may be true, Matrisciana argues that the principle is laid that "if you
learn certain words, you can have power." (Warned against by Jesus in Matthew 6:6-8) Potter
teaches that there is legitimacy in spells.

19.Despite God's warning (see above) many Christian youth are heavily involved in Potter books.
They are unknowingly opening the door to the spiritual world of the occult, often leading to
destructive patterns of sexual promiscuity, drug use, depression, etc.

20."Latest 'Harry Potter' book meets cautionary response from Christians" by Art Toalston, Baptist
Press, July 13, 2000

21."Harry Potter Series Tops Annual List of Controversial Books" Bloomberg, February 2, 2001

22.Quote from John Andrew Murray, headmaster of the Episcopal school St. Timothy's-Hale,
Raleigh, N.C., & writer/director of the video "Think About It: Understanding the Impact of TV-Movie
Violence," As quoted in "Latest 'Harry Potter' book meets cautionary response from Christians" by
Art Toalston, Baptist Press, July 13, 2000

23."Aussie school bans 'violent' Harry Potter", AP, January 26, 2001

24.Sydney Morning Herald, March 27, 2001

25."The Trouble With Harry" by Marguerite Kelly, Washington Post, February 14, 2001

26."Wiccans dispute Potter claims", Ben Roy, Citizen Online-Newfound Area Bureau, October 26,
2000. However, The Isle of Avalon Foundation (England) began offering a "part-time course in
witchcraft for the 21st century" according to a Reuters, April 6, 2001 release, in part due to the
renewed interest in the occult. Other witches have also noticed an increase in interest.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

Josh McDowell and Don Stewart, The Occult: The Authority of the Believer Over the Powers of
Darkness (San Bernardino, California: Heres Life Publishers, 1992), 249 pp.

Danny Korem and Paul Meier, The Fakers (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House,
1980).