awKWaRd veRB

I am a fan of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling; I think they are well written with detailed and engrossing plots. And I am not in the minority here; the books have sold millions upon millions of copies breaking many publishing records, they have promoted literacy by encouraging millions of children to read and have made the author one of the wealthiest women in the world. So I believe the series has been a worthwhile enterprise overall.  

So imagine my disappointment when a friend sent me an email with the following headline: “Harry Potter Promotes Witchcraft” The ‘article’ goes on to say that when children and teens read the Harry Potter books they are encouraged (if not commanded) to go out and become witches. It equates witchcraft with Satanism and every negative connotation that comes along with that. The gist of the piece is that if you or your kids read Harry Potter you will burn in hell.  

I’m sure this friend’s motives were well intentioned. But I am upset that she sent me something that looks like a chain letter (because I hate that crap) and even worse a chain letter gushing with verbal diarrhoea. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and if that includes giving over your opinion making faculties to someone else (such as a religious cleric) then that’s your right. But I draw the line when it comes to denying our rights by censoring what is read. 

Let us consider the merits of the argument that Harry Potter promotes witchcraft as put forward by the ‘article’ I received:

1.       The book is about a student at a school that teaches witchcraft and wizardry so it definitely promotes witchcraft to school children. 

2.       Harry, the main character, uses magic to help him in life and therefore endorses the idea that magic is a way to solve problems. 

3.       The primary audience are impressionable children; therefore, the JK Rowling knows that they will want to find out more about witchcraft.  

First off the ‘author’ definitely does not know what a syllogism is; those ‘arguments’ are direct quotes from the ‘article’ and to say they lack reasoning is an understatement. But I digress.  JK Rowling has expressly denied that she intended for her books to promote witchcraft and has also denied that they do in fact promote witchcraft. In one interview, J.K. Rowling said, “People tend to find in books what they want to find.” This certainly is the case here. I read the books because I find a great story there, some find it as a means of escape, others find a new and interesting world, while some find a saviour story similar to all the hero myths and then there are those who find in it a manual for witchcraft and a one way ticket to hell.   

Let us consider the arguments above:

1.       Yes, witchcraft is indeed a feature of the book, but the fact that a book includes or is about a certain thing does not mean it endorses it. Books about wars (The Kite Runner) or crime novels (A Time to Kill) do not advocate war nor do they encourage us to go out and kill people. They are what they are, fictional stories meant to entertain. If you want to get a book about witchcraft there is a wide selection in the non-fiction section of your bookstore (Wicca: A Guide …). And could we also say that since the Bible says we should kill anyone who works on the Sabbath then we should go out and kill Christians who do not observe the Sabbath? 

2.       Although Harry uses magic it is not indispensable. It is often the case that Harry and his friends must abandon their magical abilities and work together to solve their problems. There are many instances of wands breaking or being taken away leaving the characters powerless except for their mental acumen and teamwork. In fact, the major accomplishments in almost all novels are achieved without magic. 

3.       The primary audience are indeed children, who are impressionable, that is why parents have to be involved in their children’s lives in order to distinguish fantasy from reality. I admit that some children (who are by no means the majority) will want to find out more about magic and if they can also accomplish the feats that harry does. However, parents should step in here and guide their children the same way they would if the child wanted to know if there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But remember that an active imagination is good for a child, teens and adults as well and so it should not be unduly stifled.  

And why don’t we hear this outcry against books by JRR Tolkien such as the Lord of The Rings Trilogy? Certainly, if we are to follow the arguments against Harry Potter, we could say that these books promote trips to middle earth to battle trolls and a mysterious fiery eye (I would sign up for a trip like this by the way). And I don’t believe that witchcraft has anything to do with Satanism but that’s another story.  

I could go on and on, but it will be sufficient to say that the arguments for a ban on Harry Potter books because they promote witchcraft are unwarranted and borderline fanatical. The section of Christian fundamentalists who believe that the books promote witchcraft and Satanism should ban the books in their own homes if they disagree with them– they have a right to. But they cannot impose their religion’s morality on the wider public.   

I’m not anti-Christian, let me make that clear. I am anti-dumb and pro freedom of expression, conscience and free will and I wish more people would be the same, especially those who purport to follow the Bible. The Bible, in the book of Genesis, says god created Adam (or Adam and Eve) and endowed him (or them) with the freedom to either eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil or not. They had free will. God gave them free will, please do not try and take away what God has given us. That’s if you follow the Bible anyway J    

 © 2008 Awkward Verb