The first Harry Potter movie is now available on video and DVD, so there's no better time to reexamine the wildly popular series by J.K. Rowling. Richard Abanes offers an intriguing look at each of the Harry Potter books and the occult practices portrayed in them. His goal is to answer the following questions: "Are the Potter books harmless fantasy novels fit for adults and children alike? Or do they contain spiritually dangerous material that could ultimately lead youth down the road to occultism? Does J.K. Rowling present a 'moral' world consistent with Christianity? Or do her novels promote unbiblical values and unethical behavior, camoflaged beneath a whimsical mask? Is the success behind Rowling's books just a result of good writing and media hype? Or is there an unseen force of spiritual darkness possibly driving the craze? How should parents respond, especially Christian parents?" If you have asked yourself any of these questions, you need to read this book.
Abanes is a strongly committed Evangelical Christian, and he holds the Harry Potter series up to the light of Scripture and to his knowledge of the occult world. The results may surprise even those who already disapprove of Harry Potter. Abanes offers succinct plot summaries of each of the Harry Potter books now in print (four volumes at the time of printing). Then Abanes points out specific details from the books and compares them to real, specific occultic practices. Abanes also offers what he calls "Potterethics," which is a look at the "morally confusing messages presented" by Rowling in her books. He argues fairly convincingly that these books are definitely not suitable for young children, contrary to the claims of both Rowling and her publishers.
This is truly a fascinating and eye-opening book. Abanes offers a fair and accurate look at the Harry Potter books, balanced by his extensive research into the occult. He is not afraid to look at the very important issues which Harry Potter has raised, including occultism in society, the place of fantasy in Christian literature, and the use of Harry Potter materials in schools. As Abanes comments in the introduction, "If the Harry Potter series is indeed harmful, then that is something worthy of exposing. If, on the other hand, the books are benign, then that also is something in need of clear articulation." You will, ultimately, have to decide for yourself whether to let your kids read (or continue to read) Harry Potter, but this book goes a long way in helping you make that decision. It is very well documented, and well-written, and it lays out the true issues clearly and persuasively.
Average Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars(3.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 8 Reviews Showing:
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Breanna (La Crosse, WI), July 09, 2004
This book is not worth reading at all. The author fails to look at Harry in context, and instead goes againts the Harry Potter books because Harry breaks rules (many times for good, if not downright heroic, reasons) and because J.K. Rowling references actual historical and present magical themes. The author fails to recognize that the author does the former to expose more of the plotline and the latter to make Harry's world seem, in actuality, more real. He attacks the characters for being understandably human (i.e. when Harry returns twice when he is supposed to be in bed to a mirror which shows his deepest desire, meeting the parents he can barely remember, the author accuses him of unbased rule-breaking). Earlier, the author attacks JK Rowling for describing Hermione, the one who follows most of the rules, in rude ways. He fails to notice that the book is present in Harry's point of view, not necessarily Rowling's.
Overall, the author is blinded by belief of rules as right, and reluctance to see the stories as just that: stories. His claims are filled with obvious, gaping holes. This book isn't worth your time- it's filled with unfounded and twisted accusations of a story of human characters striving for morality in a world uncannily like our own.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by casey breeden (fort worth texas), January 15, 2003
Before I ever new anything about Harry Potter and people were coming out for and against it, I wasn't sure what stand to take. Though from the very beginning there was something that didn't sit well with me and that was the fact that this "hero" for children was a willing and eager attendee at a school for witchcraft and wizardry. Regardless of how lightly people(Christian or not)may look on witchcraft, there is no denying that witchcraft is real and is a growing influence on many people, especially young women. Richard Abanes' book is a great eye opener to the rest of the real life occult references and moral ambiguity that are in the Harry Potter series. Abanes points out how with each successive book in the series takes the reader deeper into the occult world by exposing the reader to more and more practices and beliefs that are just as real in our world as in the so called make-believe world of Harry Potter. With more Harry Potter books to come be ready for the stories to take darker and darker turns. I recommend this book tremendously.
1.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by kimmi (Seattle, WA), August 16, 2002
I have read the Potter books and they are all books which I will be proud to read to my children. A world without a little magic and imagination is not one in which I want to live, nor to bring my children up in. I am a devoted Christian who believes the truths presented in this myth will better my children and myself. Christians need to learn to find good and truth in things and enjoy life.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Luisa Profeta (Irving, TX), June 08, 2002
From the very beginning of the "Pottermania," I never trusted the books because of their content, and I was the only person I knew (besides my family) who sensed a problem with the books. Even most of my Christian friends said I was being too radical and critical of this "harmless" series--especially since I had not read any of the books. But this book really only confirms that my "radical and critical" thoughts are not so. The blantant occultic references (in the extensive excerpts Abanes quotes) only confirm what I was expecting from them. I think that Abanes presents the issues with the books clearly and methodically, with no section missing any Biblical rebuttal to the non-Christian theme of Harry Potter. My only word of caution is that I believe that some non-Christians might get something out of this book, it is definitely more geared to a questioning Christian audience. So, I would strongly advise caution in choosing if you want to give this book to a non-Christian who is wanting to find out more about the problems with Harry Potter. But I, for one, highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever questioned the Harry Potter series and wants to know more about the conflict surrounding it. Excellent Christian reading!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by The Masked Reviewer (Ramstein-Miesenbach%rC Germany), April 09, 2002
I hate to get involved in "mud-slinging," but I feel the need to say that Mr. Steve Collier's comments were baseless and completely wrong. I am going to go out on a limb and preclude that Mr. Collier did not read this book, in which Mr. Abanes showed how much better and more God-glorifying Tolkien and Lewis were than Rowling. I am pleased and proud that Mr. Collier is such an outspoken fan of Tolkien and Lewis, however, I would say with the writer of this book that J.K. Rowling is not in the same boat as them, in fact, she is in an entirely different body of water. Has anyone heard J.K. Rowling profess faith in Jesus Christ? Yes, she has said she believed in God, but believing in God and accepting Jesus' salvation are worlds apart. That is the difference between Rowling and Lewis. Jesus, period.
As for Abanes & Co. being the "Right Hand of Mammon," that is entirely baseless once again. Richard Abanes worked hard to write this book so that Christians could be informed about the dangers of these Harry Potter books. Yes, they are dangerous. And I'm glad this book was here to help show me that.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Steve Collier (Washington,Ks.), March 21, 2002
Not very long ago some of these self-same people were SCREAMING about the dangers of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. They are now hunting for a new way to sell books and make money using God. They are nothing more than the Right Hand of Mammon.
As one who has taught the works of C.S.Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien to young people for many years I assure that J. K. Rowling is no more inspired by the devil than were Professors Tolkien and Lewis.
Bigotry is forever hungry and needs feeding. Abanes is a cage keeper for bigotry.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marion McCaughey (Lake Bluff,Il), September 11, 2001
After reading this book and "WHAT'S A CHRISTIAN TO DO WITH HARRY POTTER?", I found I needed to read one of the Potter books for myself. I questioned how Mr. Abanes could see an extreme potential for harm from these books while Ms. Neal sees harmless fantasy, a teaching tool for parents. I think the answer is in your reading companion. I found The Holy Spirit within me greatly agitated as I read "The Sorcerer’s Stone", were I not totally confident that God is in charge and that He will work all things for good for those who love Him, this whole thing about Harry Potter would scare me to death. Satan has instigated and orchestrated this from the beginning. The character just appeared in Ms. Rowlings mind. The sales and popularity is previously unheard of. Ms. Rowling has stated that she doesn't believe in the Occult but admits to using it for research for accuracy. Ms.Neal claims in her book that she is not writing for those who believe the Bible says the occult is evil, she is writing for those who are not sure. I would caution anyone against putting too much credence is any recommendation or opinion other than from The Father.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Claire Uyttebrouck (Brussels, Belgium), May 14, 2001
EVERYONE should read this book, not only people involved with children. We're facing such a massive attack of the occult in our society that we become somewhat desensitized to the whole thing, we get blind. This book helped me, in a safe way, to get the information I needed around occult practices and regain a holy perspective of what's going on around me. I hadn't read any Harry Potter book beforehand but the frenzy around it awoke my suspiscion. It's way worse than I ever imagined. And I believe it's our individual responsibility to be alert and guard our heart. This book helps us to do just that.
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