Debate Surrounding “Harry Potter” Series Resurfaces

The release of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series as a film franchise in 2001 reignited discussions among certain evangelical Christians. Some expressed concern that the series’ positive depiction of witchcraft might desensitize children to the occult, create confusion between fantasy and actual spiritual practices, and even lead to an interest in real witchcraft or Wicca.

On the other side of the argument, there were those who viewed the magic within the series as entirely fictional, insisting that the stories emphasize moral principles like bravery, loyalty, and selflessness. They believed it could even be interpreted to highlight Christian themes when read thoughtfully.

Though the original “Harry Potter” debate may have somewhat faded, the question of whether it’s wrong for Christians to engage with movies about magic and witchcraft lingers on.

In a recent episode of “Live Free with Josh Howerton,” pastors Carlos Erazo and Paul Cunningham tackled this issue. While they hold differing views on films featuring themes of magic, they concur that these discussions fall into the “matters of conscience” category as outlined by Paul in Romans 14. This passage refers to disputable matters where Christians should act according to their own beliefs and refrain from judging others who hold different views.

Erazo, who takes a more cautious approach to entertainment choices, shared that he asks himself four key questions when pondering whether to engage with certain content:

• “What type of content am I consuming?”
• “What is it glorifying?”
• “Who is the author, and what’s their intent or purpose?”
• “Is it redeeming something the Bible considers sinful?”

When he applies these questions to the “Harry Potter” books and films, his conclusion is to refrain from them. He argues, “’Harry Potter’ glorifies aspects that the Bible explicitly condemns. The elements it emphasizes are, I believe, spiritually hazardous.” He references Deuteronomy 18, which prohibits practices like divination, fortune-telling, sorcery, charms, and necromancy.

Erazo asserts, “’Harry Potter’ depicts all these elements as virtuous, thrilling, and heroic. We are practically coaxed into admiring these characters, seeing them as champions, and esteeming their actions. Therefore, as a Christian, I cannot support that,” noting that witchcraft is not merely fictional but a reality for many.

Cunningham, however, approaches the topic from another angle. He distinguishes between the act of sinning and the act of witnessing a fictional character engaging in sin.

He points to the “John Wick” series, which Erazo admits to enjoying. This series centers on a former assassin who embarks on a relentless revenge mission. Cunningham states, “If you apply that line of reasoning, you must arrive at the same conclusion regarding ‘Harry Potter’ as both ‘John Wick’ and ‘Harry Potter’ showcase sins that exist in reality and can manifest in the real world. The movies glorify those actions.”

For more insights on this ongoing debate, you can check out the full episode mentioned above.