The Harry Potter controversy has been going on since the publication of the first novel in the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The controversy seems to have calmed down quite a bit since the publication of all seven novels and the release of all seven films. What was this controversy about? The major issue was over witchcraft and there were minor issues like Harry's practice of breaking school rules. Many Christians believed the books promoted witchcraft. Christians not only attempted to prevent Christians from reading the books, but non-Christians too. They even put pressure on schools and libraries to remove them from their shelves. On the other hand, many individuals praised the books and were excited about them. Many librarians and teachers were excited to see young people reading instead of playing video games. Not only teen-agers were reading the series, but it was also popular with college students and older adults.
I attended a church service where the quest preacher denounced Harry Potter. In his sermon, he declared that the Harry Potter books were evil and thought they promoted witchcraft. The sermon was well-timed since a new Potter book was coming out the next day. As far as I can remember, he urged the congregation to stay away from it and not to be one of the persons who bought a copy. By strange coincidence, I was one of the individuals who bought a copy the next day. I have tremendously enjoyed reading the Harry Potter novels. They both delight and teach. I think the Potter critics are wrong in asserting that they are not the same kind of books written by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I think the Harry Potter books are good companions to The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.
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