Note: The opinions expressed are those of mine, the webmistress, Ginny. If you don't agree with them, I'm sorry, but no one's making you read this page are they? No. I have the right to express them.
Thank you.
I'd like to point out a few things. Anyone heard of a little movie called Star Wars? The aspect of the Force is the equivalent of magic in Harry Potter. The reason withcraft is considered a sin is because it represents a power in the universe other than God. The Force does that too, doesn't it? So how come no one was so against it?
How about the television show Sabrina the Teenage Witch? It even has "witch" in the title! I've heard no such oppositions to it. Or to the old television show Bewitched, which also was about magic. So why target Harry Potter so vehemently?
Harry Potter mentions the word "withcraft" unlike the aforementioned shows and movie. I think that that one word is what caused people to get upset. If it had just been "Hogwarts School of Magic" I doubt that the controversy over Harry Potter would be so heated and complicated. However, I don't think that Harry Potter is evil.
I'll admit, I do become a bit uneasy when I see the word "witchcraft", but I don't see any kids turning to witchcraft after reading these books. They may pretend to wave wands, but what child doesn't like to fanatasize? And the fact that these books are encouraging children to read instead of gluing themselves to the TV is a treasure in itself. I mean, how many times have you heard parents wishing that their child/children would become interested in reading? Well, now they are-- yet people still complain!
The Harry Potter characters believe in God, as far as I can tell. They celebrate Christmas and Easter-- the suits of armor even sing "O Come All Ye Faithful".(Despite the fact that Peeves the Poltergeist adds his own two cents to the carols at times) There are references to Heaven, I think-- maybe they don't directly refer to it by name, but they do refer to it in ways. Such as when Dumbledore states that, "To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."
To top it all off, the stories teach valuable morals and lessons. Whenever Harry or his friends misbehave, they get punished. They learn that not everyone is quite what they seem, and to never judge people by first appearance. They teach us to be kind, brave, and considerate-- and that anyone, even a small, skinny boy with crooked glasses, can be a hero.
Thank you for your consideration,
Headmistress Ginny
