Is There a Problem with Harry Potter?

Dedicated to Brigid. Catholic Catechism (2015-2016) on sins against the first commandment, “Thou shall not have false gods before me”: “Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone...All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion.” Is there a problem with our children reading Harry Potter? Catholics are divided: some (e.g. Michael O’Brien) see it as gravely evil; others as harmless, even educational entertainment. Some years ago, Monsignor Fleetwood (sounds like a character out of the series!!!) of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council of Culture praised the Harry Potter series. Later, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, before he became pope, in a letter wrote: “It is good that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.” If Vatican heavy weights can publicly disagree, then so can the rest of us. After watching the first Harry Potter movie, my view is that it is somewhere in between these: not entirely evil but certainly not harmless either. But what are the “subtle seductions” against which the then-Cardinal (our own real, actual Dumbledore) warned? The underlying problem can be approached from two perspectives: the plot line of the series and the attitude of the author and many who view the series positively. The plot line is an ongoing conflict between dark magic and good magic, with the appealing and in many ways admirable protagonist wizard Harry eventually prevailing. The problem is, as the Catechism clearly states: in the real spiritual world, there is no white or good magic. ALL magic, sorcery or recourse to preternatural or supernatural powers is deeply dangerous, evil and sinful…even if used “for good purposes” such as to heal or defend against dark powers. J.K. Rowling has said that she does not believe in magic, that it is not real. The sophisticated, enlightened view agrees with her: the series is harmless because magic is not real. But this is NOT the Catholic view. We believe there really are dark powers, demons, Satan and his cohort…and they are powerful, super-intelligent and ravenous to draw us from God into hell. And a major tool of theirs is magic, sorcery and divination in all its forms. This includes Ouija boards, palm reading and fortune telling…things that are innocuous to the secular or liberal mentality. In other words: Magic is real! The Dark World is real; and the answer is not white magic but conversion, prayer and the sacraments! How is Potter different from Lord of the Rings and Narnia and other mythical fictions avidly appreciated by many critics of Rowling’s work? An insightful post, Harry Potter vs. Gandalf, (http://decentfilms.com/new/articles/magic) contrasted the classical literature of enchantment (Tolkien and Lewis) with the popular but pernicious modern genre of magic (think Buffy the Vampire-Slayer or The Craft). He noted that the staunchly Christian English authors built seven literary characteristics or “hedges” into their stories which vigorously protect against the idealization of sorcery. For example, the protagonists themselves are not wizards; the wizards are usually non-human and of a different species from us (think white-bearded Gandalf); the story takes place clearly in a mythical world, outside of our space and time, and without direct relationship to our actual realities of damnation, sin and salvation; and the magic powers are powerful and dangerous (the fate of Frodo!). By contrast, Buffy is current, very appealing, free from the evils of magic, and very much the protagonist. What 14-year old girl would not like to be Sarah Michelle Geller? Now: is Harry more like Gandalf or Buffy? That is what makes it so interesting: it is somewhere in the middle…not as good as Gandalf and not as bad as Buffy! Unfortunately, the heroes are wizards and are located in our world (England to be specific). Rowling lacks the “hedges” of Lewis and Tolkien. But fortunately, it is silly and corny enough (flying on broomsticks!) that the 12-year olds obsessed with it are unlikely to emulate it literally. It is ambiguous enough to be interesting! That is why Fleetwood and Ratzinger could disagree! That is why there is no “Catholic” position on Harry Potter. I would not forbid my children from reading it. But nor would I lightly dismiss the concerns! So much of modern culture…especially movies and books…is fascinating, thrilling, valuable, and dangerous. Our children need to learn how to navigate this wondrous but perilous world and to renounce the bad and embrace the good. That’s what it means to be catholic and Catholic! Hollywood is especially adept at romanticizing things that are gravely evil: romantic sexual intimacy outside of marriage, revenge action movies, and the list goes on. These books and movies are like rock-climbing, mountain biking, traveling in Israel…thrilling, enriching, worthwhile activities…but dangerous…and you MUST be trained, prepared and vigilant! We raised our seven children in a dangerous neighborhood of Jersey City. They weren’t sheltered or taxied to school and activities. Our boys were mugged; they had bikes and basketballs stolen. They had to learn to be street-smart and vigilant and travel in groups. They are the better off for it! I would encourage my children to read and enjoy Harry Potter. But I would equip them to unveil its dangers, deceptions and untruths…and distinguish the good from the bad!