Corrupting Minds,
Or Changing Hearts?

Yet another "Christian" condemnation of Harry Potter has hit the news. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, has officially renounced Harry Potter, "Fearful of the effect reading about witches, wizards and werewolves might have on impressionable young minds."

In response to a Washington Post story that claimed he liked the books, he reminded the reporters and the public what he said on the radio; "We have spoken out strongly against all of the Harry Potter products."

Although, in all likelihood, it appears that Dobson has never actually read the books.

If he were to, he might be surprised to find messages clearly consistent with Christianity, and, dare I say, even a sprinkling of Christian symbolism.

As one writer reminds us, "Rowling's series reinforces a core Christian belief that good and evil are not just socially constructed.

The villain, Voldemort, proclaims in the first book, 'There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it.' By contrast, Harry and his companions rely on love, courage and friendship to fight and defeat Voldemort.

More importantly, Rowling, who identifies herself as a Christian, clearly draws upon this source throughout book seven.

At one point, Harry visits his parents' graves at a Churchyard on Christmas Eve. On his parents' grave, he sees the phrase, 'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death' — Can we say, "1 Corinthians 15?"

Much like Tolkien, Rowling's expression of faith in her work, manifests itself throughout the overall narrative, rather than in overt symbols or references.

For instance, the finale gives us the supreme example of a Christian message: Harry defeats evil in a Christ-like manner...through sacrificing himself out of love for others. (No spoiler here, on whether or not there is a ressurection.)

Sadly, however - instead of seeing these themes, Dobson (and others) condemn the series because it they say it "positively depicts the practice of sorcery."

Funny though, how the magic in Rowling's tales (Tolkien's and Lewis' as well) never mimics either Ancient examples or contemporary Wiccan or traditionally-dubbed 'Pagan' practices.

Some have suggested that Dobson should "save his ammunition for real — not perceived — attacks upon Christianity such as a movie coming this Christmas. During the holiday season, 'The Golden Compass' will appear in theatres, a movie based on Philip Pullman's first book in the best-selling 'His Dark Materials' trilogy."

As the Statesman puts it, "The timing of the movie's release is ironic considering that Pullman hates Christianity. In The Washington Post, Pullman admitted that, through his work, 'I'm trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.'

Pullman also holds disdain for C.S. Lewis and his 'Narnia' tales; he claims that Lewis celebrated 'bullying, racism, misogyny.' Publicly and in his fiction, Pullman pulls no punches.

To sell tickets, the movie trailer connects the tale to Tolkien's stories about Middle Earth. Yet Tolkien, according to his profession, would have been aghast at Pullman's tale.

Throughout Pullman's wonderfully entertaining and creative stories, one finds anti-Christian pokes, anti-Christian symbolism and even anti-Christian diatribes. Children are treated to arguments such as 'Every church is the same: control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling.' None of Tolkien or Rowling's subtlety here.

Pullman also enjoys reinterpreting the Biblical story of the Fall as the beginning of true human freedom.

To top it off, his trilogy ends with what is clearly meant to represent the death of the Christian God, the 'Authority,' a demented, decrepit angel with delusions of grandeur.

If Dobson wants to start giving thoughtful Christian criticism of popular children's fiction, there is no better place to start than Phillip Pullman's series.

No one would blame Dobson for warning parents not to load up on sugar-coated anti-Christian propaganda dressed as children's fiction."

Unfortunately, since some right-wing advocates, such as Dobson, have mistakenly cried wolf about "Harry Potter," those raising serious questions about Pullman's disturbing trilogy may not be taken seriously.

We would all do well to consider for a moment, that not everyone speaking the truth has the same accent.