controversy and harry potter

Harry Potter has been a house-hold name ever since its first appearance in the literary world in 1997. Since then the series has become nothing short of a phenomenon with seven books, eight movies, tons of merchandise, and its very own theme park in Orlando, Florida. The book’s author, J.K. Rowling, was met with instant success. She quickly went from a single-mother on welfare to a multi-millionaire.

All seven of her books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list as well as translated into over sixty languages. The movies have also been met with tremendous success. The latest and final movie broke all national records making over $250 million in one weekend. Yet regardless of the fame, love, and success Harry Potter continue to achieve, there are still some who question the book’s themes and motives. As much love as there is for Harry Potter there is also much debate, and more so much controversy.

The debate over religion and is involvement in Harry Potter has been an on-going argument since J.K. Rowling first published the book as a children’s story in 1997. While some observers say that Harry Potter is just a fun, good read others believe the book promotes witchcraft, the devil, and other dark themes. Various religious groups have spoken out against and in favor of the series including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. The main issue most religious officials say is the book’s emphasis on magic and the supernatural. They feel her writing about a world where witches and wizards are normal and accepted encourages children to practice witchcraft. J.K. Rowling dismissed this notion early on in her career saying she did not write the books to encourage witchcraft to children. Rowling herself in fact is Christian, and as said in her interviews she believes there is more than anything a Christian undertone in her writing. J.K. Rowling declares Hogwarts (the school wizards and witches attend in the book) a multi-faith school although she uses Christian scriptures and ceremonies in her books. In one book, Harry Potter actually draws a cross of the grave of a loved one. Even with these Christian messages Rowling states she is not trying to convert anyone to Christianity. This has not stopped religious officials and parents from putting up a fight. In the fourteen years J.K. Rowling’s books have been on the shelves, they have been challenge on quite a regular basis. Some schools require a signed permission slip in order to check out Harry Potter books due to parent’s complaints. The parents said the books encouraged witchcraft, and it was not something that should be on the shelves of public libraries.

    The Harry Potter series is a thrilling tale enchanted with magical creatures, tricky spells, and many unforgettable characters. It is a classic story of good versus evil with important themes such as bravery, courage, loyalty, and friendship tied in. However it is a story filled with dark magic, death, spirits and evil in its worst form. Although the series has come to an end, the series has created a religious controversy that will more than likely fuel an endless debate. The Harry Potter series will be picked apart, analyzed, and discussed for years to come.