Book Review: Harry Potter and the Bible

Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace Behind the Magick by Richard Abanes

And we're back with Mr. Abanes, the Potter-Hater.

Oddly enough, these words are at the bottom of the book's front cover: "Not Approved by J.K. Rowling" and I have a feeling that Ms. Rowling would not agree with anything Mr. Abanes says in this book. I know I don't.

Quotes Abanes pulled to prove his point:

"Any time the dark side of the supernatural world is presented as harmless or even imaginary, there is the danger that children will become curious and find too late that witchcraft is neither harmless nor imaginary." - Lindy Beam (1)

"It would be easy to attribute Harry Poterr's success to some form of magical intervention." - Jean Feiwel (2)
"There are numerous books written on witchcraft and the occult, but none is more ingeniously packaged to attract the kids like this one." - letusreason.org (3)

"general nastiness underneath the mantle of cuteness." - Baptist Press (4)

Some Christians enjoy the series and claim that it promotes good morals. (5-6)
     "Rowling's characters, especially Harry Potter, demonstrated "courage, loyalty, and a willingness to sacrifice for one another -- even at the risk of their lives. Not bad lessons in a self-centered world."
     "Rowling's sereis is a Book of Virtues with a preadolescent funny bone. Amid the laugh-out-loud scenes are wonderful examples of compassion, loyalty, courage, friendship and even self-sacrifice. No wonder young readers want to be like these believable characters. That is a Christmas present we cna be grateful for."
 


Once again, Abanes is attacking Rowling because she researched magic practices while writing Harry Potter; she laid an arguably morally grey foundation for her characters; and she shouldn't be writing for little kids and parents should recognize and monitor that.
     (For the record, the publishers said the series was for children, NOT her -- Just saying)


Really, the only difference between this book and his other text is that he has organized his argument around the books in the series. That and he threw in some heavy-handed Biblical references (specific verses and general ideas). But it's really the same message; it's just long, drawn out, and repetitive because he's not talking about Lord of the Rings and Narnia in this book to fill up the space.



It is important to note that this book was published in 2001, before Order of the Phoenix came out. So perhaps Mr. Abanes deserves some grace in that regard. I don't necessarily think he does because I'm a bit bitter about his hatred of one of my favorite series of all time. It would still be interesting, however, to see his response to the rest of the series, especially Deathly Hallows.

. . . if you couldn't tell . . . I'm not a big fan of Mr. Abanes at all . . . I might like him more if he was working and twisting words to fit his obvious argument and agenda. It's all about balance and not taking words and situations out of context.