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Another view

Jim Coggins

Myron Penner’s analysis of the Harry Potter books is thoughtful and balanced. It clearly explains what the books are about and clearly outlines their strengths and weaknesses. It will certainly help parents think through how they should respond to this cultural phenomenon aimed at their children. I was pleased to receive the article and to accept it for publication.

I have no doubt that the books are exceptionally well written, that they will encourage children to read and that they teach valuable moral lessons. I find myself agreeing with a lot of what Myron has to say. So why is it that, when I stopped and asked myself, “Would I buy these books for my children?”, I answered no? Why would I disagree with Charles Colson and, apparently, with C.S. Lewis, two men whose Christian wisdom I admire greatly?

I understand that the magic in the books is a mechanical magic, not an appeal to demonic powers. I also know that C.S. Lewis used such magic in his books. However, to my recollection, Lewis did not make “witches” the heroes and heroines of his stories; witches were present in his stories, but clearly evil. Witchcraft is not just a “literary device” to which an author can give any definition he or she wishes. Rowling may not believe that witchcraft and evil spirits really exist, but we do. Demons are an evil reality, and terms such as “witchcraft” refer to that evil reality. My concern is that the books will teach children that witchcraft is fun and normal, and that they may then be more open to experimenting with (or at least not be sufficiently warned against) real witchcraft, which is indeed connected to forces of evil. I don’t believe Rowling is deliberately trying to promote evil. I do believe that she is dangerously ignorant of evil’s power.

Jim Coggins is editor of the MB Herald.

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Last modified December 3, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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