Harry Potter and the Onion Forward (for Children's Lit)

When people talk about banned books for children, one of the first controversies that many people think of is the Harry Potter series. The fact that many Christians are anti-Harry Potter is a well known fact; for a while many Evangelicals were trying to get the books banned and were taking part in book burnings (ironically enough, they had to buy the books to burn them). There is also a very famous forward, their smoking gun, which gets passed around every time a book or movie comes out. In fact, the forward in question was how I heard of Harry for the first time, and every time my mother receives it she sends it to me yet again. This is because five years ago I found out that the forward (which had been presented to me as absolute truth) was actually a satirical article published by The Onion. Not only was I shocked, but I decided to find out the truth about the series by reading the books for myself.

The first quote of the article “Harry Potter Books Spark Rise in Satanism Among Children” is indeed a cause for concern for the Christian community (if we are to believe it’s real):

“I used to believe in what they taught us at Sunday School," said Ashley, conjuring up an ancient spell to summon Cerebus, the three-headed hound of hell. "But the Harry Potter books showed me that magic is real, something I can learn and use right now, and that the Bible is nothing but boring lies."

There are several things wrong with this paragraph from the viewpoint of a fan of the series: the first is that Cerebus isn’t in the series, and Fluffy is nothing more than an overgrown guard dog who cannot be summoned by using a spell (Sorcerer’s 160-161, 192-193). More importantly, there’s nothing in the series that says the Bible is “boring” or full of “lies.” The book is not even mentioned until Deathly Hallows, when it is quoted on a tombstone: “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (325). Those words were, of course, originally spoken by Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:21 and Luke 12:34 (Student’s), so Rowling is clearly not anti-Bible or anti-Christ. In fact, Rowling indicates that she is a Christian and doesn’t even believe that magic is real (Wyman). The students and faculty at Hogwarts even observe Christian holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

The article in the Onion also claims that: “Ashley was captivated…by the strange occult doings” and that the books “teach you all about magic and how you can use it to control people and get revenge on your enemies” (Harry). Christian radio commentator Charles Colson, on the other hand, reported: “The magic in these books is purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic…The plots reinforce the theme that evil is real, and must be courageously opposed” (Bewitched). That is, of course, the theme of the entire series, which is clear when Quirrell states that the ultimate villain—Lord Voldemort—has shown him that: “There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those to weak to seek it” (Sorcerer 291). Dumbledore later reaffirms that such a concept is false when he says: “you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy...” (Goblet 724).

In the article one child claims that he wants to become a Necromancer and “summon greater demons to Earth” (Harry). In contrast, Necromancy is communicating with the dead, not with demons (Necromancy). In most fantasy books and video games it also involves bringing the dead back to life (rather, an undead state) so that they can fight. Once again, this issue isn’t dealt with until The Half-Blood Prince, when Voldemort uses Inferi (565-566), which is frowned upon as Dark Magic (43). Rowling also stated in an interview: “The natural laws of death applies to wizards as it applies to Muggles and there is no returning once you’re properly dead” (Connection).

Even if the magic in these books were real, it is clear that there are rules that govern its use. You can’t read any of the books in the series and learn how to cast spells (they’re really only words in Latin). Harry inherited his powers from his parents (Sorcerer 53), one can’t acquire magic through a correspondence course (Chamber 127-128, 145), and he certainly didn’t try to obtain them for any selfish gain (Sorcerer 58).

Every time I read the article or the forward (which does not quote the article in full, nor cite the Onion as its source) I am astonished that people can take it serious<ly> (or that I once did). Some of the so-called quotes are absolutely hilarious and obviously made-up, such as: “’Harry is an absolute godsend to our cause,’ said High Priest Egan of the First Church Of Satan in Salem, MA” (Harry). Some of the quotes would be downright offensive if they were real, but what I find most offensive is that someone out there started e-mailing people this article and claiming that it was truth.

Ironically enough, the Harry Potter series is about an epic struggle between good and evil. The books contain many historical and mythological references that lend to the suspension of disbelief. Ultimately these books challenge the reader to live better lives, one where they are tolerant of others despite differences and put others’ needs first in the face of great difficulty. The books aren’t overtly Christian, but the hints of Rowling’s faith are there. I anticipate rereading the series for many years to come.

Works Cited
"Bewitched by Harry Potter." The Washington Times. 13 Nov. 1999: A11. LexisNexis. Academic. Mesa State College, Grand Junction, CO. 24 Sept. 2008. http://0-www.lexisnexis.com.www.millennium.marmot.org/.
The Connection. WBUR Radio, Boston. 12 Oct. 1999. 24 Sept. 2008. http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/1999/1099-connectiontransc.html.
“Harry Potter Books Spark Rise in Satanism Among Children.” The Onion. Issue 36•25 (26 Jul. 2000). 24 Sept. 2008. http://www.theonion.com/content/news/harry_potter_books_spark_rise_in.
"Necromancy." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 24 Sep. 2008. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/necromancy.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 1999.
---. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. New York: Scholastic, 2007.
---. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
---. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. New York: Scholastic, 2005.
---. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York: Scholastic, 1997.
Student’s Life Application Bible, New Living Translation. David R. Veerman, senior ed. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1997.
Wyman, Max. “’You can lead a fool to a book but you can’t make them think’: Author has frank words for the religious right.” The Vancouver Sun. 26 Oct. 2000. 24 Sept. 2008. http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/1000-vancouversun-wyman.htm.