Some call Harry Potter a paperback hero; well he’s about to hit the big screen. The Harry Potter Movie will no doubt have even a greater impact then the books as it is brought to the big screen where the characters assume a life of there own and become more real than the books could ever portray him.

Parents have argued all along that this book is getting our children to read; besides the books are so well written. We now move on to the next phase of indoctrinating the child with the fascinating world of sorcery on the big screen and all the paraphernalia that comes along with this. The option to have magic powers will be explored in a more serious manner and we cannot discount the big screen images affect on young children. This all goes beyond Star Wars and the force. This is much more real

“Halloween, you'd not be surprised to know, is my favorite holiday,” said J.K. Rowling in a Time magazine interview. She knows well that the unknown and evil attract children. She has created a fantasy world with Harry Potter that encompasses both the attitude and the more popular symbols of Halloween.

Wiccan author Zsuzsanna Budapest stated “We have the holiday back again (Annie Nakao, “Pagan Ways Live On,” San Francisco Examiner, October 22, 1995.). “These pagan calendars are imprinted in our genes.”

Really, that is not what those who have done the research are finding out. Its true, not everyone who reads these books will want to venture into the world of sorcery, but it is not true that all who read these books will want to stay away.

It sounds so faultless, but Wiccan covens are found in High Schools all over and one is never too young to start. One young child said of the age of 10 said, “I was eager to get to Hogwarts first because I like what they learned there and I want to be a witch.” (Gioia Bishop, age 10 “What Readers Think About Goblet?” (San Francisco Chronicle, 7-26)

Our society has been shaped by the programs and films that we enjoy not just books such as Harry Potter. TV shows such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Charmed” and “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch have become popular, many other programs show occult powers as something to be blessed with (The Others).

The Pagan Federation is claiming that TV programs like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch have fuelled a rapidly growing interest in witchcraft among children. The organization says it deals with an average of 100 inquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches, and claims it has occasionally been “swamped” with calls. Media officer Andy Norfolk says the Federation is to appoint its first youth officer in September after receiving calls following recent articles about paganism in teenage magazines.

Foxnes.com reported “Teenage girls are showing unprecedented interest in witchcraft, with about 100 every month wanting to join covens to learn about casting spells....”

So they cannot claim anymore that there is no effect on people who see these films or read these books!

Wiccans have said there is no relevance to these books and the true practice of the craft. I wondered why witches are so happy about this, if it is not an accurate portrayal of there religion? Heres one answer from a practicing witch “For once, the witches aren't ugly old hags,'' said Michael Darnell, a 39-year-old computer programmer from Winnipeg, Canada, who has been a practicing witch for 25 years. ``For once they're the protagonists rather than the villains.'' Darnell is one of the thousands of North American adherents of Wicca, a faith linked to witchcraft.” (Potter Charms Modern-Day Witches by Deepti Hajela (Associated Press, May 30, 2000)

Another practitioner of the craft says “It portrays witches in positive ways ... but it does not portray my religious beliefs,'' said Chad Anctil of the Witches' League for Public Awareness.” Who is a big admirer of the Harry Potter books he goes on to say “it is difficult for the religion to be taken seriously when books like this portray it as magic.'' The common thread that draws witches and non-witches to the book is its engaging storytelling, which explores the difficulties of growing up and has kids dealing with issues of right and wrong - and standing up for what they believe. “What you're talking about are the choices people make,” said Christina Aubin, parenting coordinator for the Clearwater, Fla.-based Web site, The Witches' Voice. Her 10-year-old daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan. “`It teaches her to think for herself” Aubin said.” (Potter Charms Modern-Day Witches” by Deepti Hajela (Associated Press, May 30, 2000)

Some promotions seem harmless, one site has Professor Dumbledore’s friend Nicholas Flamel, creator of the Sorcerer’s Stone, as a real person. Flamel is an actual historical figure and is supposed to have discovered the Sorcerer’s Stone, he died at the age of 116 in 1414 A.D. J. K. Rowling has him living off its power to the age of 666 (a interesting number). In the book The Sorcerer’s Stone, the destruction of the stone meant that Flamel’s life would come to an end.

On this website The Sorcerer’s Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter, is presented as a fun, fact-filled reference book that will tell you about all these things and much, much more!

The Sorcerer’s Companion offer readers to look up anything magical from the Harry Potter books, in it they can discover all sorts of entertaining and unexpected information. Wands and wizards, boggarts and broomsticks, hippogriffs and herbology-all have fascinating histories rooted in mythology, folktales, literature, or real-life events dating back hundreds or even thousands of years. Magic wands like those sold in Diagon Alley were once made by Druid sorcerers out of sacred yew trees. Love potions are traceable to ancient Greece and Rome. Books on spells and curses were highly popular (and often illegal) during the middle ages. Subjects ranging from Amulets to Zombies are offered, . How a king once paid for a war with a unicorn horn, who wore the first invisibility cloak, How to get rid of an angry goblin, and more of the occult like How to read tea leaves. All of this is the beginning of an introduction to a new and once forbidden world. Of course not of this can be related what is real but half can. The power offered to children by charms and spells soon becomes normal thinking as children open their minds to these concepts. No one can deny that when a child is engrossed in a certain activity sports, games etc that they don’t start thinking on this with there time.

Most Wiccan practitioners value a Book of Shadows. These books used are rarely seen to non-initiates. The Books of Shadows include instructions for the circle casting and banishing; religious rituals; laws; organizational laws for the coven; ceremonies; magickal rites; prayers, and other essential parts. Books like these maintain the Wiccan religion.

The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft does state that Charms Magical words, phrases, chants and incantations are used in spellcraft  (Rosemary E. Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, p. 53)

  The Encyclopedia of Wicca and Witchcraft explains that witches believe in gaining knowledge of various herbs, enchantments, charms and spells help to fine-tune one’s ability to direct energy.... and that practice is required in order to become skillful.  This is the reason Harry is going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry so he can learn, and further his education in practicing his magic skills.

Many of these sites are linked to further ones knowledge in the occult and should not be allowed to be viewed by parents. Links to titles such as “Learn More about the Secrets of the Occult” and “How to Become a Witch.” Rowling insists “Oh, but it’s just fantasy,” “We were raised on scary tales. It can’t hurt.” Purposely making herself oblivious to how impressionable some children are.

Again a reminder of the interview with Newsweek, where the spokesman for the Pagan Federation in England reported that he receives an average of 100 inquiries a month from young people who want to become witches-an unprecedented phenomenon which he attributes in part to the Potter books. An article Time magazine (the December 17, 2000) reported that an organization in Germany has had an increasing number of inquiries, which they too attribute to the Potter books.

Even Rowling herself has expressed surprise at the volume of mail she receives from young readers writing to her as if Hogwarts were real, pursuing to enter the school in order to become witches and wizards. J.K. Rowling in her interview with Newsweek's Malcolm Jones, she said, “I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore [headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the books’ setting], and it’s not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they’ve convinced themselves it’s true.” So why does she insist there are no repercussions from these books. Again how powerful are these concepts to children, are they benign or seeds planted that will germinate as they grow up. And what about the movie that will bring to life the story plot, with all the practices that the children have familiarized themselves with from the book.

A 14-year-old entered The Honolulu Advertiser's call for essays on the Potter series. She stated, “When I first read Harry Potter, I was amazed,” “It seemed that he had all the feelings I had. He did all the things I knew I wanted to do. He was a hero, just as I hoped to be one. “His life was so real to me, and it all seemed so possible, even the magic.” (Harry Potter enchants readers young and old Sunday, November 11, 2001 Honolulu Advertiser)

How can one say there is no influence on children to be inquisitive in witchcraft? When we see the lightening bolt scar on Harry's forehead that identifies him as a wizard with unusual powers. Many of the children when they purchased the Harry Potter book received lightening bolt stickers for their own foreheads, and they dressed up showing their loyalty and allegiance to the books character and part of Harry Potter's worldwide fan club.

What makes this more intriguing is that Rowlings childhood playmate Ian Potter could have been inspiration to Harry “whose childhood antics have startling similarities to those of the fictional schoolboy wizard.” Together, they began to role-play the practices that made her books so exciting.

“We used to dress up and play witches all the time,” explained Ian's sister Vikki. “My brother would dress up as a wizard. Joanne was always reading to us.... we would make secret potions for her. She would always send us off to get twigs for the potions.” I would think that this tells us a lot about her interest and influence as a child. Here she is now in a position of an adult and an influence to just about anyone’s child, and she presents her childhood dreams of playing witch to them in a book.

Rowling explains it perfectly, Harry is smart and good at sports and a lot of things that other children would like to be, but children feel for him because he lost his parents. If an author makes a character an orphan, few children will want to be an orphan, too. But it is a freeing thing, because the weight of parental expectation is lifted (Newsweek, August 23, 1999). Here we have her promoting the divorce of the child from his parents supervision as a good thing as they no longer will guide him or put pressure on the child to be under there jurisdiction. It becomes more apparent what she means in this quote. “The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me.” (<http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/author/index.htm>)

Beware of the Christian right warn those who protest those exercising their free speech, while on the other side is beware of the promotion of witchcraft. Somewhere we need to decide what is right and wrong for our children as individuals. Promoting a ban or book burning is not the answer. However we should at least be allowed to tell the other side for those who are naïve, and are open to hear it, we should not be silenced either. Educating people with another point of view is needed.

The concerns from Christians like the American Family Association stated “Many others argue, however, that putting witchcraft in such a positive light is not a message Christian parents would want to endorse.

Focus on the Family gave reviews that were both good and bad. Linda Beam, Focus on the Family's contributing culture analyst, commented on the book “Parents may breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Rowling isn't trying to lure their children into occult activity. “But what the author does in her disbelief may be more harmful than she realizes, since children who become fascinated by her charms and spells could eventually stumble into the very real world of witchcraft and the occult.”

John Andrew Murray reported in Focus on the Family's Citizen magazine, “The book's main characters engage in occultic and Wiccan-style exercises. Harry and his colleagues routinely practice sorcery, cast spells, fly on broomsticks and talk with spirits of the dead.”

But not all Christian organizations are anti Potter as many have claimed. On the other hand some see it as benign or just plain fun with no repercussions to be concerned about. Some of them might surprise you.

In its May 29 (1999) issue of World, critic Roy Maynard said Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as “a delight-with a surprising bit of depth.” He dismissed the most controversial subjects in less than a paragraph: “Rowling… keeps it safe, inoffensive, and non-occult. This is the realm of Gandalf and the Wizard of Id, not witchcraft. There is a fairy-tale order to it all in which, as Chesterton and Tolkien pointed out, magic must have rules, and good does not-cannot-mix with bad.”

How is one able to say this when the word witchcraft is used throughout the book and they are practicing it is beyond me. It’s called the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it is promoting using spells and occult means to fight evil.

The second World article came out 5 months later and the same enthusiasm was missing. “A reader drawn in would find that the real world of witchcraft is not Harry Potter's world. Neither attractive nor harmless, it is powerful and evil.” (October 30, 1999) This was all early on and since then many have done more research to know what this is really about and have changed their views.

Chuck Colson took the path of least resistance saying on his Breakpoint (http://www.icrn.com/playit.asp?sc=pf&sid=5&d=19991102) radio broadcast (11/2/1999), he commends Harry and his friends for there “courage, loyalty, and a willingness to sacrifice for one another-even at the risk of their lives.” He says those are not bad lessons in a self-centered world. Colson named the pagan practices found in the story as “purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic. That is, Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals-but they don't make contact with a supernatural world…. [It's not] the kind of real-life witchcraft the Bible condemns.”

All the things Colson describes are used in the occult world spells, crystal balls, transformation into animals are not imaginary activities. Dead people showing up and speaking to them in conversation is promoted, Astrology. Just because they didn’t actually do this does not mean it is acceptable. As a Christian Colson should already know “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret ”(Eph. 5:11-12).

The British Christianity magazine had good to say about the series. In a issue, Mark Greene, Director of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, wrote a note of regret for not giving it to his god-daughter earlier: “I wish I'd been the one to introduce her to Harry-fine lad you know, courageous, resourceful, humble, fun, good mind. Comes from good stock, you know. She could do worse, far worse. And, as far as literary companions go, frankly, not much better.”

Once again these characters and story are wrapped up in the greater theme of sorcery. With the outright promotion of witches, wizards, goblins, dead people, poltergeists, spells, and potions, references to blood, murder, and death in very descriptive reading, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out the diagnosis. The world can do what they want but the choice at least for the Christian is, what does the Bible instruct us to do? “What fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? (2 Cor. 6:14-17) “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness “..., but “expose them” (Eph. 5:12). Those who have a platform to the church will one-day answer to the Lord for what they did or did not do on important issues that God has already spoken on. This is not a matter to sleep on.

Can the book which is now a movie be compared to classics like Peter Pan, Pinocchio or other cartoon superheroes? There seems to be something a bit more real and true to life in this book that does put it over the edge of just fantasy. Certainly there was no religion described or to be related to in Peter Pan or Pinocchio. Many of the concerns are justified by the content and the messages being sent. Unfortunately most of the parents are overlooking this factor because of the invitation for their child to read a book. Its not just reading a good book but the content of the book that counts. Liberal parenting only sees what they want to see. Of course one can find certain instances of lessons and friendship, but do we ignore the darker theme that runs through the book?

We hear a denial in those who run to Harry's rescue and say it doesn't matter what children read, just as long as they read. Lets look at this illogical argument. What if your child began to read about war and was so consumed with fighting, would this become a concern. Lets take it up a notch, what if your child began to read how to build weapons in books that were set in a fantasy background, and this is all they read.

Now what about the movies and video games. What about graphic video games that show how to hunt and kill, do these have no affect on young minds. Showing blood and watching people die in a game is not a natural exposure to reality, it desensitizes us. We have already seen  several children who committed the murders in school shootings had this kind of an influence in their background. Am I saying that everyone who watches and plays these games is influenced this way? No of course not. But to say that no one is would be avoiding the truth. To take the position that those who are weak or going through an unstable time in their life cannot be influenced, is irrational.

Caryl Matrisciana of Jeremiah Films has previously done a series on the occult has recently produced a film which exposes the Harry Potter book series. Once involved in the occult she is able to speak from experience that most do not have. In his video, she explains the connection of fantasy on sorcery and magic < http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_pott.htm  > in the Potter series along with the religion of Wicca. Its not surprising that many are outraged at this, attacking the credibility of her presentation as having no relationship to real Wicca. While witches are not Satanist in the true sense, and there are various forms of witchcraft clearly words and meanings are used that relate to this religion. Rowling has already planned to make the books darker as she continues her series, one can only “imagine” where this will end.

Another book out is also explaining the concerns on Harry Potter by Richard Albanes. Many are very unhappy with this media exposure. Oblivious to the fact that someone who knows from experience is challenging the witches and new agers that clearly want this book read. Because it opens the young minds to their world of religion. In an ABCnews.com interview, Phyllis Curott a practicing Wiccan (witch) says, “Sure, you are seeing witches in Harry Potter do things they don’t do in real life. But it is positive. They are friendly. They are good. The book might change the way people feel about us.”

The books being removed by some schools after parents raised concerns that the series was promoting witchcraft which is a religion, Wiccans find this laughable... they insist that it does not promote their craft. It may be true that in the details it is not accurate but the theme and message certainly are on target.

Many have brought up the point that to read these books as part of the curriculum in the public schools is violating the separation of church and state <http://www.religioustolerance.org/sep_c_st.htm> found in the <http://www.religioustolerance.org/const_am.htm> first Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. They seem have a viable point; if other religions cannot be spoken of, not just taught but spoken of, then why should witchcraft which is a religion have a special privilege because of a book. All religions have a book. And where is the ACLU to protest a religion in school, are they only there for Judaism and Christianity?

Books like Harry Potters series fit into the spirit of the age as they promote the global and occult perspective that is now generally accepted. Delightful and exciting reading brings the reader into world of the battle between good and evil, but the real problem is that there is witchcraft and sorcery as an alternative to fighting evil. The occult is real and can be dangerous and is nothing to play around with. Those who have not experienced the occult are the ones who protest the most, not knowing how deceptive this all is. Those who have not experienced the occult don’t have a clue what they are trying to protect and preserve.

The message we are being sent from all this, it is that we are a more open society today and we must tolerate everything, we cannot openly disagree.

Websites devoted to the series such as, <http://www.mugglesforharrypotter.com/> have the kids sound off there own protest. The kids write about how they love Harry Potter and are afraid the anti-muggle (non magical) adults will take him away from them. Some of them show real anger unfitting for children and we have received some outrageous letters from young children that would not be fit to print. So where are the parents in all this?

The books would not have made such a reaction to a certain segment of parents if they did not glorify the occult worldview. The parents are only wanting to watch out for the children who know nothing about influences shaping there lives when they are young. What’s puzzling to me is instead of parents wanting to err on the side of safety, they want to protect the child’s rights in reading and participating in this fantasy world of sorcery. We need to be careful which way we encourage children’s imagination not just that they use it. In my opinion the movie will prove out everything people have had concerns and warnings on. Give it some time and it will become evident that some children can’t cope with their exposure to this worldview and philosophy.

The book promotes all kinds of occult activity, which is teaching children an alternate religion and spirituality.

In the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire, there are descriptions of bad behavior, bad language, (a few damns which of course seems innocuous these days) violence against parents; violent battle scenes at the end of two of the books; rebellion against authority. Occult practices like translocation; speaking in a trance; casting of spells; fortune-telling; amulets; interpreting omens; witches and wizards; practicing witchcraft; white and black magic; putting curses on people; mind-control; engaging with spirits; casting spells; acting as a medium; contacting to the dead; spirits and ghosts; elves; astrology; horror; transfiguration. Hey, but its all in fun, as they sit with Harry through his classes on Potions, Spells, Divination, and learn terms about the ancient Craft. All of these are used in sorcery and occult arts.

ASTROLOGY- “Two centaur’s views on astrology - “We have sworn not to set ourselves against the heaven. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?” ….”Or have the planets not let you in on that secret?” (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone p. 257.)

The distinction between good or evil is vague “Quirrell said, referring to his meeting the murderous wizard Voldemort. “… A foolish young man I was then, full of ridiculous ideas about good and evil. Lord Voldemort showed me how wrong I was. There is no good and evil, there is only power, and those too weak to seek it.... Since then, I have served him faithfully.” (p.291 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J. K. Rowling 1997 ). In this book series supernatural power simply exists, it is amoral, and is used for either good or evil purposes. Apart from its pragmatism, this is a powerful statement, that evil denies itself identification and that the absence of evil called good. There no basis for good and evil in any absolute sense.

Headmaster Dumbledore: “To the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.” <http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/> (J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 1997, p 302.)

Harry learns about the Cruciatus Curse in his Defense Against the Dark Arts Class he places a curse on a spider that screams and rolls over in pain. (Goblet of Fire, p. 214) Voldemort uses this curse on Harry. (Goblet of Fire, p. 661) prior to this Harry uses a milder curse on his aunt. (Sorcerer's Stone, p. 29)  

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