Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Release

As a Christmas gift to her fans, J. K. Rowling released the title of her new and final book in the seven-book Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Only a month or two before, Warner Brothers announced the upcoming release date of the fifth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Now, only a few days ago, Scholastic Books announced the upcoming release date of Deathly Hallows. The movie comes out July 13th this year, and on the 21st, one week later, Deathly Hallows hits book shelves.

After each of these announcements, rabid Christians everywhere went wild. It seems they came out of the woodwork to decry Harry Potter once again, and to persuade the millions upon millions of readers to abstain from viewing yet another film or purchasing yet another book, this final book with an admittedly dark title. "Harry Potter is evil," they scream, clutching the crosses round their neck and praying for the fate of the twelve year-old readership. Read the "information" on the following site about Harry Potter and you'll understand their argument. http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/HP-Movie.htm

The problem, then, is not the Harry Potter series, but the Christians who would condemn J. K. Rowling to hell for her imagination. As a Christian myself, I am left constantly to wonder WHEN members of the Christian faith will cease their rantings and use gentle persuasion! We should understand better than anyone that God has granted us all with free agency -- the right to make our own decisions, good or bad -- and regardless of one Christian's opinion (Bible-based or not) that something is right or wrong, who are we to make that decision for others?

You're wondering whether or not I'm for or against Harry Potter, I can tell. Personally, I think it's a fun story, and I'm hoping that good triumphs over evil when I read my pre-ordered seventh book. I only answer the question, though, because those of my faith would harp on the issue until I "confessed my evils" before they listened. And those reading this now who are against Harry Potter have undoubtedly tuned out. But if, for just a moment, they will continue to read, keep this one idea in mind:

WHEN YOU RANT AND RAVE ABOUT A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR BOOK AND MOVIE EMPIRE LOVED BY MILLIONS, YOU LOOK LIKE A NUT!!! Though inside the faith, many are willing to call themselves "Jesus Freaks" and evangelize their local postman, the term "Jesus Freak" to the rest of the world is NOT a compliment! Such things terrorize the very people we would hope to convert to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and send them running for the hills to escape the rabid Christians. It is such tactics that have driven the cross from our public places, not the ACLU, the atheists, and the anti-Christs. (The ACLU is indeed the devil, but we'll address that as a seperate problem.) WE SCARE THE GENERAL PUBLIC. That's the problem. And Christians are often so in-your-face about it that those not of our beliefs feel a need to silence us for fear of having to listen!

The solution is simple: should you choose not to enjoy Harry Potter, FINE, more power to you in utilizing your free agency, but if you wish to encourage others to abstain, please do so using gentle persuasion. With the exception of overturning the money-changers' tables and driving the animals from the temple mount, (which was a necessary display of the passion of God in cleansing His own house, the sacred edifice of the temple,) Christ led by example and with gentle loving kindness. So, that covers the rabid Christians. For you not-so-rabid Christians who DO read, and for those of you who are not Christians but enjoy his Potterness, please, try not to be so easily offended. Whether you like it or not, or understand it or not, the up-in-your-face believers truly only wish to protect you from what they perceive to be unwholesome. They may not know the best way to go about trying to "save your mortal soul," but cut them some slack; unless they're televangelists, they really are sincere. Problem solved.

Mommy