My Childrens Lit Paper on HP

The Harry Potter series has been popular for years and will continue to be a source of controversy which allows it to remain popular. Controversy over religious beliefs are a large part of debate, many believe Harry Potter to be satanic because of the magic involved. Another controversy is the fact that violence from spells and deaths are the basis of the main story. Finally, it is debated that Harry Potter promotes war and terrorism. The Harry Potter Controversy is not warranted, there is no reason to ban these books. The religious believers, the violence debate, and the war and terrorism issues are going to continue to be discussed throughout the time giving the Harry Potter the spotlight for years to come.
The religious debate over the Harry Potter series is based on the fact that the entire series is about witchcraft and wizardry. They believe that because there are spells and potions in the books that children will be learning witchcraft and become Satanists. The spells in the Harry Potter series are made up with a Latin base. They are used to create affect and make the story line more credible. In Finding God in Harry Potter, it is discussed that Harry Potter supports a more biblical teaching more than that of the occult. “I am convinced that the fundamental reason for the astonishing popularity of the Harry Potter novels is their ability to meet a spiritual longing for some experience of the truths of life, love, and death taught by Christianity but denied by a secular culture” (Granger, 2). This book discusses that the setting of Harry Potter also falls into the controversy and is unwarranted by the fact that other fantasy books are just as positive in their portrayal of witches and wizards. Books such as Narnia, Lord of the Rings and even the Golden Compass have the battle between good and evil continually throughout the books. Another part of the controversy is Harry’s scar, some people think it is a symbol for the occult. The argument is “Rowling, a graduate of Exeter University in England, is very familiar with occultic practices, using elements and philosophies behind "pagan religions, celtic religions, the religions of the druids, witchcraft, [and] satanism." This fact does not mean that J.K. Rowling is trying to teach children witchcraft, Satanism or anything other than books can be entertaining and mystifying if allowed to be.
Violence is also throughout the Harry Potter series, as with any really successful series of any media. Harry’s story is a legend because his parents were murdered when he was a baby. This sets off a series of books that shows his life and struggle against his parents murderer, Voldemort. The debate is that children will believe that violence is the answer and that death is a “cool” thing. As the series goes on, epic battles happen, deaths happen and friends are lost. This is a reality, there is no hiding death, violence and loss in our world, we see it everyday. Its on our news, in our papers and in our everyday conversations with our friends and family. Another point of discussion is the character of Hermione, they debate that she is promoting violence in girls. Hermione’s character is a strong, smart character and it hard to break unless the right things have been said. ” According to leading American psychologist Professor James Garbarino, the sight of Miss Granger punching baddies in the blockbuster film encourages copycat behaviour by impressionable young girls.” Yes in our society girls have always be taught to be passive and not react in a violent or negative fashion when it comes to controversy. Just because Hermione hits Draco Malfoy in the third movie, parents feel that it is promoting violence to girls. If it had been Harry or Ron punching Malfoy, it would have been more acceptable to our society. Violence is everywhere we go, hostility about our differences is part of how the world works. No one can ever escape the fact that there will always be someone in the way to try and stop you from something.
Finally, the war debate is seen throughout this series and since we are in a war ourselves, some believe that this is promoting war in our world. The war that is part of Harry Potter is the war of good versus evil. The classic David and Goliath story. Voldemort was at the highest power he could have been, but was cut down by only a child. He was never able to kill Harry because of a specific type of magic that was protecting him, his mothers love. The war that Harry and the entire magical community must fight is one for freedom from the powers that could destroy them all. Much like the war on terror we all must face now, Harry faces his within a magical realm. Voldemort is a basic terrorist, the only difference is instead of bombs and guns, he has magic. The war against Voldemort is also a war against themselves, they must choose a side on which to stand. Everyone has a side of good and evil, it just depends on which one actually wins out in the end that matters. The seventh and final installment of Harry Potter shows the war at its greatest, it is epic. The fighting of families against each other, the deaths of friends and family, and the bonds that have grown between others is tested against the evils of their world. The same bonds we have with our soldiers overseas are being tested the same way. We go for months not seeing them, not hearing from them, and it tests the true friendship and loyalty you would have for that person. Families are being torn apart because of the present war.
Harry Potter only shows the reality that is part of our world, just with magic thrown in there for good measure. He shows the reality that some people do not want to believe is real, so controversy will continue and the books will remain popular throughout generations to come. This series allows children and adults to use their imagination as to what Harry’s world really is. The movies give a general idea, and a visual, but children still make installments as to what happens next in his world. Children need to use their imaginations, just as adults should; life is too full of video games and inactivity to let imagination go. Using Harry Potter as a scapegoat on religious beliefs, violence in the media, and war on terrorism in our world are only the beginning of the ongoing debate for Harry and his world.