John Granger on Harry Potter

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I’m curious if anyone has read John Granger’s books or articles on the Harry Potter series. His books are The Hidden Key to Harry Potter and Looking for God in Harry Potter. He’s written articles (and his books have been reviewed) in the magazine Touchstone.

Granger’s argument is that JK Rowling is writing in the tradition of the Inklings (Lewis, Tolkien, etc.), and he makes a very strong case for himself. I think he’s take is right on, and for anyone who thinks the HP series is occultist or anti-Christian in anyway, I’d highly recommend you pick up something he’s written.
 
I’ve never heard of John Granger. For me, personally, Harry Potter is just fantasy and is not evil unless you want to believe it is evil. The books boil down to an orphan who is trying to find his way in the world.

And to be honest, the books seem to be losing something as they go along.
 
lol, nope- but I agree he has a very compelling argument in a literary analysis of the stories. There are a number of beautiful Christian themes that he has seen- with some albeit vague quotes from JK Rowling herself to support much of what he says.

(The fact that JK Rowling is vague about this doesn’t surprise me… she loves to offer subtle clues and mysterious answers.)

I highly recommend the book to anyone remotely interested in Harry Potter (positively or negatively) and read it with an open mind.

I bought the book about a week ago (when I saw this forum actually) and fully intend to reread the stories to better see the connections he has made.

Just an aside, this book isn’t something new he worked on- he has been lecturing on the subject for many years- he just wanted to make some of the finer points of his lecture available to anyone.

He also has a non-religious book of analysis for the Harry Potter novels that would probably be a good read if you get into literary themes and symbology. Just look him up on amazon.com or another online bookstore for details.

The Hidden Key to Harry Potter

Thanks Chris for the heads up on this great book!

👍
 
I believe that this could be true, that there is a christian theme. I could see it. But JK Rowling, If I didn’t like the books, I’d boycott harry potter just because of her. she’s a nasty woman. i read in the news that this group of children, 6 or 7 i think were putting on a ballerina play of harry potter. The day before the recital, JK Rowling made them shut it down because she wasn’t paid for it…and they’d been workign so hard. Way to crush 20 little children’s hopes!!!
 
I personally have never read any of the books or seen one of the movies, but my friends have and they have told me that the stories are taking a darker turn. That they are becoming books targeting older people, instead of youths. It does concern me that she wields such power over youths but does not give off the impression that she cares for other.

As far as the play thing, all I can say is that money has a strong hold over MANY people.
 
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raphaela:
I believe that this could be true, that there is a christian theme. I could see it. But JK Rowling, If I didn’t like the books, I’d boycott harry potter just because of her. she’s a nasty woman. i read in the news that this group of children, 6 or 7 i think were putting on a ballerina play of harry potter. The day before the recital, JK Rowling made them shut it down because she wasn’t paid for it…and they’d been workign so hard. Way to crush 20 little children’s hopes!!!
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Uh…weren’t there any adults around to advise these kids that they had to get permission first to use someone’s original work in any other kind of adaptation? Intellectual property is still someone’s else’s property and to use it without their permission is still stealing.

dream wanderer
 
I’ve expounded on my take on Harry Potter under the “Harry Potter Confusion” thread. I haven’t read John Granger’s analysis as yet, but I intend to.

Anyone who could search for Christian parallels in the Harry Potter series, is “stretching” it, as far as I’m concerned.

Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fantasies might do it - but not Rowlings.
The Harry Potter character does not follow Christian rules, does not use Christian practices, in fact, breaks 9 out of the 10 scriptural warnings against using the occult, [the 10th one being infanticide] and does some nasty things to achieve his ends.

I believe John Granger is also fantasizing if he can draw some kind of parallel. But, then again, there is a lot of money to be made off of Harry Potter’s popularity. Why can’t Christians see through this obvious smoke screen?
 
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raphaela:
I believe that this could be true, that there is a christian theme. I could see it. But JK Rowling, If I didn’t like the books, I’d boycott harry potter just because of her. she’s a nasty woman. i read in the news that this group of children, 6 or 7 i think were putting on a ballerina play of harry potter. The day before the recital, JK Rowling made them shut it down because she wasn’t paid for it…and they’d been workign so hard. Way to crush 20 little children’s hopes!!!
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Could you site the source? I have never heard of this. On her site Mrs. Rowling stated that she loves the Fan Fiction, so I highly doubt that she would have a problem with a play.
 
There is also a book called “The Gospel According to Harry Potter”
 
Never heard of him, Is he related to Hermione Granger? Just kidding! I have read all the books in the Harry Potter series and have seen the movies. I truly enjoyed them. I think it is a parent’s decision when or whether to introduce the material to their chidren. I would be sure to discuss the book while the child is reading it, and to make sure to point out that it is fiction and that there are certain subjects that we should take as entertainment only, and be sure they know the Catholic teachings concerning magic witchcraft divination etc. There are definitely some good points in the Harry Potter series.
 
Just an addition to my earlier reply,

My daugher reads alot about the lives of the Saints and LOVES it. She also loves reading her Catholic Children’s Bible. Another good one is “History’s Mysteries” from the American Girl series. She is almost 7 and an excellent reader, so when she wanted to read the Harry Potter series I made sure to discuss everything with her while she reads them. I read them a few years earlier so that was a help. I think the Balance of reality, historical fiction and just plain fiction as in Harry Potter is a good balance. I make sure to tell her that we would never attempt to do sorcery or practice divination and why. She seems to have a very good understanding. Other children at this age and some at 13 may not be good candidates for reading it. I would be concerned if my child started obsessing over it, just like anything else
 
For all of you who deny the fact that Harry Potter is being taught “satanic” practices, here are some real facts for you to think about. The Bible is clear about the occult…you don’t seem to be:

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=1554

Alarm in Italy as growth of Satanism creates “market” for consecrated hosts

ROME, Italy, Jul. 15, 2004 (CNA) - Fr. Aldo Buonaiuto, director of
an “emergency help line” that assists young people wanting to get out of satanic cults, expressed alarm this week at the growth of
Satanism, which has created a “market” for consecrated hosts in Italy.

In statements published in the Catholic magazine Famiglia Cristiana, Fr. Buonaiuto explained that “a proliferation of cults exists which practice black masses, with the profanation of consecrated hosts, rape and torture.”

“We know of cases of consensual vampirism, and also the assaulting of young people who have been drugged in the course of ritualistic orgies.”

According to Fr. Buonaiuto, “A true `market’ for consecrated hosts exists. They sell for 80-500 euros, depending on the size of the
host, the prominence of the church from which they were stolen, and who consecrated them.”

“The highest price is placed on those that are consecrated in the
churches of Rome, above all those closest to the Vatican. They are stolen in two ways: from the tabernacle, but also at the time of Holy Communion,” he said.

“Some cults perform rituals with the consecrated hosts while under the influence of LSD or cocaine, led frequently by ex-priests who have offered themselves in the service of Satan,” he told Famiglia Cristiana.

According to Fr. Buonaiuto, the proliferation of these cults is very
much connected with “the loss of the sense of the sacred.” “Man
needs to fill himself with something, and today the market is full of
superficial alternatives, among them, Satanism,” he concluded.

Catholic News Agency 2003
news@catholicna.com
 
Well, I’m REALLY hesitant to enter this discussion, but I loved the books. Yes, they are taking a darker turn; yes, they involve practices that are at least questionable from the Church’s standpoint. But as long as you are aware of the difference between fact and fantasy, I don’t see that they are any more harmful than many classic fairy tales involving magic. Sure, they go into more detail about spells and potions, etc., but the essence is the same. I doubt that simply reading Harry Potter is going to lead a child into Satanism. If someone gets into the occult in a serious way, it’s indicative of bigger problems than being allowed to read these books. Children are smarter than many adults give them credit for, and provided they have a solid family life and Christian teaching, I don’t think this problem is nearly as threatening as some people think. I believe that we need to take a realistic and practical approach to Harry Potter, just as we do in all decisions made for the benefit of our children.
 
lacoloratura,

Have you read the book by John Granger on HP?

I can now see many more allusions to Christ and being one of his Faithful in these stories (including- and dare I say even MORE SO in the darker books).

What an amazing opporunity Rowlings has had now to introduce themes of Christ into all these children’s hearts.

I hope as the stories progress, the themes become more obvious. 🙂
 
Arlene Alice:
For all of you who deny the fact that Harry Potter is being taught “satanic” practices, here are some real facts for you to think about. The Bible is clear about the occult…you don’t seem to be:

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=1554

Alarm in Italy as growth of Satanism creates “market” for consecrated hosts
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What does this have to do with Harry Potter? Just wondering.

🙂 LilDer

Btw: I like to books. (Did not like the third movie.) I do not think they are evil. They are fiction. And they have a very good sense of Right and Wrong. I am interested in reading Granger’s writings. Had not thought of it from this perspective before.
 
I read all the Harry Potter books before I read Looking for God in Harry Potter. After I read that I had to re-read the Potter books again to pick up the themes.

I think the themes are alot more like Tolkien, who uses the literary tool of applicability rather than allegory (like Lewis). My kids won’t read HP until they are much older, but they will read the Granger book too. I think the HP books will be easier to teach a young person about applicability than Tolkien.

I like the idea of Christian themes in HP. When I first read the books I couldn’t figure out why I liked them. . . the writing style is not great etc. I could care less about the magic aspect of it. Now I think it may be those Christian themes and the relationships between the main characters that are what draws me to it.
 
Father Gabriele Amorth, Rome’s chief exorcist said that the Harry Potter books "contain innumerable positive references to magic, “the satanic art.” and that they attempt to make a false distinction between black and white magic, when in fact, the distinction “does not exist, because magic is always a turn to the devil.”

familylifecenter.net/html/harrypotter-exorcist.html

Father Gabriele has spent many years dealing with the occult and seeing firsthand what it does to people. John Granger has written a book for profit. Does writing a book make one an expert? Sadly, it seems to in much of todays society.
 
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anne1:
Father Gabriele Amorth, Rome’s chief exorcist said that the Harry Potter books "contain innumerable positive references to magic, “the satanic art.” and that they attempt to make a false distinction between black and white magic, when in fact, the distinction “does not exist, because magic is always a turn to the devil.”

familylifecenter.net/html/harrypotter-exorcist.html

Father Gabriele has spent many years dealing with the occult and seeing firsthand what it does to people. John Granger has written a book for profit. Does writing a book make one an expert? Sadly, it seems to in much of todays society.
Click to expand...
I noticed you posted this exact same post on another HP thread. I’m curious, did you bother to read this book? (Finding God in HP)?

You know, as an aside. Those of us who are pro HP are FULLY aware that the book has magic in it. But if you had taken an opportunity to read the first chapter available for Finding God in HP, (link available on one or more of the HP threads) you may have seen that the magic in this book is not the same magic used in occult practices. It is more like the magic used in other “fine” fantasy works such as CS Lewis and Tolkien.

In my case particularly, I choose to use the book as a teaching tool. I don’t need references to Vatican articles on how bad HP is, because I can pull up just as many that think it’s ok. :cool:

You know what that tells me? It tells me that the Church has not taken a stand on the matter- and have left it up to me to discern its value in my life and in the life of my children. I for one am a success story. HP introduced my child to literature, and she was inspired to find other stories.

No, the stories aren’t from the Book of Shadows… :rolleyes:

That said, I can fully appreciate a parent’s choice to keep their children away from the story if they have greasy feelings about it. I have done that myself on more than one occassion for books and movies that others deem innocuous.

More power to you. 👍
 
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