Magic in Books (i.e. Harry Potter)

[Destiny93]

Now, I am wondering what you guys think about Catholics reading stuff that involves magic, such as Harry Potter (actually, that is my primary example.

I had previously come across an article wherein it says that our Pope previously “Oppose(d) Harry Potter novels”, Here is the link: lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2005/jul/05071301

My aunt, who is a Catholic nun, part of the Missionaries of Guadalupe in Mexico, has also said that it’s not entirely the best idea and likely that I should try to avoid reading books such as those like Harry Potter because all those books like that involve all the witchcraft and magic themes that is generally opposed and not supported nor believed in any way by the Church.

So I guess I can see and understand what, at least my aunt is saying, that the themes and actions regarding witchcraft or magic in general portrayed in Harry Potter can, or rather, are anti-religious and anti-Catholic. However, at the same time I know not only that Harry Potter got like huge numbers of kids reading but me personally, having read the whole series like 2 or 3 times, I don’t feel that I became any less “Catholic” or any less of a “believer” because/after reading the books. So I’m not entirely sure what to believe on Harry Potter specifically or to what extent (i.e. oppose them, not mind reading them, somewhere in between, etc.)

So now I ask - what do you guys think about books that are deeply involved with themes of magic/witchcraft like Harry Potter? Do you guys approve of it, are you okay with it? Or do you oppose it because of the themes it contains?

 

[Avila123]

The article is a bit dated. There are quite a few other sources and you are wise enough not to have gone for the secular press. I would suggest looking at:

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102767.htm or
ewtn.com/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=291291

I dare say opinion will be divided on this subject. Follow the link for a previous Thread

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=52424

The reason I have just given some links is that I read the books as an adult and am not responsible for any children, so have no authority or experience.

Just thought the links may help.

 

[Ambien89]

The man who invented the high fantasy genre was a devout Catholic (JRR Tolkien).

The scholastics would say, ‘When faced with a problem, make a distinction.’ Now, I think we can distinguish fiction fom non-fiction, so I don’t think we are faced with much of a problem.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Now, I am wondering what you guys think about Catholics reading stuff that involves magic, such as Harry Potter (actually, that is my primary example.

I had previously come across an article wherein it says that our Pope previously “Oppose(d) Harry Potter novels”, Here is the link: lifesitenews.com/news/archive//ldn/2005/jul/05071301

My aunt, who is a Catholic nun, part of the Missionaries of Guadalupe in Mexico, has also said that it’s not entirely the best idea and likely that I should try to avoid reading books such as those like Harry Potter because all those books like that involve all the witchcraft and magic themes that is generally opposed and not supported nor believed in any way by the Church.

So I guess I can see and understand what, at least my aunt is saying, that the themes and actions regarding witchcraft or magic in general portrayed in Harry Potter can, or rather, are anti-religious and anti-Catholic. However, at the same time I know not only that Harry Potter got like huge numbers of kids reading but me personally, having read the whole series like 2 or 3 times, I don’t feel that I became any less “Catholic” or any less of a “believer” because/after reading the books. So I’m not entirely sure what to believe on Harry Potter specifically or to what extent (i.e. oppose them, not mind reading them, somewhere in between, etc.)

So now I ask - what do you guys think about books that are deeply involved with themes of magic/witchcraft like Harry Potter? Do you guys approve of it, are you okay with it? Or do you oppose it because of the themes it contains?

Well, if a spiritual director or confessor tells you avoid those things (if this happens it could be putting the penitent or directee in a position open to sin), I certainly cannot go against that.

In broad terms the Vatican has said Harry Potter is fine because of the themes of friendships and other values. A lot of the concern about this comes from Protestant circles.

The Catholic Church has always respect the artistic creativity of man.

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102767.htm

 

[Destiny93]

It has become clear that this topic has already been discussed on these forums a fair number of times to say the least. I apologize for repeating what seems like an oft-posted question on these forums.

It is just that I had heard a long time ago of the potential criticism by Catholics against Harry Potter, but back then I never ended up being able to follow through on that and thereafter I forgot completely until not that long ago. I am a relatively new member here on these forums (in terms of activity; I made the account quite a while back but haven’t been very active until recently) and so I am not familiar with posts made years back nor did I immediately think to search the forums for this topic when writing this. I only thought I would put forth this question on the Catholic Answers forum with the hope of a simple and brief response.

I thank you all for your responses.

The article is a bit dated. There are quite a few other sources and you are wise enough not to have gone for the secular press. I would suggest looking at:

I dare say opinion will be divided on this subject. Follow the link for a previous Thread

The reason I have just given some links is that I read the books as an adult and am not responsible for any children, so have no authority or experience.

Just thought the links may help.

Thank you for the links, they have been very helpful in updating my previous information on this.

The man who invented the high fantasy genre was a devout Catholic (JRR Tolkien).

The scholastics would say, ‘When faced with a problem, make a distinction.’ Now, I think we can distinguish fiction fom non-fiction, so I don’t think we are faced with much of a problem.

That is true, I had forgotten of Tolkien. And yes that’s is probably also true, it is not as if it’s been assumed to be non-fiction or whatnot. And as I had previously mentioned, having read the series myself, I did not feel any impact whatsoever on my Catholic faith upon reading those books. So I never really believed there would have been any problem. Thanks for your response.

Well, if a spiritual director or confessor tells you avoid those things (if this happens it could be putting the penitent or directee in a position open to sin), I certainly cannot go against that.

In broad terms the Vatican has said Harry Potter is fine because of the themes of friendships and other values. A lot of the concern about this comes from Protestant circles.

The Catholic Church has always respect the artistic creativity of man.

catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1102767.htm

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut on this, it’s been helpful.

My apologies, I initially interpreted your response as having a tone of sardonic irritation. I should have known better than to post a question of this nature on these forums. Although one may also suggest that upon reading a thread title regarding a topic you are no longer enthusiastic about, that perhaps you could simply ignore the thread and skip to the next thread. But sorry, I’ll try to be more conscientious of this for the future. thanks

 

[Joe_5859]

It has become clear that this topic has already been discussed on these forums a fair number of times to say the least. I apologize for repeating what seems like an oft-posted question on these forums.

It is just that I had heard a long time ago of the potential criticism by Catholics against Harry Potter, but back then I never ended up being able to follow through on that and thereafter I forgot completely until not that long ago. I am a relatively new member here on these forums (in terms of activity; I made the account quite a while back but haven’t been very active until recently) and so I am not familiar with posts made years back nor did I immediately think to search the forums for this topic when writing this. I only thought I would put forth this question on the Catholic Answers forum with the hope of a simple and brief response.

I thank you all for your responses.

Thank you for the links, they have been very helpful in updating my previous information on this.

That is true, I had forgotten of Tolkien. And yes that’s is probably also true, it is not as if it’s been assumed to be non-fiction or whatnot. And as I had previously mentioned, having read the series myself, I did not feel any impact whatsoever on my Catholic faith upon reading those books. So I never really believed there would have been any problem. Thanks for your response.

Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut on this, it’s been helpful.

My apologies, I initially interpreted your response as having a tone of sardonic irritation. I should have known better than to post a question of this nature on these forums. Although one may also suggest that upon reading a thread title regarding a topic you are no longer enthusiastic about, that perhaps you could simply ignore the thread and skip to the next thread. But sorry, I’ll try to be more conscientious of this for the future. thanks

If people didn’t come to CAF posting repeat questions, the forum would get awfully quiet in a hurry.

Jimmy Akin offers a fairly clear explanation as to why this LifeSiteNews article is highly misleading:

• LifeSiteNews Calls Kettle Black
• Pre-16 On Harry Potter

I’ve grown very skeptical of LSN in general. They have a wonderful mission and they strive to shine the light in dark corners that not many news outlets want to go near. But I’m not very confident in their journalistic standards because of things like this.