by Elliot Nelson

Created on: February 14, 2009   Last Updated: February 21, 2009

The chief objection to Harry Potter made by some conservative Christians is apparently that sorcery in Harry Potter is sinful and draws on demonic forces. "Supernatural" events where the world does not operate according to the usual physical laws are either from God or from Satan (of course, the normal functioning of the universe is still dependent on God). When a person attempts sorcery, which is forbidden in the Bible, he or she is opening the door for demonic influence in the world.

But the magic and sorcery in Harry Potter need not be thought of as the same thing as magic and sorcery in our world. Harry's "secondary world" is not our world - not the real, "primary" world. Although there are geographic similarities (as in The Golden Compass), we are given no reason to think that Harry's world is to be thought of as our world in every sense. Rather, it functions internally according to its own set of laws, and those laws are different from the laws of the real world. In his essay "On Fairy Stories," J. R. R. Tolkien describes this "inner consistency of reality" of fictional worlds: "[The story-maker] makes a Secondary World which your mind can enter. Inside it, what he relates is < in happen actually didn?t is it because simply story the to objecting from degree only differs but is, obviously Harry?s as ways, ours with connected that world fictional make mistake easy an This outside. rather says, Tolkien ?sub-creation,? into enter not do they - on world) primary (that reality of laws imposing Potter Harry magic issues have who Those world. structure part integral sense supernatural, natural, It?s this functioning physical normal violates something be stated never Magic works. and words, right say head, your thoughts way, wand flick You our differently very presented world, chief magic, fact evident World? ?Secondary similar somewhat intended Rowling K. J. 37)That Stories?, Fairy (?On mce_href="it accords with the laws of that world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside.">
There are many powerful themes in Harry Potter that reflect Christian truths. Indeed, J.K. Rowling claims to be a Christian and to have intentionally written Christian themes into Harry Potter (see this class="embLink" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">true. article). The presentation of evil is of an evil that is absolute, real, and truly horrible. Similarly, the presentation of good is beautiful and absolute, and it is centered on love. There is absolute good and

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