Harry Potter and the Communion of Saints
January 12, 2008
I read this really twisted article in the “St. Anthony Messenger.” It blindly argues that the Harry Potter series are innocent when it comes to reaching out to the young on the articles of witchcraft and wizardry. Here is an excerpt from the article. The writer tries connection certain aspects of ’souls’ helping Harry in his duel against Voldemort with the Communion of Saints. But when you really take a closer look, it sounds more like the classic “Become one with the Force,” found within the Star Wars Series.
Those Who Go Before Us in Faith
It was the self-sacrificing love of Harry’s mother that saved him as a baby. Lily Evans Potter tried to protect Harry rather than save herself. That kind of love is reminiscent of Jesus’ death on the cross. Love, says Dumbledore, is the one thing Voldemort does not understand and always underestimates.
Rowling is a practicing Christian (Church of Scotland-Presbyterian). She relies on Christian symbols (unicorn, phoenix, serpent) and allusions (veil of death, hallows, King’s Cross). Specific lines of Rowling’s text echo the Bible. For example, Dumbledore tells Harry that help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask (“Ask and you will receive”—Luke 11:9).
Two of Rowling’s biggest themes are essential Christian dogma: Death is not the end of our lives and the communion of saints surrounds us.
Dumbledore tells Harry that death is the “last great adventure.” His pet phoenix, Fawkes, dies and rises again and again (Books 2 and 5). In real life, Rowling endured the lingering death of her mother from multiple sclerosis and admits she struggled to keep her faith. But in her books, she puts forth a shining Christian affirmation of the afterlife.
And she draws strength from the communion of saints—not that she calls them saints. The “saints” in Harry’s life (his parents and parents’ friends) intervene in his world, giving him protection in the duel with Voldemort in Goblet of Fire and reassurance and company in his “death scene” in Deathly Hallows. I don’t think there’s ever been such a comforting portrayal of the communion of saints as this last. In Rowling’s scene, I see my grandmothers standing beside me.
I’ve written an email the the Magazine, and they said that they planned on putting my letter and argument in their paper, though I can never seem to trust anyone’s word. So time will tell, but alas, what is there to be done if the truth is revealed yet not received? Below is my email to them, I tried to be as polite as possible. Were the Crusader’s polite when engaging the enemies? Well, chivalry is for another post. We all need a little Charity…. 
Ave Maria!
To Whom it May Concern,
I’ve recently been handed a copy of the St. Anthony Messenger Magazine, and happened to come across the article titled: Harry Potter and the Communion of Saints. I was taken by surprise, since after all, your Magazine claims to be Roman Catholic. Might I ask where did you get such an outlook as this? My concern is that this article is an erroneous view upon the Harry Potter series, due to the fact that the series openly promotes witchcraft and wizardry, both of which have been comdemned by Holy Mother Church. His Holiness Pope Benedict himself condemned the series, saying in his letter to Germany’s best known Potter critic Gabriele Kuby “It is good that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.”[1] Even the chief exorcist of Rome, Fr. Gabriel Amorth has openly spoken against the series, saying: “By reading Harry Potter a young child will be drawn into magic and from there it is a simple step to Satanism and the Devil.”[2] So from what I understand, your writer has openly gone against what his Holiness has said regarding matter. May I suggest you clear the disambiguation surrounding the article, as it will lead others down the path of darkness and confusion.In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
~Paul
[2] http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/mar/06030104.html
Master Paul Xavier
Illustrious marceg
Miss Angela Rose
Lady Kerin
mjlovesballet
January 12, 2008 at 10:00 PM
people just dont seem to get it.
January 12, 2008 at 10:21 PM
Or they do, and they’re afraid to give up their comforts.
January 28, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I can’t belive that a magazine that is supposed to be “Roman Catholic” would write something like that!
I just couldn’t belive what they said!
January 29, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Yeah, that magazine is pretty off the edge… It’s sad…
February 7, 2008 at 11:07 AM
What you all need to focus on is that the message of the story is a positive one. Good versus evil, and good triumphs. Please stop being so narrow minded.
March 1, 2008 at 5:04 AM
The Harry Potter books do not promote Witchcraft. It is simply a story told in an adventurous and entertaining way. Besides, “real” witchcraft is not nearly as “exciting” as the witchcraft performed in our favorite storybooks. Ask any witch the truth about their craft–you’ll be surprised how boring the response is.
I think you need to see beyond the words “witch” and “wizard”. Do you happen to know of any witches or wizards who actually possess such magical powers? Probably not. So, I don’t think we really need to fear an epidemic in the coming years of REAL wicked witches flying around at night on their crooked broomsticks, all because they read Harry Potter books.
The Star Wars comparison is a little far-fetched. It’s not gospel, it’s fiction. Comparing fiction with more fiction doesn’t really work in this case; could you maybe replace the myth of the Force (both the “White Side” and “Dark Side” with specific instances involving Christ or Satan?
Actually, I did try to take a closer look to see how the writers’ Communion of Saints comparison is like “becoming one with the Force” in the Star Wars series, but I don’t exactly know what you mean—could you explain how? And which “Force”? “White”, I presume, but could you provide an example of it in both the Harry Potter books and Star Wars? Just out of curiosity…I am always interested in other points of view.
But I digress; where was I…oh yeah, comparing fiction with reality is the only way to see beyond the superficial elements used to enhance the fundamental message that lies beneath.
For example, the character of Harry Potter is actually considered to be a “Christ Figure” in classic literature–someone whose journey somehow resembles Christ’s in some way (and Christ, incidentally, COULD perform miracles, or “magic”, right?)–it’s the symbolism that you need to look for.
Harry’s journey shared some parallels with Christ’s; in probably the most important and obvious way; as a savior, who would willingly sacrifice his own life for the the benefit of others, but also, his story began with him as a baby, “The Chosen One”, whose destiny was to defeat the evil Voldemort and save the world from his evil clutches, so to speak, Christ was chosen to die for our sins, saving us from spiritual death, thus saving the world from the “works of the devil” 1 John 3:8.
If anything, children will be drawn to good “magic”, not “bad”. I know of no children who have read the series and now aspire to be like Voldemort. In fact, the children I know praise Harry and detest Voldemort.
Children eventually catch on to things. But while they are children, logic and reason are not requirements for them. Be thankful for that. Afterall, don’t you try to convince them of Santa Claus, The Easter Bunny, The Tooth Fairy, and even God? The ability to believe in things like that is what makes faith possible. The ability to believe in that which we cannot fully understand or explain or see or hear is what you need in order to become a believer of Christ. As they grow up, they will be able to sort things out accordingly.
Besides, if they want to be a wizard with magical powers, they usually want to be a good one so what is the harm? I mean, has this really become a problem where you are?
It’s funny to me that people really think that children will want to grow up to become “wizards” as if they actually COULD. Really, where is the danger in that? Who cares? My 3-year-old nephew wants to be Superman when he grows up. Do we need to worry now, that he will try to leap tall buildings in a single bound? I wanted to be a fairy princess and even asked for a magic wand one Christmas…well, my magic wand came in the form of a pencil, and I became a writer.
Lastly, 2000 years ago, many believed Jesus to be a false prophet and blasphemer. He was the epitome of good, passed off as bad, even perverse, by the high priests, and ultimately crucified. In the same way, we even have people today who are unable to see beyond the imagery with the Harry Potter books. Don’t buy into this—it’s blasphemy”. These are today’s “non-believers”; well, at least of the truth that sits just below the t wizard’s hat.
March 1, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I will admit to having gone back and forth with this issue. There is much contradictory discussion on this that has left me confused.
Some of my confusion:
1. Mark Shea, whom I greatly respect, has written about this subject and basically agrees with Marie.
2. I was most disappointed when I read about a fairly recent public *meeting * for others to ask questions of Rowling that she humbly agreed that when she developed Dumbledore, she made him homosexual even though that fact is never developed in her books. Okay, this is bizarre … that sort of flipped me out for some reason.
3. I read the first book and never cared to read the rest. I read it so I’d know what to do should my kids ask about them. I did not come to the conclusion that kids would get into the occult from this. But, I have heard that the later books get darker and darker. And, since Harry Potter, many books have hit the shelves regarding dark magic, etc etc. This makes me realize that indeed something has happened due to these Potter books. Let’s face it, Pullman’s books (Compass being one) are probably being accepted (WHICH ARE CLEARLY ANTI-CATHOLIC / CHRISTIAN) and it may be that Potter opened the door for this. Pullman’s books would have been seen as utterly evil if they came out BEFORE Potter. But, I am merely guessing here and don’t want to pass that on as fact.
4. I have also read that the Pope was not happy that his words had been published and that he never made an official comment about these books one way or another. In fact, I sort of felt that his comments may have been taken out of context or not printed in entirety. Who do I believe?
So, I remain confused.
March 1, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Actually, The Golden Compass (under the title “Northern Lights”) was published in 1995, whereas the first HP book did not come out until 1997. There were Christains writing warnings against the GC from the beginning, but no one paid them any attention.
March 1, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Interesting about the Golden Compass coming out first … I did not know this. But, it certainly didn’t become popular until AFTER Harry. Hmmmm.
March 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
The main issue with Harry Potter, is how it opens up the curiosity of children. The chief Exorcist of Rome spoke on the dangers of the Potter series. The danger lies in WHAT that curiousity may bring about. When one delves into witchcraft, wizardry, spells, and magic, they are invoking the powers of spirits. In doing so, one openly ‘welcomes’ demons to enter into their lives. I plan on writing a post in the near future regarding the issue of demons, evil spirits, and the dark powers.
March 1, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I would definetly agree that that is the biggest danger of the HP books. Now if a mature reader who is fully aware of the true powers of darkness decides to read HP- that is one thing. But if their reading it causes their younger friends to stumble…
For an instance. When I read them, my dad asked me to not let my younger sister see the books. Now my sister is very sensible and she did know I was reading them, but she had no desire to read them without my dad’s permission. So that is all right.
Actually, although I read and enjoyed all 7 HP books, I was MOST put off “Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell” for the reasons that most people avoid HP. Unlike HP- the magic in JSaMN really is extremely real- with their “faeries” being, quite obviously demons under another name. They even raised someone from the dead, which was what really started putting me off. I only read 1/4 of the book.
March 1, 2008 at 6:04 PM
http://decentfilms.com/sections/articles/magic.html
An AWESOME article about the magic in Narnia, LOTR and HP. Most worth reading.
March 1, 2008 at 7:19 PM
Very interesting. Though I’d say there are a few bugs in the essay… But all in all, there is a great danger in the Harry Potter series. Namely, the danger of the true ‘dark’ magic inside. I’m not saying that reading the books will cause kids to go about donning wands and uttering curses and incantations, but the basic idea is that in opening a child to such an environment, that if he/she does venture into the real of magic, they will get caught up in the dealings of spirits and darkness. This is an extensive topic, and I probably could handle it better in a post. I do have intentions of writing about the issue of Magic in both the Potter and Tolkien series, and why one is acceptable and not the other. I also have plans on writing on the existence of Satan, Spirits, and the utter reality of the demonic. Often enough, people believe in God, Angels, Fallen Angels, And Man. But they really fail to comprehend the great malice of these fallen angels. Lucifer truly exists…and he is present in more than just a figurative sense…
March 1, 2008 at 9:15 PM
I don’t know about any of you but, if the guy who see’s and speaks to the devil basicaly on a daily basis, said that there was elements in those HP books that Satan embraces, promotes, or possibly even influenced, I want no part in the matter.
March 1, 2008 at 9:29 PM
Even if they were elements condemned as evil within the books themselves? I’m not saying that that is the case, but I’m saying there are certainly elements in all fiction that Satan supports. But if the writing itself condemns it as evil, how can we object to a moderate portray of such things?
June 24, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I know that there are many issues amongst Catholics over the Harry Potter Series. They start coming out when I was in elementary school and my mother would not let me read them because they had the idea of witchcraft in them. Once she researched it a little more, she allowed me to read them because it has the triumph of good vs. evil. Being a deacon’s daughter, I know that practicing in things such as witchcraft is not the way to go. I have never felt the urge to try such things and know that God’s way is the only way to go.
June 24, 2008 at 7:29 PM
That pretty much basically sums it up. It’s more of a danger to those who don’t have a deep spiritual life, than to those who practice their faith. But none-the-less, it still may be a stumbling block.