I have a strong opinion on this, and it would be NO.
Harry Potter is purely fantasy reading for kids. But it opens their eyes to witchcraft and the occult, desensitizing them to those practices. As well as the fact that the kids portrayed in those novels often disrespect their parents and don't follow the rules given to them. Not a good example to follow.
For me I believe without a doubt that there is much better literature out there for children and young adults to read, that will instill good moral practices and intelligence.

http://www.cbn.com/special/harrypotter/index.asp

http://www.creationdefense.org/91.htm

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html

There are plenty of excellent "fantasy" literature written from a Christian perspective! CS Lewis writings, for example are still popular, JR Tolkien (I advise against the movies as they are a little much especially for children). For a long list of more great fantasy titles look here:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ne=1000000&N=5100+1031...

Sharon,

I've read #1 and #2. All of my older children (all adults) have read all of them, including this latest one. My 14 year old has also read 1 & 2, and my 12 year old has read #1. My husband has read most of them, including just finishing the latest one.

Here's our opinion, as godly Christian people:

We decided that no child under the age of 11 or 12 should read any of these books. In book 1, Harry is 11. This book is intended by the author to be read by children of that age. It is a beginner's book into the realm of fantasy, witchcraft, and the occult, and is really fairly entertaining in a ghosts and goblins "halloweeny" kind of way. It's more of a mystery novel in a boarding school for young student witches setting. The whole quiddish game sequence is hilarious fun, and I don't think any 12 year old who is GROUNDED in the WORD will have any problems moving to the "dark side" after reading this book. However, none in our household think that it is appropriate material for children to read, even though a good reader who was 8 or 9 wouldn't have any trouble reading the book.

Book #2 started to give me the willies. Harry is a second year student, and discovers that he has powers such as secret languages that conjur up snake gods and such. It is darker than book #1 and I thought it was creepy. I am more sensitive to such things than most people, but I argue that scripture tells us to think about things which are lovely, good report, etc. This stuff isn't lovely at all. Book #2 is intended for the 12 year old reader. My 14 year old thought it was great. I wouldn't let my 12 year old read it, but his Dad did let him see the movie. Again, more of a mystery story, but it was too dark for me. I never read any others.

My daughter is an English major. I think she has read every children's book ever written. LOL She agrees with me that no child under 11 should read these books. She said (and so did my 22 year old son) that this last book has a very scary ending and a surprise plot twist at the end. Harry is 17 in this book. His thoughts are becoming more adult in all areas. My daughter didn't think anyone under 17 should read this last book. My son said he didn't think it would be that bad if a high schooler read it, but not a younger child.

Now, I, as a conservative Christian and borderline fundamentalist, would say that a child who would be willing to read all those thick HP books would be much better off reading the entire Bible. I'm like Ev- there's a whole lot of really good, uplifting children's literature I'd have the kids read before they picked up HP. If they wanted adventure they could read the old G.A. Henty historical fiction novels. He's a British author, recently rediscovered by the homeschool crowd. Fabulous stuff.

Hope this helps,
-Donna

Hi Sharon,
I'm not as opposed to 'fantasy' stuff as many Christian folks I know, as I do allow my daughter some fairy tales and such. I have come under criticism for it from a number of people, and yet as I myself grew up with fairy tales of castles and princesess, I see no harm in allowing these for my own child. However there is a point at which I draw a line, and Harry Potter is one of those such very thick lines.

A while back my friend and I went to visit her sister and shortly after I arrived her husband put on a Harry Potter tape. As the movie played on, my friend and I started to really get the creeps and we left way before the movie was over.

To be honest with you, it is absolutely beyond me how anyone who is truly spiritually aware can sit in front of this stuff and not discern the evil that lurks behind these movies. In the case of the couple we were visiting, the husband was a co-pastor and excellent man of God a few yers ago. Then something mysterious happened and they fell out of fellowship with the church they were in and haven't joined another church in a couple of years. Only God kows if this lack of discerment is a direct result of whatever else is going on in their lives, but one thing is for sure, we are in the last days and it's never surprising to see deception doing it's rampant work in the lives of God's followers.

We can rationalize anything and convince ourselves of the innocence of anything, after all, did God really say???? But even if many would say the root source is all te same, IMHO simple tales of fantasy differ quite a bit from outright forays into the occult. I have noticed in myself that when I make an excemption to allow myself something that is spiritually questionable, it isn't too long before I begin to make allowances for more and more of what in the past I have considered unthinkable. It's as if a desensitizing effect takes over and draws me further into deception. At that point I have to take hold of myself firmly, repent and start all over again.

Staying on course seems to be harder and harder these days, why even our churches have begun on a course of compromise and ultimate deception, so more than ever we need to stay spiritually awake, lest we fall away without even realizing it. Some will say this is living in fear. I say they can say whatever they want, it's my walk.

As Biblical Christians, we are told that there are things that are not even fit for us to talk about, and we must flee even the appearance of evil. In light of the Word, there are countless scriptures that will shed the light of truth into the works of darkness. Why would we want to step over the line into the enemy's camp into something that is so far removed from the Lord's Kingdom? And furthermore, why would we make it O.K. for doors into the demonic be opened up for our children of any age? Why would we want to delve into with the demonic???

Anyway dear sister, you asked for opinions and it just so happens this is one subject over which I have a strong opinions, and when I get opinionated -- watch out!!!! LOL

Thanks you all. I was listening to a very conservative talk show last week and it seemed to me that the folks were evenly divided, some saying yes at different ages and others no all the way. I have had some firm opinions on this series but the funny thing is I have not read one of them. Well...I am now reading the number 1 in the series. I am happy to see you folks able to voice your point of view without making one another wrong when holding to a different view. Yay!

God bless you dear ones...
Sharon

Actually I specifically asked for opinions of persons that have personally read the books because I wanted first hand opinions not ones based on the knowledge of others. Not that I am in opposition to learning from others at all. As I said wanted to hear from those with personal experience.

S

I'm sure God is more interested in our pleasing him and loving ourselves and others. If we were to truely live by the Gods word, we would have to leave this world and all its influences. If we cant let our children read books, they shouldnt be able to watch TV, eat junk food, etc. The occult cant harm you unless you believe it can. Millions of child have read the books and Im sure God still loves them. It is not good to be afraid of things as this could cause harm to your mind. It is the fear of doing something that causes you great anxiety. Relax and read in faith.