Young Harry Potter graduates from Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft and returns home to the world of muggles (that’s you and me). While in an antique bookstore, Harry comes across an old tome dated 1611. Very interested in old books, he begins to scan the pages of this book simply titled "Holy Bible" written by King James. After reading a few pages, Harry learns that witchcraft is evil and a sin against God. From that point on he gives up all of his magic materials and turns to Jesus for guidance.

Yeah right! Wishful thinking for the above to be true, eh? Just thought I’d add my own insight into the Harry Potter craze. I’ve read both sides to the issue and, before becoming a Christian, I’ve read the first three books. There are too many people out there with various opinions when there should be only one. It’s witchcraft and it’s a sin!

Sure there are some so-called Christians who claim it’s merely fiction but you know what? The book of Mormon is fiction as is L. Ron Hubbard’s "Dianetics" and both have formed churches and have faithful followers. Mr. Hubbard is a Science-Fiction writer and his book "Dianetics" is the basis for the Scientology movement. How long before something similar comes from the Harry Potter books. Don’t say it won’t happen because it could. Even the author, J.K. Rowling admits she researched witchcraft and mythology to give the Potter books more accuracy. Why? So as not to offend the Witch Community and yet she doesn’t have a problem offending God. In Deuteronomy 18:10-13 Moses wrote:

"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13. Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God."

These so-called Christians who say you do have a choice in the manner of letting your child go see the Harry Potter movie want those who will let them see it have you sit the child down and discuss the evils of witchcraft based on the bible, why it’s wrong and so on and then let the child go see the film. In my opinion this is the same thing as explaining the dangers of smoking cigarettes before allowing a child to try it. The last time a choice of this type was allowed was in the Garden of Eden as stated in Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6 "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Chapter 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2. And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."

The same principle is there. The choice is really: Will you remain faithful to the Bible and listen to God when he says witchcraft is wrong or will you follow your heart and read the books, watch the movie and support similar stories to be made?

"Abstain from all appearance of evil." I Thessalonians 5:22. That’s pretty cut and dry to me. It’s not just evil but the appearance of evil as well. There is no such difference between white magic for good and the Dark Arts (black magic) because if you think about it both come from the same source and God is not a part of it.

Now on the other side, there are those who are totally against the Harry Potter books but you don’t hear them mention television programs like "Charmed". This series follows the lives of three sisters who are called "The Charmed Ones" because they are good witches who battle demons. Outside of the show being aimed at teens, what’s to stop children from watching this show? Age variance is not the issue when we’re discussing witchcraft.

My point is that as Christians we can’t pick and choose the battles we want to fight. It’s all or none. If you are verbally against Harry Potter then you should be verbally against all books and television shows about witchcraft. Focusing on the kids is great but what of the teens who are already immersed in black magic? Do we give up on them since it’s "too late"?

As I mentioned earlier I have read the first three books and from a Fantasy fan’s standpoint they quite good. An encouragement to get children to read more but not necessarily the best in moral influence. Parents should pre-read questionable material that their children want to read. Monitoring should not stop at the screen; television, movies, and websites. As Proverbs 22:6 reads—"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." And if you do not follow that advice, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecclesiastes 8:11)

These so-called Christians say you can’t go to Hell by watching a movie but what mortal man knows this for sure? In Romans 3:10 Paul writes—"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" And in Romans 3:23 Paul writes—"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"

Why put yourself through the dilemma of "Should I or shouldn’t I?" It’s better not to become involved and know your soul is intact. And if that’s not enough to convince you, remember this—"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)