Readers who would like to read some of the criticism of the Harry Potter series which appeared on the CE website before this latest round of the controversy, will find it here and here and here.
Catholic Exchange does not have an “editorial position” on the Harry Potter books. We hope that presenting both sides of the issue will assist our readers in making their own decisions.
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Dear Editors:
I was extremely upset to see that you chose to publish the Mirus article from Catholic Culture about Harry Potter! This man actually thinks that the Harry Potter stories are “rollicking good fun”!? I own a Catholic bookstore and have “discussions” with mothers all the time about why they are not appropriate reading material for their children. I am very disappointed that reputable Catholic websites are clearly giving the impression to parents that these books are acceptable and harmless. I personally know of many people who have un-subbed from Catholic Culture and withdrawn their donations because of Mr. Mirus's article! Shame on Catholic Exchange for supporting him!
Ellyn Olson
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I don't see how you can construe the comments of the Holy Father that you quoted as anything but negative toward the Harry Potter books. The fact that you like the books and don't see the harm in them doesn't mean you should assume facts not in evidence and attempt to spin the opinion of the Prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as neutral or positive when they are not.
The fact that Cardinal Ratzinger gave permission for his letter to be quoted publicly should give you pause. The cardinal was no fool. He knew the effect that making his letter public would have; he knows that the stature of his office is exactly the reason Ms. Kuby sought permission to quote his response publicly. The comments are negative, not merely polite approbation of somebody's book. In fact, since Ms. Kuby's book constitutes a blistering attack against the Harry Potter books, the appearance of public support for her critique by the Prefect for the Sacred Congregation would mean a big public stir in the Catholic press and could mean the loss of millions of dollars to the writer/publishers. Is Cardinal Ratzinger such an idiot that he didn't realize this would be the consequence of her publicly quoting his response? Since he “gladly” extended permission for making his letter public, I think you have to assume he actually meant what he said, not that he didn't know what he was talking about. You're basically assuming that he didn't because you don't agree with him.
The fact that the Chief Exorcist of Rome has explicitly condemned the Harry Potter franchise and publicly stated that “Satan is behind the books” ought to also give you pause for reflection that your prudential judgment in this area might be in error, even though you like the books. If there's an expert in the Church on the harmful effects of
occult fiction, surely it is he.
Chris Otsuki
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Dear Catholic Exchange,
Maybe people that don't really know evil can't see the harm in Harry Potter, but those of us who unfortunately have been absorbed by so-called “innocent” games or stories or books know evil when we see evil. We are victims of the thousands of people that say: “It gets kids to read,” or “It is just a game,” or “Magic isn't real” — all lines from good people who kids respect.
But do these good people really know the face of evil when it arises? Do they not see the difference between C.S. Lewis's and Tolkien's writings and Rowling's writing?
I was a pagan for most of my adult life — try 15 years of practicing evil, not as a Satanist but as something more insidious: a white witch or a good priestess of natural “magick.” I know evil when I see it. It usually comes wrapped in sugar coating, and no, it doesn't convert thousands of kids to practice the black mass or sing Satan's praises. It leads them to believe magic is real and it leads them to believe normalcy is wrong and the bizarre is good and proper. It makes them believe they are special. It leads them to believe that if the wrong doesn't touch you ignore it, but if it does, get revenge with the help of your magick.
The problem is that man has no magick of his own; it just doesn't exist — but evil spirits know you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. You can conjure up spirits that will do your bidding just to drag you deeper into the illusion. You grow to believe you are in control and your soul gets blacker and blacker. One day you look at the people around you and just don't understand why they are so wrong and so uninformed…. Jesus becomes a nice fairytale, an illusion, a “nice guy” — but your god is a balance in nature that exalts humans as the complete creature above all others. Evil has you and it eats you alive.
Harry Potter is not going to destroy the Catholic Church or very many families. It is one link in a chain of evil that will reach out and destroy the souls of probably less than 1% of all the kids that read it. But we are a “me generation” that doesn't care and will risk even our own kids. I found it interesting they had a psychologist on an ABC show talking about the nightmares the books have been causing in younger kids and how parents should handle it. Do you think that is a good thing?
I would like all the people who have been lured away into evil by “simple,” “harmless” things to take a stand against these dark elements in our society, and indeed within our Church, and speak out. We have lived a life that a pew-sitting Catholic has never led and they just don't know what they give their blessings to — but we do. It is going to take the few of us who have been badly damaged by these so-called “innocent things” to open the eyes of those who are blind just to protect the few. Evil is real, and just because you don't understand it or believe you have never recognized it doesn't mean it is not there. People need to wake up.
C. O'Neill Bel Air, MD
