Harry Haters and the Lack of Proof

[Penny Linsenmayer]

Hi all --

I know ..... I really should check in here more often.  <g>

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Ripleywriter at a... wrote:
> 
> Let me first just say that this post is for research purposes, not
to start a 
> flame war or anything like that. 
> 
> I'm searching for proof to prove the people right who put down Harry
Potter 
> as promoting witchcraft or Satin or being against the Bible, or
whatever 
> they're saying next; basically I'm looking for a good reason to want
to ban HP books 
> as much as some people want to. 
> 
> I want to do this because currently I have no proof to show that
these people 
> have a point. That's their problem. For all the talking they do I
have yet to 
> see an ounce of proof to justify their beliefs.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Melly -- Yes, I have several sources for your research actually. 
There are a number of Christian commentators who, while they reach the
opposite conclusion, are able to articulate the concerns that some
fellow Christians share.  

Three of these authors will be speaking at Nimbus - 2003
(www.hp2003.org) and promoting their books there:

1.  Connie Neal (Nimbus speaker) -- In "What's a Christian to do with
Harry Potter?", her first book on this subject, Connie outlines some
of the Biblical objections to HP.  She notes that while it's
*possible* to come up with this interpretation of HP and its dangers
from a Christian perspective, she spends most of her time showing why
this isn't necessary.  IMO, in this particular work, she spent a bit
too much page time encouraging Christians to not judge one another for
their interpretive choices (either way) and not quite enough time
focused on using specific examples from HP to refute the concerns of
certain Christians.  

Her second book, "The Gospel According to HP," provides much in the
way of specifics.  It was written in direct response to Abanes IMO,
though she's careful not to name him specifically in the introduction.  

2.  John Granger (Nimbus speaker) -- "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter"
makes the case that Rowling is actually writing in the Inkling
tradition (Christian fantasy authors Tolkien and C.S. Lewis
primarily).  My recollection is that the body of this work doesn't
devote a great deal of page time to refuting the claims of Christians
who are against the books, but he does devote an entire appendix to
making strong arguments against Abanes' claims.  His book is strongest
in its examination of the themes and symbolism of HP, IMO.  It's a
great book, and I had the pleasure of hearing John give his lecture at
one of the Episcopal churches here a few weeks ago.  He's a *great*
speaker, so all of you coming to Nimbus are in for a real treat if you
attend his presentation on "Alchemy, Doppelgangers and the Irony of
the Religious Objections to Harry Potter."

3.  Edmund Kern (Nimbus speaker) -- His book is forthcoming and won't
even be available for purchase at Nimbus, though I've read a review
copy and am writing a promotional review for him.  His publisher plans
to have order forms at Nimbus though, and his presentation should
cover a good bit of the ground of this book.  He has a rather
extensive part of a chapter devoted to the religious critics (and he
seems to come at the topic from the perspective of a non-Christian if
I'm reading him right).  I can give you his email address off-list if
you want to contact him further.  

4.  Kimbra Gish -- this is an article published in Horn Book magazine
in 2000 (vol 76, pgs 262-71 -- "Hunting Down Harry Potter: An
Exploration of Religious Concerns about Children's Literature."  I
read this some time ago.  As Kern notes, while she ultimately asks her
fellow Christians to be tolerant and consider the works' moral
messages, she leaves little doubt of her own fundamentalist leanings.
 She goes through the specifics of the Biblical objections in great
detail though; this one would definitely give you the sense of *how*
it is that some Christians can favor not allowing their children to
read them or not reading them for themselves. [Note: I see no
justification for *banning* any books, and none of these authors do
either].

5.  John Killinger "God, the Devil and Harry Potter" - Again, a very,
very favorable look at HP from the perspective of a Christian
theologian and pastor at that wonderful little stone church on
Mackinac Island.  :--)  This is short but packed with lots of good
insights.  

6.  Francis Bridger - "A Charmed Life: Spirituality in the
Potterworld."  A wonderful discourse on HP from the perspective of an
Anglican theologian who was unfortunately unable to attend Nimbus.  

This has encouraged me to dust off my review of all the above books,
save Kern (since I haven't written that one yet) and post it to the
main list later today.  Look for it later today or this weekend.  :--)
 I'm also happy to talk to you off-list.

Penny 
pennylin at swbell.net