Here is another little poll... I've seen Harry Potter mentioned in a few recent posts and wondered what the general consensus was about it. This has probably already been hashed and re-hashed about on this site but I've never seen it.

Just say Yes if you enjoyed/would recommend the series and No if you didn't enjoy it/think it's evil.

And elaborate on your feels below as well too.

FTR, I would choose "Yes".

17 votes and no explanations? Come on, now.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a grasp on the moral issues. Not necessarily for children who haven't been told anything about that. Before I read them, my mum sat down with me and told me about witchcraft, etc.
Really, though, the writing is good, and I enjoyed the books.

I haven't read the books, and I can't see me ever doing so. I'm just not keen, personally.

I agree, Aldara. I've read the first three books and I've seen three of the movies. I enjoy them, but my mom let me wait several years until I showed an interest in reading them. If I didn't want to read them, I wouldn't. For several years my aunt was asking nearly every time she saw me if I had started reading the HP books yet. Now I have.

My mom still says I'm not allowed to see or read them, and I'm not really in any hurry to either, so....

I voted no, because currently my parents don't want me reading them, but I will read them eventually.

I haven't read the series yet, but I have seen the movies and didn't like them.

Not because it was "evil" (I don't think it is, personally) but just because it was such a predictable and cliche movie series.

I'm going to read the books in the near future though, to compare.

So, no to the movies, unknown answer for the books.

I think it is great your mom sat you down and talked with you about witchcraft before you read it, Aldara! If only more parents would do things like that with their kids!

I voted no because, though I have read some of the books and seen some of the movies, I do not like how people, and Christians in particular, treat the books and movies. Flippantly.

I cannot tell you how many Christians who have told me that the books are harmless. First of all, no fiction is harmless.

Also, people say that kids won't be influenced by the witch craft. I can tell you, I personally have a friend who got involved in witchcraft because of Harry Potter. It was cool. He wanted to be like Harry. So he purpused being a wizard.

I also know someone who got involved in witchcraft because of HP and, in the end, committed suicide because of the things he became invested in.

The book's target audience was 12 year olds. And while 12 year olds have brains, most of them aren't ready to read books like HP. As an adult, I doubt they can have any sway over you, but I think anyone who reads them should be educated.

My big issue isn't actually with the books and movies, but with people. Fans that think it is safe, to be specific. In fact, some fans have issues with people who don't read it, or parents who want their children to be older. I have just as much issue with this as I do with people who look down on Harry Potter Fans.

All fiction influences its readers. HP is no exception. In fact, it's more dangerous because it is a good story, on the whole, and has likeable characters. We get emotionally invested. We become complacent. And that is what is dangerous. It has to be read with eyes wide open.

Everyone tells you you can check your brain at the door when you read them because they are safe. That's why I say no. That is also why I don't judge those who read it. I don't think it is a sin.

I wasn't going to post that, but since you asked why I voted no, I thought it was fair to tell you why.

I quite agree with that. You should always be careful with what you read. That's why I would only recommend it to those who are informed.
Thanks for answering, by the way. I just like to understand both sides.

I totally agree! And you are welcome.

Thanks for the interesting thoughts, all. And I like what you said, Airianna, that "no fiction is harmless". This is very true and something we should constantly keep in mind as we attempt to write our own.

To me this boils down to what Paul said about the meat sacrificed to idols. While we are free to "eat" if we are confident that it's okay (grossly paraphrased, I know ), we need to be aware that it could easily corrupt our "weaker" brothers and sisters. I think you've all read the passage.

My personal view, taking the "stronger brother" role, is that since the "magic" of Harry Potter does not resemble witchcraft at all in its mechanics and effects, and "Magic" that does is consistently portrayed as evil as it should be, this takes away, for me, the only big argument against the series.

*likes and agrees with Airi's post very much*

Well, I guess I'd have to be fair and say that the truth is just that Harry Potter rubs me the wrong way.

But if I might expand on Airi's point for a moment:

When my mother was a pre-teen, she had a friend who was a witch (in the serious and literal sense: a real witch). My mom has always related Harry Potter to that same sort of witchcraft. That's good enough for me.

It's a personal decision, of course, but its worth noting that, at the very least, witchcraft is real, and because of that, we Christians ought to take fictional form seriously, no matter how unrealistic it may be. Hey, horror movies are unrealistic. The choice is up to you, but make it based on informed Christianity, not your literary taste.