As of February 2023, the Harry Potter series have sold over 600 million copies around the world. There is a largely debated subject among Christian households and families, asking, “Can Christians read Harry Potter? Is it sinful, being magic?”

Personally, I believe that Harry Potter is okay for anybody to read. Yes, it does get a bit dark towards the end and some parts might be intense for younger kids, but I don’t believe it’s sinful, and here are a few reasons why:

1. It is a display of good and bad, good and evil. It was not written in a Christian perspective or by a Christian author, but it has some elements of it. For example, Harry sacrifices himself so everyone can be saved, but (somehow) comes to life again. Death Eaters are good examples of demons, with Voldemort as a possible sort of Satan-seeming character.
2. It does not encourage participating in sin, mainly using your abilities and power to help others instead of using it to abuse others. (“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us….if it is to encourage, then give encouragement, if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12:6, 8 NIV)
3. The Bible says not to have anything to do with magic or those who practice it, (“Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist who consults the dead. Deuteronomy 18:10, 11 NIV). It says that we are not to participate in those things as they are demonic and dangerous. But Harry Potter is a fantasy book, coming from a woman’s imagination. Yes, there are elements that go against God’s word, but that does not mean that the whole series is sinful.
4. If you think about it, the famous C.S. Lewis book series, The Chronicles of Narnia is huge among Christian households. HUGE. But they have magic. The White Witch is a female and more attractive version of Voldemort/Satan, seductive and murderous. J.K. Rowling (the author of Harry Potter) even stated that The Chronicles of Narnia were a huge influence growing up.

Finally, (I don’t have huge input on this subject, now that I think about it…) Harry Potter comes from an imagination. God loves it when we are creative. The very first verse of the Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1 NIV.) We are His story, His masterpiece. And there is sin and destruction and terror in this story. But just like the end of the Harry Potter books, the Narnia books, there is a conclusion that beats no other with the hero giving up their life for those they love.

~Willow