BOOKS
Harry Potter's biggest battle: religion

What's a wizard to do? Contention continues over the spiritual meaning, benefits and dangers of the Harry Potter books. Fans and critics alike are debating the meaning of Christian references and themes they see in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the final book of the series, which published July 21, 2007. The fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, opened July 11. Even as a universe of Potter lovers explore the nuances of the series, critics speak out on issues, including Christian references, occult themes, and moral choices. An entire genre of books about Potter - pro, con or simply academic - has arisen.

Questions for reporters
• How has spiritual debate over the Harry Potter books played out in local schools, libraries and churches, and how has it changed over time? Are local religious organizations discussing the series in sermons, workshops, summer children's programs, and clubs? Have local schools settled the issue of whether the book can be required reading?
• Have churches used the books as an opportunity to talk about moral themes with children, or have they condemned them? How have parents, kids and clergy reacted?
• What do kids say about how the book has affected their views? Do they agree with what their parents and pastors say about it? Have the books led them to read other books with moral themes?
• What do non-Christians say about the series?

Why it matters
The "magick" of the Harry Potter series may not be real, but the books and movies have shown immense power to stir debate over spiritual themes such as the war between good and evil, the possibility of redemption, and virtues such as courage - all issues that shape adults' lives, as well as children's.

Jump to background

International Sources
• The Rev. Francis Bridger, a theologian and principal of Trinity College in Bristol, England, is the author of A Charmed Life: The Spirituality of Potterworld (Image Books paperback, 2002). Contact francis.bridger@trinity-bris.ac.uk.

Click the map for interview sources in your state and region

National sources
• Penny Linsenmayer of Houston, Texas, helped organize Nimbus 2003, the first international symposium about Harry Potter, held in July 2003. Linsenmayer founded the Harry Potter for Grownups Internet discussion group, which has nearly 7,000 members. Contact pennylin@swbell.net.
• Tom Morris, a philosopher, author and president of the Morris Institute for Human Values in Wilmington, N.C., is contributing a chapter to a book on philosophy and Harry Potter, forthcoming from Open Court Publishing. Morris' chapter concerns courage. Morris' books include If Aristotle Ran General Motors (Henry Holt & Co., 1998) and Philosophy for Dummies (For Dummies, 1999). Contact 910-256-6119, tmorris@morrisinstitute.com.
• Connie Neal is the author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World's Most Famous Seeker (Westminster John Knox Press, 2002) and What's a Christian to Do With Harry Potter? (Waterbrook Press paperback, 2001). She also helps churches start Harry Potter Book & Bible Clubs for kids and youth, along with education for their parents. Contact cwneal@surewest.net.
• John Granger of Port Hadlock, Wash., is the author of The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels (Zossima Press, 2002). Read "Harry Beasts," an excerpt from his book Looking for God in Harry Potter (Tyndale House, 2004), about how the animals in Harry Potter support a Christian reality. It is posted by Christianity Today. Contact Granger at 360-379-5740, wow@olympus.net.
• Elinor Mosser has led a Harry Potter discussion group for religious leaders on Ecunet, a nonprofit network of Christian organizations, since 1999. She is a web conferencing associate with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Louisville, Ky., and a minister who specializes in nurturing online communities for religious leaders. Contact 502-569-5174, elinor.mosser@pcusa.org.
• Evelyn J.P. Weston, co-pastor of First Lutheran Church in Renville, Minn., currently serves under the screen name "HogwartsChaplain" as volunteer chaplain and prefect moderator at Chamber of Secrets Forums, a Harry Potter message board. Read her article "Religious Aspects of Harry Potter," published in 2002 by The Concord: A Journalistic Ministry of Students at Luther Seminary. Contact eweston@ecunet.org (plain text only) or eweston@luthersem.edu.
• Emily Balawejder and Amy Tenbrink are lead event planners for a Harrry Potter academic symposium to be held in Salem, Mass., in October 2005. Contact Emily@witchinghour.com and Amy@witchinghour.com.

Background
• Pope Benedict has said the Harry Potter books "erode Christianity in the soul" of young people according to a July 13, 2005, Times Online story.
• Read a July 15, 2005, media release in which Wiccans explain why discussion about Harry Potter and witchcraft affect them.
• Read a June 19, 2003, Christianity Today Web blog titled, "Most evangelicals like Harry Potter. Really."
• The year 2004 was the first in five years that Harry Potter did not appear on the list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books. Read a press release from the American Library Association.
• Read the transcript of a 2001 Religion & Ethics Newsweekly cover story, "The Spiritual Dimension of Fantasy."
• Read a March 4, 2003, WorldNetDaily article, "Just Wild About Harry."
• Harry Potter for Seekers posts articles, resources, lists of books and more for "seekers who want to explore the deep spiritual foundation of Harry Potter."