I have studied the vast amount of anti-potter material available from Christian web sources, and corresponded with some of the authors. My conclusion is that they are wrong about these books. Here is a summary of why:
- Most of the anti-potterists have not bothered to read the books. Their
information is hearsay from other anti-potterists. Some of them even
admit that they have just looked at the covers of the books and drawn
their conclusions from that. (The latter group includes at least one
headmaster who banned the books from her school.)
- I estimate that about 80% of the anti-potter material on the web actually
comes from one and the same source, a single article at "Christian
Resources Network". Exact wordings may vary, but the arguments
are identical and nearly always come in exactly the same order.
- The criticism contains many statements about the book's contents which
are demonstrably false. While a few of these can be put down to ignorance
or misunderstandings, there are also plenty of bold-faced lies. Apparently,
the end justifies any means.
- Anti-potterists often hint that J.K. Rowling is an occultist by remarking
upon her "vast knowledge" on occultism. At the same time,
they themselves have clearly made detailed study of many occult books
which they often refer to. By their own logic, that makes THEM occultists!
- Anti-potterists consistently overlook (or are ignorant of) Christian
symbolism. Instead they accept and use symbolism from occult books by
Alisteir Crowley, Helena Blavatsky, Albert Pike, Anton LaVey and similar.
- Anti-potterists apply occult ideas in their own work, e.g. numerology.
- Apart from the central issue (the alleged risk that the books might
entice children to occultism), the anti-potterists launch a plaethora
of other attacks against the books, not missing half a chance to find
fault. All this gives me the impression that the writers know that their
arguments are weak and are grasping at straws to prove what is simply
not true.
- Recently, some anti-potterists have begun to re-state their criticism.
They have removed all actual references to the contents of the books.
Instead, the satanic effect of the books is now said to be supernatural.
If you read these books, you are being "conditioned" to accept
magic and occultism, all of which is part of the conspiracy to prepare
you for the arrival of the Antichrist.
I conclude that the anti-potterists are realizing that the only way to maintain their untenable position is by removing it from the realm of reason. So where do they end up? In the realm of superstition!
