Harry Potter and the Ongoing Controversy

I'll begin with a scene from a Simpsons episode:
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Flanders (reading softly to Rod and Todd): ...And then Harry Potter, and all his friends...went straight to Hell for practicing witchcraft!
Rod and Todd: Yay!!!
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My brother bought me the Harry Potter anthology for my birthday this past fall. I started them after the Christmas holiday and was instantly aware of why the books enjoy such outrageous popularity: they're very entertaining (go figure). I finished book 7 just last week, and have to admit, I'm sad that there are no more left to read.

Of course, as a Christian, I am accutely aware of the controversy surrounding these books. So aware, in fact, that I'm going to address the controversy very little in this post. Instead, I want to think about a bigger issue: Should Christians ever "forbid", "ban," or even disregard ceratin media?

We might also consider how the content of said media plays into our choice. Compare the Harry Potter series with something like Pullman's "His Dark Materials." The former is just Halloween made real, while the latter is a subtle (though ferocious), attack against the Christian worldview (per the author's own admission). What about Nietzsche? Dawkins? Harris?

Like most matters in life, I think a blanket answer is impossible, but here are five random thoughts as fodder for discussion:

1) If a Christian man or woman has never had any serious interaction with something that challenges their world view, I would maintain that their faith and witness is significantly weakened. I strongly believe that faith is like a muscle: if it is not used, it atrophies; moreover, if it is not challenged, it will not grow.

2) Christians must thoughtfully engage with their culture. Automatic and uneducated dismissal of non-Christian media is horribly damaging to our witness in the world.

3) We should guard ourselves agaisnt stumbling blocks. If a particularly raunchy movie comes out to much fanfare and discussion, there are ways I can learn about it without compromising my purity (e.g., Wikipedia, IMDB, Amazon). Clearly, we shouldn't watch pornography so that we can better interact with porn-addicted co-workers.

4) As parents, we certainly must take great care in how we walk the balance of guarding our children against that which would harm them, and teaching them to stand firm in a hostile world (c.f., point #1). Pray for wisdom.

5) Rent or borrow if possible; don't buy. I cringe to think of Harris or Pullman getting book royalties because of my purchase. Buying the media is a kind of financial support that we should avoid if possible.

Other thoughts?

Tag, I'm "it."

Danny has "tagged" me with the following questionnaire. I have no idea how they track these tags, nor do I understand the social implications of ignoring one, thus I crumble like so much crumbly stuff. As if blogs weren't already the most self-indulgent creation of the 21st century, allow me to fart and sit on a whoopie cushion at the same time by way of the following smart-alecky orgy of self-indulgence:

1. What translation of the Bible do you like best?

If I can't read the autographs, which I never can, I usually pick up NIV. I have a soft-spot for RSV (ESV), but mostly because Danny doesn't like it.

2. Old or New Testament?

Joke answer #1: The Book of Mormon, a.k.a., the New New Testament.
Joke answer #2: The Pseudepigrapha
Real answer: To paraphrase a Jerry Seinfeld quote (grossly out of context), that's like asking which breath of air is your favorite. So there :P

3. Favorite Book of the Bible?

The Gospel of John, 2 Peter and Hebrews are in a dead heat. 2 Peter might win, since I'd guess Peter the fastest runner. See also answer to question (2).

4. Favorite Chapter?

Even though the question uses the singular, for John, it all has to be all together. Chapters 15-17 if I were held at gunpoint. For 2 Peter: chapter 1. For Hebrews, chapter 10. See also answer to question (2).

5. Favorite Verse?

I will again ignore the singular above: 2 Peter 1:3, Dt. 6:4, Prv. 3:5-6, Rom. 10:9-13, Ps. 31:1-5. See also answer to question (2).

6. Bible character you think you're most like?

The one created in God's image that sins a lot and doesn't deserve God's mercy or favor but receives it anyway.

7. One thing from the Bible that confuses you?

Anything that touches upon the issue of divine sovereignty/human responsibility...and probably 1 or 2 other things per page of text.

8. Moses or Paul?

Danny's analysis here is one of the most smart panted (and funny) things I've read, but I think Moses would still win. He seems better suited for throwing the smack down, as it were. Paul would win a debate though (but I suspect they wouldn't have anything to debate about).

9. A teaching from the Bible that you struggle with or don't get?

I so agree with my brother here, I'm going to quote him verbatim: "The teachings on caring for the poor are something I struggle with, not in understanding them but what that looks like for a 21st century American."

10. Coolest name in the Bible?

Evil-Merodach, king of Babylon! This Sunday at the Centrum-um-um! Evil-Merodach and the 4x4 that transforms into a fire breathing dragon-on! Kids seats just five bucks-ucks!