I don't get it either. Some radicals think it encourages young people to be interested (even become involved ???) in themes regarding the ocult. I consider myself someone with a healthy ammount of common sense, so I don't see the rationale in it either, besides extreme fanatism.

By definition: occult: Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena. Beyond the realm of human comprehension; inscrutable. There is no real rationale other than blind ignorance. The books are works of fiction, as the author has stated over and over again. Personally, I'm a bit tired of the book-burning/banning thing. Didn't we get over this decades ago?

there is no rationale and since the pope likes it, i dont see why other christians should have a go at it. it doesnt encourage magic, it might create an obsession with it, but thats the same with other fantasy/sci fi books. the books deal with fundamental human values which makes it good

Heaven only knows!!!!

Well, I guess people are scared it might make children want to go try magic out, simply because they think Harry Potter is cool, and want to emulate him. However, the kind of magic in the Harry Potter books is extrememly fictional, and does not resemble actual magic (ie wicca) very much at all. Plus, Rowling is a Christian, and refused to talk about her faith for a long time because she said it would give away the ending of the series. Turns out Harry Potter is one huge Christ allegory. It's The Golden Compass I'm worried about. http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

The rationale against the Harry Potter books isn't SIMPLY because they are about magical people. When you put it that way, it does seem harmless. The rationale is that in the Bible, God is against sorcery and anything that glorifies sorcery. This is mentioned more than once.

It's okay to read the Harry Potter books as long as you aren't inspired by them and start practicing sorcery. In other words, when you read them you should consider them as a work of fiction and nothing more.

They get many children into witchcraft and the Occult. I do not think that Christians should promote them or let their children read them. Thank you and may God bless you. :) -In Jesus' Name.

I am almost positive that the Catholic Church is NOT against Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure the pope said that he enjoyed them.

People are ignorant hypocrites. Sometimes I wonder why they can't connect the dots between Catholic and like rituals, and religions like Paganism.

The fact that some religious people are adamantly opposed to make-believe ideas like "magic" and "wizards" should, I think, suggest what type of people we are dealing with. They seem not to be very grounded in reality.

Shades of Ray Bradburys Fahrenheit 451 if you ask me.

There is no rationale for something that's spawned out of sheer ignorance. And that's all it is. They don't interest children in the occult. The magic that takes place in the books has literally NOTHING in common with "real" magic (Wicca, etc.). They actually teach kids very strong morals. Anti-Potter fundies not only don't realize this, they're also too ignorant to acknowledge the difference between fantasy and reality. The vast majority of them haven't even READ the books, and yet talk about them like they know everything about them.

Art is art. Art tells the truth. Fantasy is Fantasy. Harry Potter 'magic' is fine according to a biblical God because they do not condone calling up spirits of the dead or demons. Some people are just afraid of what they are not familiar with. OMG! They do magic in a popular fictional work!! It must be EVIL!! lol.

These people have accepted the label of magic, but are not wise enough to judge people by their fruits, which their Biblical God told them to do. Mostly this is their loss. But they can also be scary neighbors for the rest of us.

the rationale behind it is that it involves supernatural and occult activities. Even if the magic that happens in the books is of the fun and frivolous nature, it's still deals with the occult and supernatural. Basically, there are things that act as doorways for spiritual manifestations. These things are: tarot cards, things used in the practice of the occult, even music and books. just about amything that has an occult theme if kept in the home can invite supernatural activity into your home. sometimes the supernatural activity is so under the radar as to be almost undetectable. it could happen in a variety for formats: from children wanted to experiment with drugs, to feelings of depression to your spouse wanting to have an affair, all around back luck, financial problems, or it could take a more drastic turn: poltergeist activity. Another reason why to avoid such things is because: "God judges nations", this basically means that an entire group of people are held accountable for what one person does. some of the stuff going on in someones family from affairs, sickness, etc could be traced to occult items, of any format, kept in the home and acting as a doorway for the supernatural.

your asking humans for their opinion on Gods point of view?