"Harry Potter could lead to Satanism"
By bimmer999
@bimmer999 (1159)
Philippines
December 29, 2006 1:53am CST
THE Vatican's chief exorcist yesterday claimed the Harry Potter stories could lead children into Satanism.
Father Gabriele Amorth said: "You start off with Harry Potter, who comes across as a likeable wizard, but you end up with the Devil.
"There is no doubt that the signature of the Prince of Darkness is clearly within these books."
Father Amorth, 80, who has carried out more than 3000 exorcisms since 1986, said: "By reading Harry Potter a young child will be drawn into magic and from there it is a simple step to Satanism and the Devil."
The series of books, whose popularity with children has made millions for author JK Rowling, has already been criticised by Pope Benedict XVI.
Three years ago, before becoming Pope, he said the character was a bad influence because the stories contained "seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly".
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what do you guys think?
8 responses
@wertzburg1 (200)
• United States
7 May 07
Harry Potter is a children's story written by a woman with a great imagination. It's a story. It's not from the devil.
If so, we might as well say throw away your imaginations and start acting like drones because everything creative is from the devil.
People that think Harry Potter is the devil, get over yourselves. You have a lot more to worry about than a wizard and his crazy adventures.
1 person likes this
@aureliaz (1177)
• Singapore
29 Dec 06
I agree with the first response, this is absolutely ridiculous. I don't see how a story about the journey of a boy who learns, matures and takes on new responsibilities can lead to Satanism. It's just so absurd..."seductions which act unnoticed"? Utter nonsense in my opinion.
1 person likes this
@rmuxagirl (7548)
• United States
22 Jan 09
I think that is just ridiculous. I have read the books and I think they are great novels that help kids form an imagination. As a Christian I do not think that it could lead to Satanism. What kind of seductions does this series show for kids...it opens a world of reading and imagination. I loved the books and would allow my children to read them if I had any.
@student7 (1002)
• United States
8 May 07
I think that ignorance in the chruch is what I can label it. I think that these die hard Harry Potter haters just look at the movies and books as witchcraft. What they don't see is the enjoyment and the increase in book sales and literacy with the books.
Yeah like Harry Potter could lead to Satanism. Yeah and thinking too hard could lead to a stroke. I didn't read anywhere in the book or saw in the movies anything leading people to satanism.
I really think that the Catholic religion has some really interesting nut jobs. Now I am not bashing all Catholics, I am friends with some really super nice Catholics. I know some Catholics that really enjoy the Harry Potter movies and books, so does that mean that they will turn to satanism. I think the some of the catholic and christian leaders have nothing better to do than bash a totally fictious book and movie. They haven't gone after A Series of Unfortuante Events. Why is that? They didn't go after, The Wizard of Oz, why is that? Why do they just focus on Harry Potter?? The answer because he is a wizard. They think that they teach real spells in the books and movie. I think that they are so full of it.
@amgine (225)
• Philippines
8 May 07
i actually think they have a point. no im not catholic, but seriously they do have a point.
@student7 (1002)
• United States
12 May 07
Are you serious? It is just fiction. What about Artemous Fowl or Lord of the Rings or even the Chronicles of Narnia? I don't think anything written purely out of a brilliant imagination warrants the question of promoting satanism. I feel that a lot of people are very close minded about this. I am a christian and I read it not to head towards satanic activities but purely for the simple joy of reading a truly brilliant piece of fiction.
What everyone needs to stop and realize is that it is just fiction. The author who wrote this was just using her brilliant imagination to make some money. Here is a side not for the Harry Potter bashers. Before she became wealthy with this successful series, she was, at one time homeless. She told these stories to her children. She then decided to write these stories down.
Ok you want to get to what could lead to satanism, how about Bram Stoker's Dracula? Think about that one.
@smacksman (6053)
•
8 May 07
Quote:- Father Amorth, 80, who has carried out more than 3000 exorcisms since 1986 ;- end quote.
That says it all. The man is living in a dream world already.
