By Amy at Make Me a Mary
Maybe it's because I'm a librarian and librarians are known for being against censorship. But I don't think that's the reason I like banned books.
My all-time favorite series is
Harry Potter. I think it's just phenomenal. When I finished the last book, I was stunned at how J.K. Rowling had orchestrated all the intricate details of such a complex storyline and how she tied things up so neatly--and all in a way I
never expected. I was both stunned and impressed.
It does have witches and wizards and magic, and I struggle with that. But my struggle comes not because of the sorcery in it, but because so many Christians have banned it and I feel guilty that I don't want to.
I'm afraid of witchcraft in real life because I know the Bible speaks clearly against it. But
Harry Potter is
fantasy. The witchcraft in this series seems very different to me than the witchcraft in our world today (not that I know much of anything about it).
But I wonder what's so wrong with Harry Potter as compared to
The Chronicles of Narnia? I dearly love
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But it has witchcraft, too.
Obviously, Aslan's death is an allegory of the Crucifixion, so is that what makes it okay to read, in spite of the White Witch's part in the story? Do Christians find
Narnia superior to
Harry Potter because C.S. Lewis authored other Christian books and J.K. Rowling didn't? What about the themes of good vs. evil? {Click
here to read an interesting article on Rowling discussing the religious themes of
Harry Potter.}
I know that the writings of Rowling vs. Lewis serve two different purposes, and in most cases their works belong in two completely different genres. However, in the case of these two series, not really. They are both young adult literature. They are both fantasy. They both have witches. They are both
wonderful.
But that's just my opinion. Please don't get me wrong--I don't like all banned books. Nor do I like them just because they're banned. It's part of my job as a librarian to consider the book as a whole and decide whether it's a worthy read. But it's human nature that our interest is sparked the moment a book is thrust into the center of controversy.
Take William P. Young's
The Shack, for instance. Supposedly many Christians feel it's theologically un-sound. I'm no theologian, so I'm not sure about any of that, but I do know it's
fiction. And I loved it.
And then there's Rick Warren's
The Purpose Driven Life. Some Christians are really against that one, too. I can't even speak intelligently about why. All I know is that when I read that book several years ago, it drove the point home to me that this life is but a vapor and our we are not here by accident. I even said I'd read it again if I ever lost someone close to me because it would remind me that we are only here on earth for a short time until we are reunited with those we love who've gone on before us. I didn't reread it after all, but its message has stayed with me.
I'm pretty content just keeping my nose in my book rather than worrying about whatever it is people have against the thing I'm having a marvelous time reading. Ultimately, we all have to yield to that still, small Voice.
So my prayer is that He would show me what it's okay and not okay to read. Meanwhile, I thank Him for freedom to read and for the blessing of brilliant authors and their ability to string words together into profound works of art, giving us that wonderful thing we call "books". I can't imagine how different life would be without them.
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Comments (26)
I liked Catcher in the Rye.
I love reading everything I put my hands on, whether banned or not, they simply here to encourage imagination in regards to fiction and expand knowledge in regards to non-fiction. Its never a bad thing imo to learn or be creative. After all HE gave us the ability to use our minds and our talents, while there are good and bad uses, I don't believe reading and writing to be one of the bad ones, most of the time.
I love Of Mice and Men. Excellent book.
A banned-book list is treated like a wish-list by me mostly because I enjoy figuring out what makes people upset. Only a tiny few such as Lolita are obvious. Some of the best life lessons I learned came from fiction books.
the Da Vinci Code was not so bad either
I don't understand the concept of banned books. I mean, we were given free will and thoughts for a reason - that is to say we are allowed to read anything we want, but read critically and not believe in everything we read. Honestly, I doubt kids suddenly converted to "witchcraft" or whatever after reading Harry Potter
I don't read (haven't read a novel since my senior year of high school and never will again), but the idea of banning books to me is disturbing. It's censorship, point blank. And I am 100% opposed to censorship. I don't care how vile, evil, etc. your content is, it's unethical to censor it. Period.
The issue with Harry Potter is that the witchcraft is viewed as a good thing in the book, as where in Chronicles of Narnia the Witches are the evil ones. The bible forbids it because it is demonic. Unfortunately, Harry Potter has lead some to follow in the ways of witchcraft. I know it seems absurd that people would pursue witchcraft after reading a children's fiction book, but it happens.
The Purpose Driven Life, like all of Rick Warren's teaching, isn't biblical but instead full of fluff, confusing law for Gospel, and increasing the burden on people who want to be better Christians. Truth is, there is nothing Christian about the book.
I don't know enough of The Shack to say much. I know it portrays God the Father as a large woman named "Papa" and I've heard it is absolutely terrible.
@MagisterTom@xanga - So what do you make of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which has benevolent people who practice magic? Or The Princess and the Goblin, which was written by a minister? Are fairy tales also demonic? What about Disney movies that feature witchcraft?
Where do you draw the line?
Also, I don't know if the "Harry Potter has led some people to witchcraft" thing is a very good argument for it being an unwholesome series. One could easily make that argument about the Bible, since there have been many, many people who have read the Bible and use verses in it to hurt others. The vast majority of people who've read Harry Potter are not led to witchcraft, just as the vast majority of people who have read the Bible don't want to picket soldier's funerals or kill doctors who practice abortion or attempt to justify raping their daughters because of the story of Lot.
Have you read the Harry Potter series?
@MagisterTom@xanga - And while yes, the White Witch, the Lady of the Green Kirtle, and Uncle Andrew are malevolent, what about Coriakin from Voyage of the Dawn Treader? He is not viewed as evil, yet he is a magician who practices magic.
I just wanted to point out - NONE of these books are banned. wtf, why are "Christians" always trying to make things seem more scandalous than they are? Maybe because not everything in the world is as evil as they are trying to make it seem?
@o_perfect_zen_o@xanga - The American Library Association defines a banned book as any book that has been removed from a collection, thereby restricting its further use by patrons. All of these books have been banned. Some were only in church libraries, but they are still considered "banned".
I can imagine these churches that ban books - extremely devout, I suspect. Devout, faithful, orthodox, godly. If the parishioners are SO incredibly devout, please tell me how one simple book will overturn their entire belief system? How can one children's book or work of fiction turn them evil?
Do you know banning books says to me? The most devout have the biggest issues with their faith.
How many people read Harry Potter? Millions. How many turn to black magic?
.02 percent? Less?
Yet the most "devoted" of them all are so tempted they must ban every other book.
:D Great post.
Just because it is fantasy, or it's a good story that may not mean any harm, doesn't mean it's okay to read or watch. I've learned that is compromising with our faith in Christ, instead of fully walking with Him...
I love reading books! But while I am learning to leave behind all the things that are not good in God's sight, i've learned that even if a book or movie is a great watch, if it has things that are not good in it. Why watch it at all? Aren't I just compromising and doing what I want instead?
Even if it's a good story, connects me to things I love, it can still be wrong to watch or read because it is not based on good things. There is no way of training your mind that a story is not real, it's fantasy so it's okay. I was still hearing, seing and listening to things that I shouldn't dwell on. The more you do these things, the more you will be okay with them. That's what satan wants, he wants to draw you away from the truth.
I liked the stories LOTR, HTTYD, Tangled....
But if it's not pleasing to the Lord, then why not focus on Him and find things that are?
A story is not more important than Jesus.
Tangled had a cute story line, but I noticed that it said the main story about about a flower that came from heaven to heal others (cool, right? I thought so), but then you had to use incantations to use it.
Incantations from heaven? What?
The lord of the rings (I started reading the books before but never finished them), appeared to be based on the Bible or from it...but Gandalf's story seemed to be like Jesus. Jesus was not a wizard!!!
But it's just a story, of course Jesus wasn't a wizard. Wizards are of magic and witchcraft. But even if you don't take it to heart, your still dwelling on bad things! Gandalf may not have been supposed to be Jesus (he wasn't), but he had a very similar story connecting to the bible.
God made me, He knows the things I like to do, so why not focus on Him instead?
He's the one who created this world. I love adventure stories and exploring, i've been realizing it's been all around me all along, that He created.
That's what i've been learning from Jesus in my relationship with Him.
I tossed these out.
That leaves out alot of movies and books i've been finding.
No fun!
But there are tons of other books and stories out there. There is the Bible, which is the best book ever!
I didn't need them, I have found something way more interesting. The truth! Of course, I didn't find it myself...
@makemeamary - That is an awfully ridiculous reach to try to make a sensational headline for a xanga entry. Whatever makes you feel special.
I love books of all kinds. Thank you for a great post!!!
Life must be so sad and limited as a christian :( I'm sorry. :( :( :(
I love Harry Potter too. And I'm suspicious of anybody who bans books. The Nazis did it, after all, and that says it all for me.
@o_perfect_zen_o@xanga - This is Revelife, she's talking about books that have been banned by certain sections of the church. Nothing about her title is "dramatic" considering its 100% accurate!
I find it funny that the Bible has been used to persecute, maim, murder, and condemn thousands...in God's name! And a children's book is banned and flamed by "Christians" because it might sway children to "demonic" ways. Reading fantasy won't corrupt children, incompetent adults and teachings will. God won't toss me into Milton's fantasy hell for reading about Harry Potter, Frodo, or any other magic-chasing hero meant to symbolize innocence and compassion. Magic and wizardry are typically used as PLOT DEVICES. TOOLS. YAY. i is smart, nerrrrr!
Forgive me, I rant sometimes. :3@Syphan@xanga - So true
CS Lewis was a HUGE promoter of Christianity, so I have no idea why his books would be banned. I'm sure his series have massive undertones of Christianity in them.
People just see the word "witch" and jump to conclusions. Harry Potter isn't about wizardry. It's about friendship and love. Anyone who can read should know that.
Why would any C.S Lewis books be banned by a church? C.S Lewis was a Christian and Aslan represented God.
The big problem with the shack was that so many christians were taking it as more than fiction; they literally were starting to think that God acts the way he does in the book and they began to let biblical christianity be taken over by universalism. just an fyi. :)
And I too love Rowling and Lewis!
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha