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Harry Potter a harmless fantasy: What protests about books teach us

Harry Potter: Young readers can discern difference between fantasy and reality

Harry Potter a harmless fantasy: What protests about books teach us
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Most readers of Rowling’s novel Harry Potter – including many Christian readers – interpret the characters’ tutelage in spells and potions as harmless fantasy, or as metaphors for the development of wisdom and knowledge. Photo: Reuters

Trisha Tucker | The Conversation
On Monday, June 26, 2017, Harry James Potter – the world’s most famous wizard – will celebrate his 20th birthday. His many fans will likely mark the occasion by rereading a favorite Harry Potter novel or rewatching one of the blockbuster films. Some may even raise a butterbeer toast in Harry’s honor at one of three Harry Potter-themed amusement parks.

But not everyone will be celebrating Harry’s big day. In fact, a vocal group of Christians – usually identified as “Bible-believing” or fundamentalist Christians – has been resistant to Harry’s charms from the start. Members of this community,