Everyone's Entitled to Their Opinion (Really)

I enjoy Harry Potter. The books. The films.

Do I think anyone younger than 13 should read the books or see the films? No.

Why? Immaturity. Lack of parental involvement in the process of viewing them. Some of the material is quite scary (dragons, dungeons, ghosts, huge spiders, cruelty of Voldemort).

I think the "increasing darkness" many write about only refers to the many deaths of beloved characters as the books go on. There is a war going on between Voldemort's camp and the "good" camp of Harry Potter. The Witchcraft and Wizarding world is split as to how to use their magic for good or bad (in this case, Voldemort wanting to control the world). Voldemort is very dark and evil. The book does not hide this fact. Nor do the films.

The films are creating an imagery that can scare the pants off many youngin's, not to mention adults who are prone to nightmares from such things (I know a few). I would say the same for the Lord of the Rings . . . my youngest was I think four when we went to the theatre to see the first one (I wasn't familiar with LOTR's, my husband was and pushed me to go - glad he pushed me 'cos then I read the books etc., but still: it could have scared my son to death - he was too young).

I do not think it is healthy to be obsessed over the books or the films. They are entertainment and that's it.

I think why this is such a sore spot for me is that I went through the "throwing the first four books in the trash" period of my life that I'd rather forget. That period of my life I was letting other people dictate what I allowed and did not allow in my home. It won't happen again. And, regardless of how kindly people put it into words, I feel left judged (it's human nature to feel this way whether it is true or not) as a bad mother, going to hell in a hand basket, and . . . whenever I read people's reasons for not reading the books or seeing the films when their arguments against it are peppered with Scripture or links to respected sources. I feel guilty for indulging in something everyone says I should avoid.

What I do is this: I screen it and then decided whether my children get to read/see it. Simple. We can then talk about it in a constructive, non-judgemental way. I don't want to feel guilty for enjoying a really rather good set of books and watching their B-movie counterparts. It's just fiction.

And, I'll be honest: I'm not looking for high-moral ground from Hollywood. I go to so few films anyway. I felt more violated in my conscience by watching Iron Man than I ever have watching one Harry Potter film. I think the books are pretty clear in drawing the line between good and evil; they foster good friendships. And, no, honestly, I never would have noticed EVER that Dumbledore was a homosexual. I wasn't looking for it, and after I read the books again when that was made news by the author, I still couldn't see it. It still bothers me that HP never follows the rules, but manages to be the hero and never seriously repremanded because he "saved the day" . . . but in his place, I would have done the same thing: break the rules to save the day, if I felt like I might make a difference for the good of everyone. I think he was more curious than he needed to be, but I have a house full of kids that are more curious than they need to be . . . *smile* . . . and that is why I never stop engaging my kids.

I think anything that becomes an obsession is unhealthy. I have had to point out to my girl that she was walking that line when she read the series over and over and started making lists of all the spells . . . yes, I found them and threw them out. We had a very serious discussion. She put the books up (and I said I would throw out every HP thing she owned - books/films) if she did not get things under control. She put them up so she could find other books to read. She read Narnia after that, among other books.

You never stop being a parent. I watch for signs of obsessive behaviour in my children, because when one thing (other than God) is front and center in their lives, that is when it can be dangerous. I think all those people going to line up at midnight for book releasings were pretty nutty. Keeping their little ones up so late for a book they could get the next day (you know they pre-ordered). There are people who get pretty riled up over Star Trek and Star Wars, too. I get pretty fired up over coffee and chocolate. Any of those things can become unhealthy.

Yes, we'll go see the new film.

I respect every one's opinion and decision on the Harry Potter issue. I'm not writing this to change minds or opinions, but because it seems to be such a hot topic I wanted to share my opinion. I even bought Carpenter-Browns' book on HP and read it with my girl. I am not judging anyone who says NO to HP. I respect that.

In fact, I ADMIRE it. I admire parents who stick to their guns, no matter what the world tells them.

Parents are not wrong or bad for deciding for their children. That's where I leave it. And, I leave it with God. I hope I am not making Him unhappy by exposing my kids and myself to this stuff (this is where I waiver - my loyalty is to God first and I take my job as mum very seriously). bottom line and in factual truth: no one will miss a thing by never reading/seeing HP. Period. It is not important in the large picture.


**if you want a chance to win that HI pin cushion, you can comment in the comment box here, too**winner will be drawn this Friday.