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ElisabethGrace
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
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I am wondering how those of you who have decided to allow Harry Potter books in your family came to your decision. I have avoided these for so long, partly because of the "sorcery & witchcraft" issues and partly because the genre is just so not me  ! (I did read the first one. I can't remember a thing!)
I now have an almost 13yo who has asked about reading them. He has already read Narnia & LOTR. I guess I've just been so afraid perhaps doing the wrong thing that I've done nothing at all. 
I so value the opinions of the faithful Catholic mothers on this board & please know that I am asking this sincerely and with no intention to start a debate. (I know people can have very strong opinions about this subject.) Please PM me if this question is not appropriate for the boards.
Oh, I've purchased The Catholic Family Guide to HP & it should be here by Tuesday!
Thank you so much!
Angela
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chicken lady
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 5:55pm | IP Logged
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We skip them, follow your gut!!!!
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Red Cardigan
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 6:21pm | IP Logged
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To tell the truth, I've read the books myself (except #7) but don't own them. I'm not planning to let my kids read them until they are much older, but not because of the witchcraft! The truth is, my poor sweet homeschooled kids would be shocked beyond belief at how nasty and mean-spirited kids in school can be to each other (and that's true with or without wands and silly spells)! 
I think that either you (or your DH if you don't like this sort of fiction) might preview the books and then decide if they're appropriate for your son. My honest opinion is that each family has to decide for themselves if and when the books are appropriate for their children.
BTW, if your son likes the magic/adventure genre, has he read any of Lloyd Alexander's books? I know people often recommend the "Black Cauldron" series, but one of my favorites as a teen was "The Marvelous Misadventures of Sebastian."
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 6:40pm | IP Logged
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We allow them. My kids love them and I don't see any problems with them at all.
Not wanting to get into the debate about them, just expressing that we do enjoy the books tremendously.I think they are fabulous.
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Cheryl
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 7:09pm | IP Logged
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I read the books myself, but I don't read them to my dc. If they are interested in them when they are older, I will probably allow it then.
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Lisbet
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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We don't allow them. I've followed my gut feelings on this, and it seems to have 'rubbed off' on my kids too.
The hype surrounding this creeps me out. It's a different feeling element to me than LOTR and Narnia, I can't quite put my finger on it.
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helene
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 7:24pm | IP Logged
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I let my 12 and olders read them. They need to be old enough to have some discernment about the many things in there. Also I would rather these books be summertime "potato chip" reading, not taking up valuable schoolyear evenings. But they are great fun.
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SuzanneT
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We read them. But, as with anything, they are not for everyone. We set the beginning age for reading these at 12. My older two, ds-17 & dd-15 have read all of the books. However, my youngest, who is now 12, will probably never read these...or LOTR. Just too intense for her. Mind, this is the gentle soul who still tears up during the "Sound of Music" 
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chicken lady
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Since you asked about this related to Catholism I thought I would link you to what our dearHoly Father has to say about these books. This is an article referencing his comments. Sorry I cannot find the direct link.
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aussieannie
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No we don't allow them - The words of the Chief Exorcist of Rome, Fr Gabriele Armorth have in particular, formed alot of my feelings. He is widely experienced in his field and he has publicly condemned the books twice, here and here to read the comments on both occasions.
Here is Steve Wood's links and articles on the subject, I found the article, Harry Potter: Agent of Conversion particularly interesting.
It is a touchy subject I know and everyone must make their own decision for their children but if you are not sure, it is important to be informed on both sides of the debate.
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chicken lady
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 9:13pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Anne those are some other great links.
I always go back to there is not enough time to read the classics, let alone questionable literature. What is the saying "So many books, So little time"....
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helene
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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Oooooooh, Anne, you are making me think twice.....
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juststartn
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My oldest is only 7 now, so she's not even discussed an interest in them...
But I'm not going to let them. Too many reasons not to, not enough to let them.
Rachel
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missionfamily
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Our oldest is still too young for these, but has asked about them and the movies. We have decided not to allow it. I would probably consider after 12, but dh probably will not, so looks like we'll stick to other tried and true classic fantasy.
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Macmom
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I was fearful of them after Michael O'Brien's scathing reviews, but my dad (a deacon and a big Scott Hahn fan, so you know where he is coming from) was reading them, so I borrowed his copies.
As an English teacher, I find them entertaining stories, and she is an engaging writer with an eye for detail. These aren't "classics," they are more like "Gone with the Wind;" they tell a good yarn, but we won't be reading them in 100 years!
Your question is more about the spiritual content. Faithful Catholics can disagree about this issue, without excommunicating each other. Since I have read them, I allow the children to read the ones I find appropriate to their spiritual maturity (yes, ages 11+ are probably best!) Its up to eaxch family to decide. And they make good discussion material. Is Harry a good friend? Was there another way he could have done that action? What makes some people choose evil?
My oldest dd (15) just finished the last book. She insists we not let her younger siblings read it, it is full of sacrifice ending in death, people laying down their lives for their friends, and unrepentant evil. It made her cry to see good people die. (Don't want to give away any plot details!) I'm halfway through the book, myself. But she has already come to me and her dad to talk about evil in the world, and how easier it would be if evil was as personified as Voldermort, and easy to recognize. Instead, evil comes in the REAL world wrapped in the lovely ribbons and bows of freedom and choice.
I like books that open up a dialogue like that.
Your choice, mom.
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Macmom
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Oh, and I like Jimmy Akin's rebuttal to the Lifesite article on the pope's "judgement" on the HP books. Two sides to this story.
http://www.jimmyakin.org/2005/07/pre16_on_harry_.html
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Cay Gibson
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Macmom wrote:
I like books that open up a dialogue like that.
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YOu are so right. Well, said.
I haven't read the HP books so I really can't make a defense. Despite not having read HP, I will say that we're pretty liberal around here with literature but there is a constant flow of conversation about what we read. I want my children to be able to discern good literature.
I am with Molly in the fact I tend to think there is enough great literature out there that needs to be read instead of the stuff coming out today. But I read a lot of "stuff" back in my younger days and am just now getting around to the "good" stuff in my 30s and 40s. So who am I to talk?
Right now I'm trying to get my oldest dd (age 17) interested in Jane Austen and Bronte. But, personally, I think HP is safer than her reading "Wuthering Heights".
When I was a young child (third grade), I read Ruth Chew books and watched Bewitched every week on TV.
There are days my children might think I'm a witch, but I swear...I'm not.
Why didn't it go beyond third grade and a simple witch flying around on a vacuum cleaner (Wednesday Witch )?
Because my parents talked to me, they took me to church, and they talked to me and they taught me right from wrong and good from evil and real from myth and fairy tales from real life.
And I was almost smart enough to know that there was no such thing as a witch flying around on a vacuum cleaner. I mean, get real!
All of us are the type parents who will do the same with our own children. If you don't want the books in your house, not buy them. Don't check them out. It's called freedom! Trust your instincts. Follow your guts. And talk to your children.
In one way or another you child has probably been exposed to HP. Nancy gives you a guide book on how to handle the whole Potter pandemonium or phobia.
Nancy Brown repeatedly says that she is not telling parents they have to read the books to their children; but, if your child comes to you wanting to read them, asking to read them, or perhaps has already read one, then she gives you tips and discussion Q/A to help you.
Your child are more open-minded to your views than you think they are.
It's better to cover these issues inside your home within the pages of a book rather than outside your home in the real world where there are no boundaries or bookends.
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Helen
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| Posted: July 21 2007 at 11:35pm | IP Logged
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One of those life changing books for me was Michael O'Brien's
Landscape with Dragons
He made me think beyond the "classic" label. In other words, just because something is a "classic" doesn't mean it is a "good" book. Since then I've been a real fan of O'Brien and I follow his advice.
Here are Michael O'Brien's reviews:
Four Reasons Against
Further Explanations
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aussieannie
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Macmom wrote:
| Faithful Catholics can disagree about this issue, without excommunicating each other. |
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Thank goodness!  It is good to be able to discuss this subject with firm thoughts but with gentle feelings of respect and admiration, despite our differences, towards all those we love on the forum.
(What I mean is, with this gentleness we are freed to really express our true feelings and that is so nice, the discussion can be had!)
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Leonie
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We read the HP books - and find so much to talk about before, during and after the reading. Loyalty, friendship, mercy, sacrifice, laying down one's life for another, role of parents......My kids read so much that there is time for both modern fiction and the classics. 
The Church does allow us to make our own judgements as parents in many areas, after considering all points of view. So, I appreciate that my judgement call may differ from others and thus we are careful not to discuss the HP books and other fantasy books with the children of friends who have banned these.
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Topic: Catholicism & HP (contains spoilers)
