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Book Description
In response to the heated controversy surrounding the Harry Potter phenomenon, Christian Publications is excited to present the book "Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace behind the Magick." (The word “magic” refers to stage illusions by sleight-of-hand, where-as “magick” refers to occult practices.) In this timely book, Richard Abanes -- nationally recognized cult researcher -- skillfully answers the questions parents and others are asking about the mega best-selling series by J.K. Rowling.From the Publisher
In Part One: "The World of Harry Potter, Abanes provides a brief but enlightening summary of each of the first four books. He then exposes the various forms of occultism, some subtle, some more glaring, that are woven into the Potter books. Abanes offers appropriate scriptural responses and discusses numerous psychological and spiritual dangers associated with the Rowling volumes. In Part Two: Out of the Darkness, he presents a critical overview of occultism in America, the place of fantasy in... read moreExcellent Alternative Viewpoint, February 17, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from NEW YORK
Abanes has done an excellent job of providing a counter viewpoint to the wildly positive reviews of the Harry Potter series. I unfortunately assumed that this book would be just another extremist propaganda piece, but to my surprise, it presents in an even-handled way, the controversy surrounding the Harry Potter series.Abanes is a skilled non-fiction writer with a proven track record for offering books built on solid research into complex -- and often emotional -- issues involving religious points of view. His "Harry Potter and the Bible" is no exception. It gives a point-by-point analysis of the HP series, and provides ample DOCUMENTATION to back up his assertions that: 1) Rowling's books contain accurate depictions of modern occult practices (up to 1/3 of the books, according to Rowling, are not imaginary, but based on real occultism); 2) children have already been drawn to the occult via the Potter series; 3) in addition to a few positive lessons about love and friendship, there is an overall negative moral messages that glamorizes lying, seeking revenge, cheating, misbehavior, and other actions inconsistent with the Christian worldview; 4) the HP series is extremely different from works such as those by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
Light on Harry Potter, February 19, 2001
Reviewer: Adam Howell from Greenville, SC USA
Harry Potter and the Bible floods the light of God's word into the dark world of Harry Potter. The author clearly and directly exposes this new hit series for the evil that it contains and the danger to our children that it truly is. His proof is founded in Scripture as well as many books on occultism. Also, the author's proof is documented clearly and professionally throughout the book. The author is frank and honest about the truth that Harry Potter is a threat to our childrens' mental, emotional and spiritual welfare. I would reccomend this book to all who have an open mind and a desire to know the truth about the Harry Potter series.
Reviewer: A reader from Avid Reader-Washington D.C.
It does not surprise me that Harry Potter fans have flooded the amazon.com site with nasty/negative and biased 1-star reviews of "Harry Potter and the Bible." The book -- by well-known cult and occult specialist Richard Abanes -- is a nightmare for HP fans because it outlines and documents the many spiritual and moral problems contained in the Harry Potter series of books.Abanes relentlessly documents each of his arguments so that the reader is faced with only two choices: a) accept the fact that Rowling's books may not be all that great for some kids; or 2) refuse to see the truth, and in so doing, turn away from sound thinking.
Abanes has done a superb job and should be congratulated for cutting through the usual sensationalism and extremism that so often goes hand in hand with controversy. He is a clear, concise, level-headed writer with no religious ax to grind. His book reports the facts. It's up to readers to decide what to do with those facts. Another great title for this book could be "EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT HARRY POTTER, BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK." A book for open-minded, rational thinkers who care about the nature of books being read by kids.
Original and perceptive, March 7, 2001
Reviewer: Kenneth McCormick (see more about me) from Birchrunville, PA United States
This is far and away the most original and perceptive book yet written about the Harry Potter phenomenon. It is a must read for parents and teachers concerned about the content and values expressed to our children through popular entertainment. I'll have to admit that when I first saw the title of the book and some of the highly critical reviews posted here by Harry Potter fans, I was afraid I might be in for some sort of hysterical, intolerant screed, but I was delighted to find that the author's balanced, well-researched, and logical approach should make the book of equal interest to Jews, Christians, and the nonreligious. I'm sure, however, that it will also make Potter fans, parents and teachers who have jumped on the Potter bandwagon, and reviewers who have not done their homework more than a little uncomfortable.
Reviewer: A reader from 18-year old in DALLAS
I love to read controversial stuff just to see different points of view. I've read a lot about the whole Harry Potter controversy and thought I had made up my mind in FAVOR of Rowling and her series. But then, I decided to give Abanes' book a read through since he's supposed to be this well-known religion writer who specializes in occult and cults. WELL, what a shock. He made some pretty interesting observations and used literally hundreds of endnotes to prove his points. VERY IMPRESSIVE. He even listed various arguments used by pro-potter readers and totally annihilated each of them one by one. He spent an entire chapter dealing with the differences between Harry Potter an C.S.Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" and Tolkien's works (really surprising, but logical and clear). This is a great book for parents, and especially teachers. GET THIS ONE. You won't be disappointed.
Reviewer: A reader from St. Louis
Without going on and on about how much this book surprised me, let me just say that every important issue surrounding the Harry Potter controversy is covered by Abanes (comparisons with Lewis and Tolkien, tenets of Wicca, moral relativism, Harry's overall character, etc.). And he does it carefully, accurately, and with lots of solid research to back him up. The guy KNOWS teh subject about which he is writing -- period. Only those persons who do not read very closely (or with a very open mind) could come away from Abanes' book still thinking that Rowling's Harry Potter series does not contain occult practices and morally/ethically confused messages. This one will really open your eyes.
Reviewer: from Missouri
Richard Abanes does an incredibly wonderful job of synopsizing the 4 current Potter books, researching the occult themes, and describing why and HOW these books are possibly and dangerously leading youth into the world of the occult.I am a Christian Counselor in St. Louis and we counsel with many people who have been involved in the occult in some manner. I have read much about Harry Potter and agree wholeheartedly that this material is dangerous for everyone, especially adolescents and children. Many of the people I counsel became involved in the occult through reading such materials or watching videos that deal with occult themes. Even the amount of reading I have done on various cults and witnesses by cult members gets ME to thinking sometimes how cool it would be to have that same evil power...to have all that sex, money, control...yet I know how devastating it is to the personal lives not to mention the spiritual lives of those who are involved in it.
This is a wonderfully written book, easy to understand, and filled with A LOT of useful information...even for those who belive Harry Potter is "harmless fun".
Reviewer: A reader from California
"Harry Potter and the Bible" is an in-depth look at the many spiritual and moral problems contained within the popular Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. It presents the facts about Rowling's use of real world occultism (including historical persons, beliefs, and practices). Abanes' book also covers the moral relativism rampant throughout the Potter series and shows how such messages are inconsistent with biblical standards of right and wrong. It is NOT extreme, but rather, balanced in perspective and provides extensive documentation that anyone can check out for themselves. It's 2 thumbs up volume.
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