Should believers read young adult fiction with witchcraft themes like Harry Potter?
Introduction
Popular young adult fiction, epitomized by the Harry Potter series, is saturated with themes of magic, spells, and sorcery. This presents a direct challenge to the Christian, who knows that the Bible strictly forbids the actual practice of witchcraft, divination, and the occult.
The ethical dilemma is whether fictional magic—a literary device used in fantasy to symbolize power, choice, and good vs. evil—falls under the same prohibition as real occultism (attempting to gain spiritual power through means other than God).
Main: Three Principles for Christian Discernment
The decision to read or allow fantasy involving magic is a matter of Christian conscience, guided by these three biblical principles.
1. The Distinction Between Reality and Fiction
The Bible's prohibitions against witchcraft are aimed at real spiritual danger and rebellion against God.
Condemnation of the Occult: The command is clear: “There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead” (Deuteronomy 18:10-11). These practices involve seeking power or knowledge outside of God, which is rebellion.
Literary Device: Fictional magic in fantasy literature is typically a narrative tool governed by arbitrary rules created by the author (like wands, spells, potions). It is not a guide for spiritual practice. The story's true themes are usually universal moral concepts like love, sacrifice, friendship, and facing death—themes fully compatible with the Gospel.
2. The Mandate for Purity and Self-Control (The Conscience Test)
A Christian must guard their heart and mind against any influence that draws them away from God.
Avoiding Stumbling Blocks: The danger lies in whether the fantasy makes real-life occult practices seem appealing or normal, or if it causes the reader to substitute the wonder of Christ (miracles, the power of the Holy Spirit) for the false wonder of magic.
Individual Conscience: If a Christian finds that reading fantasy with magic themes causes them spiritual anxiety, draws them toward sin, or weakens their trust in God, they should immediately stop. Paul reminds us: “Happy is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves” (Romans 14:22). This is a personal matter of conscience.
3. Focus on the Moral Message
The ethical value of any story ultimately rests on the moral lessons it promotes.
Biblical Virtues: Fantasy stories like Harry Potter often strongly champion clear biblical virtues: self-sacrifice (the love that protects), humility, the rejection of evil power, and the triumph of love over death. The ethical conclusion is that the reader is often being fed moral truth, even if the packaging contains fictional magic.
The Power of Discernment: Ultimately, the Christian is called to use discernment (Hebrews 5:14) to separate the form (fictional magic) from the substance (the moral message).
Conclusion
Should believers read young adult fiction with witchcraft themes? It is ethically permissible if done with careful discernment, recognizing the difference between fiction and the forbidden practice of the occult.
If you choose to read or allow this genre, use it as a teaching opportunity: talk about the difference between fantasy and the Holy Spirit's power, and always ensure that the ultimate source of wonder and life in your heart is Jesus Christ.
