[The Pelagic Argosy]

The question I've always had when I come across Christian objections to Harry Potter is: Do these Christians actually believe that magic works?

I don't know what the Catholic stance is, but after reading the Paw Creek article until I got a splitting headache, the answer for these evangelicals is obviously - disturbingly - yes. Harry Potter is, apparently, every bit as true as the Bible. To quote the article: "Without question I believe the Harry Potter series is a creation of hell helping to prepare the younger generation to welcome the Biblical prophesies of demons and devils led by Lucifer himself. Infallible scripture, the Holy Bible, has outlined the end time scenario, and the Harry Potter script sounds exactly like the devil's part...Death, mysteries, strange paranormal powers and scary happenings will become the order of the day. Casting spells, death by voodoo activities, and fearful sights will be worldwide. The Harry Potter book reveals a very enlightening picture of the coming days for those 'left behind' after the Rapture of the saints."

(I apologize for making you read that.)

So my handy "but this is just fiction" argument doesn't hold any water here. "Fiction" is now a meaningless concept. Everything ever written, every idea that pops into one's head (see this author's alarm over Rowling's inspiration on the train) is potentially the all-too-real work of the devil. The Dewey decimal system itself is probably the work of the devil. (I wish I was kidding.)

And if you, like me, read phrases like "scary happenings" as being vague and meaningless, the argument is foiled again. They have some very specific objections. At one point in SS, wormwood is used to make a potion. (The article quotes the exact page numbers, if you doubt), and the article quotes "an anonymous physician and father" who points out that wormwood - which is all too real - contains thujone, a hypnotic drug which is banned by the FDA. "Another record near the end of the book portrays seven bottles containing drug potions: 3 contain poison, 2 contain wine and 2 contain a magic drug which the children are to correctly choose from and drink in order to reach their goal -- the sorcerer's stone, which they are seeking, before the effects of the drug wears off."

So, apparently, if I'm reading this correctly, if I can foil the FDA and get my hands on some wormwood and follow the instructions in SS for making the proper "drug potion," I can find the sorcerer's stone and live forever? That might be a very seductive proposition. Luckily, I am an atheist, and I don't believe in the enticements of the devil any more than I believe in god, and I'm not going to waste my time stirring a cauldron.

(BTW, kudos to the muggle FDA for being on top of the wormwood situation. The Ministry of Magic has obviously overlooked the dangers posed by this hypnotic drug and has failed to keep it out of the hands of wizard children. But, of course, the Ministry has had it's share of problems recently. And, as the Ministry of Magic is a British institution, I don't know if they have any jurisdiction over American drug-potion making.)

All I can say to people who believe that the line between fantasy and reality is nonexistent is: sucks to be you. Sorry, but that's the most coherent answer I can come up with. As an atheist and a Harry Potter fan, I can't answer these charges concerning the "scary happenings." You have my number there. Good luck in your war with the devil and the occult.

If it's any consolation, if you're right, sucks more to be me.