Christian parents should be fine with letting their children watch the new Harry Potter series

For an alternative view see here.

When I was younger, the Harry Potter books were still coming out. I remember my dad specifically taking my older sister to wait outside the bookshop to get a copy of The Deathly Hallows – and then, horror upon horror! – making her go to bed rather than read it through the night.

For us, the stories were about friendship, bravery, and trust. The role of magic—while incredible—played a smaller part in the stories. Not only this, but as we got older and started to experience more of the world, Harry Potter enabled us to apply the lessons we’d learnt from the series to real-world scenarios, without the emotional weight that comes with watching real-life films. The situations that helped guide us through the tough teenage years were ones that encouraged ethics and maturity, rather than an exploration into the occult, paganism, or witchcraft.

The elements of sorcery in Harry Potter and other series like The Lord of the Rings are often seen as bad. Some Christian parents worry that by opening the door to fictional magical worlds, it will open a gateway into the real, mysterious world, where the lines are loosely drawn and anything can happen.

writers like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis invite magic into our lives as mythology, not as manual

However, in Harry Potter, it is clear to me that the lines between good and evil are starkly defined. They show good battling evil and someone saving the world. While magic plays an important part, it is not the first thing that stands out. I understand that this is a concern for parents—that you may feel you’re leading your children toward a different and unchristian life. But rather than desensitising children to witchcraft, these stories invite them to think critically about right and wrong, helping them develop empathy and resilience in a complex world.

As parents, you know your child. You know what they can and can’t handle. But they also need the chance to learn for themselves. While spiritual safeguarding is important, I believe writers like Tolkien and C.S. Lewis invite magic into our lives as mythology, not as manual. Magic and sorcery are woven so deeply into the books that children and young people read that it brings a wondrous warmth and safety that reality often lacks. Reading or watching these stories won’t shield them entirely from the real chaos that can exist—nor will it encourage them towards it. Instead, these stories guide them through narratives that can introduce conversations on values, growing up, discrimination, and even politics.

There is a big gap between simply enjoying the childish wonder of magic spells and mythical beasts and studying how to summon demons or place curses on people. Watching or reading these stories doesn’t promote or encourage a descent into sorcery and witchcraft—it gives children a chance to develop their understanding of the world. Harry Potter and other series that explore mythical worlds have huge fan bases—not because they encourage young people to study paganism or Wicca, but because they are exciting and beautifully written. They speak to imagination and creativity, as well as to what children can experience in the real world.

magic isn’t just spells and sorcery—it’s the spark of a vivid imagination, and that’s something that should be nurtured, not feared

The themes that run through Harry Potter promote equality, compassion, caring about who people become rather than where they’re from, and show that money isn’t everything and that people can always surprise you. These, I think most people would agree, are positive and impactful lessons that children can learn during their most formative years. They can also learn these lessons in a safe space, where emotions like grief and fear are transformed into symbolic challenges—like a dragon.

These stories can allow more adolescent feelings to be explored – things they might not feel comfortable talking to their parents about. They’re not simply escaping into a make-believe world; they’re learning to navigate the complexity of the real one. No child truly believes their parent when they say, “I know how you feel,” and no matter how close you are, that’s unlikely to change—unless, perhaps, you have a really good story. Characters in books and films can relate in ways a person might only subconsciously recognise, and children can use this as their outlet.

I remember the summer holidays being filled with stories of Narnia and Hogwarts. I remember the joy and wonder and begging my dad to finish just one more page! I remember discussing with my siblings over the dinner table how we would defeat the ancient beasts and evil wizards—the vast amounts of problem-solving that always ended in hilarity.

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In specific regard to the new Harry Potter series being released by HBO, I don’t know what topics it will spark. The series has a much more diverse cast of actors, and J.K. Rowling has said she hopes it gives “a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long-form television series.” Parents, you can use this time to encourage your children to learn—encourage them to speak up, and bond with them over these conversations. Watching or reading these stories together can spark deeper conversations and more time together, rather than children darting back to their computer games as soon as dinner is over. It’s an opportunity—not a hindrance—to a family way of life, one that can promote connection rather than build barriers.

While parents are right to be cautious and careful, you need to remember that at some point your child will grow up. They will be open to a whole new world, where they are in charge of the decisions they make. After reading Harry Potter, is it more likely that they’ll pick up a book with a character practising Wicca and say, “That’s a fun story,” or that they’ll dive headfirst into its mysteries? By taking the suspense and intrigue out early, aren’t you encouraging them to see it all as the fairy tale it is? Rather than forcing them to feel anxious or fearful—and perhaps subconsciously feeding their interest in something that could lead them away from God?

In the end, magic isn’t just spells and sorcery—it’s the spark of a vivid imagination, and that’s something that should be nurtured, not feared.

For an alternative view see here.