The controversial world of Harry Potter

With the long-awaited last installment of Harry Potter out in cinemas last week, everyone has been buzzing about the movie. I haven't seen it, because I'm not a huge fan. It's visually appealing with an intriguing plot and amazing acting, but I'm not crazy about the scary moments in the film when evil is so... terrifying. So I've seen all previous Harry Potter movies, but that was only because my friends wanted to, there was nothing else worth watching, and I was curious to experience the magic of Harry Potter for myself. Honestly, it's not a big deal to me; it's mere entertainment, just like any other movie.

Last week, we had a morning devotion about the worldwide phenomenon that is Harry Potter, and it made me realize a lot of things. So here is my two cents about the good and evil side of Potter.

Bad

• It portrays the world of magic in a very welcoming, non-threatening, fascinating, and wonderful manner, which is totally unlike the real world of 'magic' - dark, disturbing, and evil.
• Since witchcraft looks so enticing in the movie (and lead characters are people just like you and me), tons of people around the world are attracted to it and have been signing up to become witches and wizards, without realizing what they're getting themselves into.
• This movie is targeted at kids and teens, who are mostly innocent-minded and have no idea how to discern what's right and wrong. They only see the surface of the movie, and they don't realize the implications of getting involved in the occult.
• There's the ripple effect, which we can see by the huge increase in magic books and movies and toys and schools that have popped up all over the world. Magic has become harmless and popular.

But on the other hand, you can say it's just a movie - mere entertainment - so there's no need to get all huffy about it because as long as we're able to discern what's good and bad (and stay away from the bad), it's fine to watch the movie and read the book.

Also, God calls us to be in the world but not of it. To be able to relate to people, we have to be able to connect with their interests, their pop culture, their likes, and their dislikes. If we draw the line at Harry Potter, what about all the other junk that's out there? Most movies have sex scenes or implications of sex, sleeping around is promoted in most TV shows, there's tons of violence in action and horror movies, popular music has awful lyrics that talk about alcohol, women, money, and sex... the list can go on forever. What makes Harry Potter worse than any of these other things? Is it because the occult is a darker and greater stronghold than perhaps violence or sexual promiscuity?

Are we to hide ourselves away in a cave to run away from this corrupted world so we don't open our minds to such wickedness? I don't think so. If we do that, we'll be unable to reach out to others because they'll think Christians are freaks who don't understand their culture at all. But then, if we do everything the world does and act like everyone else, what sets us apart from nonbelievers?  

My mind is filled with questions galore. I'm not entirely sure where I stand on this issue, because I think it's a fine line. I don't think we can draw a line between black and white and say 'this is right' and 'that is wrong,' because there's a heck of a lot of grey areas.

I think it's up to the individual to evaluate and discern for his or herself. If you think doing something will stumble yourself or even your fellow brother or sister, then don't do it. But if you think you're okay with simply watching or listening to something and you won't be affected by it, then go ahead. Although... there is some truth to the fact that everything we expose our minds to has some sort of impact on our subconsciousness.

So... I really don't know.
Because... I love my TV shows, I love my hip hop songs, and I love my celebrity magazines. Yes, I know they all promote sex, drunkenness, promiscuity, unhealthy body image, materialism, and all that. And I admit, I have been influenced by their moral standards. But they're so entertaining, and to some degree, addicting. However, I honestly have connected to people (especially nonbelievers) on some level by talking about our identical interests in these things. Maybe there is a better way to relate to people besides this, or maybe if my walk with God is stronger I will somehow be immune to the corruption of the world... I'm not sure.

This issue is just confusing, and it's one I struggle with a lot. I'm a huge advocate for being up-to-date on popular culture, especially since I have a media communication degree, because even with all the filth and dirt that's in pop culture nowadays, it still has its redeeming qualities. Plus, let's face it - the entire world is consumed and affected by pop culture, and I believe the mass media can be one of the most effective ways to reach out to people.