The Church of England is using the magic of Harry Potter to spread the word. It is publishing a guide advising youth workers how to use JK Rowling's wizardry as a "launch pad" for exploring Bible themes. Days before the release of the spellbinder's final adventure, youth leaders are being told they could use the popularity of the Potter books to spread the Christian message. It represents a shift in emphasis for the Church. The Harry Potter books and films have been attacked in the past by evangelicals for allegedly glamorising the occult.Canterbury Cathedral even rejected a request to become a location for the first film, Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone, for fear of upsetting Christians. But in recent years, the Harry Potter phenomenon has received backing from Church figures including former archbishop of Canterbury Dr George Carey. (Sky News)
Opinion
Interesting analogy this. More popularity for the church related to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. This time it is indirectly, with Harry Potter now being linked to the Find Madeleine campaign. It's perhaps only coincidence? But in the light of everything which has been intuited around the Maddy case, I for one don't believe in coincidences anymore.
Also, it is common knowledge that much of the Church's symbolism & ceremonies are derived from the occultic practices of ancient paganism, so it is a basic double standard for Dr George Carey to not wish to be linked to a story immersed in occult themes is it not? Their entire existence is due solely to the same occultic origins? It's just that the way the Church portrays The Occult is different ... and has been made 'the only acceptable way'!
Occultic themes are now truly widespread in children's books, cartoons and films etc .... it is a definite tidal wave of symbolism being thrust upon our unsuspecting younger generations. Symbolism such as that portrayed in Harry Potter films & books, as well as employed in Church ceremonies, is a fact of material life. It is present in every walk of life, including advertising and teaching .... therefore they are unavoidable. It is therefore time that major institutions such as The Church of England are seen to openly 'approve' material that contains these items. Things are only 'the occult' when they are 'hidden knowledge' ... once out in the open with minds aware of their presence, these symbols lose a large percentage of the their 'magical' powers.
In ages past there would be nothing described as The Occult ... because the magic the symbols & rituals contain were employed as natural abilities; they were not hidden. But that is another story. One too complex for this post.