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Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca Witchcraft and the Bible ReviewMonths ago, I got into an e-mail discussion with Steve Wohlberg, the author of this book "Hour of the Witch" about Harry Potter. He then e-mailed an advanced copy of this book to me saying he hoped I would find it more convincing than a little booklet he wrote on the subject.
This book is mostly second hand research from a biased source. (See my book review of "Harry Potter and the Bible" by Richard Abanes.) Steve Wohlberg takes misinformation from Richard Abanes's book and transfers it into "Hour of the Witch."
How do I know this? Because in so many areas in Wohlberg's endnotes he acknowledges that many of his research basis are "Quoted by Abanes."SECTION ONE
Here are some errors which Wohlberg transfered from Abanes's book:
#1. Wohlberg, like Abanes, cites 2 interviews which J.K. Rowling gave to prove that she transfered occultism in her series. In one interview mentioned, given on October 12, 1999 for WBUR, a Wiccan told Miss Rowling that she did her "homework quite well." Wohlberg then continues to say that the Wiccan loved the books because they portrayed his beleifs positively and made his daughter comfortable with his involvement in the occult. This is misleading. I have the transcript of the discussion. The Wiccan did indeed tell Rowling, "You do your homework quite well," however, any unbiased researcher will be able to tell you that the only "homework" in the series is nothing more than folklore. And to top it all off, the Wiccan never said that the series portrayed his beleifs and made his daughter comfortable with his involvement in the occult. All he said was that he had Rowling's books and his step-daughter had in interest in them as well. He said it brought the family together. That's all----- The next interview mentioned was given on October 20, 2000 for WAMU's Diane Rehm. Wohlberg says that in this interview that Rowling addmited that one-third of her Harry Potter series was based on actual occultism. I have the transcript of this conversation as well. This never happened. All Rowling said was that one-third of her series was based on folklore from Britain. She said "Folklore." Not "Occultism." The two are not one and the same.
In his e-mail to me, Wohlberg told me to especially read Chapter 7, "The Potion," to see how J.K. Rowling weeves fantasy and reality togather. After reading the chapter my mental responce was "Oh, yeah. And your point is...?" His chapter is basically how Rowling weeves British Mythology in her books. So What? Weeving fantasy with reality or mythology is not a new or necesarily a dangerous idea. Even Christian authors do it. What makes Rowling so special? Because she writes books that kids actually like? (And by the way, J.K. Rowling is a Christian of the Church of Scotland). But, I digress, none of the mythology in Rowling's books are Occultic. If his definition of occultism was reality then wee would have to rid ourselves of "Lord of the Rings," "Narnia," and others.
#2. He cites an article from "This is London" entitled "Potter fans turning to witchcraft." However, this article (and I read it) give little or no proof to back up its claim. It's bassically an "I feel this is happening" piece. There is a small area of that article which Harry-Potter-Haters avoid (which I forgott to mention in my review of Abanes's book.) This article points out that minors under 18 are not allowed to join the Wiccan craft. So, it actually defeats its own case. It doesn't prove anything against Harry Potter.
Wohlberg also appears ignorant that polling data says that despite a large following that Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and other magical shows, the occult in the U.S. and Europe, according to a ZENIT survey on cesnur.org, remains under 0.1%. That survey also mentions that despite a huge following of Harry Potter in Europe, the occult there is in decline.
SECTION TWO
The following are not Abanes Errors
#3. Wohlberg makes connections between Harry Potter and Wicca which do not exist. In one place he tries to make a case that Harry Potter teaches Wicca because it mentions Witch Burnings.
He also says that both Wicca and Harry Potter Witches are seen as gifted souls. Unfortunately for Wohlberg's case, this is not even mentioned in Harry Potter. It doesn't exist in the series.
He also says that Harry Potter teaches Wicca because Wiccans beleive using Magick to do good and to protect. This is a bogus connection. This makes the "Wizard of Oz" and "Lord of the Rings" look evil because the same thing happens there.
#4. Wohlberg then says that Harry Potter paints most Muggles (non-magical folk) as stupid because Harry's non-magical relatives abuse him. News to Wohlberg, Rowling is talking about one family here. Saying this shows Harry Potter is anti-muggle is like saying a movie about Pearl Harbor is anti-Japanese.
A common misconception that Wohlberg and other "harry Haters pass on is that Harry Potter contains the Wiccan beleifs. I have researched Wicca and this is not true and Wiccans agree with me. Allow me to cite reliable sourses which back me up:
The Following is an exerpt from a news article written by Ben Roy entitled "Wiccans Dispute Potter Claims." It is available at Cesnur.org:
"While an Alexandria woman is trying to ban the readingaloud of Harry Potter books at Bristol Elementary School because she says they promote Wicca, practicing members of the religion disagree.
Local Wiccans have come out against the claim the books promote their religion. They said the book is fiction, and does not represent their beliefs in any way.
" 'It really doesn't have anything to do with us,' said Peter Mather, an initiated Wiccan priest who lives in Plymouth.
Mather said he has examined the books and found nothing having to do with his religion.
" 'I've bought these books myself for my kids,' Mather said.
He said he finds no problem with them. He said a person who would ban them because they think the books promote Wicca is 'another intolerant person.'
" 'I've read these books, since I wanted to see what was in them before I gave them to my kids, and I must say that these books no more promote witchcraft than `Anne of Green Gables' promotes moving to Nova Scotia,' Mather said.
END OF EXERPT.
Dana Corby, a Witch on "Witchvox.com says, "Then the media wanted to talk to 'real witches' about it. And in every interview we told them that Harry Potter was a charming fantasy and a great read, but that (1) it does not even vaguely resemble real magic, (2) it does not encourage (much less teach) witchcraft or sorcery, and (3) it has nothing to do with satanism. And by the way, (4) neither do we."
Terry Paajanen, a witch at "paganwiccan.about.com says on her Harry Potter web page, "Wiccans worship both a God and Goddess, though there is no mention of any form of Deities at all in the Harry Potter series. Wicca is a religion after all, not just the act of casting spells. Why, there is no spirituality in these books and movies at all!"
She continues to say, "As I searched the Internet looking for pro-Potter sites, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the number of articles and sites dedicated to "exposing the evil truths about Harry Potter". What surprised me even more was the blatent lies and false information they contain. The biblical references used to back up their claims are questionable at best, and all of them are focused on the evils of magick and Witchcraft. The connection between J.K Rowling's books and Witchcraft is all in their heads. The 'experts' don't really know anything about Witchcraft at all, and it's a shame that they are the ones yelling the loudest."
Not proof enough? How about Wiccan Kerr Cuhulain telling anti-Potterite Jack Roper who said that HP is full of Wiccan concepts that it was "only full of what he thinks are witchcraft concepts" but are far different from "the reality of Wicca"? (Comment available at witchvox.com)
These are the Witchcraft/Wiccan practitioners talking. Don't tell me non-practitioners know more than they do.
There is so much more evidence which vindicated Harry Potter. if you want to know more, e-mail me at krissmith567@hotmail.com
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I cannot recommend this book, but I want to recommend "Looking for God in Harry Potter" by John Granger.
Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca Witchcraft and the Bible OverviewMillions of children across the globe are enjoying the magical adventures of Harry Potter. Are these harmless fantasies or is a sinister spirit lurking behind the best-selling books? Hour of the Witch: Harry Potter, Wicca, Witchcraft, and the Bible scrutinizes these popular tales from a spiritual standpoint. Sorcery, séances and the supernatural are essential to Harry Potter's escapades. So parents should be aware of how all this wizardry influences their kids. Does being immersed in images of witchcraft have a lasting impact on an impressionable mind? Learn the truth behind Harry Potter and how to protect your children from being bewitched.
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