Customer Reviews
DON'T WASTE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY... 
2006-05-16
First off, sit down and think for yourself if your kids are so close to converting to another religion that you have to censor what they read, and think. If you tell a child or teen not to do something, they will do it when you are not around. You tell them not to read Harry Potter books, or see the movies, be assured that they will. Just when your not around and they will be left alone to make up their own decisions. The best thing to do is to watch, or read Harry Potter with your kids and make sure they understand that it is fantasy. Explain the difference between the facts about Wicca, Satanism, and the fantasy in the books/movies. Because that's what it is, fantasy, not facts.
Secondly make sure you get it straight that Wicca, and Satanism is not the same thing, and has nothing to do with each other. They are two unique and completely different religions. They won't listen if you get the info wrong, because you didn't do your own research. They can easily check what you say from many sources. So get it right, so they will have more faith in what you tell them. Satanism being terrible, and Wicca being mostly misunderstood.
A little background on me. I was a devout Christian for 15 years to the point where I wouldn't say the Lords name, unless in prayer. Now I am Wiccan. I converted at a time when, if you said the name Harry Potter, I would have thought it was someone from work, or school. I had no idea who Harry Potter was, but even if I had it would not of influenced me either way, because I understand it is only fantasy. Something you have to teach your kids, if they don't already know. I only heard about Harry Potter when the movies came out, and that was years after converting. I spent years studying religions (12 different ones), including the ones I mentioned. I am not even Christian, and I hate Satanism. So don't confuse my religion with a vile one like that!
Thirdly, you're all intelligent and caring parents. You don't need me, or anyone else to help you raise your kids. That includes a book. Do what you know is right in your soul, and you can never go wrong. This book is just someone else's opinion, everyone's got one, including you. So listen to yourself, and you'll do fine.
Good luck.
PS. The books an interesting read, but unneeded. Like a third wheel on a bike, useless but interesting.
It's just sad 2006-01-01
Seriously, do waste your money. If you feel that the Harry Potter books could jeopardize your child's development as a Christian then go out and buy one before you child does and read or skim through the book and MAKE YOUR OWN decision.
I can't possibly understand why someone would need to get a book to tell them if the Harry potter series is good for--YOUR--children. This is something that should be your opinion. Not that of a writer, who in my opinion, is just trying to make some extra "Christian" money off some easily persuasive Christians.
I'm not going to sit here and tell that your crazy for thinking the--FICTIONAL--Harry Potter is evil and against gods words and is in line with Lucifer himself. I would like to point out that god gave us all brains to use and make decisions for ourselves. Don't let someone try to push their opinion on you, and definitely don't get book that is doing the same and making you pay for.
This book is just sad and makes me really question the Christian community.
In close I think the writer of this book is simply trying to make some extra cash off of those gullible and easily persuaded by other peoples opinions. Very "Christian" indeed.
They are MERELY books, people 
2005-11-29
To the person who wrote that God is not real....keep that opinion to yourself - I think you may have Him confused with Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny....
To those who belittle the Harry Potter series and JK Rowling: These are MERELY books for entertainment purposes. Do you people NOT remember stories, imagination, make believe? Are you so out of touch with the wonderment of your youth that you actually believe a book series about a good natured boy and his good natured friends fighting against evil could be a BAD THING???? Its all in play....its called creativity. I read all of this dribble and it reminds me of another book: Fahrenheit 451...a tale in which ALL books are banned and burned because SOMEONE might be offended by a story. I'm sorry, but let's get on with what is seriously wrong in the world.
Never feel guilty about Harry again! 2005-09-27
My husband and I had completely opposite views of the Harry Potter books, and just attempting to have a civilized discussion about them with him usually ended up with me getting a splitting headache. Connie Neal's book provided us with a neutral arbiter that allowed us to talk about the subject peacefully. She presents both sides of the "Christian" argument in a straight-forward, matter-of-fact way that while validating each side's right to its own opinion, challenges us to see the debate from the other point of view.
Like it or not, Harry Potter has made a major cultural impact on our global society. Christians can either choose to reject these works out of hand and miss a major witnessing opportunity, or we can choose to find parallels to the gospel story within the world of Harry Potter (and there are many!). Connie Neal shows us just how easy it is to present the Good News to neighbors who may never have read the Bible, but are completely familiar with JK Rowling's "non-muggle" world. So, if you love these fantasy masterpieces, but feel that you have had to hide them from your friends and family, this book can help open up a fruitful dialogue that doesn't end in complete meltdown!
Just face it, the books like this one are useless... 2005-08-07
What is all the fuss about? This book is just another in a long line of people making money off of the Harry Potter books, with out the slightest bit of work on their own. God is fake, there is no god, so there is no reason to have a problem with the Potter books in the first place. For the real truth, See books like the ones from David Icke. Do the historical work yourself, and admit, there is no "god", just science, and then go and enjoy the Real works worth reading, like the wonderful Harry Potter books.
This book is perverted poison which stinks of fundamentalist fodder. 2007-09-21
Why do Christians insist on almost everything tangible, animate and inanimate, relate to their doctrine? Are people really this brainwashed based upon faith alone?
It saddens me I have to share the earth with people who let their poisoned religion ruin life and its beauty, such as writing and reading wonderful fiction like Potter and Tolkien and the like.
Christian Fundamentalist, the total whack-job Pentecostal Christians, these born agains that seem to live in Middle America, and towns like Cederville, Arkansas where they had book bannings of Potter, the Christian Film Reviewer Phil Boatwright who's fundamentalist warped view of the world says "Potter is nothing but the spawn of satan" and goes against the grain of his mighty fairy tale of the Bible, Baptist youth ministries leader Jennifer Zebel who thinks if the book is this widely popular it must be from the devils hands (YES READER IM LAUGHING TOO THAT WE SHARE THE EARTH WITH THIS IRRATIONAL IDIOT), a slew of those uneducated Southern Baptist, James Dobson- the leader of 'Relegious Right is Focus', a right-wing, intolerant christian brainwashing fundamentalist organization who have stated with no uncertain terms, that Potter is demonic in nature, and the most UN-holy of people The Rev. George Bender of that cult, looney troop 'Assembly of God', who held a book burning for him, his family and his followers, saying "this is not our Lord Jesus Christ work", and Bill Pen (the books top reviewer) and others like him, are at the very core of intolerance, hate, greed, envy, and perversion in this world. Those names I have mentioned are the right wing nazi's of a new generation, they stink the very fountain of living to its core, spewing their ignorance behind the eyes and perverted doctrine of their Lord Jesus. No doubt if there is a Savior, that Potter is amongst his/her favorite readings. Their doctrine is another from of silent terrorism.
I feel so deeply sorry for any parent that keeps their kids from reading Potter, the totality of Murakami, the wonderment of Philip Pullman or anything like it. They are already forming their campaigns to crucify The Golden Compass upon release. But what my heart aches for is the children of these sicko Christians. I am sorry for all you kids out there that have to grow up with Orwellian Christian parents that are brainwashed by their faith, and who wont let you read Potter. You will be free someday.
Hello? 2007-07-16
Harry Potter is a work of FICTION.
How difficult is that to understand?
an overall favorite 2007-03-18
I bought this book in 1991 when the controversy about Harry Potter was at its highest. I was so frustrated with the arguments over these books and the disrespect I saw among Christians of all denominations. I found this book to be a respectful, intelligent discussion of not only Harry Potter books but how Christians should conduct themselves in all manners of division. This author does not let fear guide her thinking. It is obvious she has a thorough understanding of how real literature works...something many in our culture today do not grasp. I feel she was very brave and worked very hard to present both sides of the disagreement. She is to be commended not only for an excellent book but for her courage.
unfair 2007-02-15
I'm sorry, but I have to say this. Whatever your veiws of witchraft or wicca are, it has been recognized by the united states constitution as an official religion, and to attempt to ban a fictional book because it leads people into 'the occult', in other words, wicca, is religious persecution. I understand that this book is trying to argue the debate over the harry potter series in a rational way, and I respect the author for that, but what people don't understand is how disgusting this debate is. It's like having an extremely widespread debate over whether or not a children's book will lead children into converting to Hinduism, and if it should be banned because of that. That is clearly an example of prejiduce and religious persecution, and so is this. (not necessarily this particular book, but the whole debate in general) Wicca is an established religion, whatever your feelings toward it might be, and tying religious persecution to the Harry Potter books is unfair, both on the kids who read it and the author. Another thing that makes this debate so ridiculous is that Harry Potter has nothing whatsoever to do with Wicca, and it is unfair on the series to claim that it does.
Informative and honest 2006-08-03
I am guessing that those who wrote the negative reviews did NOT read this book. This is not a book condemning the Harry Potter Books. I checked it out from the library and read it because I had heard so many negative things about the book that caused me to suspect the validity of the claims. I wanted a book that cleared up the lies and presented this book series in light of it's literary genre. I was pleased with this book. I had read a book opposed to the Harry Potter series (Hour of the Witch) and was very disturbed by the circular reasoning and rationale behind boycotting this series. I am a devout Christian (most would call me a right-wing conservative--though they may not call me that now) and a fan of the Harry Potter series. People don't turn to other religions just by reading something about it, but by feeling alienated by those who claim to hold the truth. This book does not have anything to do with Wicca, which is a religion, and the Harry Potter books contain no spirituality. My girls are young, but I plan on reading this series aloud to them when they turn 10. We read a lot of literature in our home. My girls know the difference between fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, myth, etc. The know the Bible is true--every Word. I also plan to read the Narnia series and the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings when they are of age. Yes, I've read all the negative about Harry Potter and have come to my own conclusions. Ms. Neal helps Christians see the Harry Potter works from a literary perspective. This is my top recommendation to counter the lies being spread about Harry Potter. Not all Christians have "banned" the series, and many more thoroughly enjoy them and have fruitful discussions as a result. Maybe the author is making money from the hype, but this book is necessary to at least combat the lies.
