Lopez 1

Tamara Lopez
Professor Batty
English 113B
6 May 2015
Is J.K Rowling Promoting Witchcraft?
Who is J.K Rowling? some may ask. To many she is an inspiration, but to others, she is
an evil witch or monster. J.K Rowling is a brilliant author best known for her best-selling
books about the character Harry Potter. The first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
was published in 1997 and from there on seven more books and a movie, the last one being
Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows which was published in 2007. Through the Harry Potter era,
J.K Rowling became the fastest, best-selling author and was honored with many awards. Even
though Rowling was praised by many fans there are some people and religious communities who
dislike her and her writing. J.K Rowling has been accused of promoting witchcraft, Satanism,
and the occult, but I believe she is an inspiration to everyone and is not promoting anything evil
in her books.
Religion has always been drawn to controversial issues. Rowlings religion is
Christianity, yet there are some Christians that believe Rowlings books are promoting
witchcraft. However, like the devoted Christian that Rowling is, she responded to her fellow
Christians, I believe in God, not magic, according to the Wikipedia page on J.K Rowling. (J.K
Rowling) This proves that Rowlings beliefs are towards God and not the satanic world. She has
an aspect of reality rather than the fantasy. Not only are some Christians accusing her of
promoting Wicca (witchcraft), but they are also preventing their children from reading any of the
Harry Potter books. According to a short video called, "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged,

Lopez 2
Making Evil Look Innocent", by occult researcher Robert S. McGee "Children as young as
kindergarten age are being introduced to human sacrifice, the sucking of blood from dead
animals, and possession by spirit beings."(McGee) In other words, McGee believes that children
are being exposed to something that is uneasy and shouldnt be read by children. My view,
however, contrary to what McGee has argued, is that children should know what they are reading
and know its all fictional. Throughout the years as they grow, they will learn more about what is
real and what is fantasy. Children, in my opinion, should be left alone and be able to question
things and let their imagination grow.
Not only do Christians believe Rowling is part of the Wicca, but there are some people
that compare her to Satanist and author Aleister Crowly. In a YouTube video called "Goodfight
Ministries: Harry Potter Exposed", Christian David M. mentions that Like Harry Potter, Aleister
Crowly realized he was a wizard in his preteens and quotes Before I touched my teens, I was
already aware that I was the beast whose number is 666. (David M.) Davids point is that since
Crowly was in a cult at a young age, and Rowling is like Crowly, this leads David to believe that
Rowling has knowledge of the same satanic rituals as of Crowly. One of the reasons why David
believes that Rowling is connected to Crowly is because in the Harry Potter books, Harry
realizes he is a wizard at a young age. Since both Crowly and Harry realized they were wizards
at a young age, David believes they were both connected and therefore part of a cult. By
focusing on comparing Crowly and Rowling, David overlooks the deeper issue of how Rowling
never had the intension to promote Satanism.
In addition, Jack Chick creator of the comic The Nervous Witch depicts occult dangers
of the Potter series. In a page of The Nervous Witch a picture is shown of an uncle and his
niece talking about the books. Samantha the niece states, They led us into stuff we found in the

Lopez 3
Harry Potter books tarot cards, Ouija boards, crystal balls Samantha clearly explains to her
uncle how Rowlings books lead to the belief of witchcraft and Satanism. Uncle Bob responds by
saying Samantha, the Potter books open a doorway that will put untold millions of kids into
hell. Basically, Uncle Bob is warning Samantha that the books open a portal for children that
could lead them to hell. Their claim is that J.K Rowling is promoting Satanism. This picture
shows that religious communities are afraid that reading these books is an automatic ticket to
hell. These types of pictures scare people into following the church by announcing that Rowling
is truly promoting witchcraft and Satanism, yet does Rowling have no say on this issue? J.K
Rowling has responded to the issue of being accused of promoting Wicca and she has denied
repeatedly that any of her books promote witchcraft and Satanism. Rowling herself says, I
absolutely did not start writing these books to encourage any child into witchcraft. I'm laughing
slightly because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met thousands of children and not even one
time has a child come up to me and said, Ms. Rowling, I'm so glad I've read these books
because now I want to be a witch."(Religious debates) In other words, Rowling believes that
witchcraft is not being implied in her books and the idea of it is just laughable. I agree that the
idea of encouraging witchcraft is absurd because we shouldnt be underestimating childrens
view points on a specific issue in this case the Harry Potter books. Therefore, Rowling shouldnt
be accused of promoting witchcraft to children since most children know what is real and what
fantasy is.
As the controversy continues the Vatican has condemned the Harry Potter books and J.K
Rowlings books are challenged to be banned. The Vatican is the residence of the Pope and to
many religious groups the Pope is who should be praised. In 2008 the Vatican released an
LOsservatore Romano newspaper article that condemned the Harry Potter books. According to

Lopez 4
the article J.K Rowling's Harry Potter condemned in Vatican newspaper states, Posing a
danger to children by promoting witchcraft and the occult. (Moore and Reynolds) The Vaticans
point is that the series is a danger to children because it will lead them to evil. Although they
argue this point Rowling is not trying to brainwash children into becoming evil. They also state,
Harry Potter books have an inverted and confused spirituality: a world where bad is good and
that they are characterized by a vague, new-age philosophy. (Moore and Reynolds) In making
this comment, the writer of the article urges us to believe that Harry Potter is the wrong kind of
Hero and tells a child that bad is good. The Vatican article is mistaken because they overlook
the book and only take out the flaws of it. Rowling is basically trying to say that Harry is just a
kid who is trying to save everyone he truly loves. Some believe that the books are about how the
power of love can overcome darkness and evil.
The Vatican does not see that viewpoint at all. Even though the books were being
challenged to be ban, people complicate matters further when the U.S responded to the ban issue,
In the United States, calls for the books to be banned from schools have led to legal challenges,
often on the grounds that witchcraft is a government-recognized religion and that to allow the
books to be held in public schools violates the separation of church and state. The point is that
the people are looking at the books as a type of religion and shouldnt be allowed in schools.
People believe that if religion isnt allowed in school then Rowlings books shouldnt either
because they promote the religion of witchcraft. I believe that Rowlings books shouldn't be
banned because it doesnt violate the separation of church and state. It is just a book that doesnt
promote anything; its just a mere fantasy created by Rowling to express herself. Yet, J.K
Rowling is still a true Christian and is recognized by the pope. According to the article JK
Rowling's Harry Potter condemned in Vatican newspaper, The latter once praised JK Rowling

Lopez 5
for leading the life of a good Christian and Holy See officials during his papacy said that Harry
Potter was clearly fighting against Satanism. (Moore and Reynolds) The essence of the
argument is that Rowling is later recognized and they also explain how Harry is just fighting for
evil than against evil. I agree with the pope because he finally recognized that the books dont
express evil but light. Like one of the quotes that Rowling wrote in the book, Happiness can be
found in the darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light. Light can bring joy to
anything even if darkness takes over, every evil has a side of good as good has a side of evil.
J.K Rowling is an extraordinary author and a powerful woman, who has not only helped
many fans, but myself as well. Buzzfeed is an online social and entertainment news company. In
December 2014, a Buzzfeed staff member Jennifer Schaffer asked the Buzzfeed community
about the Harry Potter books and how it has gotten them through tough times. The results were
impressive, Michael W. states, When I was coming out in college, I clung to the Harry Potter
books like they were part of me. Id be crying in my dorm, wishing I wasnt gay, and the only
thing that would get me out of that dark place was J.K. Rowling and her writing.(Buzzfeed #5)
In other words, Michael believes that J.K Rowling and her writing has become a big part of his
life and has helped him through the path he was in. Michael has positive thoughts after reading
Rowlings books. Does that look like he wants to support Satanism? Obviously no because the
books get him out of that dark place. Rowling created these books to express her life and show
us parts of her daily struggles. But, there are fans that will always praise her. For example, Jenny
Schradeya commented on the page,
I really truly feel that JK Rowling is one of the most important people of our lifetime.
She truly changed the world. She brought an entire generation (and beyond) back from the brink
of illiteracy. She taught people whose grasp of language was mainly centered on text-speak the

Lopez 6
importance of - and how to enjoy - reading and writing properly. She gave the gift of one's own
imagination to a world of kids raised on television and the internet, where magic was provided
for them rather than dreamed up. She gave billions of kids a love for books that they may not
have ever found, and she revitalized the fiction industry single-handedly. She spawned a new
generation of readers and WRITERS that we would probably not otherwise have today. I am so
thankful that she is part of our world.(Buzzfeed Facebook Comment)
Jenny is right Rowling has opened the eyes and minds of many readers. Not only readers
but writers as well, many teens write fanfiction according to the books just adding their own
ideas into the story. People enjoy the thought of fanfiction and being Potter fans tells them they
are not alone. Rowling is the best author that has helped me personally in my own thoughts and
ideas. Her books never once influenced me to do witchcraft; on the contrary it made me curious.
Yes, I was one of those kids that waited for her Hogwarts letter, but I learned that reading a
book no matter the genre it always opens a portal to escape reality. That is what Rowling is
trying to do. She has her different views of how she writes her book and so does the readers. For
some it creates a world where they can escape from even for a few minutes.
In conclusion, Rowling is a human being who is accused of promoting witchcraft,
Satanism, and the occult. People can have different opinions many will accept that Rowling has
no intention of it and others will continue to believe others. Its the nature of human beings. In
other word, I believe that the books itself has hidden messages that promote Christian ideas. For
example Hermione Granger says, Books! And cleverness! There are more important things
friendship and bravery quote by (Rowling 208). This clearly states that life isnt about being
smart, but about having friends to share your life with and being brave when it is most needed. I
agree that being smart should never be more important than friendship and that is what Rowling

Lopez 7
is trying to express the gracefulness of someone. But, is Rowling an evil witch or is it the
religious groups that accuse her of promoting witchcraft?

Lopez 8
Work Cited
Caryl TV. Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged: Making Evil Look Innocent. Online video
clip. YouTube. YouTube, 4 July 2009
"J. K. Rowling." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Jan. 2015. Web.
M, David. Goodfight Ministries: Harry Potter Exposed. Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube,
2 January 2011
Moore, Malcom, and Nigel Reynolds. "JK Rowling's Harry Potter Condemned in Vatican
Newspaper." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 15 Jan. 2008. Web.
"Religious Debates over the Harry Potter Series." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and Philosophers Stone. U.K: Bloomsbury. 1997. Print
Schaffer, Jennifer. "18 Magical Ways "Harry Potter" Changed Your Life." BuzzFeed.com.
BuzzFeed Inc., 04 Dec. 2014. Web.