Product Description

With over 100 million books in print, major motion pictures that have broken all box-office records in its first few weeks of release, and countless spin-off books, games, toys and other merchandise, Harry Potter is truly a cultural phenomenon. But what kind of culture does Harry Potter represent? Although the books may seem harmless and charming, Catholic parents, teachers and clergy are asking, "Is Harry Potter's dark world of sorcery and witchcraft really good for Christian kids?"

Convert from the Occult

In the comprehensive new three-tape set The Trouble with Harry, lay-Catholic apologist and EWTN Radio personality, Matthew Arnold, takes a critical look at the amazingly popular Potter books, the blockbuster movie and the cultural controversy that surrounds them.

From the unique perspective of a convert from occult beliefs and practices, he begins with an overview of the debate over the suitability of the Potter series, presenting the arguments both for and against this kind of material from concerned Catholics and mainline Christians. As you listen, you'll discover that the concerns about J.K. Rowling’s trendy tales of kids and the supernatural world are not the "knee-jerk" response of dim-witted Fundamentalism, but the reasoned reflections of some of the most respected thinkers in contemporary Christianity.

Disturbing Trend

In these engaging and informative presentations you'll find the answers to questions like, "Isn't Harry Potter just a fantasy? Haven't fairy tales always had witches and magic? What about Christian fantasy like C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, or J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings?"

Comparing these classics with the work of J.K Rowling, Matthew Arnold raises this question in reply, "When did the witches and wielders of black magic become the 'good guys?'" Exposing the disturbing trend of "paganization" in children's literature, Matthew demonstrates why Catholic philosophers from St. Augustine to Pope John Paul II have consistently warned against allowing things into the minds of your children that may undermine their faith. You'll discover the real and present danger of allowing un-Christian views of the supernatural to become cherished childhood memories-memories that could one day be a stumbling block to accepting an authentically Christian worldview.

Desensitizing Exposure

With ample references to Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the words of the saints, Matthew Arnold also draws upon his own experience in the world of the occult, as well as the expert opinions of contemporary Catholic writers like Michael O'Brien (author of "Father Elijah") and classic reflections from Catholic literary giants J.R.R. Tolkien and G.K. Chesterton.

Speaking as a Catholic father, who as a youth entered into the dark world of the occult precisely because of fantasy fiction, Matthew says, "While Rowling’s books may be fantasy, we must realize that the occult is real. And just like violence and pornography, kids are desensitized by exposure." Order The Trouble with Harry, today and get the information you need to protect the minds and hearts of the Church's most precious asset-our children

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3920185 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-01
• Format: Abridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

"Paganization?"
I'd like to point out the religious discrimination put forth by Mr. Arnold and his critique of paganization.

First of all, the term pagan first came into usage to religious devotees who did not follow Christianity. Many pagan religions, communities, and healers were stomped out in the "witch burnings" which happened to kill more people than the Holocaust. Some people now are trying to find out more about these religions and the values that they hold. Today, paganism refers to a number of varied and scattered religious beliefs vaguely connected to the Western European (and some other areas) indigenous spirituality.

Secondly, Harry Potter does not depict paganism!!! It depicts characters using a fantasy-genre based magic that is presented as a fact of life and not a spirituality. That is simply the placement of the book. If another book was simply set in London, without talking about Christianity, specifically showing Christians, or visiting a church, it would be ludicrous to think that it was promoting Christianity. But this is exactly the type of critique Mr. Arnold makes.

Finally, I would ask you how you would respond to a criticism we ought to be aware of Schindler's List because it promotes Judaism, the Horacio Alger story because it promotes Protestantism, Aladdin because it promotes Islam, or the Lion King because it promotes Paganism (a more realistic claim). Those arguments would be received as discriminatory, hateful, and a bit silly. I hope you respond to The Trouble With Harry in a similar way.

Alarming
As a faithful Catholic I am alarmed at materials like this which give the Catholic Church a bad image, put out as they are by people with a very narrow viewpoint of what it means to be Catholic. This is another example, in my opinion, of someone using the Harry Potter name and popularity to their own ends. While I respect Mr. Arnold's right to his opinion, to label it as "Catholic" is misleading, to say the least. He would do well to read the excellent study "The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels" by John Granger if he wants to see how to make an intelligent statement on this issue.

Informative and Revealing
I have listened to this tape series. (Note the one person blasting this "book that he read.") Matthew Arnold does a thorough job of analyzing Harry Potter and both sides of it.
In the first tape he looks at the common arguments for the books and against the books.
In the second tape he clearly shows why Harry Potter is distinctly different from Narnia and Lord of the Rings.
In the last tape he explores the occult links in the H.P. books themselves.
This series is definately worthwhile to listen to for its informative style. Anyone who claims to have "an open mind" needs to hear these arguements. It is not hate filled, rather it is a well reasoned, logical argument. Matthew Arnold also comes from an occult background which gives him sensitively to the subject of the occult.
I highly recommend this series for anyone who wants a just the facts analysis of Harry Potter.