Harry Potter, the beloved series of books and films, has been banned in several countries around the world due to its perceived religious content. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a diocese of the Orthodox Church of Greece have both campaigned against the series, citing its “occult and satanic” themes. In addition, the books have been banned from all schools in the United Arab Emirates.
The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has expressed concerns about the books’ influence on children, particularly their use of “black magic” and the encouragement of a “culture of death.” The church has also expressed worries about the books’ “anti-Christian” themes. The diocese of the Orthodox Church of Greece has also voiced similar concerns, citing the “anti-Christian and anti-traditional” elements of the series.
In the United Arab Emirates, the books have been banned from all schools due to their “promotion of superstition and black magic.” The Ministry of Education in the UAE has also expressed concerns about the books’ “negative influence” on children.
Despite these bans, religious responses to Harry Potter have not all been negative. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has praised the books for their “moral depth” and their exploration of “good and evil.” Similarly, Pope Benedict XVI has expressed admiration for the books’ “positive values.”
In conclusion, Harry Potter has been banned in several countries due to its perceived religious content. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church and a diocese of the Orthodox Church of Greece have both campaigned against the series, citing its “occult and satanic” themes. In addition, the books have been banned from all schools in the United Arab Emirates. However, religious responses to Harry Potter have not all been negative, with the Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Benedict XVI both praising the books for their “moral depth” and “positive values.”
