I understand why the Harry Potter series faced stigma in Christian circles around its focus on witchcraft and magic. There may be some validity in those concerns, and I respect those who hold convictions that prevent them from engaging with these stories. That perspective deserves understanding, not dismissal.

With that said, having genuinely thought through this question, I currently hold the view that Harry Potter is fundamentally a story of good versus evil. In many ways, it parallels elements of the Gospel—themes of sacrifice, resurrection, the power of love triumphing over death, and the choice between light and darkness that defines every human soul.

I don't view the narrative of Harry Potter as the same substance referred to in the Bible's mandates against witchcraft and magic. Reading Harry Potter and enjoying its literature feels, to me, entirely different from practicing witchcraft. The "magic" in these books serves the same function as the Force in Star Wars or the supernatural elements in The Chronicles of Narnia—it's a literary device that allows deeper truths about courage, friendship, and moral choice to unfold.

Harry Potter was a formative series for me starting in sixth grade, influencing my love of literature. I recognize this creates potential bias, but it's also part of why I don't view these stories as evil. They taught me to value friendship, to stand up for the oppressed, and to understand that our choices—not our circumstances—define who we truly are.

I remain open to being wrong in this view. Others should not be judged for taking a different stance and should, in fact, be respected if that is their conviction. The goal isn't to convince anyone to violate their conscience, but simply to share why I believe these stories, at their core, celebrate the triumph of good over evil.