When you've stopped laughing...
Funny this subject should come up. In November, I was driving from Memphis to Little Rock when I began listening to a talk show on which turned out to be a Christian radio channel. It was an interview with one Richard Abanes. He had just published his book "Harry Potter and the Bible : The Menace Behind the Magick". I couldn't stop laughing and be just, well, amazed.
The following are some of the reviews on the book found at Amazon.
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
In response to the heated controversy surrounding the Harry Potter phenomenon, Christian Publications is excited to present the book "Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace behind the Magick." (The word �magic� refers to stage illusions by sleight-of-hand, where-as �magick� refers to occult practices.) In this timely book, Richard Abanes -- nationally recognized cult researcher -- skillfully answers the questions parents and others are asking about the mega best-selling series by J.K. Rowling.
From the Publisher
In Part One: "The World of Harry Potter, Abanes provides a brief but enlightening summary of each of the first four books. He then exposes the various forms of occultism, some subtle, some more glaring, that are woven into the Potter books. Abanes offers appropriate scriptural responses and discusses numerous psychological and spiritual dangers associated with the Rowling volumes.
Talk About Research . . ., October 17, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from Illinois
I'll keep the review brief - This book is a must read. Finally, a well-reasoned, rational, thoughtful, articulate, presentation of the concerns so many people have been trying to express. Abanes, a nationally-known expert on cults and the occult had done a favor for all of us trying to sort out this controversy.
- LOTS of endnotes to check out Abanes' research for yourself
- Intelligent refutation of arguments against people who have concerns about Harry Potter
- Full chapter synopsis of each of Rowling's books, in case you haven't read the Harry Potter series.
- Clear explanations of problems
- Covers occultism in-depth
- uses one full chapter to make a comparison of Rowling's works with C.S. LEWIS books and TOLKIEN books
- careful to draw distinctions between Satanism, Wicca, and occult
- NOT sensationalistic -- very balanced
- Reputation and knowledge qualifies author
I was very impressed.
What CAN one say?, December 1, 2001
Reviewer: shellra (see more about me) from The Buckle on the Bible Belt, Nashville, TN
This book is a clear result of someone with way too much time on his hands and too little independant thought. The "summaries" of the books are biased with many quotes and actions taken out of context. Mr. Abanes then rushes headlong into his own realm of fantasy by using obscure names and equally obscure sources to prove Ms. Rowlings connection to the world of occult. Of course my favorite source was her ex-husband. Surely, we would all seek the opinion of a former spouse for a true and accurate portrayal of any individual! Citing Ms. Rowlings research into folk and fairytale as well as mythology as further proof of her love of sorcery, Abanes clearly shows his bias that there have been no worthwhile works since Martin Luther nailed his work on the Cathedral door!
Clearly, Abanes work is a bane to any real literary criticism!
BOOK FOR SUCKERS, January 1, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Inverness,FL USA
If you read this book you'll be sorry.This book demonstrates a hideous 'muggle' attitude toward #1 international bestseller Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, by pelting insults at J.K. Rowling with biblical phrases. When my dad says,"Satan can quote scripture very well", I think he means the wicked author of this demonic and occult book.
Very, very bad, December 31, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from California, USA
HEY! Who does this person think he is insulting Harry Potter? I think Abanes or whatever his name is has not read the books carefully at all. MAGIC ISN'T REAL, GOT THAT? Magic is what makes Harry Potter the way it is. Why waste your energy reading Abane's book when there are better books out there?
You may continue laughing now...
Don P.
Well, this guy is not kidding...
Peter T.
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Peter T.
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When you've stopped laughing...
Funny this subject should come up. In November, I was driving from Memphis to Little Rock when I began listening to a talk show on which turned out to be a Christian radio channel. It was an interview with one Richard Abanes. He had just published his book "Harry Potter and the Bible : The Menace Behind the Magick". I couldn't stop laughing and be just, well, amazed.
The following are some of the reviews on the book found at Amazon.
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
In response to the heated controversy surrounding the Harry Potter phenomenon, Christian Publications is excited to present the book "Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace behind the Magick." (The word �magic� refers to stage illusions by sleight-of-hand, where-as �magick� refers to occult practices.) In this timely book, Richard Abanes -- nationally recognized cult researcher -- skillfully answers the questions parents and others are asking about the mega best-selling series by J.K. Rowling.
From the Publisher
In Part One: "The World of Harry Potter, Abanes provides a brief but enlightening summary of each of the first four books. He then exposes the various forms of occultism, some subtle, some more glaring, that are woven into the Potter books. Abanes offers appropriate scriptural responses and discusses numerous psychological and spiritual dangers associated with the Rowling volumes.
Talk About Research . . ., October 17, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from Illinois
I'll keep the review brief - This book is a must read. Finally, a well-reasoned, rational, thoughtful, articulate, presentation of the concerns so many people have been trying to express. Abanes, a nationally-known expert on cults and the occult had done a favor for all of us trying to sort out this controversy.
- LOTS of endnotes to check out Abanes' research for yourself
- Intelligent refutation of arguments against people who have concerns about Harry Potter
- Full chapter synopsis of each of Rowling's books, in case you haven't read the Harry Potter series.
- Clear explanations of problems
- Covers occultism in-depth
- uses one full chapter to make a comparison of Rowling's works with C.S. LEWIS books and TOLKIEN books
- careful to draw distinctions between Satanism, Wicca, and occult
- NOT sensationalistic -- very balanced
- Reputation and knowledge qualifies author
I was very impressed.
What CAN one say?, December 1, 2001
Reviewer: shellra (see more about me) from The Buckle on the Bible Belt, Nashville, TN
This book is a clear result of someone with way too much time on his hands and too little independant thought. The "summaries" of the books are biased with many quotes and actions taken out of context. Mr. Abanes then rushes headlong into his own realm of fantasy by using obscure names and equally obscure sources to prove Ms. Rowlings connection to the world of occult. Of course my favorite source was her ex-husband. Surely, we would all seek the opinion of a former spouse for a true and accurate portrayal of any individual! Citing Ms. Rowlings research into folk and fairytale as well as mythology as further proof of her love of sorcery, Abanes clearly shows his bias that there have been no worthwhile works since Martin Luther nailed his work on the Cathedral door!
Clearly, Abanes work is a bane to any real literary criticism!
BOOK FOR SUCKERS, January 1, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Inverness,FL USA
If you read this book you'll be sorry.This book demonstrates a hideous 'muggle' attitude toward #1 international bestseller Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, by pelting insults at J.K. Rowling with biblical phrases. When my dad says,"Satan can quote scripture very well", I think he means the wicked author of this demonic and occult book.
Very, very bad, December 31, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from California, USA
HEY! Who does this person think he is insulting Harry Potter? I think Abanes or whatever his name is has not read the books carefully at all. MAGIC ISN'T REAL, GOT THAT? Magic is what makes Harry Potter the way it is. Why waste your energy reading Abane's book when there are better books out there?
You may continue laughing now...
Don P.
Funny this subject should come up. In November, I was driving from Memphis to Little Rock when I began listening to a talk show on which turned out to be a Christian radio channel. It was an interview with one Richard Abanes. He had just published his book "Harry Potter and the Bible : The Menace Behind the Magick". I couldn't stop laughing and be just, well, amazed.
The following are some of the reviews on the book found at Amazon.
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
In response to the heated controversy surrounding the Harry Potter phenomenon, Christian Publications is excited to present the book "Harry Potter and the Bible: The Menace behind the Magick." (The word �magic� refers to stage illusions by sleight-of-hand, where-as �magick� refers to occult practices.) In this timely book, Richard Abanes -- nationally recognized cult researcher -- skillfully answers the questions parents and others are asking about the mega best-selling series by J.K. Rowling.
From the Publisher
In Part One: "The World of Harry Potter, Abanes provides a brief but enlightening summary of each of the first four books. He then exposes the various forms of occultism, some subtle, some more glaring, that are woven into the Potter books. Abanes offers appropriate scriptural responses and discusses numerous psychological and spiritual dangers associated with the Rowling volumes.
Talk About Research . . ., October 17, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from Illinois
I'll keep the review brief - This book is a must read. Finally, a well-reasoned, rational, thoughtful, articulate, presentation of the concerns so many people have been trying to express. Abanes, a nationally-known expert on cults and the occult had done a favor for all of us trying to sort out this controversy.
- LOTS of endnotes to check out Abanes' research for yourself
- Intelligent refutation of arguments against people who have concerns about Harry Potter
- Full chapter synopsis of each of Rowling's books, in case you haven't read the Harry Potter series.
- Clear explanations of problems
- Covers occultism in-depth
- uses one full chapter to make a comparison of Rowling's works with C.S. LEWIS books and TOLKIEN books
- careful to draw distinctions between Satanism, Wicca, and occult
- NOT sensationalistic -- very balanced
- Reputation and knowledge qualifies author
I was very impressed.
What CAN one say?, December 1, 2001
Reviewer: shellra (see more about me) from The Buckle on the Bible Belt, Nashville, TN
This book is a clear result of someone with way too much time on his hands and too little independant thought. The "summaries" of the books are biased with many quotes and actions taken out of context. Mr. Abanes then rushes headlong into his own realm of fantasy by using obscure names and equally obscure sources to prove Ms. Rowlings connection to the world of occult. Of course my favorite source was her ex-husband. Surely, we would all seek the opinion of a former spouse for a true and accurate portrayal of any individual! Citing Ms. Rowlings research into folk and fairytale as well as mythology as further proof of her love of sorcery, Abanes clearly shows his bias that there have been no worthwhile works since Martin Luther nailed his work on the Cathedral door!
Clearly, Abanes work is a bane to any real literary criticism!
BOOK FOR SUCKERS, January 1, 2002
Reviewer: A reader from Inverness,FL USA
If you read this book you'll be sorry.This book demonstrates a hideous 'muggle' attitude toward #1 international bestseller Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix, by pelting insults at J.K. Rowling with biblical phrases. When my dad says,"Satan can quote scripture very well", I think he means the wicked author of this demonic and occult book.
Very, very bad, December 31, 2001
Reviewer: A reader from California, USA
HEY! Who does this person think he is insulting Harry Potter? I think Abanes or whatever his name is has not read the books carefully at all. MAGIC ISN'T REAL, GOT THAT? Magic is what makes Harry Potter the way it is. Why waste your energy reading Abane's book when there are better books out there?
You may continue laughing now...
Don P.
