[Aquinasfan]

How are the Harry Potter books different from the b'zillions of other childrens' books/stories that most of us grew up reading (Alice in Wonderland, for example)?

The protagonist is a warlock and engages in occult practices. This can serve to interest children in the occult. You'll notice this in the reviews of the book by children on Amazon.com. You'll also notice this in the "if you liked this book you'll also like..." section.

Too bad this article is bogus.

[LIConFem]

"The protagonist is a warlock and engages in occult practices."

He's a wizzard, actually (but don't ask me to explain the difference ;)). And from what I could tell from the one movie I saw, "evil" was portrayed as petty and stupid, while "good" always triumphed. Certainly not a particularly anti-Christian message.

As for pushing children toward the occult, I don't think it's unusual (or necessarily harmful) for kids to fantasize about things such as wizzards and magic. I'd be hard-pressed to believe that those fantasies carried over into adulthood and solidified into beliefs.

In any case, it's obviously up to parents as to what their children read, watch or listen to. But with all the real evil in this world, it seems silly to go looking for more where it doesn't exist.

[discostu]

No, the protagonist has a genetic combination that allows him to control forces that are outside the realms of current science and explained in that universe as magical. He does not engage in occult practices.