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I know you are strongly convinced that the Potter books are evil. I was told the same, but when I started to read them myself I came to the opposite conclusion. I guess the answer is, if you are going to get obsessive over the setting (floating candles, ghosts, etc) it will seem occultish to you. Certain people, especially those who have come out of the occult, have problems with that.

But I tell you the plot and themes are absolutely Christian and conservative. Rowling has made more conservatives than witches, I’ll promise you. The theme is basically Everyman (Harry Potter - you know, Tom, Dick and Harry, and Potter’s Field - her names are highly symbolic) is a young wizard, and his life seems to parallel another young wizard’s, Tom Riddle.

However, Riddle makes all the wrong choices, out of an evil heart, and Harry makes mostly right ones, out of love for friends and under the guidence of wise mentors - despite the fact that he is just as angry about things as Riddle (the heart is desperately wicked).

The book turns into a spiritual and physical warfare between good and evil, with love for others expressed through self sacrifice becoming the redemption of mankind.

A strong subtheme is the desire of government to control the lives of individuals, and how easily that turns to aiding evil. There are many other Christian themes. Actually, I didn’t see any new age ideas in the book at all.

Don’t count on the movies to give you a true picture. The movies were interpretations by worldly folk, and they miss much of the Christianity.

However, Riddle makes all the wrong choices, out of an evil heart, and Harry makes mostly right ones, out of love for friends and under the guidance of wise mentors - despite the fact that he is just as angry about things as Riddle (the heart is desperately wicked).

There are a number of characters from dysfunctional family backgrounds.

Dumbledore, whose father murdered three teenagers for harming his daughter, and who may have accidentally killed his sister.

Snape, whose father and mother fought continuously and lived in poverty.

Harry, whose parents were murdered and who grew up with people who hated him.

Tom Riddle, an orphan from an inbred, insane, violent family.

Neville, whose parents were tortured into insanity, and who was raised by a grandmother who belittled his intelligence and talent.

Ron, The youngest and least promising son, whose parents wanted a daughter.

Hermione, whose parents were dentists.

All these people struggled with their origins, and most turned out OK because they chose to be decent people. Tom was offered the same opportunities, but chose a life of vengeance.