Dutch church celebrates Harry Potter themed service
September 21, 2002 at 2:39 AM ET
Inside Harry Potter
Thanx to AnnanoveA Dutch church has celebrated a Harry Potter themed service for children.[NL][NL]The pastor donned a wizard's hat and asked the youngsters to come dressed as Harry.[NL][NL]Pastor Joris Ridderbos says there are a lot of similarities between the story of Harry Potter and the life of Jesus.[NL][NL]Potter books have been denounced and even burned by some Christian clergymen, who claim they promote witchcraft.[NL][NL]The pastor from Haren, however, told the Haagse Courant newspaper: "The story of Harry Potter starts with an alternative reading of the story of the three kings, there is a speaking snake and, like Jesus, Harry Potter was a very obedient boy.[NL][NL]"But the most important link between the two stories is that no victory is achieved without an effort.[NL][NL]"As a result from his first meeting with evil, Harry Potter is bearing a mark. And I want to emphasise to the children that every victory has a price."[NL][NL]The pastor has denied only holding the event to make the church more popular.[NL][NL]He added: "I see the Harry Potter story as a new story that can make the old Bible story much more comprehensible."[NL][NL][NL][NL]