AN OUTSPOKEN church leader is warning parents not to let their children fall under the spell of a popular fictional character.
 Pastor Ross Rennie, of the Northwich Christian Fellowship, is a fervent opponent of the Harry Potter phenomenon, which has made author J K Rowling one of the UK's richest women and left children across the world unable to get enough of the young wizard's adventures. The latest installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hits the shelves on Saturday and is set to smash the record for the fastest-selling book in history - a record already held by the fourth installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. But the books have had their critics, who say they popularise the occult among children and, on the eve of the latest release, Mr Rennie is warning parents not to be lured in by its 'harmless' appearance. 'What J K Rowling has written is a very good book, literary speaking, but the contents of the book will make children think you can over-power evil with evil,' he said. 'What concerns me about the whole issue is the total inf iltration of standards that, as a Christian, I am against. 'If you take the story in the Harry Potter books, it's done in a harmless way. Harry goes to school and learns about sorcery, but it's teaching children to believe these things are normal - it's a breeding ground for witchcraft.' He said: 'I think Harry Potter is more dangerous than other children's books because it's more hands-on - it's saying to kids these things are fun. The content of the Harry Potter books is white witchcraft overcoming black. Before I became a Christian I was into witchcraft so I know more about it than most people in the district; I believe in the dark side and the light, and I have lived both sides. 'If I was still into witchcraft I'd be rubbing my hands together - it's great recruitment. They recruit through books and films: one of the biggest recruitment times was during the release of The Exorcist. 'If I was a witch I'd say the book was great work because it makes witches and wizards look nice and cuddly, but they're not - they are sinister. It's about having power over other people without them knowing it. The Catholics say if you give them a child until they're seven then you have a Catholic for life: they say the same in witchcraft.' He added: 'If my children are in school and they have a Harry Potter day I will withdraw them. I can't tell other people's children how to live - if they want to serve their children up for fodder then it's up to them, but I won't allow it for my children.' * What do you think? Is Harry Potter harmless fun or something more sinister? Click here to have your say on our messageboard.
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