Sunday, December 23, 2001: Pastor decries Harry Potter message

Alamogordo Daily News (NM) ^ | December 24, 2001 | James Matise

[Houmatt]

The Harry Potter fiction series, widely heralded by critics as exceptional literature and by teachers for tuning millions of children into reading, is being condemned by Christ Community Church pastor Jack Brock as evil. Harry Potter is nothing but witchcraft, Brock said. Its evil hidden behind the face of an innocent boy with little glasses. Brock, who will be giving a sermon this Sunday entitled, The Baby Jesus or Harry Potter? said the church plans to hold a holy bonfire Dec. 30 to publicly burn Harry Potter books and other so-called unacceptable material. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. and afterwards we will conduct a burning, he said. Why does Brock find Harry Potter so offensive? The simple part is the story takes place in Hogwarts Boarding School, he said. All the teachers are witches and wizards, and they teach witchcraft. If we hired someone who was into witchcraft or teaching witchcraft at (Christ Community Church) school, no one would come, he said. In the book, written by British author J.K. Rowling, Brock said Harry Potter is labeled as being a wizard who wields good magic, and fights those who wield bad magic, something Brock also said is misleading. Its (magic) all evil, he said. What she (Rowling) has done is make Harry look good and Voldemort (the villain) evil, but they both come from the same source. You cant call good evil, or evil good. Thats what it is all about. Brock said the witchcraft in the book is capturing the minds of young kids, who have a hard time dividing between fantasy and reality, and make them more prone to dabbling in evil practices. Though Brock could not recall hearing any actual reports of children engaging in harmful practices as a result of reading Harry Potter, he said the books could inspire them to learn about real witchcraft practices such as Wicca, which he termed an abomination. The greatest danger is these children are enamored with Potter and they go on the Internet to learn more about the book, and theyre directed to other places where they can see information about Wicca, he said. Brock went on to say that although the Harry Potter books are works of fiction, they are essentially teachings in Wicca. The teachers are reading Harry Potter in school and thats a religion, he said. Brock said he has not personally read any of the books, nor has he seen Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone in the movie theaters. Ive seen video clips and reviews, he said. Readers Digest and other magazines are carrying titles about the author such as The woman who bewitched the world, and The wizard behind Harry Potter. When asked why childrens tales featuring magic such as The Wizard of Oz and C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia were considered acceptable material, Brock said it was because the wicked witches were beaten and the characters did not learn to use magic. When reminded of Dorothys magic red slippers in The Wizard of Oz stolen from the Wicked Witch of the East and the magical gifts given to the heroes of C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Brock said yes, but that was good magic. Brock said on Dec. 30, other items, such as pornography and Heavy Metal records that exalt Satan will go into the fire with Harry Potter, depending on what items the congregation plans to dispose of. Brock said he was not concerned with any public image the book-burning might give himself or the congregation. As far as Im concerned, the church is not out to make people look good ... were making a statement against evil, he said. The problem with most churches today is that nothing is said because theyll get people upset. This will get them thinking. Jim Preston, director of the Alamogordo Public Library, expressed disagreement with Brocks analysis of Harry Potter, but defended Brocks right to free expression. Pastor Brock can choose to burn Harry Potter books at his church since that is his Constitutional right, he said. One can also go to the Public Library and choose or simply not choose to read Harry Potter books. Let each person be fully convinced in their own mind regarding what they think is right and let them choose, Preston continued, but let no one take away that right to exercise ones right to choose.

[Houmatt]

Here we go again. Apparently the lessons of Nazi Germany have escaped the attention of some people. Along with what is obvious, that Pastor Brock has not read a single word of any of Rowling's books, the idea kids will somehow be inspired to take up witchcraft after reading them is ludicrous. That did not happen after The Wizard of Oz. It did not happen after I Dream of Jeannie or Bewitched. It did not happen after The Lord of The Rings. I guess what Pastor Brock needs to do other than get an attitude adjustment is realize and understand is HARRY POTTER IS NOT REAL! And the *ONLY* things these books have done is get kids to READ! Is that such a crime we must burn them? It seems to be in the warped mind of Pastor Brock's. Maybe some Freepers in the New Mexico area can show up at this "event" and let them know just silly this all is.

[Phantom Lord]

I have not read the book, but I did see the movie on Christmas night over at my aunt and uncles house. While I knew the claims of the anti-potter religious freaks were way off base before seeing the movie, after seeing it their claims and predictions make them appear far more stupid than I had originally thought. Especially the ones that are claiming the magic in the movie is real! Ya. Lots of witches can walk through brick walls at train stations and into another world. Not to mention all that flying and levitating things. And just where are witches finding unicorns nowadays?

[AppyPappy]

Apparently the lessons of Nazi Germany have escaped the attention of some people.

Apparently because people are on a witch hunt to attack and destroy anyone who dares to criticize Harry Potter.

Potterphiles are the craziest peoples.

[HELLRAISER II]

Don't count on it, I've had plenty of arguments here with people that will probably be waiting there with gasoline. This is a sad excuse for a leader of a community to be preaching burning books, I thought Christianity was a regligion of peace & acceptance. All I can think of when I imagine people burning these books is Adolf Hitler & Nazi's.

[xclusiv1]

Burn them all!

[Arkinsaw]

Book burning freaks. What's new.

[Portnoy]

"There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches." Every minority....feels it has the will, the right, the duty to douse the kerosene, light the fuse."

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

[HELLRAISER II]

You see, you make my case, Book Burning Nazi's. Might as well throw in a few Mickey Mouse Books & Mark Twain's masterpieces as well. As a matter of fact, why don't ya'll just burn every book but the Bible. But wait a minute better burn all Bibles except for the Old Testament. Once Pandora's box opens it escalates to phenomonal proportions, I say keep the damn box closed & you people get a life.

[Britton J Wingfield]

I'm not a potterphile, but I find it hard to keep from needling humorless zealots of any type. From potter-burners to peta tards and feminazis. mock mock mock.

[Portnoy]

"There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches." Every minority...feels it has the will, the right, the duty to douse the kerosene, light the fuse."

Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

[jraven]

Three words to people on the anti-Harry Potter crusade: Get A Life.

[Houmatt]

If you want to criticize Harry Potter, then do so. But spare us the pure baloney about how Harry Potter is encouraging kids to take up witchcraft. It is not happening. Period.

[Phantom Lord]

Brock said Harry Potter is labeled as being a wizard who wields good magic, and fights those who wield bad magic, something Brock also said is misleading. Its (magic) all evil, he said.

When asked why childrens tales featuring magic such as The Wizard of Oz and C.S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia were considered acceptable material, Brock said it was because the wicked witches were beaten and the characters did not learn to use magic When reminded of Dorothys magic red slippers in The Wizard of Oz stolen from the Wicked Witch of the East and the magical gifts given to the heroes of C. S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Brock said yes, but that was good magic

But Mr. Brock, just a moment ago you said that ALL magic is evil. You can't even keep your story straight for 5 minutes! I see 2 motives behind Mr. Brock's book burning...

1) Exposure
2) Increase donations

[AppyPappy]

But spare us the pure baloney about how Harry Potter is encouraging kids to take up witchcraft

Ahhh....so no one should be allowed to say that? How much jail time is appropriate?

[HELLRAISER II]

No jail time, but I would have to charge at least $300.00 a minute to listen to B.S. like this idiot Pastor is trying to lay on us.

[Houmatt]

Are you able to prove it, cowboy? If you can, then cite.