[Irish Queen]

I am a evangelical Christian. But I believe there is too much fuss over a slightly above average, way over-promoted children's book series. If this book had been published by a small publishing house with an even smaller promotion budget it would never have become a best seller. Scholastic presented the book as a kiddie "Gone With the Wind". The hardcover books are printed on extra thick paper, with wide margins and spacings between the letters. It gives the illusion of being a grown-up novel. Months before "Harry Potter" arrived in North America the books promotion machinery was up and running in America. If "Goosebumps" books had been bundled and promoted as well as the Harry Potter books they would have been as popular as Harry Potter. Far superior to any "Harry Potter" book are the "Lord of the Ring" trilogy and the "Narnia Chronicles" that feature "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." Parents, teachers and other grownups it would be silly to proclaim "Harry Potter" books as the greatest novel series for children ever written without reading the other classics of children's literature first. Relax, let the kids enjoy the series at their pace with their friends. They do not need or want your help to enjoy these books. Many a parent or teacher has wrecked a book through overkill enthusiam. If the "Harry Potter" books are still read eagerly by our kids' kids then perhaps "Harry Potter" books will join the rarified ranks of "Classic Children's Literature".

[Equality 7-2521]

Oh no, witchcraft you say! We'd better muster the troops to the town square for a good old book burning party. If we're lucky, maybe we can find a few of those child witches to burn, too, while we're at it. </sarcasm>

 

[Nataku X]

“Azkaban,” “Circe,” “Draco,” “Erised,” “Hermes,” and “Slytherin.” These are Wicca names for devils and demons.

I did some internet searches looking for Wicca websites that say this. I didn't find anything. However, I did find a website that you seem to have plagarized from. Your original source?

[MattGarrett]

Saying Harry Potter is evil and teaches witchcraft to children is like saying that THE LORD OF THE RINGS is evil and teaches the same. And yet, JRR Tolkein was best friends with C.S. Lewis and taught theology at Oxford (if memory serves). Harry Potter is doing one thing ... IT'S GETTING KIDS TO READ IN AN MTV AGE. And that's a good thing. Parents can handle the rest.

[JRadcliffe]

"REMEMBER THAT GOD IS FAR GREATER!"

I not only remember that, I actually believe it. That is why I am not the least bit concerned with your witch hunt or book burning. It's been done in the past -- the ultimate backlash being against "Christians" -- and rightly so.

Think before you post!

[aruanan]

Excellent parody. Though somewhere in there you should give people a better clue that it is than simply taking things to such a reductio ad absurdum.

[HungarianGypsy]

The same could be said of many fairy tales. My son wanted to read Harry Potter, so we have read it together. Well... actually, I finished it first. The writing is so much like Roald Dahl.
As for the symbolism of the lightning bolt. I took that as a sign of magic. My Hungarian ancestors were fascinated by lightning (magus magoch).
I am still Christian, though. Neither my son nor I have felt the urge to practice witchcraft. It's just another fantasy book to us.

[RightWhale]

The Harry Potter books are virtual manuals for occult practices and beliefs.

And Dan Rather is an unbiased investigative reporter.

[Hank Rearden]

Are you kidding? I think it'd be GREAT if kids could learn some witchcraft. The real deal. Then they could just wave their little magic wands, or wiggle their little noses (or whatever the trigger mechanism might be) to clean their rooms, mow the lawn, get the homework done etc.

Sorry, I fail to see a downside. And no, I didn't bother to read past the first couple of sentences in your out-of-touch, Amish-like rant. I *did*, however, load this entire thread OldStyle so that I could read all the funny replies I'm anticipating will be posted.

So, thanks for that at least.

[Grig]

So then why do kids at Hogwart's get Christmas holidays, eh?

[mamaduck]

abra ca dabra . . . poof!

is he gone yet?

[membrsince]

The people who make God a big deal are in the headlines a lot these days. Let me know when they find it's the Wiccans flying planes into buildings and spreading anthrax.

[Tribune7]

I was watching some stupid movie on Halloween called Troll. It starred Michael Moriarity and Sonny Bono and some kid.

The hero of the movie was the kid. Who fought the Troll using magic. His name was Harry Potter.

The movie came out in 1986. The first J.K. Rowling book came out in 1998.

So what's the deal with the name "Harry Potter?" It seems a real unlikely coincidence.

[gunshy]

A lot of these so called christians who want to ban this book voted twice for bill and hitlary clinton.

[rokkhound]

I didn't even read the article. PUHLEEZ!!!!!!!!!! Give us a break. Why don't YOU come up with something better? Must be a ton of little witches and warlocks out there since their little heads have been filled with satanic spells and witchery. Sad...........just sad. Get off your HIGH HORSE, ARSE!!!

[lawdude]

chill, my man.

[matthew7.13]

I agree 100% It's pretty naive to belief that a "book" is only innocent fun and entertainment. It may seem innocent enough on the surface but books transmit ideas and ideas becomes actions. Giving kids the idea that witchcraft, divination and blood sacrifice is nothing more then "simple fun" is pure stupidity. Anyone ever hear of The Koran, Mein Kempf, Origin of Species, The Communist Manifesto? Think these books may have influenced some people??? I highly recommend the video "Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged Making Evil Look Innocent to those who can see forest for the trees! http://www.jeremiahfilms.com/Videos_in_Depth/hp_witchcraft_repackaged.htm

[GraniteStateConservative]

Alice in Wonderland encourages kids to fall down holes and eat mushrooms.

And another thing-- Mary Poppins encourages kids to float down to the ground with umbrellas. Poppins is a scourge.

[Moridin]

Do you believe in witchcraft? I find it bizarre that an adult would fear a kid's fantasy book. Maybe you ought to look to yourself and not to your kid's books.

[matthew7.13]

Good website for Harry Potter info... http://www.theharrypottervideo.com/