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- George Clooney

April 30, 2006, Washington


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Book Burning

by Josh
September 06, 2003

A recent article about a college professor offering a class on banned books reminds me of the several occasions over the last few years when I came onto the internet looking for the latest Harry Potter news, and found myself faced with articles describing how Church members rejoiced as they burnt our beloved Harry Potter books until all that remained was ash. These events shock and confuse me, for a number of reasons. The most recent of these is a good example of why I find the mentality of these people so hard to understand.

The people who do these things claim that Harry Potter is the work of Satan, as Harry and his friends practice witchcraft, something these Christians say is expressly forbidden by God. (Please note that the Christians who take part in these book burnings are a very, very small minority of Christians.) They believe that anything containing witchcraft is trying to pollute their children's minds with Satan's wicked ways, and so, obviously, Harry Potter was written by Satan in an attempt to lure the children of the planet to evil.

Reasons why this is insane:
If the Harry Potter books are really Satan attempting to recruit me to evil, then he's obviously pretty incompetent. There are no people I know who have been influenced by Harry Potter into spellcasting and witchcraft, as in general, people manage to realize that Harry Potter isn't real! It seems that these Christians don't understand that children are intelligent, and can work out whether something is fantasy or whether it takes place in the real world. They blame Harry Potter for making children interested in the occult (e.g. Wicca) when really children are naturally interested in the occult - children are naturally interested in that which is supernatural and impossible, as an escape from the real world. Harry Potter allows escapism as well by being a fantasy world in which children can live their dreams. (What you may not know is that Wicca is one of the world's most peaceful and gentle religions - their main philosophy is "If it harms none, do as you want.")

Harry Potter has not taught me to be evil, as these Christians believe. If they had actually read one of the books they would realize that Harry Potter doesn't teach the thoughts of Satan - it teaches many of the things that Christians value. Friendship, bravery, loyalty, kindness and caring for those who are weaker and less fortunate than yourself. Are these the qualities that Satan teaches? Harry and his friends are on the front line of the battle of good vs. evil - fighting for the side of good. The reader goes through the books cheering for the victory of good as we know the misery that Voldemort will bring upon the world. Harry Potter has taught me and millions of children across the globe many valuable lessons, as well as entertaining them with a layered, intelligent and funny fantasy story - the children are enjoying themselves so much they don't even realize that they are learning the admirable qualities which I mentioned previously. Dumbledore would be proud. And what these book-burners need to understand is that Voldemort, and Satan, would be ashamed.

User reviews Review this Editorial

Ginevra
2006.06.30
I definantly agree. I'm Christian and once a lady at my church walked up t... Read full review

Katie
2006.05.05
I totaly agree. Harry Potter isn't evil, but the opposite. It makes me sick... Read full review

Ryan
2006.04.16
I absolutely agree i'm a christian and these book burners are scaring child... Read full review

CJ
2006.01.24
I agree! One, where did the people get the books to burn in the first place... Read full review

kd
2006.01.19
i totally agree. i am a christian and i absolutly love everything about the... Read full review

hermionerox1357
2006.01.06
i totally agree with you. i am a Christian but i am also seriously obsessed... Read full review

Suzieq3711
2006.01.02
Magnificent. My view on the matter is that if you don't think your children... Read full review

Snuffles padrino
2005.12.23
I thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I had no idea such a... Read full review

HandofGlory546
2005.12.17
1st of all I want to say that I am a Christian all the way. I am also just... Read full review

hpluvr
2005.12.07
thanx for writing this editorial. it is nice to kno that people are bringin... Read full review

TexasLarry
2005.11.11
You're absolutely right Josh. At first I, too, believed tha Christians sho... Read full review

padfoot99
2005.10.31
you are so right. im catholic and i know people who strongly disapprove of ... Read full review

KtPlum
2005.10.29
I think you're completely right. I'm Catholic, so went to an RC primary sch... Read full review

romilda vance
2005.10.25
i totally agree. i mean these ppl have got it all wrong because if harry is... Read full review

Dagger
2005.10.20
I'm a Christian and I love Harry Potter. I've been told for the longest t... Read full review

Jenn
2005.10.19
If memory serves, I think the Vatican and the Pope actually approved the Ha... Read full review

Nova Phoenix
2005.10.12
Well spoken. And by the way, has anyone considered the pheonix vs. basalisk... Read full review

Hannah
2005.09.28
It is so true!!! She is so right! a million thumbs ups!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good j... Read full review

Justinian
2005.08.03
well im glad to know there are some christians that are ashamed of what the... Read full review

Sabrina
2005.08.02
I think thats insane that people burned the books and i am a catholic chris... Read full review

sectumsempra
2005.07.23
You really make sence Josh.I totally agree with you.These Harry haters thin... Read full review

Cassie Fox
2005.07.11
Being the daughter of a Wiccan, i deem this offensive and...strange. Believ... Read full review

Ruroniblaze
2005.07.10
Great review! I agree... Funnily i read this book burning thing a few minut... Read full review

Lita
2005.07.10
I agree like many others here that the books are not "Satanic" or "evil" or... Read full review

shay
2005.06.27
Great review. One of the greatest lessons to be learned from these books is... Read full review

caeli
2005.06.21
AMAZING! I give you pat on the back, Josh. It makes me very mad when people... Read full review

Kayla
2005.06.19
Excellently put, Josh. I can offer a possible reason behind these unreason... Read full review

Michelle (The Black Quill)
2005.06.05
I was raised as a Christian and my family is very Christian. I myself belie... Read full review

Jeff
2005.06.01
I am a very faithful Christian. My wife's grandmother thinks HP teaches kid... Read full review

Isis Lover
2005.05.29
I can't believe people would actually burn books!I believe in God, so I bou... Read full review

Claire Lemiuex
2005.05.27
I totally agree with you. Anyone with half a brain knows that these books ... Read full review

Sarah
2005.05.27
Whoever has read or seen "The Crucible" will know that all the witch and wi... Read full review

Phira
2005.05.06
I agree. Its just plain stupid to burn those books. I'm Messianic and i lov... Read full review

Ashley
2005.05.04
I completely agree! I am Roman Catholic, though not a very religious person... Read full review

Nadeshiko
2005.04.26
I totally and completely agree with you. I'm a Christian and I go to churc... Read full review

Megan
2005.04.25
Very good. I actually don't consider them real Christians. For all of time... Read full review

iheartmythestral
2005.04.07
I agree. My grandmother's church were strong HP haters which was part of th... Read full review

Janie
2005.04.01
rock on!!! I'm Christian and I know this book burning thing is a bunch of c... Read full review

Luna
2005.03.30
I think you're dead on as well. It's ridiculous. Harry Potter was NOT wri... Read full review

baz
2005.03.29
Well to be honest I live in England and we don’t get that many zealous Chri... Read full review

Tabone
2005.03.09
Another interesting thing to not is that the charecters take note of christ... Read full review

Liz
2004.12.11
I think you're dead on. As an older Christian, I'm always disheartened when... Read full review

Erica
2004.12.07
I agree, and I just can't understand how anyone can think that HP is promot... Read full review

Ky
2004.12.04
Rock on!!! I too am a Christian and have enjoyed the Harry Potter books. A... Read full review

Anjel
2004.12.02
I agree! I am Christian and I know this does not exist. I have always had a... Read full review

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