Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter
A mother of four is trying to convince the Gwinnett County Board of Education that the Harry Potter series is an "evil" attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/from/ET/
2006-10-04 11:59:04 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's very scary, especially since Harry Potter is a fantasy story...Thank God (Goddess, the Gods, yaddayadda) we have freedom of speech. No book, and I don't care what the subject matter is, should ever be banned. If you can ban one book, then you can ban them all and that's a form of mind control...Nope, I don't like it...I don't like it at all!!!
2006-10-04 12:16:08 · answer #1 · answered by Tom I 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off, regardless of the merits of the Wiccan religion, freedom of religion does in fact exist, and a writer is free to write about the topics of his or her choosing. Second, no one is MAKING kids read the Harry Potter books. As far as I can tell, these books are merely available in libraries and not a part of the curriculum being taught in English classes. Third, even if there were no freedom of religion, and we could decide outright that certain religions were evil, there's no evidence in the book of an attempt to indoctrinate children, nor do I imagine there has been a massive increase in the number of children adhering to the Wiccan religion in that part of Georgia.
If this woman doesn't want her four children to read the books, that is certainly her right. But when she gets into the business of thinking she can decide what is best for other people's children, then she has crossed the line. I'd also add that I'm willing to bet that she hasn't read the books (or read anything else for leisure that isn't some religious tract like the Bible), which means her opinions are completely irrelevant.
2006-10-04 12:16:02 · answer #2 · answered by Tommy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It has a lot to do with education and whether or not someone thinks for themselves, if they indeed think at all. There are people in every walk of life who just "follow the leader", and if someone in a position of leadership starts ranting and raving, these people follow. Why do some Muslims follow extremist teaching that suicide bombing is a good way to die? Why do some celebrities follow Scientology, which teaches that humans descended from aliens? This mindless following has nothing to do with a particular religion, but the type of people involved.
Fortunately, not all Christians think like this Georgia woman, just like not all Muslims are extremists and not all celebrities are into Scientology. In fact, a lot of Christians think that Harry Potter is filled with Christian imagery, which is not surprising, since the author is a member of the Church of Scotland. People that actually read the books, and who take the time to have an educated perspective on it, see the HP books completely differently!
See this website if you want a different Christian take on the HP books:
http://www.ev90481.dial.pipex.com/harry_potter_granger.htm
2006-10-05 05:44:10 · answer #3 · answered by crazyperson1972 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People's opinions and actions are often quite scary. This mother only seeks to ban Harry Potter because it is popular. So many other books could be seen in the same fashion and she is not attempting to ban them. Also banning books in general seems like bad idea. And once students knew the book was banned they would do anything to get the books and read them, basically all she is doing is advertising for the books. This actually happened in book 4. The Quibbler magazine was banned from Hogwarts and so all of the students ended up reading it to see why it was banned. Maybe J.K. meant something by writing that into her book.
2006-10-04 12:09:46 · answer #4 · answered by Viv 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A little slow out of the gate, isn't she, considering that Rowling has already published six books out of a seven-book series?
Somehow, though, it seems appropriate, since the last week of September is usually marked by the ALA (American Library Association) as "Banned Books Week" in the US....
I'm Pagan myself, but don't find HP pro-Wiccan or Pagan---just a good read, with plenty of fighting against wrongness and evil. This is bad, just how? (whacks side of head, trying to reboot brain)
I'll support the right of parents to opt out of having their kids read ***certain*** books on lists----I believe that reasonable accommodations for beliefs can and should be made in public schools. But blanket bans, of "I don't like X, and therefore believe that NO CHILD should be able to read it" ? EXCUUUUSE ME....!
What is highly intriguing, though-----in so many cases of banning and challenges----when you ask people "have you read the book in question?", the answer is many times "no....but I've HEARD it's bad!", as they point to someone else's opinion on it. But at the same time, the comments are "we demand the right to raise our children as we see fit, without OUTSIDERS telling us how to do it!"
Did I miss my medications today, or what? (Sorry...but feeling a little snarky. When ideas start coming under serious attack, it's been my experience that it's typically only a very short jump to PEOPLE being the next target.)
2006-10-04 12:25:54 · answer #5 · answered by samiracat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's very sad. to anyone who's read the series - while it talks about magic and wizards and the like, it's not evil inand of itself. a friend is a wiccan and i'm a Catholic and we discuss various items that are actually based upon the tennets of Christianity! do good avid evil, love will conquer all, the dark, no matter how powerful can be thwarted by love, respecting elders, respecting your friends, doing for others before yourself, laying down your life for a friend.... the list goes on and on.
while i can understand to some degree - my sister in law read them before letting my nephew read them - to make sure he wouldn't get too involved - he's an intense kid - but if you teach your children about reality and God's love - it's only a book!
***
add in - YDoncha.... good point! granted i wouldn't necessarily compare the Bible to harry potter - in this case i do understand the point you're making! (but the Bible Rocks :)
2006-10-04 12:06:08 · answer #6 · answered by Marysia 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
christians also tried to get bewitched banned on the same premise, and the wizard of oz--probably went after Sabrina, casper the friendly ghost and charmed too--this woman just needs a life and real problems of her own
2006-10-04 12:41:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Another wonderful christian tradition.....book banning. Also practiced by some other fine role models, the Soviets, and the Nazis.
Fear is endemic to christianity...fear of hellfire is how most "found christ". They are fearful of anything and everything...threats both real and imaginary.
Lets see what kind of wholeseome ideas christians want available to children: slavery is ok, rape and murder of women and children is ok, dismemberment is ok, subjugation of women is ok, homosexuals should be stoned to death, children who talk back should be murdered, a loving god would rather you burn for eternity than actually offer any evidence he exists.......an almost endless list of immoral, repugnant behaviour by a vain, capricious, murderous and jealous god. Lord Voldemart is a pussycat compared to god.
If ever a book should be banned for repulsive ideas, and inculcating hatred, I would start with the bible and it's incestuously conceived cousin, the koran.
2006-10-04 12:06:30 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
It's ridiculous. How could a mom have more time for something like this than just keeping it away from her own children if she does not agree with it?
2006-10-04 12:02:38 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
The bible is also an evil attempt at indoctrinating children into religion. It should be banned on the same priciples.
2006-10-04 12:04:22 · answer #10 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 8⤊ 2⤋