Do sane normal people think that reading "Harry Potter" book will lead children to practice witchcraft ?

Question

Laura Mallory in LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga., argued the popular fiction series is an attempt to indoctrinate children in witchcraft, said she still wants the best-selling books removed and may take her case to federal court.

Is she a wack job or what ?

Answer 1

She says it promotes a religion. Does that mean she
would object to the school library having a Bible in it, too?
The woman is wacky and I feel bad for her kids. She cannot
control everything that they read and her opinions should
not be forced on the other kids. She has the option to home
school or enroll her kids in private school if she wishes.

Answer 2

I would lay odds on the following:

1. Mallory could pass a psychological exam.
2. Mallory is described as a devout member of a church in Georgia.
3. Mallory has never read any of the Harry Potter books (although she may have read her Bible on a yearly basis.)
4. Mallory doesn't realize that the legal system dismisses "frivolous suits."

If any of the four is incorrect, then yes, she is a "wack job."

I have lived in the "old South" my entire life. What passes for "sane and normal" around here would probably include a viewpoint that the "Harry Potter" series is evil. Of course, we're talking about a culture that includes people who believe (often because of ultra-conservative religious zealots) that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny are evil, because they take away from a celebration of Jesus Christ.

So, to answer your question, you have to first agree than any definition of insanity requires that we agree on what "sanity" actually is. Since we don't have time or space for that, this is why she is not "insane," but is only overzealous and misguided:

In the "old South," she is not quite so outside the spectrum of sanity and reason as you might think. She can probably quote biblical passages that support her logic. And, as is often the case, the Bible is the law, the Bible is science, for many people in this region. Whereas I, when confronted with a Bible verse, would think "we are mixing faith and logic, therefore, we can no longer prove anything;" many people, having grown up indoctrinated (as I was) into the southern culture of religious fervor, would believe, "Ah ha! This is the truth and cannot be argued!"

The Bible is God's version of DNA testing for many people in this area. Of course, I understand DNA testing is never greater than 99.9% accurate, so that metaphor is a probably inaccurate (for some of you, who believe that the Bible is 100% perfect.)

By the way, I'm not bashing my native region. It's the only place I have lived long enough to gather an accurate enough picture for commentary. This type of behavior may exist in other areas, also.

Laura Mallory is likely neither insane, nor is she a "wack job." The "what" that she is, is someone who has been deeply ingrained with the conservative ideas espoused by ultra-conservative ministers, who are all too willing to believe that the world is filled with tests of all stripes, where every helping hand or harmless diversion might be the devil's entrance into your life.

She sincerely believes that her God has instructed her to battle all things that take away from worship, and she believes she is doing that. She probably believes God will give her a crown, as described in the New Testament.

It's why so many great writers are from the South... everyone's so screwed up that it's a goldmine for storytelling. Ms. Mallory is not insane, but her logic and her point-of-view are highly skewed when compared to a societal norm. Of course, one could argue that this is the very definition of insanity. In fact, I think some defendants have argued they were clinically insane during a killing spree, because of religious fervor.

By the way, I don't give a hoot about the Harry Potter series, as an adult reader. The writing is well-suited for children and teenagers, the storyline is interesting, and it sure beats MTV, etc.

Answer 3

Honestly, I think that people who believe such things about the Potter series are going off of hearsay. They have been told the books are EVIL! I do not believe anyone who has actually read the books would in any way believe they could cause children to begin practicing witch craft. These books are not about demons or demonic forces, they are about children who are learning magic. Should we ban a Kid in King Aurthors Court because our children may begin practicing time travel? No, because time travel isnt possible. And children who read the book realize this. They also realize that the magic done in the books by the "witches" isn't possible either. They are not going to grab the broom out of the closet and expect to fly! And you know what, even if they do, they will eventually realize that fiction isnt real. As for the books turning them towards witchcraft, most children who read these books do not have ready access to true witch craft practices, and would not be able to become an occult member even if they truly wanted. These books were meant for entertainment, not to be a practical guide to becoming a witch. I have read all six books, and I did not find anything anywhere remotely pointing towards real witch craft. So, to answer your question, no, I do not think she is a wack job, I think she is uninformed, and making her stand on misinformation.

Answer 4

Actually Harry Potter is not much at all like real witchcraft, it is what it is a wonderful FICTION work. I personally believe that only uneducated people would think that there is any danger from the books. Or possibly people that have no faith in their own religions being strong enough and important enough to keep such a work from making such an impact.

J. K. Rollins is simply an amazing writer an brilliant author and her works are beautifully, action filled but fiction works.

Not to mention having the books removed because of their content is childish.

People have feared what they do not understand since the beginning of time and will most likely continue to do so. If the woman had half an education and a real trust in her spirituality she would have not issues with the work at all.

The books do teach wonderful morals and is a beautiful place to escape too.

Answer 5

Wack Job. Ton's of people think this but they don't go to court. These books are just like any other about witchcraft and in case Laura Mallory hasn't noticed, there are tons of books about witchcraft. Only when you see millions of kids talking about magical power and jumping off houses on brooms or use sticks to turn their sibling into a toad or something like that should you start to worry.

Answer 6

No, I don't think reading a fantasy novel will lead a child to witchcraft. I think practicing witchcraft leads a child to witchcraft.

Edit: She'll never win her case. These books aren't based at all in Wicca/Witchcraft, but even if they were those are protected religions. Check out some of the Supreme Court decisions.

Answer 7

Doubtful. The woman is just a religious zealot. She even indicated such at the end of the article: "I think it's time we brought God back into our lives."

Nevermind the fact that kids should be exposed to all kinds of reading material--she feels that religion has a higher purpose in life than having an ample childhood and a good supply of reading material at hand to educate and entertain.

However, this book has been more challenged than any other so far, and many others will follow suite--so long as people like her *exist*.

Answer 8

Total wack job......If parents haven't taught their children to differentiate between fantasy and reality, then shame on them. I think most kids, no matter what they are taught, have the common sense to understand that the books are fantasy literature.
Have the books removed?!?! Why not just round 'em all up and burn 'em in the street? Geez.....people seem to want to shove the responsibility of child rearing onto society as a whole...but that's a whole other subject.

Answer 9

Magic is in this book to make it interesting,main thing in it is growing up,teenage years and how to live through them.Because of circumstances Harry is having even worse time then rest of us.Book is interesting and children should read it.
And how can you "practice" something that doesn't exist,like witchcraft?Does that women understand that it is only fiction,kids can play as long as they want,they can't make any magic!

Answer 10

No, us sane normal people don't think that (yep, she's a whack) - us sane normal people are happy that our children are finding reading enjoyable (and I'm pretty sure that the majority of our children will turn out to be sane, normal and well-adjusted adults)