Harry Potter Evil?

There is a woman in Atlanta who thinks that Harry Potter should be banned. Article Here.

Laura Mallory, a mother of four, told a hearing officer for the Gwinnett County Board of Education on Tuesday that the popular fiction series is an "evil" attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.

Clearly, she hasn't even lifted the cover of any of the books, let alone read them. I have read them. All of them. Multiple times. Not once is Wicca, or any religion for that matter, mentioned. The way I see it, Hogwarts is more a "trade" school. Kids who are witches, or show aptitude or skill are sent there to hone those skills, rather like someone who is good at fixing cars, or cooking.

What's even funnier is the "live vote" on MSN. I know that those things are skewed and unreliable and "not scientific", but it's currently showing 11% for "Yes, his character induces children to consider witchcraft" Pardon me, but DUH... OF COURSE those books make kids consider witchcraft. They consider how they could use it to get out of homework, eating broccoli, and for getting that video game their parents won't let them have. Hogwarts is such a fanciful, ah, magical place that who wouldn't consider witchcraft after reading one of those books - not as a religion, but as part of fantasy.

Just asked my 8yr old, who has read all of them cover to cover.

M: Does reading Harry Potter make you think of witchcraft?
C: Yes
M: What does it make you think?
C: Of flying - how cool it would be to fly on a broom like Harry.

It doesn't make her think of evil, or using power for bad things. She just thinks it would be cool to fly. The HP series is a wonderful example of the classic battle between good and evil. How wonderful that the lessons are so enjoyable that kids line up to read the books. What other books are causing children all over the world to line up at their local book store (after having reserved a copy months in advance) to stand in line for a midnight release of a book. A BOOK. Not a movie, or video game. A book. HP is helping our children become literate. They read. Not little tiny paperbacks, but huge, heavy $30 hard cover books. Yes, they line up for the movie adaptations, too, but the majority of them have alread read the books, and realize that the books are better.

[Oh, and Harry is SO cute. In our house, Harry is pronounced with a long, wistful sigh.]

Just for the record, Wicca is not "evil"... check it out for yourself. I did. Oh, ok. Now I get it. No blaming someone else... no wonder people want to portray it as evil. They wouldn't be able to wipe the slate of their actions clean just by going to confession or something.

Witchcraft is a spiritual system that fosters the free thought and will of the individual, encourages learning and an understanding of the earth and nature thereby affirming the divinity in all living things. Most importantly however, it teaches responsibility. We accept responsibility for our actions and deeds as clearly a result of the choices we make. We do not blame an exterior entity or being for our shortcomings, weaknesses or mistakes. If we mess up or do something that brings harm to another, we have no one but ourselves to blame and we must face the consequences resulting from those actions. No ifs, ands or buts and no whining...

And shall we get on the subject of parental responsibility? The kids that are reading these books are at an age where their materials should be monitored. By all means, know what your kids are reading. If you don't agree - don't let them read it - but don't ask for it to be banned. Hey Mrs. Mallory... that's your job as a parent. Shut up and do your job instead of spouting nonsense in the media. Take a few hours and read the first book. You tell me where it mentions Wicca. You show me how it tries to convert children to evil. Well... I'm waiting....