Ga. Judge: Keep Potter Books in School

[Rhino]

May 29, 12:53 PM EDT

Ga. Judge: Keep Potter Books in School

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) -- The adventures of boy wizard Harry Potter can stay in Gwinnett County school libraries, despite a mother's objections, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Laura Mallory, who 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.

"I maybe need a whole new case from the ground up," said Mallory, who was not represented by an attorney at the hearing......http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/P/POTTER_PROTEST?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

You maybe need a whole new something, from the neck up.

[kenyon330]

Anyone who thinks that the Harry Potter books are trying to turn kids into witches is a moron.

[Lubbock]

If she wants to start with something that, in my opinion, really is harming children, why not start with Heather Has Two Mommies?

[PrezLeefun]

Yay for the Judge. HP doesnt harm kids or teach witchcraft. Its fiction in same fashion as The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe and LOTR.

If anything it teaches about the evils of predjudice and genocide.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

I don't care for HP, and have made no secret of my feelings regarding the series. I support this woman's desire and attempt to have it removed, HOWEVER I do so on the basis that we all have recourse for our grievances. I do not agree with censoring books from public libraries, however I would support parental notification/approval before they (children below a certain age) are allowed to check certain books out.

[omegatrump]

I read a review of the HP books by a former witch. He said the subtillity with which witchcraft is introduced in the context of the story line is very well done. He called them an introduction to witch craft. Having been a witch himself, I would think he knew something about it.

I have never read any of them, only what I have seen in advertisement. But where there is smoke, usually there is some fire.

[DesertFox]

My sister said her oldest daughter just wouldn't read anything until she got aholt to Harry Potter. Then she read, and reread, and reread again, every one of them as they came out. Made her a better student.

I also suspect that the witch you're talking about may see things that most people are perfectly unaware of, and will remain ignorant about, and therefore not be hurt by.

There was a great line in a book by Trevanian years ago that the British MI5 was so subtle that their fakes went unnoticed. I think that may apply to the "subtle introductions to witchcraft" in Harry Potter.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

kenyon330:
Anyone who thinks that the Harry Potter books are trying to turn kids into witches is a moron.

:unsmile: There are people in good standing at this BB who feel that Harry Potter is indeed a cleverly disguised witchcraft primer. Before you start calling names, consider that it's not safe to assume that everyone here is going to agree with you. Need I remind you what "they" say about people who assume?

[kenyon330]

:unsmile: There are people in good standing at this BB who feel that Harry Potter is indeed a cleverly disguised witchcraft primer. Before you start calling names, consider that it's not safe to assume that everyone here is going to agree with you. Need I remind you what "they" say about people who assume?

Whatever, it's a work of fiction created to entertain people. My Christian parents had no problem with this series when we were kids because they realized we weren't going to run off and try to fight Voldemort, because we were smart enough to tell the difference between entertainment and reality. I've seen many of my friends reading these books but I have yet to hear of any of them pointing wands at their neighbors and chanting "avada kedavra".

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Whatever, it's a work of fiction created to entertain people. My Christian parents had no problem with this series when we were kids because they realized we weren't going to run off and try to fight Voldemort, because we were smart enough to tell the difference between entertainment and reality. I've seen many of my friends reading these books but I have yet to hear of any of them pointing wands at their neighbors and chanting "avada kedavra".

Regardless of your personal anectdote, that's no reason to cast aspersions (i.e. "a moron") on others for their held convictions.

[kenyon330]

Regardless of your personal anectdote, that's no reason to cast aspersions (i.e. "a moron") on others for their held convictions.

Ok, maybe I worded it a bit strongly, I just don't see how anyone could believe that this series is trying to get children to worship the devil or whatever. It's done so much good by getting kids to read instead of watching tv.

[M.C.]

Harry Potter is a book about some British kids who do magic, fly around, and throw fireballs at mutant lobsters or something. No big deal, pure fantasy like any other book.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Ok, maybe I worded it a bit strongly, I just don't see how anyone could believe that this series is trying to get children to worship the devil or whatever. It's done so much good by getting kids to read instead of watching tv.

Your lack of understanding how anyone could hold anti-HP beliefs is duly noted. I have no desire to turn this into (ANOTHER) trash-those-that-disapprove-of-HP thread. Feel free to do a search on FC for other threads regarding HP, I'm sure you'll see it all layed out (I know for a fact you will, as I have previously posted MY family's beliefs regarding the HP issue and information to back them up).

My only request in this thread (as is Moo's, as evidenced by his response post) is that you understand that there ARE those who hold strong convictions regarding this issue, and they do so for a reason (as do I) and not resort to name-calling to "make your point".

[kenyon330]

My only request in this thread (as is Moo's, as evidenced by his response post) is that you understand that there ARE those who hold strong convictions regarding this issue, and they do so for a reason (as do I) and not resort to name-calling to "make your point".

Yeah, sure thing. I regret saying it, as I didn't really mean it, I am just amazed that someone could feel that way. But I respect your opinion.

[Riverboat]

To my way of thinking, this Harry Potter thing is overblown. I have no more objection to the series than than to the Wizard of Oz or all the fairy tales I grew up with. That said, I respect the rights of parents who object to their kids reading the books.

One comment made by a parent is relevant: "I have a dream that God will be welcomed back in our schools again." If we're going to stock the shelves with Rowling's works, it seems only fair to make sure the Bible and Christian apologists are also well-represented.

[M.C.]

Might as well ban Lord of the Rings and Jerry Seinfeld's autobiography while we're at it.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

One comment made by a parent is relevant: "I have a dream that God will be welcomed back in our schools again." If we're going to stock the shelves with Rowling's works, it seems only fair to make sure the Bible and Christian apologists are also well-represented.

:claps:Boat my brudder, on this I can absolutely agree!

[M.C.]

:claps:Boat my brudder, on this I can absolutely agree!

I agree with that as well, there is no reason for the bible to be banned from the school/library's shelves for those who want to read/learn/study/believe the contents of it.