Should schools ban Harry Potter in fairness?

[Taco John]

A hearing took place yesterday about whether a Georgia school should ban Harry Potter from school libraries because of complaints that the books glorify witchcraft. It occurs to me that there is an effort, I believe rightly, to get religion out of schools and keep church and state seperate. In the spirit of those who would go to whatever end necessary to abolish any symbol of Christianity from public schools, should Christians be afforded the same courtesies against Witchcraft?

I don't personally know that they should. I'm just asking the question.

[Adept Havelock]

Last time I checked, the Harry Potter books made no direct reference to any specific religion. The brand of "magic" practiced bares little similarity to the practices of Wicca or most "pagan" faiths, AFAICT.

If this is proven to be the case, then why not? Of course, that also means banning the classics of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Taco John

A hearing took place yesterday about whether a Georgia school should ban Harry Potter from school libraries because of complaints that the books glorify witchcraft. It occurs to me that there is an effort, I believe rightly, to get religion out of schools and keep church and state seperate. In the spirit of those who would go to whatever end necessary to abolish any symbol of Christianity from public schools, should Christians be afforded the same courtesies against Witchcraft?

I don't personally know that they should. I'm just asking the question.

I don't think Harry Potter witchcraft is a religion, it's a fantasy. Even though Wiccans might call themselves witches, it's a different kind of witch. Anyone who believes they are a Harry Potter style witch is crazy, not religious.

[memyselfI]

The kids of people screaming about this really should be attending RRWNJ schools or home schooled. Leave the rest of us and our kids the fugg alone.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by memyselfI

The kids of people screaming about this really should be attending RRWNJ schools or home schooled. Leave the rest of us and our kids the fugg alone.

So, when do you send your kids to madrassa?

[oldandslow]

No, the books should not be banned.

This entire discussion is ridiculous.

[Braincase]

Where is the First United Church of Potter Related Magic?

Can't say I've had people with funny hats coming around asking me if I'd like a copy of the Gryffindor Times.

[Mr. Laz]

depends ... do you consider Magic a religion?

['Hamas' Jenkins]

If Harry Potter books are banned, it should be because they ****ing suck, not b/c of any presumed religious content. The logical extension of this argument would lead to the banning of nearly every book on the grounds that it glorifies some type of religion, whether it be main stream Christianity or secular humanism. Leave it to the Georgia cousin rapers...

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

So, when do you send your kids to madrassa?

are yours attending The Neo-Confederates school of literature and achievement?

[Chiefs Express]

Freedom of speech doesn't seem to be on ther forefront of people's minds when they talk of banning books. Is the bible in school libraries? If so, then harry potter should be. If not, no.

As for C.S. Lewis, I seem to remember that he turned against God at one point in his life. I don't know what the basis of Narnia is, but if it was written after the turn I don't see it as a "tool for religion".

If you want to be a witch, be one, just don't push it off on me as something good. (Kind of like what they say about religion if they are non-believers.)

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Chiefs Express

Freedom of speech doesn't seem to be on ther forefront of people's minds when they talk of banning books. Is the bible in school libraries? If so, then harry potter should be. If not, no.

As for C.S. Lewis, I seem to remember that he turned against God at one point in his life. I don't know what the basis of Narnia is, but if it was written after the turn I don't see it as a "tool for religion".

If you want to be a witch, be one, just don't push it off on me as something good. (Kind of like what they say about religion if they are non-believers.)

I'm no CS Lewis expert, but my recollection is that his transformation was the reverse of what you are thinking. He was a skeptic and later became a Christian. And while Lewis never said as much, most people believe that the Narnia Chronicals are very much based on the stories of Christ.

[Chiefs Express]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I'm no CS Lewis expert, but my recollection is that his transformation was the reverse of what you are thinking. He was a skeptic and later became a Christian. And while Lewis never said as much, most people believe that the Narnia Chronicals are very much based on the stories of Christ.

As a book of fiction it could be based on most anything or anyone.

How about the modern day William Smith (who was reported to be the Christ) or Joshua (movie character that was based on a modern day Christ). For that matter it could be based on any "known" religious figure that tried to follow the bible.

I will do some research on CS Lewis. We've had discussions about him and what happened to him at PK. I'll get back with what I find.

[Sully]

IMHO, I don't think anything should be banned from a library.
I understand protecting kids and all, and I support that. But if you afraid of a subject (Christianity, Islam, Witchcraft), what better way to confirm or shoot down that fear than research. Research could include both reference type of books, and how the subject appears and is portrayed in poular culture.
My mom was one of these nuts trying to hide me from everything as I was growing up.
I was banned from watching the friggin Smurfs, for crying out loud, because some religious paranoid whacko had convinced her of all the symbolism for witchcraft included in it.

[Chiefs Express]

Originally Posted by Chiefs Express

As a book of fiction it could be based on most anything or anyone.

How about the modern day William Smith (who was reported to be the Christ) or Joshua (movie character that was based on a modern day Christ). For that matter it could be based on any "known" religious figure that tried to follow the bible.

I will do some research on CS Lewis. We've had discussions about him and what happened to him at PK. I'll get back with what I find.

A quick search gives me the indication that C.S. Lewis wrote the Chronicles of Narnia while he was a believer and that later he fell away from religion. I'm still searching for the book in which he explained his change.