Should Harry Potter Be Banned From Schools?

Mom seeks a ban on Harry Potter in schools

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ATLANTA — A suburban county that sparked a public outcry when its libraries temporarily eliminated funding for Spanish-language fiction is now being asked to ban Harry Potter books from its schools.

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Laura Mallory, a mother of four, told a hearing officer for the Gwinnett County Board of Education last week that the popular fiction series is an "evil" attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.
Board of Education attorney Victoria Sweeny said that if schools were to remove all books containing reference to witches, they would have to ban such works asMacbeth and Cinderella.
"There's a mountain of evidence for keeping Harry Potter," she said, adding that the books don't support any particular religion but present instead universal themes of friendship and overcoming adversity.
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Comments: 12

Martha Jette, Author/Editor Oct 11, 2006, 1:22am EDT

I'm sorry to hear that, Delvin. However, even the old children's fables contain witches, big bad wolves and more. I always thought they were kinda creepy for little ones, but school age kids might handle things better. It's a tough call.

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Diane White Oct 11, 2006, 1:28am EDT

When I was in high school the "Christians" wanted the Latin textbooks banned because they contained stories of pagan and false gods.

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Carol Roach Oct 11, 2006, 1:28am EDT

well Martha you know my answer,

I am liberal, and I don't think book censorship is the way to go, we already came out of the dark ages once, we don't need to go back.

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paul w. Oct 11, 2006, 1:44am EDT

I am sure about Harry Potter. The books should stay. Banning books is flat out wrong.

I've read them with my daughters (am presently reading them with my younger), and they were not in the least interested in ditching our religion for witchcraft.

You cannot ban all fantasy-based books, etc. As if that would prevent anyone from pursuing something that the Bible Club doesn't approve of. Give it a rest, Ms. Mallory.

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Thor Grant Oct 11, 2006, 1:51am EDT

Nutjobs will want books banned for all sorts of ridiculous reasons and not one of them is sound. Period.

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Nanci B Oct 11, 2006, 3:11am EDT

I don't like Harry Potter for some of the reasons cited by the banners, but ban a book? No way, no how.

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Donald H. Oct 11, 2006, 6:13am EDT

Could we get ral? Fairy stories, cultural mythology, etc. abound with witches, demons, dfragons, magic, etc. & they do no harm...! They actually do good by teaching the little ones aboput the darker side of life that does exist in reality. Far too many people want to protect their kids when they should be allowing them to experience the other side of life so that in later life they can deal with it ina positive & proactive manner. I suggest that Christain fundementalists stay away from my roght to read any book I select.......or that my kids select....

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Quinn (aka Entwife) Blackburn Oct 11, 2006, 6:59am EDT

There is never a good reason to ban a book...it's like trying to ban a thought! Impossible, dangerous, and just plain wrong. So... lol, guess I'd have to say no, the JK Rowling books should not be banned. Wishing You Laughter

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Martha Jette, Author/Editor Oct 11, 2006, 4:14pm EDT

Hoorah for the freedom of choice. If you don't want certain books in your house, don't buy them. If you don't think something is appropriate reading, don't read it. However, banning them outright so everyone has to make the same choice is not right.

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Travis B. Oct 11, 2006, 4:21pm EDT

It is hard enough to get kids to stop playing with video games as it is. ANYTHING that gets them reading should be in the school libraries. Well maybe not the Anarchist Cookbook in grade school...at least not till high school anyway.

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Should Harry Potter Be Banned From Schools?

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