Should "Harry Potter" be Banned from Schools?
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Some say YES...
Harry Potter series contains some of the most beloved children’s books of all time, and they continue to remain popular among readers of all ages. However, despite its widespread popularity, there have been countless attempts from concerned parents and religious individuals calling for the book to be banned in various schools across the country. The reasons behind these actions are mostly credited to the book’s connection with witchcraft, and its questionable influence on children. The issues pointed toward the book’s strong reference to witchcraft mainly stem from a religious standpoint. Within most religious institutions, witches are thought of as creatures of evil and having relations with the works of the devil. In Harry Potter, witches are presented as both good and evil. The main character Harry and his friends are portrayed as part of the good witches. Religious individuals who oppose the book say that the glorified portrayal of witches as being good confuses and corrupts the minds of young children. Some also fear that the book could encourage children to practice witchcraft. The book has also been challenged by a number of parents citing concerns about the morals being taught in the story. They claim that Harry Potter teaches children it is okay to lie, cheat, and get even with people due to common displays of impunity in its content. Click on the link below to view a list of individual challenges against Harry Potter. http://childrensbooks.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=childrensbooks&cdn=parenting&tm=14&f=00&su=p284.13.342.ip_p504.6.342.ip_&tt=2&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.d.umn.edu/~csigler/PDF%2520files/PotterChallengeList.pdf |
Discussion of the Controversies
Witchcraft and Occult themes
The study and practice of witchcraft through spells and magical elements make up a significant part of the books. Magical objects such as moving pictures, talking paintings, and floating candles are portrayed constantly throughout the settings. The books are filled with supernatural images and events that pertain to witchcraft. The stories revolve around three young wizards who regularly engage in magical practices. Religious opponents of the books find the normalized representations of these young wizards disturbing and inappropriate for children because it might lead them to believe that witchcraft is good.
The books' blatant allusions to witchcraft and the occult are perhaps the most common sources of concern for religious individuals. They argue that the innocent portrayal of wizards in the stories contradicts biblical teachings. In 2007, Ron Barker, the head educator of a catholic school in Boston decided to pull the Harry Potter books out of the school's library shelves claiming that he did it in order to "spare those vulnerable to occult practices and to losing salvation." His actions further solidified religious oppositions against the books.
Although the stories of Harry Potter and his wizard world are deemed to be entirely fiction, witchcraft is considered a legitimate religious practice in real life. Commonly referred to as the Wiccan religion, the practice of modern witchcraft was introduced in both Europe and the United States around the 1950's. Wiccan groups refer to themselves as covens. These groups share a strong and common belief in the existence of magic. Their ritual practices often include casting spells performed within a sacred circle. Wiccans also acknowledge the presence of both good and evil forms of magic.
As many religious advocates, particularly those coming from Catholic and Christian religions, are highly opposed to the practices of witchcraft and the occult, the modern existence of real life witches has added to their skepticism about the effects that the Harry Potter books might produce among readers. They fear that the amiable portrayal of witches in the books might spark an interest in the Wiccan religion.
Morals and Values
Some questions have been raised over the characterizations of improper morals and values within the books. Harry Potter and his friends normally has to break school rules in order to obtain what they need. Their attempts often include lying, stealing, and deceit. These actions clearly violate the teachings of the ten commandments. The fact that the characters are able to get away with their bad behaviors with greater rewards than punishment, could give children the idea that it is perfectly okay to misbehave, and break the rules.
Another controversial moral issue concerning the books is the nature of Dumbledore's sexual orientation. During a public appearance in New York City in 2007, J.K. Rowling revealed that Dumbledore was indeed gay. The information was highly celebrated by gay supporters, and some even called it "a victory for homosexuals all over the world." On the other hand, however, some religious individuals were not too happy about the news. Rowling's revelation only further intensified their disapproval against the books, and instigated a number of anti-gay remarks.
Sources:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Story?id=3755544&page=1
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/banharry.htm
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Amney3PhMTY45u6ZxLPKaIObvZx4?p=harry+potter&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Amney3PhMTY45u6ZxLPKaIObvZx4?p=pentagram&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUlNjr9NXrA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUwbaNO6Z18&feature=fvst
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Story?id=3755544&page=1
http://childrensbooks.about.com/cs/censorship/a/banharry.htm
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Amney3PhMTY45u6ZxLPKaIObvZx4?p=harry+potter&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=Amney3PhMTY45u6ZxLPKaIObvZx4?p=pentagram&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-701
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUlNjr9NXrA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUwbaNO6Z18&feature=fvst