Part 1
Dateline: 7/12/00
I can still remember the day my daughter brought home "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" from the school library. Our family wasn't hip to all the latest Harry Potter gossip at the time but the little I had heard did cause me a bit of concern. Witches, wizards, spells, and curses. Parents were in an uproar. Churches were in uproar. And now it was in my home. I wasn't quite sure how to react. Were these books something to fear or was it just a bunch of unfounded paranoia? I really had no idea and certainly didn't have time to research it as we headed out the door for our dentist appointments.
Sitting in the waiting room, I decided the best course of action would be to read over my daughter's shoulder to see what kind of impression I got rather than make an unnecessary, uneducated stink about nothing. Preparing for the worst I began to read. My daughter was very patient. She did her best to ignore me as I sat, with head cranked, to read this mysterious book. I read... and read... and read... until finally I had had enough! I yanked the book away and informed my daughter she could not have it back until I was completely done with it. It was just too good to put down. I was hooked on Harry Potter. I'll be starting the most recent "Goblet of Fire" tomorrow. I thoroughly enjoy the Harry Potter books and have a hard time understanding the hoopla associated with them. Some people actually believe the Harry Potter books are "an attempt by Wiccans to recruit young children into the practices of witchcraft." Don't believe me? Here's a recent post from my LDS Discussion forum:| I think the Harry Potter books are an attempt by Wiccans to recruit young children into the practices of witchcraft. Most other fantasy books for children transport them to other worlds (Chronicles of Narnia comes to mind) where magic happens. These books take place right here in this world and make children believe they can do magic in this world. The Bible tells us that engaging in witchcraft is a sin, I don't think these books are a good idea for Christian kids. If they like the Harry Potter books, get them the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis instead.--CRUSADER |
I suppose I'd have to rank this right up there with the the claims that Teletubbies are sending our children subliminal messages. Uh... yeah right (I can't wait to see the email I get on this one).
But I'll try to put aside my own opinions for a moment and give this idea some credibility. Are the Wiccans really out to recruit our children? I decided to go straight to a credible source. I emailed Frances Donovan (About Guide to Pagan/Wiccan Religion) to ask her if Harry Potter had an agenda. She was kind enough to get back to me in a timely manner. Here's what she had to say...
Next page > A
LETTER FROM OKELLE > Page
1, 2, 3, 4
