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Lupin Jr · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2006, 05:43 AM

Over the past few weeks it appears that a women (who claims to have not actually read the books) in Gwinnet County has been fighting to have the Potter books removed from the shelves of public schools. She claims the books insight witchcraft and promote demonic activities. This is not the first time that the morals of the Potter books have been questioned.

The school board came to the conclusion that the accusations being made had no reasonable grounds and allowed the Potter books to remain on the shelves for children to enjoy.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported:

Quote:

"At the very heart of this issue is censorship," Boyce said. "Our students do understand the difference between fact and fiction. Let's let those who want to read the Harry Potter books have the opportunity to do so."

Personally I agree, the magic in the stories is mearly a shell to the underlying subtext of the stories. The overall value of Harry's journey is the relationships he makes with those he loves and the importance of sacrafice, messages that are clearly evident in history and important in teaching children.

To learn more about banned books check out the American Library Association.

Source: TLC

Note: Please remember in your comments that everyone has a right to their own opinion about the series.

OtterySt.Catchpole · 05-12-2006, 06:04 AM

I can't believe you read those vile books Will, they are from the devil.

*Teddy takes out his pentagram*
*Ottery's all

*
T: What? I'm doing Geometry homework.

O:Yes that's sarcasm kids...

but in all truth and fairness I think Censorship should be allowed in some instances. *Ottery has turned Republican* No seriously, hear me out...I mean we're for wiretapping too.
T: You're just asking to get scolded.
O:Then we lie about it.

I mean...
*A snickering Teddy takes off the Imperius Curse*

No Censorship is evil! No books should ever be banned, or put in restricted sections or anything like that, everyone should have access to everything. ~~Except the poor, they can't afford it.~~ What I can't be an imperialist pig too? *Teddy smacks Ottery* I mean...I think it's a matter where the parents should police their children and not the library should police us all. I mean, I'm sure there are more people in favor of not banning the books than there are those in favor of having them removed.

I respect that people want to keep their children away from bad literature. *hands the kiddies copies of Jackie Collins* She's better than Shakespeare let me tell you...*back on topic* But that should be the parents responsability, like television, we know it's evil but are you going to ban a show a small number of people in Nebraska (It's always someone in Nebraska isn't it?)
T: I thought it was Utah?
O: I thought it was Texas
*goes on to list the fifty states and some providences*
Anyways, censorship cases are always about excerpts in books taken completely out of context anyways, and to make a more valid argument wouldn't you have to read the books first?

Oh and I'd just like to remind the people in Utah and Nebraska

Quote:

Note: Please remember in your comments that everyone has a right to their own opinion about the series.

angeline_fire · 05-12-2006, 06:06 AM

everyone knows whats real and whts not,,, so instead of making it an issue we should let the reader decide what he wants to read.

Nabs · 05-12-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Note: Please remember in your comments that everyone has a right to their own opinion about the series.

Quote:

(who claims to have not actually read the books)

And therein lies the whole root of the problem. Most of the people who claim to be against the Harry Potter series and people reading them are those who have not read the books themselves.

To these people : Let's not make generalizations based on assumptions.

Nowhere in the HP books does it say "Come on kiddies, let's kill people with our awesome learning of witchcraft!" The books are ultimately about good versus evil, and managing to overcome evil by the power of love and relationships that the protagonist has managed to forge in the 7 years of is life. What's so evil about that?

ezzer123 · 05-12-2006, 06:10 AM

I dont live in the USA but I'm really pleased for the kids of that county, and that they are still able to enjoy the books as much as I do. A nd I bet that woman has read them.

tonks26 · 05-12-2006, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Our students do understand the difference between fact and fiction.

My college thesis is about the Potter series and kids reading them, and it's really a no-brainer that they do understand the difference between fact and fiction. It's just sad that there are still some narrow-minded people out there who would not want to look past the outside of story and delve further into what the series is really all about.

OtterySt.Catchpole · 05-12-2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nabiya

Nowhere in the HP books does it say "Come on kiddies, let's kill people with our awesome learning of witchcraft!"

Actually Nabs in HBP on page 465 of the American edition...you know the one with Arnold Schwarzenager as Ron on the cover...

but arguably that's a recurring theme in the books...I mean from the Death Eaters point of view...and we're tapping your phone Nabs.

We know you're secretly a DE.

Lady_Jezz · 05-12-2006, 07:10 AM

Jeez, how pathetic!!! Any sane person can tell the difference...

fleur_21 · 05-12-2006, 07:33 AM

I agree that is really pathetic!
I'm sure that people that read the books even children can tell that it's only fiction!
This lady has just got to much time on her hands!

c00kie · 05-12-2006, 08:39 AM

Right. this lady needs some therapy. she should probably read the book before commenting on it "promoting demonic activities?"

FearlessLeader19 · 05-12-2006, 08:53 AM

i agree she should read the book before commenting. Everyone can tell if its a fiction or not

i-who-must-not-be-named · 05-12-2006, 09:16 AM

if she does'nt want to read it then why let not others to do what they like..stupid women!!!

Ms Wood · 05-12-2006, 10:05 AM

People like that really annoy me, what about free speech?? if we start telling people what we can and cant read then it’s a dictatorship.

The books are more about friendships and growing up and discovering who you are than Witchcraft.

La La · 05-12-2006, 10:22 AM

What are they Puritans or something?

Are they trying to say that we are witches and warlocks putting disease and harm on others? Are they going back to the Salem Witch Trials?

First off this book for me creates a world I always dreamed about.

Second off get off your high hat stupid women and jump on the band wagon. Your not going to win this fight.

Third off its a public school, meaning your not the leader of the school. Now if it was a private school ( which I have attended one, 6 years in fact I did) than I can understand that.

You want to argue with me lady. I've been on the debate team at my highschool and middleschool. GO ahead I'm very sure you won't even get one point.

Now that is what I would say to her.

Ms Wood · 05-12-2006, 11:54 AM

You Go Girl!!!! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Singularity · 05-12-2006, 12:00 PM

This is absolutely ridiculous. There is no reason for the books to be banned. It's just a book. Reading it will not make us all Satanic and whatnot. RIDICULOUS.

iron ice · 05-12-2006, 12:05 PM

[o.k i agree with ottery, it's parent's restriction that counts too :dragon:

Loki · 05-12-2006, 12:15 PM

If She Don't To Read Hp Books It's Her Own Choice, But She Have To Let The Parents Of Those Children Decide If They Want They're Children To Be Able To Read Them.

Personnaly I Don't Find Any Demonic Stuff In The Book, But Then Again It's My Opinion. If Some Parents Thinks They're Kids Aren't Old Enough To Read Them, It's Up To Them To Decide

Harry'sLove · 05-12-2006, 12:29 PM

That kind of crap makes me regret being a Georgian!!!!! Plus I have 2 kids of my own and I have read the HP books to them and they love them,and they are ages 10 and 6 and they are able to understand the difference between reality and fiction. If this woman is to narrow minded to understand the difference well that is her fault!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jojogali · 05-12-2006, 12:57 PM

Yeah everyone has the right to ahve their own opinions.. but his one :| omg.. well, glad that the final decision was made by someone with a clear mind :|

Madame_Tonks · 05-12-2006, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtterySt.Catchpole

I can't believe you read those vile books Will, they are from the devil.

*Teddy takes out his pentagram*
*Ottery's all

*
T: What? I'm doing Geometry homework.

O:Yes that's sarcasm kids...

but in all truth and fairness I think Censorship should be allowed in some instances. *Ottery has turned Republican* No seriously, hear me out...I mean we're for wiretapping too.
T: You're just asking to get scolded.
O:Then we lie about it.

I mean...
*A snickering Teddy takes off the Imperius Curse*

No Censorship is evil! No books should ever be banned, or put in restricted sections or anything like that, everyone should have access to everything. ~~Except the poor, they can't afford it.~~ What I can't be an imperialist pig too? *Teddy smacks Ottery* I mean...I think it's a matter where the parents should police their children and not the library should police us all. I mean, I'm sure there are more people in favor of not banning the books than there are those in favor of having them removed.

I respect that people want to keep their children away from bad literature. *hands the kiddies copies of Jackie Collins* She's better than Shakespeare let me tell you...*back on topic* But that should be the parents responsability, like television, we know it's evil but are you going to ban a show a small number of people in Nebraska (It's always someone in Nebraska isn't it?)
T: I thought it was Utah?
O: I thought it was Texas
*goes on to list the fifty states and some providences*
Anyways, censorship cases are always about excerpts in books taken completely out of context anyways, and to make a more valid argument wouldn't you have to read the books first?

Oh and I'd just like to remind the people in Utah and Nebraska

Very nice rant Otts! Just remember though, some of us in Utah are very against censorship!

Myself at the top of them!

Anyone who can bash and judge books they have not read, needs to be slapped repeatedly with those books.

Yes I know I have to accept other peoples closed minds, but it's sooo hard!

Kitty Loves Steps · 05-12-2006, 01:22 PM

Quote:

She claims the books insight witchcraft and promote demonic activities. This is not the first time that the morals of the Potter books have been questioned.

*Sighs* How many times do we have to hear this! It's just sad in my opinion! Is there any actual real proof that suggests they are right? I don't think I've seen any proof at all! *Points at her and laughs*

Let's look at both ends of the scale!

Good: Getting millions of children into reading and making it cool! How much of a benifit is that to the adults of tomorrow! That's a major thing in my opinion! Not something to complain about.

(So called) Bad: Giving children an insight into witchcraft and promoting the dark arts. How many children do we see that actually think Harry Potter is "real" and practices spells and has asked Mummy and Daddy to buy them spell books from the local book shop? Huh? I don't think so!

Well that's what I have to say to her! She's not even read the books! *Sighs*

mrs_random_cheese · 05-12-2006, 01:46 PM

I don't understand-she hasn't read the book, so how on earth does she "know" what's actually in the books. I also object to someone making the decision for everyone else; it's a personal choice whether or not they read HP, I respect the opinions of those who think it is encouraging witchcraft-they're the ones missing out-but to impose that on others is just not fair.