Aha!, was Oy. Let's hope this ends it...

Sun Jun 1 01:46:17 UTC 2003

Ripleywriter:

> Facts, proof is a seemingly sensible young girl throwing away her bible
and
> refusing to go to church with her family anymore because she wants to be a
> witch and practice magic just like in Harry Potter. That's a direct cause
of
> reading the books. That gives all those Harry Haters a basis for their
beliefs,
> factual proof to back them up. That young girl would not have done that if
she
> had not read the HP books. And because she did, there will be negative
> consequences.

Aha! A little light came on. This sounds as if you've gotten hold of a
variant of the following alarmist email and are trying to investigate it. I
went back through the main list archives, because I *knew* I'd made a post
on this before. And glory be, I *found* it!

The letter below still surfaces occasionally. Please understand that all the
quotes in it are from a satire found on the Onion website; these are
fictitious people and nobody really said these things. But you still catch
references to them (Ripley, your "young girl throwing away her Bible"
sounded very much like this, which is what makes me think you've been a
victim here of some propaganda).

Alas, a search of the Onion's archive reveals that this particular article
is no longer available online. It was very well done satire. I may order the
hard copy back issue.

CAVEAT: List People (this means you, Steve) --> Do **NOT** let this be any
kind of open door for slamming anti-HP people again. If I had received this
sort of thing from someone I trusted, a friend or pastor, I'd probably want
to follow it up, myself. I repost it here ONLY so that if this is the sort
of stuff Ripley's been hearing, she(?) he(?) will know its source is
fictional. I would have posted the link to the original article and been
done with it, but it's no longer available.

So, for the list's edification and enlightenment, here is post 17776 of the
main list, from April 27, 2001.

From:  Amanda Lewanski <editor at texas.net>
Date:  Fri Apr 27, 2001  8:51 pm
Subject:  [Fwd: Harry Potter Books]

I am weary. I got the forwarded letter from my cousin. Don't read the
following text if you're still smarting from the Richard Abannes fun. BUT, I
posted this for a reason.

Some of you may have received this letter before. Some of you may, in the
future. Especially active Christians with well-meaning friends. Sooo, I've
included the letter so you'll recognize it. And so that you can make
intelligent answer, when and if you see it, or hear it referenced, know that
the source of the so-called quotes and interview are the Onion. A satire.
Fiction.

I responded to my cousin and all her addressees. I wanted to arm all of you
with the truth, in case you get a similar email from someone you had
previously believed could think.

Here's the Onion's home URL: http://www.theonion.com/
Here's the Harry Potter article:
http://www.theonion.com/onion3625/harry_potter.html  [N.B.: "Harry Potter
Books Spark Rise in Satanism Among Children" (Onion, July 2000)]

Aside from the sad fact that some people believe this is an actual news
item, it's pretty funny. Again, just wanted to give any of you, who might
get this letter or some variant, the ability to refute it.

--Amanda

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Harry Potter Books
Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:45:52 EDT

In a message dated 4/26/01 3:38:26 PM Central Daylight Time, Tulsastar [my
cousin] writes:

Here is an interesting email I recieved from a church friend. I heard that
the books were not good, but this gave a good reason why.

These are books our school teachers are suggesting the children read, they
encourage them to read them. Parents think they are wonderful. Let's check
them out before we let our children read something that may change their
lives for ever. As Grandparents we are very concerned about what goes into
the minds of our precious Grandchildren. What happened to Bible Stories????

I guess they were put out of our schools the same time God was put out.
Let's turn things around parents, before it is too late. Judy

<< > Subject: Harry Potter Books

 "Jesus died because He was weak and stupid".
 This is a quote from 6 year old Jessica Lehman of Easley, SC, after reading
the HARRY POTTER BOOKS!

The following is an email sent for the American Family Association, which is
VERY disturbing, to say the least. Please forward to all email contacts,
especially Christians and Pastors.

 Dear Christian, This is the most evil thing I have laid my eyes on in 10
years ... and no one seems to understand its threat.

 The Harry Potter books are THE NUMBER ONE selling children's books in the
nation today. Just look at any Barns & Noble or Waldenbooks storefront.

 Go to Amazon.com and read the reviews. Hear the touting by educators and
even Christian teachers about how "It's great to see the youth so eagerly
embracing the reading experience!"

 Harry Potter is the creation of a former UK English teacher who promotes
witchcraft and Satanism. Harry is a 13 year old 'wizard.'

 Her creation openly blasphemes Jesus and God and promotes sorcery, seeking
revenge upon anyone who upsets them by giving you examples (even the sources
with authors and titles) of spells, rituals, and demonic  powers.

 I think the problem is that parents have not reviewed the material. The
name seems harmless enough... Harry Potter. But that is where it all ends.
Let me give you a few quotes from some of the influenced readers themselves:

 "The Harry Potter books are cool, 'cause they teach you all about magic and
how you can use it to control people and get revenge on your enemies" said
Hartland, WI, 10 year old Craig Nowell, a recent convert to the New Satanic
Order Of The Black Circle. "I want to learn the Cruciatus Curse, to make my
muggle science teacher suffer for giving me a D." (A 'muggle' is an
unbeliever of magic.)

 Or how about the REALLY young and innocent impressionable mind of a 6 year
old when asked about her favorite character:

 "Hermione is my favorite, because she's smart and has a kitty," said 6 year
old Jessica Lehman of Easley, SC. "Jesus died because He was weak and
stupid."

 And here is dear Ashley, a 9 year old, the typical average age reader of
Harry Potter: "I used to believe in what they taught us at Sunday School,"
said Ashley, conjuring up an ancient spell to summon Cerebus, the
three-headed hound of hell. "But the Harry Potter books showed me that magic
is real, something I can learn and use right now, and that the Bible is
nothing but Boring lies."

DOES THIS GET YOUR ATTENTION?

 If not, how about a quote from High Priest of Satanism: "Harry is an
absolute godsend to our cause," said High Priest Egan of the First Church Of
Satan in Salem, MA, An organization like ours thrives on new blood no pun
intended and we've had more applicants than we can handle lately. And, of
course, practically all of them are virgins, which is gravy." (Since 1995,
open applicants to Satan worship has increased from around 100,000 to now...
20 MILLION children and young adults!) It makes me physically ill, people!

 But, I think I can offer you an explanation of why this is happening.
Children have been bombarded with action, adventure, thrills and scares to
the point Hollywood can produce nothing new to give them the next 'high.'
Parents have neglected to see what their children are reading and doing, and
simply seem satisfied that 'Little Johnny is interested in reading.'

 AND... educators and the NEA are PUSHING this with NO WARNING as to the
effects or the contents.

 Still not convinced? I will leave you with something to let you make up
your own mind. And finally, a quote from the author herself, J. K. Rowling,
describing the objections of Christian reviewers to her writings: "I think
it's absolute rubbish to protest children's books on the grounds that they
are luring children to Satan," Rowling told a London Times reporter in a
July 17 interview. "People should be praising them for that! These books
guide children to an understanding that the weak, idiotic Son Of God is a
living hoax who will be humiliated when the rain of fire comes ... while we,
his faithful servants, laugh and cavort in victory."

 My hope is that you will see fit to become involved in getting the word out
about this garbage. Please FWD to every pastor, teacher, and parent you
know. This author has now published FOUR BOOKS in less than 2
years of this 'encyclopedia of Satanism' and is surely going to write more.
I also ask all Christians to please pray for this lost woman's soul.

 Pray also for the Holy Spirit to work in the young minds of those who are
reading this garbage that they may be delivered from its harm.

Lastly, pray for all parents to grow closer to their children, and That a
bond of sharing thoughts and spiritual intimacy will grow between them.