[Fwd: Harry Potter Books]

Sat Apr 28 01:51:31 UTC 2001

No: HPFGUIDX 17776

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

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
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. 
   >>

  >>