[Fwd: Harry Potter Books]

[meckelburg at foni.net]

No: HPFGUIDX 17789

The contents of this letter have been forwarded in Germany too, of 
course without saying the source was satire. I didn't laugh at all. 
It was in the papers, and it took about 3-4 days until a new, but 
much smaller article put it straight again.
The original Onion-article is very funny though!

Mecki--- In HPforGrownups at y..., Amanda Lewanski <editor at t...> wrote:
> 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. 
>    >>
>  
>   >>