From the article: The Harry Potter Controversy
The Harry Potter series is number 1 on the American Library Association's Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009 list. Opinions about the series vary widely. How do you feel about the Harry Potter series? Share your opinions. Share your opinions.
Should You
- As parents, the only thing that you want to do is to protect them. But if you take away your children's free will to read what they want to, then you are honestly the worst parent in the history of the world. Children need to be exposed to all types of things, good or bad, and Harry Potter is good. I've read the book (2nd to 9th grade) and I've turned out perfectly fine. That is, I haven't abandoned my religion to worship Hogwarts. Come on people, it's just a book: a figment of imagination. It is meant for nothing but the pleasure of the reader. There are no hidden message and it wasn't J.K. Rowling's intent to start a cult that follows her. Seriously parents, you need to stop being so stupid, and just let your kids be kids. Parents should want their children to enjoy books. In closing, Harry Potter should be read by every child, and as a parent, if you don't let them read what they want to, then you are doing nothing to help them with their future and their lives. Do the right thing.
- —Guest killey2011
Let parents make their own decisions
- I don't think the books should be banned. Those who are deeply religious and object to the magical aspect are free not to read the books/watch the movies and to prevent THEIR OWN children from doing so. I also stand up for their rights to share their belief and to express their arguments to inform others of faith why the books should not be read. I do not support FORCING others to comply with your beliefs. Parents should be able to make an informed decision on whether the series is appropriate for their family or not. Outright banning of books is, in my opinion, a violation of people's rights. However, I would not object to school and public libraries only allowing controversial (HP or otherwise) books to be checked out with parental permission.
- —Guest ILoveSnape
The Best Series I Have EVER Read!
- Okay, first off these books are freaking amazing. They are so full of imagination and allow the readers to experience another world. If you do not like these books, go to a doctor because there is something seriously wrong with you. Read the books. They will change your life in an amazing way.
- —Guest HP Obsessed!
Harry Potter is a great book!
- Coming from a ninth grader in high school, I have loved these books since I started reading them in the 3rd grade. I am a Christian and I have always been true to my faith. But I have never in any way thought that reading Harry Potter would ever lead me off that path. These books have always been my way to escape from this world into a completely new one! All I have ever thought of it was as an awesome book with a great story line and wonderful characters that everyone could relate to in some way. I understand how parents would think that it would be a bad book but it isn't. Harry Potter has always been about a boy who has been thrown into this world by an evil villain who killed his parents. And he just happens to be a wizard. Plus I feel that Harry Potter books aren't even comparable to all the other witchy stuff. The Harry Potter series is about getting through obstacles in your life and that love can destroy all evil. Seriously people those books are nothing but books! Stop being dramatic!
- —Guest Tyzenmaster
Compelling, but not best for every child
- My two children and I (and my husband) all enjoy the Harry Potter series. We also like the movies. But this does not mean that this series is appropriate for everyone. Mothers and fathers can be selective and make their own decisions. Great classics such as Pinocchio contain violence and other elements that are not welcomed by all. Just as parents can chose or not chose Pinocchio for their kids, so also can they chose - or not choose - the Harry Potter books. I myself am not a fan of the original Pinocchio book (much too dark), but I did like a new Pinocchio book (Pinocchio and the Dragons of Martoon). There are always choices. It's up to the parents to decide.
- —JaneIngersoll
Wow.
- This is to Mike oxbig. First off, I'm a Christian, and I LOVE the series. These books are my escape from the world, and frankly, I find it ridiculous that you want to ruin it for everybody. These books don't "Teach witchcraft," they show kids a different point of view. In the world of Harry Potter, Harry is orphaned. Isn't it a Christian thing to do to help an orphan?? That's what the other characters do.
- —Guest XxLoonyLovegoodXx
Never Ban Harry Potter Books!
- NO, YOU SHOULD NEVER BAN HARRY POTTER BOOKS!!!! Kids shouldn't read them until they are in at least in 6th grade, but they are amazing books and they are good for middle school and high school students. It doesn't have bad influences but, when you read it, you need to have a high maturity level. People that read it need to understand that witchcraft is not real, but it shows different problems in people's lives that you might have as in bf/ gf relationships (which you shouldn't have until you are 16+). It is a very entertaining book and is interesting but appropriate at the same time. No one swears or uses things that drive away happy thoughts. It can be scary (especially in books 4+), but that is a reason why readers of hp need to be mature. It is a hilarious book and grabs people's attention. if you don't like the book; if you haven't read it, you should read it. It is hard to get into but is a fantastic book. if you ban hp, then you should also ban Twilight and The Hunger Games.
- —Guest MMEEE
Read the Last Book Throughly
- Read the last book Deathly Hallows. There are quite a few Christian nods in the book if you know where to look and the author Jo is a Christian herself.
- —Guest KS
Harry Potter Rules!!
- Harry Potter is the most fantastic series ever!! It will keep you intrigued until the very last book. I am just starting the 4th book and might I say that the ones I have read so far are amazing!! I can't put the book down!
- —Guest DanceRchick
My Outlook
- My outlook is simple. One person fighting or a small group of people fighting aren't doing anything except wanting attention. I say read the books and judge fairly. If you find you don't like them, don't ruin it for anyone else. That includes your children. Thank you for reading.
- —Guest My opinion
Harry - Kind of on Both Sides
- I think that they should not ban it . At the same time, Harry Potter does not have anything that can help your kid to learn so that they know things that actually are real or help them in the real world, so I am kind of on both sides.
- —Guest guest
Banning the Biggest Mistake
- Banning Harry Potter, would be the biggest mistake; imagine the uproar! lol The novel clearly does promote witchcraft; it is the main part of this new world we all love. We all know it is not "real," use your imagination for crying out loud! What you make of this wonderful series is up to you; just don't try and impose your silly views on others! It would be like banning the Bible to some people. People who believe it should be banned for the reason of religion are being quite ignorant; why is this all about you,? If you don't like the novels, then it has nothing to do with you and you should go on with your life as if the books don't exist;your children should resist the temptation of reading our glorious books.
- —Guest Andrew
Consider EVERYTHING
- If we ban Harry Potter due to witchcraft in the book, we should ban children from watching Disney cartoons. What if a child watches Ratatouille and thinks I should catch a rat and let it loose in my kitchen so I will have fantastic food?! OH NO!!What if they watch Snow White and think I should run away and live in a stranger's house and approach wild animals?! OH NO!! If parents believe a certain book has ideas they do not like, don't let your children watch ANYTHING that contains this idea. Don't like witchcraft? STOP LETTING THEM WATCH CINDERELLA, SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO ETC.
- —Guest loony
I LOVE HP!
- Banning hp??? Whattttt??? I don't think they should do that! Just because some people don't like it doesn't mean we shouldn't either! If you don't like it, then don't read it... there - simple as that! I absolutely love Harry Potter! I just finished the last book after obsessing with the series for 6 months now and am already planning to watch all the movies and re-read all of the books. They are so good!!! I would suggest reading them to anyone who is skeptical. They are ultimately about good vs evil, not teaching witchcraft!
- —Guest Guest *1
Harry doesn't deserve to be banned.
- As a parent, and a Christian, I have enjoyed the books myself and sharing them with my older son, once he was able to read them. As a family we have enjoyed all the movies together. The parent who claimed the books promote witchcraft obviously hasn't read the books and has been very misinformed about the series. Harry Potter, or any book, in my opinion, does not deserve to be banned! If you don't want your children to read a certain book, don't allow them to read it, but make an informed decision when doing so.
- —Guest MrsP
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