Real, Strange News

Yes, Laura Mallory, won! Yay!

*sings*

Celebrate good times, c'mon!

Laura, what do you think about the seventh title Deathly Hallows, is it evil because it represents death..

Best Regards,
Hp Fan 9374

The really sad part about Laurs Mallory is that, by her own admission, she has NEVER READ any of the Harry Potter books.
Doesn't that strike you as rather odd; arguing to ban something you've not even looked through, much less read?
How do we nominate her for the 'Darwin'?

I totally agree, she IS really the Idiot of the Year!

And because she didn't read the books I award her a prize for being not literate and ignorant!

Although I believe Mallory is fully entitled to prevent her own children from reading the series, I consider her VERY misinformed and ignorant. The Harry Potter series is the most morally grounded popular series I have seen yet in modern literature, and her ignorance to how many CHRISTIAN values exist within it is appalling. Three cheers for her winning the top prize!

Harry Potter has helped many children learn how to read and this lady is trying to take that away... what kind of mother is she? I hope the school board bars her from meetings.

Oh she deserved it SO MUCH!
Congratulations, Washington Post, the prize was truly worthy.

And I can't believe she had NEVER read the books! Probably if she did, she would spend her time reading instead of bottering the school libraries...

(The policemen from the Honourable mention are just as stupid as she is...)

Eduardo Andrade
Potterish.com Team

Studies have been done which showed that the day a Harry Potter book is released, less children have accidents that bring them to the emergency room. Why is this? It is because they are inside their homes and READING. JKR has created a wonderful series that makes children want to read so we should all be thanking her instead of pulling a moronic Laura Mallory stunt and trying to ban it.

As for reading the books herself, Mallory said she could only read bits of it because they were too long. I guess she found them too taxing and instead chose to cherry pick certain parts of the book to prove her point. Not a wise move.

Mallory should allow parents to raise their own children and let her children live in the protected bubble she put them in. It is too bad that one day it will burst and those kids will be in for some shock.

Kudos to making her idiot of the year for 2006. There really wasn't a better choice.

Ugghhh!!! This woman is so embarrasing it hurts. She has brought disgrance on our herself and everone else in America. When forigeners think of Americans they imagine her which is so sad. Thank you for pointing her out for who she is, a closed-minded IDIOT!

A well deserved honor. I have been following this story closely (I'm a journalist) and have been more and more embarrassed for the people of Georgia who must claim this moron as their own.

She has also said that children who read the book are more likely to try to cast spells. I wonder which spells she's afraid will work. And how?

She is another in the class of arrogant idiots who believe that if there's something they don't like or don't want to do, no one else should have the option. Sadly, the membership list for this group is endless.

Good work, Emil.

Yeeeeeees ! Laura Mallory is a idiot !
jajaja !! Kiss ,,
Emma

Nice job!

You are truly an idiot.

You know what the best part of all her whining is? It'll probably result in a sales spike for the Harry Potter series. That wicked witchcraft is going to spred further and further out of your control, Laura! Whatever will you do? Children will be caught reading on street corners and in dark alleyways.

Thanks, Laura, for renewing this debate: there are probably some stand-up comics in need of material, and in times as sparce as these, it's good of you to provide.

It's so good to know that we're not the only stupid people in the world, though we definitely top the list with the ignorant nutjob Laura Mallory on our team. But, I have to say, the guy trying to shoot a rocket out of his nether regions is one for the books. I would have loved to be a fly on that wall when that decision was made. "Shoot a rocket out of me bum? Wicked! What a smashing idea!" Guy Fawkes would be so proud.

I've been following this Laura Mallory story for some time. She has not read the Harry Potter books because they are "too long" and "she doesn't have to read them to know they're evil."

She even brought along a teenager to her first meetings to testify that she went into a suicidal depression after reading the HP and trying to do magic spells and not being able to. So...that might just actually prove that this story is FICTION? Durh!

She lost at the county level and took it to state level and was turned down both times. She is now considering a legal challenge to the state decision.

This little evengelical soccer mom should learn when it's time to get her sanctimonious little self out of the banning business. But...I guess if she did, she wouldn't be the idiot of the year. ;-)

Yes!!!! Im glad that Laura won. Mabie this will show her that nobody likes her. She was really starting to piss me off! I wonder if she likes the Deathly Hallows title. Im gonna go pray to satin while holding my copy of Half blood prince now. Bye. (roflamo)

I love the fact that Laura Mallory won!

You should have at least gone to Sparknotes.com, Laura, and read the brief summaries of the books.

And sorry Holly we can't nominate her for the Darwin awards because she didn't die from her stupidity. Sucks don't it. But at least she will have this award.

I do not agree with this list. I would have to say that Mrs. Mallory is right to question these books. What are they really teaching our kids? They show us that it is okay to believe in the dark. That is wrong, that is evil.

If kids want to learn to read, why not try the Bible. It has wonderous tales of floods that lasted 40 days, survival from inside of a whale, and one man's ability to split a sea in half.

No, there is no need for magic in this world, when the bible exists.

i completely agree with all the above. everything. just READ the books. how can u say something promotes witch craft or whatnot if u dnt kno what it is? please, laura mallory, if u r reading this, please read the books and maybe next year you wont get this honour. the books are amazing.

I think she is right.

Yes. You heard me. They should get rid of the best thing that has happened to modern literature. Children have become more interested in reading and writing because of Harry Potter so it only makes sense to deprive them of something so intellectually stimulating.

Pause....

Nooot!

Laura...pumpkin... Borat is less of an Idiot than you.

To the person above me,
I am a student at a christian university- and still find you to be terribly wrong and blissfully ignorant.

Yes read the bible- to find out there IS darkness in the world and that magic IS real. Harry Potter isn't teaching you to do it, it is no different than Snow White.

It is okay to belive in the dark...because it is real! Regardless of what religion you follow, there is always darkness in this world. There is always death. There will always be magic. Lord forbid JKR teaches our children how to deal with death! I pity your sorrowful intelligence.

Stitch, I am a christian myself, and am also a huge fan of Harry Potter. The Harry Potter books are not promoting evil, nor do they even have any references to Wicca. Actually, the main theme of this story is how love is more powerful than anything else, and how it can conquer all. Also, a big part of a story is how Harry was saved because somebody loved him enough to sacrifice their life. What does that remind you of? So while, yes, the bible is a great thing to read, so is Harry Potter.

Excellent! Mrs. Mallory, I only tell you this: if you want to keep your children from reading the books, then fine, but don't you dare try to keep it away from mine! My son, who is dyslexic, hated school when he first started because he couldn't read well and felt stupid in class. However, when Harry Potter came out and I started reading it as a bedtime story, he became so enthralled that he wanted to read it by himself. He has worked so hard and has improved immensely. He still has a little bit of trouble sometimes, but you cannot argue with success. How can you take something so precious away from a child? Obviously, since you have not read these books, you don't know the themes that are consistently present - love, friendship and courage. Surely these are values which you want to instill in your children.

I ask you to give up your fight. Like I said, you can keep these books away from your children, but don't you dare try to keep them from mine. J.K. Rowling has given my son a priceless gift - the desire to read and learn - and I know that you cannot argue against the value of that, considering that you are a mother yourself. You are only hurting the children - and making yourself look like an ignorant fool. Just stop. Enough is enough.

~Kate Clarke~

Okay, um Laura is an insane lunatic.
Top 5 Reasons Why:
1.Harry Potter has made children love reading in a world of TV and video games.
2.The First Ammendment to the Constitution clearly states FREEDOM OF THE PRESS!
3.She hasn't even read the books.
4.Whatever literature she wants to deprive her kids of is fine, but she can't control everyone's reading.
5.How bad can a series be with easily over 30 different language translations?

By the way I love the HP books (I've re-read all of them about 20 times).I check the fansites at least twice daily (AKA: Leaky, Mugglenet, and HPANA)AND I feel soooo bad for her kids and for the state of Georgia.

PS JK congrats on the new title (Have fun with BAnning the next one Mallory!)

Laura Mallory you deserve your "Honor" so much, you don't even know it.
JKR doesn't in any way promote witchcraft or Wicca.
She promotes standing up to Evil and choosing the hard road of life to do what is right, even though, as a wise Professor once said, "doing what is right is not always easy."
I don't think that there is anything evil about that.
Laura if anything JKRowling is an inspiration who supports good, love, and humanity.

Laura I feel very sad for you.
And if one day you actually read one of those famous Harry Potter books, I hope you realize how much you deserve this award.

And when your children become "rebellious" and read these "horrible" books, they too may say the phrase "she deserved that award, she truly was (hopefully not still is) an idiot.

ps IF ANY GEORGIA JUDGES ARE READING THIS, MAKE HER READ THE BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i am not acccusing, merely saying that if u want ur children to stop reading the books, then by all means make them stop.but others dont want that.

I mean no disrespect by this, but the bible just isn't something a modern day kid would pick up and read anymore. And it certainly wouldn't have prevented the school shootings.

Like CJ said, the Harry Potter stories are all about how love conquers all. It doesn't make them go evil. And it certainly isn't the explanation behind the violence.

Laura Mallory seems to believe this.... Isn't she the ignorant one?

Yes, she deserves this award.

Congratulations, Laura, that's definitely one award that no one would ever steal. Trust me, it was made for you and only you. :)

Oh, your poor, poor kids. Tsk tsk...I have no power over what literature you make them read, but to ban Harry Potter for everyone else? Seriously, you need to take a look on how the world of JK Rowling has changed children and how it had broadened their imaginations and THINK AGAIN, you pompous, brainless, pitiful idiot.

Congratulations, Laura, you have discovered a new level of stupid.

Idiot of the year seems like a harsh title. The standards of American freedom allow for anyone to stand up in what they believe in. It allows them, through a system to try and make changes they feel need made in our Government and local policy. This is the basics of Democracy and should be upheld with respect.

I for one disagree with her views on the Harry Potter series in schools, but I would not go as far as calling her an Idiot because she is fighting for something she believes in. If I recall, we are currently killing innocent people every single day because we are "doing what we think is right." I see no award for that.

Unfortunately many of the posts here are coming from a Harry Potter website that linked to this, and as such, are far to quick to defend the books with any real balanced opinions. The bias scale is severely tipped on this one.

Washington Post: I'm sad to see that you even assist in feeding the flames of this inferno of ignorance that seems to be suffocating our country. You are within your right to post what you will, and if the American people want an "Idiot of the Year" you should give it to them, that is where the almighty dollar is right? You would think that with your power and influence over people that you might just do something good with it.

Tut, tut, tut, Stitch, stich, stitch. Have you read the books mate? If you have, you know as well as anyone else that the Harry Potter books help broaden minds and imagination, it helps kids to love one another, Harry is the mordern day Moses dressed in a 'kid' suit. Let's face it, Stitch, you cannot stop 'darkness' from this world. I would like to see you go up Ossama Binladin and say stop warring, I swear he'll shoot your face in half. The books help kids to cope with death. Yes, darkness is evil, but Harry sure isn't, it is Voldemort (if you haven't read the book, he's the bad dark wizard). I'm sad to say (as I am Catholic), that the bible isn't your everyday Children's book, but hey, we can still love our God if we love Harry Potter! You mentioned, there is no need for magic, how did Moses split the sea? using God's magic. What do some of the greatest classics such as Lord Of The Rings and The Wizard of Oz have? Magic. This world would be incomplete without a bit of magic. Magic is vital for a child's imagination and writing abilities, why do we have genres such as 'fantasy' if we don't need magic? I hope I have proven you wrong and that you change your mind about these beloved books, they do not need more people such as yourself and Laura the idiot hassling and harrassing them, nor do we fans. Thank you!

Harry Potter's what got me INTO reading... Congratz Laura Mallory; have fun watching us all burn in hell for reading this satanic literature. Stick to Mother Goose; its more your level.

Laura Mallory: Born 5 months premature, pregnant by 8, married by 12, divorced by 12, named idiot of the year by 46.

I recall reading somewhere that the reason she wanted them banned was because of references to blood sacrifices (presumably the chapter in the 4th book when Voldemort was resurected) and said in place of the Potter books, kids should read the Chronicles of Narnia - after all, there was certainly NO blood sacrifice in those books... (sarcasm is a wonderful thing)

Congratulations!

CONGRATES Laura you realy deserved it!

Patronus, My question is why is it biased for Harry Potter fans to post in favor of an award that is so richley deserved? Why WOULDN'T Harry Potter fans post. Yes this country is based on freedom. That is what this is: an expression of our freedom. This woman is valiantly trying to jeopardize a freedom that caused the number of students who read and test for Accelerated Reader at my mother's school, of which she is the librarian, to increase DRAMATICALLY! I am outraged that this woman has tried to infringe upon MY rights as a free citizen of the United States. Also where are we killing people daily? I would like to know. Is it in our prizon systems? Or is it in that (warning: sarcasm) AWEFUL war we are conducting? Please next time you state that we kill, TELL us just WHO we are killing. Another point I have is WHY don't we have "balanced" opinions?? I have done PLENTY of research in the HP universe mearly because of having to defend myself from ignorant people such as Miss Laura Mallory. I regularly check the HP fansites because that is how I get information about issues such as THIS. Just how else am I supposed to find out? I realize that it's news but I can hardly subscribe to EVERY news source in the country can I? Just because it is a FANsite doesn't mean it's not a group of legitimate thinkers. If we are surrounded by Laura's why wouldn't we go to a place where we can FREELY discuss HP. My regards to you, because you have very valid points. You did not take into account that WE, as Harry Potter FANS, are fighting for this series also. It is just that SHE made the publicity, bad yes, but publicity non-the-less.

Also My regards to Stitch. Is that from Lilo & Stitch? Cute movie. Did you notice the Aliens? Do they count as Magic? If so does that make them EVIL? What about the Wonderful World of Disney? Is that EVIL too? Tell me, what is the dark? Is teaching children that love is more powerful than hate "dark"? Because if so then the Bible is out. Does the Bible not teach us to love our brethren? Harry Potter does too. You have to read to belive though. And therefore people who are ignorant of the morals of Harry Potter because they have not read HP should NOT speak. They have NO rights. Protesting something because you dont know about it does not give a person the right to BAN it.

Laura, if the books were TRULY that "long" they are sure to have it on audio cassette or cd at either your public library or bookstore. You can ALWAYS listen to them. They make wonderful travel companions for road trip. I feel for your children because they are getting their imaginations stiffled and will probably end up mindless drones in this world but will hopefully learn that some rebellion is good for them. Please do not stiffle the other children. The drones you are creating are enough for the world.

I find that 99% of the time when somebody is trying to have a book banned from a school or library, the people who are most in favor of the ban have never READ the book and know nothing about the book other than what they've heard from other people who have also never read it. It happens with Huck Finn, it happens with Catcher In The Rye, it happened with Farenheit 451 and Black Like Me.

You'll notice it doesn't happen with the Wizard of Oz or Lord of the Rings, despite the fact that both have almost the exact same subject matter as Harry Potter. The only reason for this is that most Christians have either read Wizard of Oz or seen the movie, and nearly ALL of them went to see Lord of the Rings in theatres (or read it when it first came out). Surprise surprise, nobody's trying to have LotR banned from schools, because they know what the story is actually about. They don't know anything about Harry Potter, though, other than the fact that he's a wizard-in-training and somehow conclude that reading about a wizard-in-training will make kids want to become wizards too.

Well... my daughter didn't take up archery after watching Lord of the Rings, so I don't think Laura's kids will become Wiccans just because of Harry Potter.

You know, even though she may seem idiotic, Laura Mallory is as entitled as the rest of us to voice her opinion & to try to persuade as many people as possible to her viewpoint.

And because schools are public institutions in this country, she, as a citizen, has just as much right as anyone else to petition the schools to not carry material she finds offensive & harmful to children.

Thus, schools have become battlegrounds over issues that really should be left to parents. Since there is no compelling interest or mandate for government to be involved in schooling, all schooling should be private. This would end these constant fights over Harry Potter, winter vs Christmas breaks, prayer, evolution & creation & what not. Check out www.schoolandstate.org/home.htm the site for Alliance for the Separation of School & State.

I think that "idiot" may be a rather harsh word, although by not reading the books, she has kept herself ignorant of relevant facts.

She argues that, for example, she does not have to read a pornographic magazine to know that it is inappropriate for children. But this is not a valid or fair comparison. Not to mention that no one is attempting to stock our public school libraries with pornographic magazines.

It's just about impossible for any of us to step into her shoes and see this issue from her point of view. Most of the posters here are HP fans, and we undeniably have a bias towards the books.

She most certainly does not appear to be a reasonable person, and she certainly has proven herself to be irrational.

She ought to read the books, or at least the first one. But the sad truth is, she probably would still feel justified in her point of view. She would likely read the book with a bias of watching out for the least little thing that could be interpreted as "evil" or having some sort of negative influence on children. Then she'd pull it out of context to use to her own ends.

Bah! She doesn't deserve this much attention. But "idiot"? I don't know. Still seems pretty harsh to me, especially in a national media forum.

Again, I don't agree with her. I just don't necessarily think it's right to denegrate someone just because they don't like something that most people do.

As far as her actions with the school board, did anyone really think she'd win?

Idiot? I think it's waaaay to easy.

I say RETARD.
Laura, the world isn't yours to have, nor JK's.
JK made a huge favour to the world, and you should shut your mouth and eat eyes of newts and toes of frogs.
(*continues to sing* "whool of bat and tongue of dog...")

You maggot, you brang disgrace and you just made a fool out of yourself.

you will never win! NEVER!

While the seperation of school and state would help with the issues that were mentioned above, the poor would be left out. How is a poor person going to afford private school? It is almost impossible. A program like this could result in a larger gap between the impoverished, and the comfortable.

As to Laura Mallory: I think that she has every right to ban the books from her own children. However, if another child's mother sees no problem with letting HER children read the HP books, why shouldn't the child read them?

Isn't that a bit harsh, Ace Milligan?

A very well diserved award, Laura.

Oh my god, I wish I had Laura Mallory's email address so I could forward this to her. She's sooooo obnoxious, I bet she'd flip =). The Harry Potter books encourage reading and contain Christian values like friendship and loyalty and good over evil. But if she actually bothered to look at a cover of one of the books (let alone read them) she might know that.

Way to go Laura, congrats to you.

Utterly ridikulus ;)

This award is quite humorous. Laura greatly deserves it. To those who think that this random crazy is simply vocalizing her right to protect children, it is fair to say your views are a tad distored as well. All opinions on the HP books aside, censorship is wrong.

Protect your children, your family, your own way.

Religion has been screwing things up for years. Lets keep it out of politics and out of schools and place it back where it belongs-in the family unit and even more so in one's own self. Lets not wear our religions on our sleeves.

Simply, leave poor Harry alone. He's done nothing but good.

If a child (or anyone for that matter) does something crazy after they've read HP, odds are they were pretty unhinged before they read the books.

*****

Think before you speak with ignorance.
Tiffy B

Could there be any better way to prove that trying to ban books you haven't read proves ignorence is bliss? A well deserved award Laura Mallory.
Ms Mallory should take her formidiable skills of fighting what is horrible and rail against the true evil in the REAL world as pointed out in A Chirstmas Carol-- ignorance and want. But I guess she wouldn't want to read that either since the story includes ghosts, time travel and magic.
Then there's that book where someone feeds the multitude with seven loaves and fishes, brings a friend back from the dead, walks on water, changes water into wine, makes the blind see and the lame walk, and yes gives up His life for all of us. If that's not magic what is?

The last time they mixed religion and politics, people got burned at the stake.

She is a total idiot!!

While I totally came here to read about Laura Mallory, I think it's really funny that no one has commented about the other idioits of the year. =)

But yes, she greatly deserves it.

Oh and again to Stitch, the bible isn't children's reading material. They go to Sunday School to learn and more than likely read the bible later in life. I attempted to read the bible at age 7ish (19 now) and I remember that I found it extremely challenging and borderline boring when I was little. I was also the top reader in my class. I found it much more appealing to read fantasy books, or ballet books, or general fiction, and even, dare I say it, things with magic, light and dark alike.

Unless you're reading the bible written in a more understandable 'easy-to-read' language instead of the King James, you might be able to understand it, but if you're reading the KJ, then it's a bit tougher.

This is simply my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. =)

But, here's to all of the idiots of the year. Laura Mallory, you really do take the cake.

Congratulations, Laura! You've won the Dunce Cap 9000! How does it feel to be shot down for the umpteenth time?

i think she does have a right to protect her children and she shouldnt try to send somthing she hasnt even read away but i cant decide if really deserves this award

I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!
Albus Dumbledore- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

No violence there just pure Fun!
The idiot should read the books. I for one love JK Rowlings sense of humor. Harry and his friends are delightful!

GO HP!!!!!!!!!! If you want to get rid of "evil" getting rid of Harry is a really bad idea. Who else is going to defeat Voldemort and save everyone? If you don't like it, don't read it. Either that or complain on mugglenet. You might get on their wall of shame, which is almost as good as this. The Harry Potter series has increased children's literecy rate by some huge amount! So, go Idiot of the year awards, you have proved yourselves as true fans.

Well deserved, Laura Mallory. Well deserved. Trying to ban a book that you've never even bothered to read? That's priceless.

Deanna
HP Fan since 2003.
Oh. And I'm not studying to be a witch. There goes that theory, I guess.

I don't see why everyone is getting on Stitch's case here. He is 100% right. Hailz said that the Bible isn't children's reading . . . Bollox. If your child is not studying the Bible during their free time then you cannot consider yourself a good christian. By letting them enjoy the likes of Harry Potter and friends, you are opening the door to all kinds of mischivous behavior.

Pretty soon these kids who read these books think that magic, wicca, and anti-chrisitian things like this will be acceptable. What next? Smoking the pot?

We have remind our kids everyday of the problems of the world around them. Our kids are over-exposed and we add to it every time we try to turn a blind eye to harry potter.

I think Mrs. Mallory is doing the lords work and should be commeneded, not laughed at. For shame!!!

Well, seeing as how nine out of ten people who are commenting have only seen this page due to Mugglenet, I feel it's my duty to join them.

Laura Mallory amazes me: If she doesn't think the books are good for her children, then she can stop her four children from reading them by not allowing the books in the house (lunay, in my opinion). I think, also, in most counties in Georgia, that you can actually monitor what books your child checks out.

She needs to understand that she really shouldn't be trying to prevent other kids from reading the books.

SHE WON! YES!

I agree people she IS a real idiot!!Harry potter bookes are great and if she didn't read them...WHAT SHE`S THINKING ABOUT????PLEASE!!!
She is REALY the idiot of this year and of the milenium

I think she`s a REAL idiot,Harry potter books ARE GREAT!!What was she thinkin about????PLEASE!!!
She deserve to be the idiot of the year and of the milenium!!

I've been following this story for a while now, and though I roll my eyes every time I hear it, I somehow doubt she deserved to be named "Idiot of the Year."

I'm a Harry Potter fan, and I have been for years; I'm researching it as a part of my honours thesis this year. Yes, Mallory is disgustingly ignorant and should probably read the books before denouncing them as evil (I find it difficult to believe that an *adult* finds a *children's* book too long, but I've been an avid reader since I was very small). However, there can be causes for concern with these books. While they promote tolerance and denounce racism, and also emphasise the idea that "identity is not destiny", there is a significant degree of challenge to authority and vigilantism present in the texts. Don't get me wrong, I think the stories are fantastic, but they're not something you can just sit a child down with and let them go.

Like with any children's media, parents still need to take an active role in what they children are presented with. Yes, there's "witchcraft" in the books, there's violence, and all manner of unpleasntness. But that's when it's the job of the adult to sit down with younger children and address what is and isn't make-believe, the difference between right and wrong. In short, they still have to take the time to be parents, even though their child isn't seated in front of a television set.

I think JKR has done wonderful things with these books, and I think we will see more to come later on. By all means, should anyone feel uncomfortable with their children reading the books, keep them from reading them! But to impose one's views on others to this degree is rediculous.

And as a Witch, I can safely assure there's no more "witchcraft" in these books as there is in any other fairy tale. ;)

There's a massive difference between the miracles of Jesus and the evil, dark magic of Harry Potter. On this day of our Lord's birth, you all need to readjust your outlooks lest you find yourselves roasting in the unholy fires of Satan's eternal wrath.

Harry Potter and his friends celebrate Christmas and Easter. Both christen holidays. There are not any evil wizard holiday mentioned in any of the books. I think the books are wonderful and teach children good values. But you have to read them to understand the warmth and richness they bring.

Christians should not judge. Everyone deserves the right to have their voice heard and everyone has the right to disagree or agree with those opinions. Perhaps on this the eve of the day we celebrate Christ's birth we should remember his teachings. Many of which are found in the Harry Potter series.

She really deserved that prize.
But, like Hermione said in book 5, even if they did they get banned in the end it would be really good as the children who hadn't heard of them before would be curious about them and read them elsewhere, so they would be even more popular!
Laura Mallory is so stupid. She is just wasting the court's time.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! She deserves it, what a waste of time. I know, she could use the time she spent in the court to accualy read the books!!

To Peter and Frank T. B. : Have you read the books?
I'm in college now, but a couple years ago my great-aunt sent us a chain email about how evil Harry Potter was and how kids were converting to Satanism and deciding Jesus was weak. I'm not going to go into examples here, as this is not the place for it, but all their quotes from the books came from the bad guys - Quirrel, Voldemort, etc. Also, those kids sounded like nutcases, and I have no clue how the one came up with the conclusion that Jesus was weak, but it certainly wasn't from Harry Potter, which includes the theme that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for a friend (or a son). I pray the quotes from kids were made up by bigots who want to cause trouble, because otherwise this country has some serious mental problems to deal with. I am a Catholic, and currently sponsoring a friend to join the Church. Personally, I think she could do worse than finish the Harry Potter series. There are some themes she needs to deal with.

Does anyone besides me want to know the whole story behind the baby robber in India?

To Frank T. B.
Much of your post is quite contradictory.
Even though as a child I was an avid reader and read almost anything I could get my hands on I never found the Bible to be of interest, though I had nothing against it.
You say that reading Harry Potter leads to mischievous behavior. I have read all of the books multiple times and they have never lead me to mischievous behavior (probably due to the fact that I was too busy reading.)
And contrary to what you seem to believe, magic and Wicca are not "anti-christian."
Also, there is nothing in magic, Wicca, or Harry Potter that would make one think that smoking pot would be acceptable, and your belief that it does just proves your ignorance.
You say that we have to remind our kids that their are problems in the world and then go on to say that kids are over-exposed. This makes no sense. Harry Potter is a reminder that there are problems in the world, and gives us hope that good can conquer evil while pushing the values of friendship and loyalty.
Your last point is that Laura Mallory is doing the Lord's work. Well if the Lord's work is ignorance and banning things that you have no knowledge of (because she has't read them), then this is not a Lord that I would like to follow.

You don't need to read every word of the bible to know it is God's truth and you don't need to read every word of Harry Potter to know it is Satan's. People here have been brainwashed by his evil teachings and don't realize it. REPENT, lest the serpent swallow you whole! Laura is protecting our children and deserves to win Hero of the Year! GOD BLESS

congratulations laura!!
have a merry xmas and a happy new year :) and please, try to find another hobby... cuz HP RULES MAN!!!

Silly Laura, you're crazy fight has only put Harry into the spotlight. Yes, it is your "American" right to not like something and to voice your opinion. However, when you air your views without actually reading the books, you certainly earn your title. I quit a private Christian School because of narrow mindedness like yours. The headmaster didn't read the books but had views like yourself. Pity. They lost a great teacher and eventually lost him as headmaster. Eventually, people wise up to people who stifle the creativity of young people.

However, I hope you keep fighting! You'll make Harry even more popular! You're challenging people to read the books and decide for themselves. I've never met anyone who has read them who didn't fall in love with them.

In the end, you may never see that Jo has written a series of books that are really not about magic. They are about love and family. It's a pity that you don't see that.

Enjoy your crown! If you keep this up, you may be promoted to Idiot of the Century!

Here is how people like Mallory work.

1. Call anything that might encourage their kids to be open-minded creative people evil.
2. Bang bibles on things as loudly as possible to block out anything they don't like to hear.

These people aren't afraid of Witchcraft. To see an UNBIASED and EDUCATED look at it, try: http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

They are not afriad of magic. Not the stage show/Paranormal/Oujia board nonsense that people like Penn & Teller, James Randi, and the Skeptics have debunked centuries ago.

No, people like Mallory are afraid of the true magic. The magic of the imagination. The creativity that drives us and seperates us from the animals. In short, people like Mallory are afraid that their children might one day think for themselves.

The Bible is full of nonsense; historical errors, bigotry, violence, hatred towards women, and scientific impossibilities. Jesus changed all that, he brought a message of equality, and love. Supposedly, this is what Christians are supposed to be concentrating on. Too often they don't.

Deuteronomy is one of my favorite books, by the way. It has gems like:

Deuteronomy 22:13-21 "If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid....if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you."

Deuteronomy 22:28-29 "If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife...."

Laura Mallory sounds like the kind of person who would rather ignore Jesus' message of love and tolerance, and nstead enforce 'the rules'; women cannot talk in church, a widow must marry her husband's brother, and an illegitimate born must not enter the church even unto the 10th generation.

People like her are not Christians. They're idiots, pure and simple. Nonetheless, it's nice to see a true idiot getting this reward. Well done, Mallory!

Also, the most used quotes proving that the Harry Potter books are evil are either quotes that are evil, and said by villains, OR kids saying Jesus is weak, etc which were taken from THE ONION, a SPOOF paper mocking the Anti-Harry Potter movement. Clearly, they didn't get the joke, because they tried to use the quotes to prove their points.

How's that for stupidity?

I am 12 years old and have been a Harry Potter fan for 3 years now. This series has anything BUT led me to follow Satan. Through this series I have become a better Catholic. I am now more determined to do what is right, and although it may seem corny, when I am faced with a decision, I think to myself not only WWJD (what would Jesus do), but also "What would Harry or Dumbledore do?" The outcome to these questions is the same.

The Harry Potter series are full of a variety of protagonists who make wonderful role models for children and adults alike. Ron, who would give his life to ensure that Harry could defeat Voldemort, Lily, who willingly gave her life for her son, and Sirius, who gave his life protecting Harry and his friends are just a few examples.

If you are concerned that your children are too young to understand the difference between fiction and real life, then read the books with them and talk about them, or wait a couple years.

yeah, it causes satan worship and bad values? huh? how about the need to eradicate the evil in the novel's antagonists? how about the overwhelming loyalty paid to friends and teachers? there has never been a single mention of any god, gods, demons, angels, or devils. but to let her know, they celebrate christmas dammit!!! read the books woman and don't be fooled into the fact that the bible is the only moral story. and if she and any christians hate HP.. then they should never again watch "the wizard of oz".

-Smacks Forehead- Some of these posts have me crying from laughter. For anyone here who says Harry Potter is evil, I have a question for you. What did the Lord say was the greatest act of love? Hmm? He said it was to lay one's life down for another. What did Lily Potter do? She layed her life down for her son Harry, to protect him. OH NO! These books must truly be evil !!!!!!! They are teaching and spreading God's message. They truly should be banned! Our Childeren may learn an important lesson that would be valuable to them! Hurry, Quick! Ban all the copies! [/sarcasm]

peter, do have you ever thought about all of the horrible things done in the name of god and religion. i dont know of any that have been done in the name of harry. but if you would like to enlighten me...

and i think you need to readjust your outlook to see a midlife crisis, sad sad old bible pusher!! who may just find themself "roasting in the eternal flames"

suck it!

( from a person who actually does go to church)

I am so glad that Laura Mallory won first prize. While I must say that there are many idiotic people in the world, I believe that those who would condemn anything without any knowledge of it are awful. It is sad that Mallory would try to inflict the will of one ignorant person over so many children and deny them something that could be a very posistive force in their lives. One only has to read the books to know how good they are, Mallory only succeeded in blazoning her own ignorance.
Happy Holidays!

Ash--You blaspheme. One story is from our Father the other a dangerous piece of fiction. To even make such a comparison is sinful.

Congrats to Ms. Mallory! Oh, by the way, I had never heard of Wicca until Ms. Mallory mentioned it. I think while I'm anxiously awaiting the seventh Harry Potter book, I will read up on that. I don't want to be judgemental and ignorant of something I've not bothered to read about. I love the Harry Potter books and movies, and so do my children. Maybe Ms. Mallory should watch the movies if the books are to long or be tested for ADD/HD.

Frankly, I really don't see why there is such a big deal about such a small thing. I am an avid reader of books, especially fiction, and as far as I am concerned, they are nothing more than just marvellous and engaging stories with good-hearted themes. In all honesty, these close-minded Christian parents (and I am a proud Catholic) who say Harry Potter is satanic and evil are just plain LAZY and SCARED to read the books and explain to their children that these books are just imaginary stories with powerful themes. They are not real. Parents should guide their children while reading Harry Potter and not just take the easy way out by trying to ban it.

Bizzy: It's Harry Potter! I mean, seriously...
Emma: This woman truly deserves this award. I applaud the Washington post.
Bizzy: I do feel kind of bad for her, because it sucks to have hate mail, and when you have the entire country hate you...but she still is an idiot!
Emma: In the Bill of Rights, she has the right to bring this to court and express her opinion. However, the FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION (this had been said before), gives the press the right to print what they want. Trying to ban it makes her even more of an idiot. Here is a direct quote from Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix:

"Oh, Harry, don't you see? If there was one thing she could do to ensure the whole school will read your interview, it was banning it!" ~Hermione Granger

Emma: I am a devout Christian, and Bizzy is a devout Jew. We both love God, AND the Harry Potter books. She reads and takes lessons from the Torah, I the Bible. Many of the values are represented in the books.
Bizzy: Also, look up the definition of fiction. It means NOT REAL!
Emma: Try reading a book called "Homer to Harry Potter". It is a favorite of mine.

Our final word is that we feel pity for her children. While it is clear she loves them very much, they are poor and deprived.

love from Bizzy and Emma

I believe that Laura Mallory is a true American hero. She has seen what is wrong with our country, and is doing her best to rid our children's minds of this anti-christian garbage.

As American's we need to re-evaluate our morals. We are forgetting that the Lord, our father, did not put us on this earth so that we may delve into the dark arts. I believe that all children should spend their time either reading their bible, or studying the lessons from said bible. This is the only way we can send our children down the right moral track.

You may say that the book teaches the power of love. . . yeah the love for darkness and hatred. Harry Potter is nothing but smut and should be banned from our countries bookshelves.

My fellow americans, we are heading down a very slippery slope very quickly. It started with the rock and roll music and since then our country, our citizens, have decided that it is okay to be blasphemous, immoral, and non-christian. Our country was settled some of the most upstanding moral people ever, and we have tarnished their dream. If we want this "democratic" experiment to continue to work, then we need to re-examine our values and remember that we all (ALL!!!) need to be good christians.

So please do not condemn Mrs. Mallory, praise her for her continuing efforts to rid our country of smut, trash, filth, whatever you wish to call it.

To all who believe that Harry Potter is evil:

Have you read the books? Do you even care that they are increasing literacy in children? Do you care that some of the aforementioned children played violent videogames that were ten times more realistic that Harry Potter?

DO YOU REALIZE THAT HARRY POTTER ISN'T REAL?? THAT IT'S JUST A STORY?

As one who has grown up on Harry Potter (I started reading reading them in first grade when the first one came out), I can safely say that I have never once thought to turn to Satanism. I am a practicing Roman Catholic, I go to Church every Sunday, I go to Catholic school, my last term paper was how Christianity shaped the world, for Pete's sake!

While I am not likening Christ to anyone in the Potter series, I'd like to point out (as many here have already done) that one of the greatest teachings that Jesus gave was love. That we should love our neigbors as ourselves and that the greatest sacrifice is giving up our lives for anothers.

Lily gave up her life to save her son. Harry would be nowhere without the loyalty of his friends. Love is the power that "the Dark Lord knows not". Tell me, ignorant ones, does that sound like somethins the Devil would lead you to believe?

I implore you:

Please just read the books before you create opinions. Remember, never judge a book by it's cover.

Peter, Frank T.B. (Or whatever his name is, I was too busy laughing to go back and check) and Stitch are, personally, all hilarious.

Stitch because he seems to want to protect his children (If he has them) from reality. So HP teaches kids to believe in the dark. The dark is there. The dark will always be there. It also teaches kids to believe in the light, and the light is there just as much as the dark. Humans believe in everything. It's what we choose to follow that matters- and the HP series, as far as I can tell, follows the light.

Frank Whatshisname is funny because he contradicts himself so much. Just honestly a really terrible talker.

Peter is funny because he's such a typical archetype of crazy Southern nut that it makes you wonder if he isn't just doing this as a joke, and that he really likes HP. There is nothing satanic about the Harry Potter books.

I believe in God and Jesus and I celebrate Christmas not for the presents but for what transpired at the first one, but I also believe there is a Satan and a hell. That doesn't mean I like it. It just means that I know that I can do good things and, in the end, be rewarded. I also think the most comforting thing about believing in God is that there's always someone you can have faith in, like some really big, cool friend. Although I'm not about to compare HP to God, I have to say that it teaches the same values: It's good to have a friend to have faith in. It's also good to have a friend to have fun with- I often take my views of religion with a good dose of humor. What's the sense of going around all the time being serious? If you don't laugh, you just can't get by.

I have been following Laura's case and think that she definitely deserves this award (Although I find it funny that no one has commented on the other awards. I mean, getting teachers to carry guns in school? Wtf? That's just sidesplittingly idiotic.)

I grew up in a household dedicated to God, but when I was six( I am now 15), my father brought me to the library. That was the day that I started reading Harry Potter. While it is an amazing book, it does have some themes that smaller chilren should aviod. I know that if my father, who was an usher along with good friends of every priest in my entire parish, would have never let me check it out if it was ungodly or evil. Heck, my father read the first book with me! So, Mrs Mallory, while you keep trying to destroy good literature and the possible chance of your children gaining a few more brain cells, just to spite you, I can already see her children rebelling. You put them under lock and key, they are going to want out. Thank goodness my mother and father never did such things. While they did censor some things I read, such as magazine articles and newspaper articles, they never banned great literature from my home. I am not a Wiccan(My father had told me that some of the most amazing people in the roman era were pagan, so do you think those people who made such a difference for our live's were sacrificing kittens and drinking their blood?) I have nothing against Wiccans. Did you know that the Wiccan religion follows that you aren't supposed to hurt anything. I did an aricle for my school newspaper on how reading Harry Potter will not make you a satanist. By the way, Laura Mallory, there is a difference between Satanist and Wiccans.

Please, maam, stop your ignorant ramblings of a woman who wants to attempt to destroy books just for her own gain. Did you know that the nazi's burned books too? Trying to contain knowledge, they said as they burned them. So, are you now suddenly agreeing with the Nazi's on their way of ruling the world? Are you suddenly going to start wanting to annhilalate anyone of the opposing religion?

While you do that, I'm going to go sing christmas songs and read my Harry Potter novel.

Also, before I forget, I had the highest reading level (I was about 8 reading senior written and college level books)but I couldn't read past the first few pages of the normal bible. Luckily, my mom had a copy of her childrens bible, which was just as good, and got the point across. Please, just because I read Harry Potter doesn't mean I am a bad Catholic.

-Heather S.

I grew up in a household dedicated to God, but when I was six( I am now 15), my father brought me to the library. That was the day that I started reading Harry Potter. While it is an amazing book, it does have some themes that smaller chilren should aviod. I know that if my father, who was an usher along with good friends of every priest in my entire parish, would have never let me check it out if it was ungodly or evil. Heck, my father read the first book with me! So, Mrs Mallory, while you keep trying to destroy good literature and the possible chance of your children gaining a few more brain cells, just to spite you, I can already see her children rebelling. You put them under lock and key, they are going to want out. Thank goodness my mother and father never did such things. While they did censor some things I read, such as magazine articles and newspaper articles, they never banned great literature from my home. I am not a Wiccan(My father had told me that some of the most amazing people in the roman era were pagan, so do you think those people who made such a difference for our live's were sacrificing kittens and drinking their blood?) I have nothing against Wiccans. Did you know that the Wiccan religion follows that you aren't supposed to hurt anything. I did an aricle for my school newspaper on how reading Harry Potter will not make you a satanist. By the way, Laura Mallory, there is a difference between Satanist and Wiccans.

Please, maam, stop your ignorant ramblings of a woman who wants to attempt to destroy books just for her own gain. Did you know that the nazi's burned books too? Trying to contain knowledge, they said as they burned them. So, are you now suddenly agreeing with the Nazi's on their way of ruling the world? Are you suddenly going to start wanting to annhilalate anyone of the opposing religion?

While you do that, I'm going to go sing christmas songs and read my Harry Potter novel.

Also, before I forget, I had the highest reading level (I was about 8 reading senior written and college level books)but I couldn't read past the first few pages of the normal bible. Luckily, my mom had a copy of her childrens bible, which was just as good, and got the point across. Please, just because I read Harry Potter doesn't mean I am a bad Catholic.

-Heather S.

Oh, and just another note.
My family is a very religious one and we go to church every week. My parents (I'm 15) are also fans of the Harry Potter books. We all believe that the books show great insight and teach good (christian) values that I wish would be expressed more by people. JK Rowling teaches so many people(not just children) important lessons such as reaching out to those on need, respecting adults in our lives and even to be willing to lay down your life for your fellow man. It is my belief that these books have made me a better person and a better christian. I enjoy sharing these books with my younger siblings annd hope to sare them with my own children someday so that these values may spread throughout all generations. The books may have some evil in them. But so does life. And Harry Potter is not one of the evils in our lives.

May God Bless All of you this Christmas.

For goodness' sake, Gomez, don't be so close-minded. Darkness and hatred? Tell me, how do the books encourage darkness and hatred? If you had read even one of the books, you would see that there are ongoing themes of the triumph of good over evil. That is the main theme of the books.

While I think Potter is evil, it should be up to parents to decide for themselves what their kids should read. Laura isn't an idiot or a hero, she's just a good Mom...

Can any of these people give substantial evidence why Harry Potter is evil?

I am so sick of this.... it's just a freaking book! What ever happened to seperation of church and state? What ever happened to not basing the government on one person's religious beliefs? What ever happened to the FIRST AMENDMENT? Laura Mallory is fighting for what she believes in and I can respect that. If you believe that the books are satanic, then fine. You are free to control what your children can and cannot read. But don't go trying to restrict other people's CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to have access to these materials! I'm sorry Laura, but there's a difference between being religious and just plain being ignorant.

Gomez, In case you are unaware, the United States is not a Christian nation and we do not all ascribe to your said bible. While I do not agree with Ms. Mallory, I am more offended by your self-righteousness. The freedom that lets Harry Potter sit on bookshevels, is the same freedom that lets you write on this blog.

I just thought I'd put my potion on to simmer and write a note about Laura Mallory and witchcraft. As a Christian, I would have to say that the Bible is a wonderfull book and should be a guiding light for all of our lives. That said, what is Laura Mallory doing to promote the Bible or its teachings? Nothing, except trying to ban one of the books that, yes, MAINSTREAMS the same principles and life lessons into a format that kids love to read. But, still, she has freedom of speech to do whatever she feels is neccessary. May God Bless Your Life. I would like to end this comment with something I believe is very true. "It is our choices that make us what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Don't know where that is from Laura? Chamber of Secrets. I choose to read the books.

Frank T.B, Peter, Gomez, you are incredibly off.

My daughter is almost 13, and she is in love with Harry Potter. She is one of the top in her grade and doesn't even believe Magic is possible. And guess what? She NEVER studied the bible as a little girl, and we celebrate Christmas and Easter and she believes in God. Let me show a quote from Gomez:

You may say that the book teaches the power of love. . . yeah the love for darkness and hatred. Harry Potter is nothing but smut and should be banned from our countries bookshelves.

Um.... have you even read them? Harry and his friends all hate the dark side, especially our main character. He has tried and tried again to defeat them, but they, as in the Dark Lord and his horrid followers, and too powerful because of evil. Love will save him in the end. As for smut, I'm just going to laugh hysterically. Anyone who has even picked one up and read knows this series isn't smut.

After all, evil is not only found in Harry Potter, but life itself. We are currently in a horrific war, and many are dying. Don't be ignorant about a enriching series that changes many childrens life for the better.

Laura Mallory has the right to protect their children until they are of age, that is true. But, she has absolutely no right to try and take Harry Potter away from people who love him and his story.

You know, anyone who thinks Laura Mallory is a hero and Harry Potter is evil, come up with substantial evidence. Please.

Ms. Mallory give many Christians such as myself a bad name. I love Happry Potter and find it a great book with nothing what so ever having to do with evil or satin. I'm also very much against book bannig, but think she has every right to keep her own children from reading it. Merry Christmas and God bless her.

Though I think that Laura Mallory's quest to remove Harry Potter from libraries is absolutely ridiculous (I'm a huge HP fan), I think that the "Idiot of the Year" award and some of the things that have been said about her are too harsh. It's Christmas Eve for heaven's sake! I don't agree with what she's doing, but I'm not going to sit here and degrade myself by hurling insults at her. If Harry Potter teaches us good things (which I believe it does), we should recognize that Ms. Mallory's attempts are futile, and put some of the good HP has taught us to use by trying to understand where she's coming from or at least leaving her alone to fail instead of cruelly insulting her. Reserve the "Idiot of the Year" award for things that are harmless and make people laugh, like the police in India and the guy in England, instead of using it as a way to pass judgement on a misguided woman.

I'm not one to go out and call someone an idiot, As some people said, maybe making her idiot of the year is rather harsh (I think those cops in India, should've been higher on the list), but perhaps this will be a wake-up call for her. I really wish she could read this article and what others have posted about it. She may be inclined to read the books to defend her point and maybe like many others fall in love with the series. When I first heard about them, i was a bit reluctant to read the books, bot because they promoted witchraft or anything like that, but because they just didn't seem that interesting. When i did finally pick up the book (the first four were out by that time) I immediatly became addicted. I finished the first four in the span of a few weeks and was ready for more. I'm the Harry Potter expert in my family and they know so much about the books through me.

Laura Mallory, i do hope you read what we HP fans have posted and see that we know you have a point, but that maybe you should do some background reading first.

~Bri~

P.s. I found this article through Mugglenet

I am soooooooo glad Mallory won, this is a happy day! :D

Wait. Someone claims that Harry Potter is smut? Please excuse me while I die of laughter.

Contrary to popular belief, this is a christian nation. We have a christian leader, who leads based upon the word of the bible.

I have read these books, and they are littered with satanic verses and references. These books are dark and evil. You cannot say that the lake in the cave in book 6 where the zombies are floating under teh water is not, in essence, the work of the devil.

Our nation needs to go back to its rightful and rightous roots. It's really simple, all you have to do is look at the life line. All of life is broken down into either fear or love. Jesus is love, Harry Potter is a product of fear.

Fear is the work of the devil, it is the work of darkness and all that is wrong in this world.

I emplore you to look deep within yourself and find what is right. If not, then I fear that we all cannot be saved.

OMG Gomez, if you had really read the books then you would remember that the Inferi are VOLDEMORT'S work, NOT Harry's (our wonderful hero). I would also appreciate if you would site those awful satanic references. Oh and BTW thank you for caring about my salvation. You are such a kind person.

One second. Lets do this slowly.
1."There's a massive difference between the miracles of Jesus and the evil, dark magic of Harry Potter."

What is that massive difference? What makes HP evil? The same thing that makes Jesus holy, according to you and some of the more moronic posters. So the next time you write, tell me: What makes HP more evil than any other childrens literature? Perhaps if I examined your backround, Laura Mallory, we will find that you sold your soul to the devil.Maybe one night he came to you and said, "HARRY POTTER PUTS DOWN EVIL! STOP JK!" What can you say to prove me wrong? My warped logic would be impossible to reckon with. You can say,"Not true!" until your blue in the face, but why should i believe you?

2. On this day of our Lord's birth, you all need to readjust your outlooks lest you find yourselves roasting in the unholy fires of Satan's eternal wrath.

Call me stupid, but I dont get it. If, according to you, HP promotes evil, then why would the Satan roast me 'in the unholy fires of Satan's eternal wrath?' Satan should LIKE the positive publicity.

3. You don't need to read every word of the bible to know it is God's truth and you don't need to read every word of Harry Potter to know it is Satan's.

Im sorry, but I dont recall any Satanic words. Refresh my memory, please? In quotes, with the page number, book name, and character name. Thank you.

4.People here have been brainwashed by his evil teachings and don't realize it.

Brainwash may refer to:
a. Brainwashed, the final studio album by George Harrison, released in 2002
Brainwashed, a not-for-profit online music publication that specializes in the review of and news relating to eclectic music

b."Brainwashed", a song by The Kinks from their 1969 concept album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)

c. brainwashing, the application of coercive techniques to change the beliefs or behavior of one or more people, usually for political or religious purposes.
This article discusses cult in the original sense of "religious practice." It does not discuss religious or sociological cultist groups or uses in the sense of "cultural sub-group," as in cult film, etc.
In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings ("scriptures"), its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety. Cult is literally the "care" owed to the god and the shrine. The term "cult" first appeared in English in 1617, derived from the French culte, meaning "worship" or "a particular form of worship" which in turn originated from the Latin word cultus meaning "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," also the past participle of colere "to till". Thus in French, for example, sections in newspapers giving the schedule of worship at Catholic churches are headed Culte Catholique; the section giving the schedule of protestant churches is headed culte réformé.

By extension, "cult" has come to connote the total cultural aspects of a religion, as they are distinguished from others through change and individualization.

The meaning "devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829, and from that connotation comes the modern meaning of "cult" as in a "cultist" or a "cult following". Cult and cultist have recently accrued negative connotations that are separately dealt with at the entry cult.

In Roman Catholicism, cultus or cult is the technical term for the following and devotion or veneration extended to a particular saint.

Some Christians make refined distinctions between worship and veneration, both of which are outwardly expressed in cultus or cult and are indistinguishable to the observer. Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy distinguish between worship (Latin adoratio, Greek latreia [λατρεια]) which is due to God alone, and veneration (Latin veneratio, Greek doulia [δουλεια]), which may be lawfully offered to the saints. These private distinctions between deity and mediators are exhaustively treated at the entries for worship and veneration.

Among the observances in the cult of a deity are rituals and ceremonies, which may involve spoken or sung prayers or hymns, and often sacrifice, or substitutes for sacrifice. Other manifestations of the cult of a deity are the preservation of relics or the creation of images, such as icons (usually connoting a flat painted image) or three-dimensional cultic images, denigrated as "idols", and the specification of sacred places, hilltops and mountains, fissures and caves, springs, pools and groves, or even individual trees or stones, which may be the seat of an oracle or the venerated site of a vision, apparition, miracle or other occurrence commemorated or recreated in cult practices. Sacred places may be identified and elaborated by construction of shrines and temples, on which are centered public attention at religious festivals (called "feasts" in some Christian communities) and which may become the center for pilgrimages.

The comparative study of cult practice is part of the disciplines of the anthropology of religion and the sociology of religion, two aspects of comparative religion. In the context of many religious organisations themselves, the study of cultic or liturgical practises is called liturgiology.

So, according to you, Christians are brainwashed, Muslims are brainwashed, Jews are brainwashed, and anyone with any sort of religion is brainwashed, including yourself, understood to mean that the thoughts religeous people have are not concieved from their method of thinking, but rather from one entity, forcing them to be religeously involved. Therefore, you are assuming that no one who reads the books can think for themselves, all of which makes no sense because HP is NOT a religion! It is a series. Wicca may be a religion, and cults do exist. However, they are topics never spoken about in HP, because JK has no yearning in her mind to add them! HP fans are a reading group, coming together to enjoy one book, and not a witchcraft circle. OK?

If you are not able to care for your own salvation because you are reading Harry Potter, than it must become my burden, which I will gladdly carry.

You must remember, while you say that the Inferi are the work of Voldemort, the fact that this smut is in the book is enough to prove that this is the devils work. This exposes our children to ideas that they should never know exist. If you really want your children to read stories of hero's then read the Bible. There is no darkness in this book, only pure pure love. Harry may have been saved by Lily's love, but she still was practicing magic.

Whether you practice, discuss, or even think of magic for good reasons, you are still involved in witchcraft.

Save yourself before it is too late

Read this interview between Door Magazine and (my hero) Connie Neal on her veiws on how Harry Potter Helps Us Understand Christianity

This changed my dads veiw about Harry Potter, who used to think Harry Potter was a as Mallory put it "mainstreaming witchcraft" to kids.

DOOR: How do you use Harry Potter books as a way to lead someone to Christ?
NEAL: I used the story of The Sorcerer's Stone as a parallel to the gospel. You have the evil wizard who has the curse of death, and he throws the curse of death at Harry. Harry's mother loved him so much she threw herself in front of the curse, she died, and after that the curse was broken. So Harry rebounded on the evil wizard, broke his power. But the evil wizard is still at large - so all the kids trying to be on the side of good have to be on the alert constantly. At the end of the story the evil one couldn't touch him, and when asked why, Dumbledore said, "Because Harry, to be loved as much as your mother loved you, that is a protection that stays with you forever." So I am able to say, "That's what Jesus did, he jumped in front of the curse of death for us, He died on the cross, He took the curse on himself, and now the curse of death is broken so that the evil one cannot destroy us because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit."
DOOR: But then you also have the problem of Voldemort and the forces of evil.
NEAL: Just like in Harry Potter, the Evil One's ultimate power over us is broken - but he's still on the loose. So, the scripture says resist him and he will flee from you, which is what happens with the evil one at the end of The Sorcerer's Stone. That's why Christians are so worried and concerned because some of the things that are done in Harry Potter, the Bible says are real and would open them up to real spiritual forces of darkness.
DOOR: Elaborate on the controversy surrounding Harry's scar.
NEAL: One of the things that you deal with in any fantasy is it's replete with symbols and icons. I'm told that icons can carry whatever meaning we assign to them. Now it helps that the meaning we assign actually can be backed up with the story line. But there is a video out where they show the scar on Harry's forehead, and then they show the swastika, and then they show the emblems on the SS guards who are marching, carrying torches in the Nazi march, then this blatant announcement that the scar on Harry's forehead is the same symbol on the SS guards' uniform. It's "S" for Satan, and so it carries that meaning for some people.
DOOR: You've got to be kidding.
NEAL: I went back to scripture with my kids and said let's look at it. How did Harry get this scar? Harry got the scar when the evil wizard hit him with the curse of death but the curse of death didn't work anymore, so there was a lightning bolt scar left on his forehead. Now, is there a place in the Bible where Jesus talked about lightning related to demonic activity and the battle between the forces of darkness and the forces of good?
DOOR: Duh, yeah.
NEAL: When Jesus sent out his disciples two by two, they went out and they were amazed because even the demons were subject to them in Jesus' name. Jesus said, "Don't be amazed at this. I saw Satan cast out of Heaven like lightning. Rather rejoice that your name is written in the book of life." So I said to my children, "Okay, this is what the symbol is going to mean for us, it's going to remind us that Harry got that scar when life triumphed over death, and good triumphed over evil, and Jesus is telling us we have power over the evil ones in His name, because we've been given eternal life. The evil one was cast down and his powers broken. That all fits the story, and it fits the scripture, and I can use it now to talk to any kid who happens to have a Harry Potter lightening bolt on their backpack.
DOOR: Harry's Uncle Vernon kind of reminds us a little of the story of Jonah because despite his interventions, Harry still got his invitation to attend Hogwarts.
NEAL: Jonah ended up out in the middle of the sea, and Harry ends up out on a rock in the middle of the ocean, and even that couldn't stop his invitation into this other kingdom. What I drew on was how we see that God's invitation comes to us through his word. There are many times we've seen through the course of history and in the Bible where people try to destroy the invitation God was giving and stop the word. We see during Jeremiah's time that the king took the prophecy and burned it, which we saw Vernon Dursley burning these invitations.
DOOR: Kids enjoy that you have this scrawny kid who really has these amazing powers.
NEAL: We need to understand what it is in these Harry Potter stories that resonates with these kids' hearts. Here's this kid who doesn't have any power. He's a weakling and when he gets into this other realm, suddenly he has power. Also, he discovers that in his weakness he is strong. For example, being skinny makes him great as a seeker on the Quidditch team. Kids are very hungry for supernatural power, they're hungry for protection against evil, they're hungry to belong to a group where they can bind together and feel somewhat safe in a very unsafe world. They want to be known, loved, and belong. All of those things that are really the hallmark of what Harry experiences, those are things we can show kids are really in what it means to be in Christ, and in the supernatural realm of the kingdom of God. I'm not talking just in church. I'm talking into the kingdom of God, and experiencing the power of God, within a community that loves each other even though they have their differences.
DOOR: How does the platform nine and three quarters suggest that when it comes to faith, believing is seeing?
NEAL: First of all, I think it's very important, as my son pointed out, "Mom, just like I know I don't really get into Narnia by looking at the back of my closet, I know that I'm not going to go run into the wall at the train station and get to Hogwarts." Symbolically, Harry was told, if you believe that there is a platform nine and three quarters, and you believe that there is a train that's going to take you to this other world you've been invited into, what you have to do is just walk straight into that wall, and when you believe and operate in faith, and do that, you will be able to get through into this other realm that no one else can see. It's here, anyone can do it, and no one would go running into the wall at the train station unless they believed first. So likewise, the Bible says that you're going to believe on Christ, and then you're going to be baptized. Now anyone could go and be immersed in water or sprinkled depending on your particular denomination. Anyone could do those things, but no one would do those things unless they believed it had a significance that would be a part of being obedient to God's directions as to how we're to go about getting into his kingdom.
DOOR: Why do you feel that Hermoine is the best person to exemplify the doctrine of original sin?
NEAL: What you see is Hermoine as the conscience of the group. She is constantly the voice of the law. Yet, you see times when Hermoine actually slips and lies to cover up for Harry and Ron, like when they have come after the troll to protect her. She is shocked to see that she too has broken the very law that she knows is wrong. You really see in here, "There is none righteous, no not one." Even the ones who work the hardest and are inclined by nature to want to try and justify them by law, by the law no one will be justified. I think that's a huge, huge part of the gospel, and it's a huge part of understanding morality because we don't become moral people or righteous by keeping the law.
DOOR: Harry also had to exercise his own free will by choosing to go into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin.
NEAL: The sorting hat chose him to be in Gryffindor but, when the sorting hat was on his head, Harry was saying, "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin," and Harry chose to resist evil. Which is it? It's that interplay of both that we see him struggle with - that mystery of, yes, we are predestined before the foundation of the earth, and yet whosoever will, let them come.
DOOR: Do you find it interesting that Albus Dumbledore still allows the house of Slytherin to continue despite what's happened to the wizarding community by the Slytherins?
NEAL: In one of the books Harry makes this statement, "You know, I get the sense that Dumbledore knows everything that's going on, and just gives us enough knowledge so that we can fight the battles ourselves, so that we can learn to fight these battles."
This battle is where our faith is tried and tested, where it's perfected. We can either be baby Christians or those who are mature and have exercised themselves for the discernment of good and evil. Somehow all the terrible things that we are going through, the Harry Potter stories resonate with us because they replicate the true battle of good and evil in our world.
DOOR: How is Hagrid a good example of how our temptations can cause us to lead a sinful lifestyle?
NEAL: For starters, everybody is pretty sure his pink umbrella is hiding his wand that he's not supposed to be using, so he's even breaking the rules of the magical world by using his wand when he shouldn't be. He has a weakness for alcohol that gets him into trouble. His other weakness is he has a penchant for magical creatures, which are illegal in Britain. And so you see Hagrid in a situation where he's obviously a lovable character and a friend to Harry and the people on the side of good but he has all these flaws.
DOOR: What do you think we can learn about redemption from Professor Snape?
NEAL: I don't know yet, as I really went out on a limb about some things I think may have happened with Professor Snape. In every episode so far when we see Professor Snape, he's obviously bearing some sort of grudge and hatred against Harry. We don't know whether that's real or feigned at this point, but you can't look at him and hold him up as this paragon of virtue, and yet, he's the head of Slytherin House. But what becomes very curious about Professor Snape is that we don't know what to make of him because when it comes right down to the end in The Goblet of Fire, Dumbledore says, he's one of us on the side of good against Voldemort.
DOOR: Don't say that name! I mean, but as Snape was once a follower of Voldermort, so he was once a follower of the dark side.
NEAL: We know that he was marked with the dark mark, and yet he severed his ties with the evil one. When the evil Voldemort calls his followers back, Snape chooses not to go back. I think that his name "Severu" indicates that he severed his ties from that, and he is just moving over and trying to be counted on the side of good. Dumbledore affirms that; however, we all know Christians who have come out of lives that have been totally devoted to evil, and there is a progress. We may look at some of the habits that they haven't broken yet, and we may condemn them compared to other Christians' behavior. And yet, God looks on the heart, and He may know that they are on a journey and where they may now say some words that are off color, they used to speak much more profanely. As there is a process that God patiently works with us, that we're changed from glory to glory, and so that's kind of the idea that I began working with. I will be very curious to see what becomes of Severus Snape.
DOOR: How do you think that the kingdom of heaven is like a Quidditch match?
NEAL: In the game of Quidditch, when you are the Seeker, you have to go after the Golden Snitch. The Golden Snitch gets your team 150 points, whereas the Quaffle going through the gold only gets you ten points. So typically, it's the best Seeker that wins the game. In a particular Quidditch game in The Chamber of Secrets, Harry goes all out, and he is seeking to get the Golden Snitch no matter what. Since the stakes are high in that game and the victory is prized, he's going to be willing to lose all else to get his hands on that which is most valuable. Really, that's the picture that Christ painted for us, of how we should seek after the kingdom of God, seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and everything else will be added to you.
DOOR: How does the house elf Dobby exemplify Jesus' teachings about those who are oppressed?
NEAL: Throughout The Chamber of Secrets, the theme of being free from oppression and slavery is replete. You have Dobby, who is bound to serve the house of his master forever, even though the house of his master is an evil house. The only way he can be freed of that bondage and be redeemed is to be clothed with real clothes. The parallel for us in the gospel is that we are really enslaved in sin. Jesus said, "Anybody who commits a sin is a slave of sin and has to be redeemed." We have to be redeemed and given a new garment, and that new garment is the robe of righteousness that Christ purchased for us. That is a picture of when Dobby receives the gift of clothing he is then set free, he can then turn around and use his power to send his old master packing. That's really what the Lord wants us to do once we're redeemed.
DOOR: But not everyone becomes free from bondage. Take Professor Quirrell for example.
NEAL: Professor Quirrell was teaching defense against the dark arts, and yet he believed a false, erroneous, evil philosophy which said there is no good or evil, there is only power in those who seek it. Believing that, he followed the evil one, and he was destroyed. That's what we saw happen to Judas. He believed erroneously, and he betrayed Jesus, therefore the wages of his sin was death.
DOOR: And then there's the betrayal of Scabbers.
NEAL: Ron Weasley's pet rat Scabbers is really someone who betrayed Harry's parents in disguise. You see a real picture of someone who was a friend to Harry's parents, but when it came right down to it, he turned them in and pointed out where they were hiding. That's exactly what Judas did with Jesus. He went to the other side, and he said, "I'll show you where you can find Him so that you can kill Him." The difference is that Judas then died immediately after betraying Christ, and in these stories Scabbers got away to do more damage. We still don't know what's going to become of this rat. We can guess that eventually he's going to get destroyed because he is on the side of evil.
DOOR: How is the Muggle Protection Act a good metaphor for explaining God's love?
NEAL: This act was written so the people in the magical world cannot hurt the Muggles. Throughout the story, Muggles are not good or bad, they're just non-magical folk. So, what I see is that we as Christians, who are involved in the kingdom of God, are aware that there are people out there who are oblivious to the gospel. Even though we disagree with their beliefs, I just think it's so important that we as Christians treat all people with love, and respect, and kindness. We must love them, be they people who are given over completely to evil, or people who are just moral but don't know the Lord. Our attitude toward all of them must be to love them because we don't know who might turn to the Lord.
DOOR: What if anything in Harry Potter would contradict scripture?
NEAL: In Deuteronomy 18:9-14, it says do not cast spells, do not use omens, do not consort with the dead, do not be a medium and let a spirit channel through you, and do not go to someone who practices divination and lets spirits work through them. There are real spiritual forces of evil, and if you dabble in anything God forbids, you are opening yourself up to the evil one Satan every bit as much as if someone in Harry's world would inadvertently open themselves up to Voldemort and be working with the dark arts.
DOOR: Do you have any insights into J.K. Rowling's personal faith?
NEAL: One Canadian journalist interviewing her said, "People always ask you do you believe in Satan, do you believe in the occult, and you always say no. But they rarely ask you, do you believe in God, and do you have a faith in God?" And she responds, "You're right. They don't ask me that question. Secondly, yes, I do believe in God." Then the reporter asked, "Would you like to elaborate on your faith?" She said, "I'm very quiet about my faith." He said, "Would you please give more information?" And she said, "Actually, I don't want to. I tend to think that the people who read my books are thinking people. If they understood more about my faith, I think they could figure out where the books might be going."
DOOR: Interesting.
NEAL: I found that very, very, intriguing especially in light of the wealth of biblical allegory present in these books. Now, granted, I'm going and looking for it, and I'm finding it in places I'm sure she never intended it. I understand she didn't go in doing this on purpose, that's not the point of my book. I think it will be interesting once the series has played itself out that we will find out more.
DOOR: Can you touch on the funniest comment you think has been hurled at you by your critics?
NEAL: There was the accusation that I really don't understand what I'm doing, I'm well meaning but misled and misguided. And I am going to be directly responsible for leading untold numbers of children and people directly into the occult. I look at that, and the reason I can't laugh, although it's totally ludicrous, is because Jesus said, "You know a tree by its fruit." First of all, anybody who has actually read my book understands that I go into great detail teaching people how to protect and keep kids out of the occult, so it's contrary to what I've written. Also, I have dedicated my life to leading people to Christ, especially young people, and I can give you a list of specific individual kids I have led out of the occult into Christ, who have gone on to walk with the Lord, to get married, raise families, and do ministries. So the fruit of my life proves the exact opposite. Also, each one of my children is known for their love of the Lord. They are in the world, not of the world. They are able to warn their non-Christian friends of witchcraft and share the gospel. I look at that, and go "Right, I'm feeding people directly into the occult." Mathew 18 says, if you're going to make an accusation against someone, first you check the facts, and you have to prove it by the facts. The facts of my life show that's not happening.

How does the platform nine and three quarters suggest that when it comes to faith, believing is seeing?
NEAL: First of all, I think it's very important, as my son pointed out, "Mom, just like I know I don't really get into Narnia by looking at the back of my closet, I know that I'm not going to go run into the wall at the train station and get to Hogwarts." Symbolically, Harry was told, if you believe that there is a platform nine and three quarters, and you believe that there is a train that's going to take you to this other world you've been invited into, what you have to do is just walk straight into that wall, and when you believe and operate in faith, and do that, you will be able to get through into this other realm that no one else can see. It's here, anyone can do it, and no one would go running into the wall at the train station unless they believed first. So likewise, the Bible says that you're going to believe on Christ, and then you're going to be baptized. Now anyone could go and be immersed in water or sprinkled depending on your particular denomination. Anyone could do those things, but no one would do those things unless they believed it had a significance that would be a part of being obedient to God's directions as to how we're to go about getting into his kingdom.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

cite:
http://www.wittenburgdoor.com/archives/connie_neal.html

I am a school teacher, guidance counselor evangelical christian, a sunday school teacher, and a (gasp) GEORGIAN! To put it simply, I like Harry Potter, it's a great little series for children and adults alike. I've read a gazillion books over my lifetime, including The Chronicles Of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (yes, the books not just the movies, and the Madeline L'Engle "A Wrinkle in Time." They all deal with great themes and deal with magic. Please don't judge all evangelical christians, or Georgians by Laura Mallory, most of us find her laughable and are embarrassed for her even when she doesn't have the good sense to be embarassed for herself. Prediction: She is not through yet, she'll take as far as she legally can.

A well deserved first place, if I've ever seen one!

I pity those poor kids, for having such an ignorant and narrow-minded mother.
I hope this world-wide humiliation will make her reconsider, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it!

Dear Carmen Alexa,

You have shown us what is still wrong with Harry Potter. Your discussion of the rock and roll music is just another example of how reading these books can lead children down the wrong path.

I'm telling you, the rock and roll and Harry Potter can only lead to kids smoking the pot, or using even worse drugs, Premarital sex, babies, the list just grows and grows

Gomez,

I think you need to reevalutate your definition of smut. Smut is graphic sex. There is absolutly NO smut in Harry Potter. If there was Mallory would be 1 millionth in line to get the books banned.

I understand your concern, but please, don't push your beliefs on others. It's people like you who give other practicing Christians/Catholics a bad name.

I kinda find it funny that this woman that has never read a single one Harry Potter book can sand there and say it's evil and bad for our children. Frist of all where dose she get the right to tell me or any other parent what is right for my child that is my decision. where dose she get her information from.
Now I've notice many people that don't like the Harry potter's books tend to get there information from there preachers. Now don't get me wrong. If you want to listen to you preacher then listen him. but get your information right before you make your decision. don't let others make it for you. because if you do then we Americans should just turn ourselves back over to British power and let the Kings and Queens rule us again if your going to let others make your decisions for you.

Frank T.B:

Tell me, just tell me, where in the books it shows the characters promotong drugs and premarital sex. Book, page number, and character would be appreciated

I'm sooo happy Laura Mallo