I believe the books are a wonderful opportunity for the pagan community. First of all, many christians are reading these books and enjoying them. When bad reviews are circulated about how these books are brainwashing children, it makes the originators look like fools and extremists, the exact type of people that persecuted us in the first place. Second of all, the books expose us for what we are: fun-loving, imaginative, and beautiful people. Hopefully that message will begin reflecting into every day society.
Rana
Date Added: 3-10-02

well I find no harm in Harry Potter and the influence that it gives on people of course we take everything more seriously and dont believe the same thing but it resembles us and the way we live just a little and by watching Harry Potter or reading it you can realize that we arent weird we just think and do different stuff.
m.m.elliott@worldnet.att.net
Date Added: 3-10-02

speaking as a british witch, i loved the harry potter books. We have people over here who are convinced the books will lead the kids astray, but can anything that encourages children to read for fun be a bad thing? In my experience, children aren't so easily led, they know its fiction and enjoy it because its fun and interesting. In any case, what happens in the Harry Potter stories doesn't bear a lot of resemblance to what we actually do, although Quidditch looks like a great laugh! If a few small minded people want to stamp their feet and make a fuss, we shouldn't worry. The kids aren't stupid, and if they do ask a few more questions because of the books it will only make them more open-minded.
Roo
Date Added: 3-10-02

I am a primary school teacher as well as a (very) recent convert to The Old Ways.

I LOVE the Harry Potter stories - I spent the entire summer holidays reading his adventures and was so very disappointed when I had completed the 4th book - The Goblet of Fire.

The stories are well written and I feel portray the Wiccan community as caring, friendly and warm hearted - exactly as I have found pagans / wiccans to be ! Also - it shows without a doubt what happens when 'bad magic' is cast- the rule of 3 was never so strongly emphasized...

Not everyone shares my enthusiasm for JK Rowling's creation:- a young boy was enthralled with the stories - but his parents complained - staunch Jehovah's witnesses, they were unhappy at their boy being indoctrinated into witchcraft. The saddest thing was - he really enjoyed the stories!

If you have not seen the movie - GO ! it's technical wizardry is a joy to behold- the stories follow the age-old mode of story telling- where the good are good, the baddies are bad, and the lessons to be learned are respect, friendship and belief in yourself.

What is wrong with our young people having these qualities? If Harry Potter - The Philosopher's Stone can develop them in our children, then that really IS magic!!

Love and Light -
Saille
Date Added: 3-10-02

Harry Potter: Its a fun thing . Saw the movie and enjoyed it. There is to much hype out on it, but nowadays that's the norm. It is a little far fetched but it was a good movie to watch. My Daughter has read all the series and loved every page of them. It's great fantasy.
Needlespinner
Date Added: 3-10-02

I think the Harry Potter series is a wonderful way to teach children (and adults) to not be afraid of their differences and to embrace their talents, and not care about what "everybody else" says about them. I can't wait for book 5 to come out! I read them to my year old son and two month old daughter and I know they'll hear the stories again throughout their lives. My son likes the word "Muggle" to describe the non-wizarding community--he smiles whenever that word is used in the story! I think he knows what it means and who those people are in his life!
Captian Jollymon
Date Added: 3-10-02

I haven't read Harry Potter books but I did see the movie. I get really upset over the ridiculous behavior that some people have about the books. I was raised a Jehovah's Witness and I remember when I was little my mother burned my Smurf purse because rumors spread that they were demonic. Same thing happened with the Cabbage Patch kids. Harry Potter is no different than the Wizard of Oz, a classic, remember Glenda the good witch. And how is Harry Potter any different from the Disney movies? Half of the people protesting don't realize that their precious christian holidays are rooted in pagan origins. Get over it and spot burning books. Unless you like buying the books and supporting the author. If you don't like Harry Potter, don't read it.
emcarter_paris@yahoo.com
Date Added: 3-10-02

My family and the majority of my friends and children's friends families enjoy the books and have gone to see the movie - I haven't gone to see it yet because I work when my husband wants to go - but we've made plans to make a solid attempt this week! Where I live there is a church that is solely against the Potter series as the minister there claims that the books and the movie are an accurate portrayal of witchcraft and the Wiccan religion. From what I've read about him, he thinks that people who practice are doped up, orgey-minded, blood-thirsty, satan-conjuring freaks who are damned and determined to turn every last child out there onto the Potter series to convert the children - that the books brainwash children into thinking that their religion is inferior because Harry Potter is more fun, so he claims it makes the kids more accepting of seeking out Wiccan beliefs. I read one article where he claimed that some Wiccan kids came to his church and tried to convert some of his kids, sort of like 'we're out to get them' and Harry Potter is a gateway to this horrible lifestyle! Okay - well, it's a fictional story/series that gets the kids to read (which is what we've been hearing people rant on about for years - how can we get our children to read... well, they're reading now!!!). The characters are as lovable as any children's books. The minister also says that the marketing of witchcraft is spreading - esp. with the popularity of Potter, and he ought to know as he has a video out about the"dangers of witchcraft" with Harry Potter in the title!!! To me, he and the others who made the video are just jumping on the bandwagon and selling the video at $15, they're making their money based on witchcraft. I don't hate... it's just so frustrating to see someone so bent against a children's book series that will be a beloved part of my children's personal library forever - and even though we haven't been to the theatre yet, they insist that they must have it when it's released on video. I've read 3 of the books and I am currently in the middle of book 4 - and I wish that i had the determination and talent that Ms. Rowling has to complete such a task - seven books about this child - wonderful!!! My daughter can't wait for #5. It's just pure fun!
-bluesnow
Date Added: 11-29-01

The Harry Potter books don't portray witches in a bad way. They are pure fun, magical fantasy. IMO, anything that can bring so much "sparkle" into people's (adults too!) lives is a good thing, and worth the attention. The movie stayed pretty much true to the book, and although we really can't fly, it makes us dream that we can. Certainly is better than the ol' wart-faced image, isn't it?
Michelle
Date Added: 11-22-01