Harry Potter

             We've heard that name a lot in the news recently, haven't we? Harry Potter is a character in a children's book written by J.K. Rowling, a Scottish author. In the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry lives with his unloving aunt and uncle and their spoiled son Dudley. Then one day Harry gets a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, inviting him to attend this famous school for witches and wizards. Harry soon finds himself in a magical world where he must learn magic and defeat the evil sorcerer, Voldemort. I personally think that this is a wonderful book, but as always there are parents who aren't too pleased with the book.
             Parents say Harry Potter is Satan's agent. They say that the book promotes witchcraft, sorcery and other occult related practices. They say that Harry Potter is a bad influence to children. They say it leads children in the wrong direction, they say that the books tell children that it's OK to disregard authority. Then, after all their protests and pickets are done for the day, these same parents take their children home. Home where they will undoubtedly play violent video games such as Mortal Combat. Home where these same children will be exposed to violence and inappropriate material on television.
             If these parents are concerned about the safety of their children, why let them watch violence, which is much more real than anything in the Harry Potter books, and yet try to stop them from expanding their imagination with a stimulating novel that will leave any young reader craving for more? These parents say that the material in Harry Potter isn't part of your imagination, they say that sorcery is something totally different. In other words, folks, they"re saying that the material in Harry Potter is real. Look, there goes a wizard right now, walking down the street. Oh, but that's just an ordinary sight, remember? It's real.