Week 2

This week I finished reading Muggles and Magic. From this book I took notes on some sections that contribute to what made the Harry Potter series a phenomenon. Censorship is one aspect that I think caused the series to take flight. The whole issue of witchcraft and the occult goes against the Bible and what pastors and priests teach. Nationwide, this book has been banned and in many cases burned by Christians who believe the book is pure evil. These people fail to realize that these books are a work of fiction and fantasy. Nowhere in the series does Rowling encourage paganism or want children to worship the Devil. Unfortunately, the books are taken too literally, with Christians arguing that the mere presence of a witch or warlock is a sign of evil and not the ingenious imaginative mind of a British author.

I believe that because the books were banned, people were automatically attracted to all the hype and controversy, I know I would. Who doesn't want to read a banned book, or at least wonder why it was banned in the first place? The censorship of the Harry Potter series is definitely one reason why the life of Harry is known worldwide.

This weekend I will start reading my 2nd book, Harry, A History, and continue searching for articles (all of which at this point have been on censorship one way or another) about how Harry Potter relates to children, teens, and adults.