The document discusses censorship attempts of the Harry Potter book series due to its focus on magic and witchcraft. Some Christian groups have tried to ban the books from schools and libraries, citing bible passages that prohibit magic. They argue the books promote the occult. Supporters counter that it is fantasy fiction and does not actually teach witchcraft. There have been several legal challenges over banning or restricting the books over the years.

3. HarryPotter

4. HarryPotter
MAGICAL CENSORSHIP

5. MAGICAL CENSORSHIP

8. Plot

9. Plot
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J.K
Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard, Harry Potter
and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's
quest to overcome the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to subjugate
non-magical people, conquer the wizarding world, and destroy all those who stand
in his way, especially Harry Potter.

10. Plot
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J.K
Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard, Harry Potter
and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's
quest to overcome the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to subjugate
non-magical people, conquer the wizarding world, and destroy all those who stand
in his way, especially Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter is about
confronting fears,
finding inner strength
and doing what is right
in the face of
adversity...”
― Stephen King

11. Plot
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J.K
Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard, Harry Potter
and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students
at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's
quest to overcome the evil dark wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to subjugate
non-magical people, conquer the wizarding world, and destroy all those who stand
in his way, especially Harry Potter.
“Harry Potter is about
confronting fears,
finding inner strength
and doing what is right
in the face of
adversity...”
― Stephen King

13. For the ill-informed:
Heres an example of
Harry Potter

14. For the ill-informed:
Heres an example of
Harry Potter

15. For the ill-informed:
Heres an example of
Harry Potter

17. The Issue

18. The Issue
Since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came out in 1997, there have been several
states and organizations who have made it their mission to ban the best-seller.
People working to ban the popular book series have one main reason:
Harry potter, the main character and heroine, is a wizard. In fact the entire story revolves
around sorcery and magic...therefore going against the bible.
(and we all know people don’t like it when things go against the bible)

19. The Issue
Since Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came out in 1997, there have been several
states and organizations who have made it their mission to ban the best-seller.
People working to ban the popular book series have one main reason:
Harry potter, the main character and heroine, is a wizard. In fact the entire story revolves
around sorcery and magic...therefore going against the bible.
(and we all know people don’t like it when things go against the bible)
“Opponents of Harry Potter believe that anything that mentions a witch
or a magic spell is equated with evil. They don't see it as fantasy, they
see it as real. A small group of Americans can't accept fantasy that
way. They really do care [about the book's impact], so they go against
others' legal rights."
Mark West
professor of English with a specialty in children's literature
at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

21. Fantasy or Occult?

22. Fantasy or Occult?
In Harry Potter's world, magic exists as a natural science. For many modern Pagans and
Wiccans, magic IS a very natural thing. It's rooted in the natural world. Furthermore, most
Wiccans and Pagans agree that some degree of training and study is required to be an
effective spellcrafter, just like in Rowling's books.
For Wiccans, magic is generally defined as bringing about change in the universe by the
manipulation of energy. Magic has limits, in that it won't go against the laws of physics or
science.
But in the Potter series, the line is not so clear. The “good” guys practice White Magic, while
the “bad” guys practice the Dark Arts.
“While some practicing Wiccan flatly deny any link between Potter’s world and theirs, the
evidence is undeniably clear that Potter promotes an interest in magic and the occult.
Parents, whether Christian or not, must take an active role in what their children are being
exposed to and determine what is appropriate.”
christiananswers.net

24. What the Bible says:

25. What the Bible says:
Readers become fascinated with the magic used in the series,
but it is the lack of distinction in the Bible between good and
evil magic that had Christians worried.

26. What the Bible says:
Readers become fascinated with the magic used in the series,
but it is the lack of distinction in the Bible between good and
“God is clear in
evil magic that had Christians worried.
Scripture that any
practice of magic is an
“abomination” to him.
God doesn’t
distinguish between
“white” and “dark”
magic since they both
originate from the
same source.”
christiananswers.net

27. What the Bible says:
Readers become fascinated with the magic used in the series,
but it is the lack of distinction in the Bible between good and
“God is clear in
evil magic that had Christians worried.
Scripture that any
practice of magic is an
“abomination” to him.
God doesn’t
distinguish between
“white” and “dark” “There shall not be found among you anyone
magic since they both who …practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer,
originate from the or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
same source.” or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or
christiananswers.net a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For
all who do these things are an abomination
to the LORD, and because of these
abominations the LORD your God drives
them out from before you. You shall be
blameless before the LORD your God. For
these nations which you will dispossess
listened to soothsayer and diviners; but as
for you, the LORD your God has not
appointed such for you.”
Deuteronomy 18:9-12

28. What the Bible says:
Readers become fascinated with the magic used in the series,
but it is the lack of distinction in the Bible between good and
“God is clear in
evil magic that had Christians worried.
Scripture that any
practice of magic is an
“abomination” to him.
God doesn’t
distinguish between
“white” and “dark” “There shall not be found among you anyone
magic since they both who …practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer,
originate from the or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer,
same source.” or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or
christiananswers.net a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For
all who do these things are an abomination
to the LORD, and because of these
abominations the LORD your God drives
them out from before you. You shall be
blameless before the LORD your God. For
these nations which you will dispossess
listened to soothsayer and diviners; but as
for you, the LORD your God has not
appointed such for you.”
Deuteronomy 18:9-12

30. Christian Response

31. Christian Response
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry
Potter series, has gone through an awful
lot of research. She is very accurate
(otherwise we would have witches all over
the country and the world saying ‘this is
not a true representation of our
religion.’) This is a true representation of
witchcraft, and the black arts, and black
magic. And yet we have people that say
this is merely fantasy and harmless
reading for our children. Actually, what
makes this more dangerous is that it is
couched in fantasy language, and
children’s literature, and made to be
humorous, and beautifully written and
extremely provocative reading. and it just
opens up children to want to have the
next one. This is what is so harmful.”
Caryl Matrisciana from Harry Potter:
Witchcraft Repackaged

32. Christian Response
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry
Potter series, has gone through an awful
lot of research. She is very accurate
(otherwise we would have witches all over
the country and the world saying ‘this is
not a true representation of our
religion.’) This is a true representation of
witchcraft, and the black arts, and black
magic. And yet we have people that say
this is merely fantasy and harmless
reading for our children. Actually, what
makes this more dangerous is that it is
couched in fantasy language, and
children’s literature, and made to be
humorous, and beautifully written and
extremely provocative reading. and it just
opens up children to want to have the
next one. This is what is so harmful.”
Caryl Matrisciana from Harry Potter:
Witchcraft Repackaged

33. Christian Response
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry
Potter series, has gone through an awful
lot of research. She is very accurate
(otherwise we would have witches all over
the country and the world saying ‘this is
not a true representation of our
religion.’) This is a true representation of
witchcraft, and the black arts, and black
magic. And yet we have people that say
this is merely fantasy and harmless
reading for our children. Actually, what
makes this more dangerous is that it is
couched in fantasy language, and
children’s literature, and made to be
humorous, and beautifully written and
extremely provocative reading. and it just
opens up children to want to have the
next one. This is what is so harmful.”
Caryl Matrisciana from Harry Potter:
Witchcraft Repackaged

34. Christian Response
“J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry
Potter series, has gone through an awful
lot of research. She is very accurate
(otherwise we would have witches all over
the country and the world saying ‘this is
not a true representation of our
religion.’) This is a true representation of
witchcraft, and the black arts, and black
magic. And yet we have people that say
this is merely fantasy and harmless
reading for our children. Actually, what
makes this more dangerous is that it is
couched in fantasy language, and
children’s literature, and made to be
humorous, and beautifully written and
extremely provocative reading. and it just
opens up children to want to have the
next one. This is what is so harmful.”
Caryl Matrisciana from Harry Potter:
Witchcraft Repackaged

36. Dueling Harry

37. Dueling Harry
In 1999, the focus on wizardry and magic in J. K. Rowling's books made them the most
challenged books in 1999, according to theAmerican Library Association (ALA)
In one year, there were 26 challenges to remove the Harry Potter books from bookshelves
in 16 states, said Beverley Becker, assistant director for the American Library Association's
Office of Intellectual Freedom.
In 2001, the books were challenged in Bend, Oregon; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Salamanca, New
York; Whittier, California; Pace, Florida; Arab, Alabama; Fresno, California; Bristol, New
Hampshire; and Ontario, Canada for dealing in “witchcraft, the occult, promoting violence,
and being “scary.” The books were also restricted to students with parental permission in
Santa Fe, Texas for endorsing witchcraft.

39. Mallory vs.
Gwinnett County

40. Mallory vs.
Gwinnett County
In October of 2006, Laura Mallory, a mother of four in Georgia, told a hearing officer for the
Gwinnett County Board of Education that the popular fiction series is an "evil" attempt to
indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.
-Mallory said that “books, like the Harry Potter series, help foster the kind of culture
where school shootings happen.”
-She added that the books were harmful to children who are unable to differentiate
between reality and fantasy.
-Mallory argued that teachers do not assign other religious books, like the Bible, as
student reading.
_She is appealing after the Gwinnett County school board ruled in favor of the books
saying that Mallory failed to prove that the series promote the Wicca religion.
- The Georgia Board of Education ruled that the availability of the books in public
schools does not constitute advocacy of a religion

41. Mallory vs.
Gwinnett County
In October of 2006, Laura Mallory, a mother of four in Georgia, told a hearing officer for the
Gwinnett County Board of Education that the popular fiction series is an "evil" attempt to
indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion.
-Mallory said that “books, like the Harry Potter series, help foster the kind of culture
where school shootings happen.”
-She added that the books were harmful to children who are unable to differentiate
between reality and fantasy.
-Mallory argued that teachers do not assign other religious books, like the Bible, as
student reading.
_She is appealing after the Gwinnett County school board ruled in favor of the books
saying that Mallory failed to prove that the series promote the Wicca religion.
- The Georgia Board of Education ruled that the availability of the books in public
schools does not constitute advocacy of a religion

43. St. Joseph Church vs.
Massachusetts

44. St. Joseph Church vs.
Massachusetts
In September 2007, Pastor Ron Barker of St. Joseph Church in Wakefield, Massachusetts
received international attention after pulling the books from the shelves of the parish's K-8
school. According to the ALA, this was the first time the books were banned in
Massachusetts. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston claimed this was an
independent action in which the Church played no role.
"It may be a great series, but for some it is a vehicle for entering into some occult
practices," he said. "Sorcery and witchcraft are not appropriate subjects for a Catholic
school and I do not want parents or children thinking we approve of them in our library."
He claimed his actions were no different from protecting children with a peanut allergy;
"What I did is start a spiritual peanut butter ban on Harry Potter," he said.

45. St. Joseph Church vs.
Massachusetts
In September 2007, Pastor Ron Barker of St. Joseph Church in Wakefield, Massachusetts
received international attention after pulling the books from the shelves of the parish's K-8
school. According to the ALA, this was the first time the books were banned in
Massachusetts. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston claimed this was an
independent action in which the Church played no role.
"It may be a great series, but for some it is a vehicle for entering into some occult
practices," he said. "Sorcery and witchcraft are not appropriate subjects for a Catholic
school and I do not want parents or children thinking we approve of them in our library."
He claimed his actions were no different from protecting children with a peanut allergy;
"What I did is start a spiritual peanut butter ban on Harry Potter," he said.

47. The Hogwarts
“Certificate of
Accomplishment”

48. The Hogwarts
“Certificate of
Accomplishment”
In 2000, The Public Library system of Jacksonville, Florida was faced with a lawsuit from
conservativeChristian group Liberty Counsel of Orlando after they began awarding
"Hogwarts’ Certificate of Accomplishment" to young readers who completed the fourth
Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
One parent complained that "If they are going to pass out witchcraft certificates they
should also promote the Bible and pass out certificates of righteousness".
The Library agreed to stop awarding the certificates, but said they would not remove the
books from their shelves.

49. The Hogwarts
“Certificate of
Accomplishment”
In 2000, The Public Library system of Jacksonville, Florida was faced with a lawsuit from
conservativeChristian group Liberty Counsel of Orlando after they began awarding
"Hogwarts’ Certificate of Accomplishment" to young readers who completed the fourth
Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
One parent complained that "If they are going to pass out witchcraft certificates they
should also promote the Bible and pass out certificates of righteousness".
The Library agreed to stop awarding the certificates, but said they would not remove the
books from their shelves.

51. International Cases

52. International Cases
That same year, Carol Rookwood, headmistress of St Mary's Island Church of England Aided
School in Chatham, Kent, England, banned the books from school grounds, saying that,
"The Bible is very clear and consistent in its teachings that wizards, devils and demons exist
and are very real, powerful and dangerous, and God's people are told to have nothing to do
with them".
In response, the chairman of the Church of England's doctrine commission, Stephen Sykes,
said, "The Church's position is that magic and sorcery are contrary to the Christian religion,
Mrs Rookwood is absolutely right. But children who are capable of reading Harry Potter
could be told not to take witchcraft seriously, or might even realize that for themselves".
In 2010, a Salvation Army post in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, refused to take donations of
Harry Potter items because they “promote black magic and the occult.”
"The Salvation Army is sensitive to what parents feel is appropriate for their children and
choices sometimes have to be made. In cases where donations are not usable by The
Salvation Army, these toys are generally given to other organizations for their use."
In 2002, Russia. A Slavic cultural organization had alleged that the stories about magic and
wizard could draw students into Satanism. However, the prosecutor's office in Moscow,
which had investigated the claim, said that it would not be taking forward the allegations.

55. ''I absolutely did not start writing these books to
encourage any child into witchcraft,'' she says with
an uncomfortable chuckle. ''I'm laughing slightly
because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met
thousands of children now, and not even one time
has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling,
I'm so glad I've read these books because now I
want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is,'' she
emphasized. ''It is a fantasy world and they
understand that completely. I don't believe in
magic, either.”
J.K Rowling

56. ''I absolutely did not start writing these books to
encourage any child into witchcraft,'' she says with
an uncomfortable chuckle. ''I'm laughing slightly
because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met
thousands of children now, and not even one time
has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling,
I'm so glad I've read these books because now I
want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is,'' she
emphasized. ''It is a fantasy world and they
understand that completely. I don't believe in
magic, either.”
J.K Rowling

57. ''I absolutely did not start writing these books to
encourage any child into witchcraft,'' she says with
an uncomfortable chuckle. ''I'm laughing slightly
because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met
The
thousands of children now, and not even one time
has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling,
End
I'm so glad I've read these books because now I
want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is,'' she
emphasized. ''It is a fantasy world and they
understand that completely. I don't believe in
magic, either.”
J.K Rowling

58. ''I absolutely did not start writing these books to
encourage any child into witchcraft,'' she says with
an uncomfortable chuckle. ''I'm laughing slightly
because to me, the idea is absurd. I have met
The
thousands of children now, and not even one time
has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling,
End
I'm so glad I've read these books because now I
want to be a witch.' They see it for what it is,'' she
emphasized. ''It is a fantasy world and they
understand that completely. I don't believe in
magic, either.”
J.K Rowling