I Guess You Didn’t Pray Hard Enough

Every week for the past ten years, one of the Harry Potter series has appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. In fact, in the year 2000, the New York Times began a “Children’s Literature” list because publishers were complaining that the series was occupying too many top positions on the Bestseller List.

Recently the last book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, fell from the top ten list, breaking J.K. Rowling’s decade long streak.

A few years ago my Mother-In-Law told me she and some of her friends at church believed Harry Potter books should be banned. Our conversation went something like this:

“My prayer group and I are praying that parents won’t let their children read any of those Harry Potter books.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because they encourage children to practice wizardry and witch craft.” She said, almost shocked that I didn’t know this information.

“How do they do that?” I asked.

“The books have wizards and other characters in them.”

“Hmmm. Have you ever actually read any of the Harry Potter books?”

“No.” She replied indignantly. “I don’t want to read anything that has the devil in it.”

I guess many of the “Religious Right” would rather squash a child’s creativity than let them read a fictitious children’s book. Personally, I think it is incredible that J.K. Rowling can repeatedly produce a best selling novel that appeals to people of all ages. Never before have children stood in line at book stores until midnight in hopes of buying a 734 page book before they sell out. Anyone who can get children to read so voraciously gets kudos from me.

At least J.K. Rowling doesn’t perpetuate the concept that young women must sit around and do nothing but make themselves look pretty so they can be rescued by a man on a white horse. In my opinion, the children’s stories that feature that type of story line are much more damaging to our children. But, you never hear the ladies praying that books with THAT story line will be banned.