This is ridiculous...maybe if she actually read the books, she would realize that they do not make any mention of Wicca (which is not 'bad' anyway). For heavens sake, my pastor was the one who introduced me to these wonderful books. These are the people who give Americans a bad name.

oh come of it! that woman needs help! saying the books have some or any implication in brainwashing or affecting people to do murderous acts! give us all a break!!

OMG screw it...wheres my wand...everyone...its time to reveal to these small minded creeps that they are right...alas, there ARE real witches and wizards. Ready, people? MAGIC OF THE WORLD UNITE! on the count of three, hex the nearest person to you that wants HP banned...one...two...thre e TALENTALLEGRA!!!

Okay lady, you've got WAY too much time on your hands. I suppose actually reading the books is totally out of the question. She says the Potter books are too long to read, yet she can go to the Board of Education every other month and complain that the books are evil. She has the right to keep her OWN children from reading the books, but she has no right to keep other children in Gwinnett County from reading them. I live in Georgia very near Gwinnett and I don't think she will have a chance in banning the books.

i thought wiccans believe in a goddes not the devil.uhhhh i bet she didn't even read the books.***sighs***what has this world come to?seriously i think she's just doing this cause i'd rather read hp instead of the bible(umm not that its not important.it is but its not entertaining.lol)....i love harry potter!!!i guess i'll see all you in h***..just kidding!!lol.only God can say who is allowed in heaven.right?

I agree with vigilance06. Teach your kids that it's all fake and that there isn't actually anyone running around yelling spells with wands in their hands. It's entertainment, not reality.

Before you go and try and ban a book READ IT!!!!!!!! These people get on my nerves so bad. Every time I read an article talking about someone wanting to ban a book I get so angry. Why is it that they never criticize the Lord of the Rings books. They have wizards in them just like the Harry Potter books, yet I never hear anything about it. Like jenseeker62442 posted (IT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT RELIGION IN THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS.) I understand if she didn't want her children to read the books, but she has no right to take that privalge away from other children. Not everyone has the same beliefs as that woman. I know A LOT OF PEOPLE want to read the HP books (me included), and taking them off the shelves at school isn't going to stop them. GIVE IT A REST WOMAN, AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO WANTS IT BANNED!!! Sorry about my long tirade.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. I think Ms. Mallory has been smoking too much floo powder.

someone has far too much time on her hands and fluff in head. let's all pray for this poor woman who must have left whatever sense she had on a bus or something.

HEE HEE!!! this is so hilarious! is she ever going to drop this? It's SO stupid! she's a frickin control freak!!!

She is just speaking to hear herself talk. She in no way represents Christian belief, but she is simply pursuing her own closed-minded agenda. This lady needs to lighten up, and get over herself. If you are going to take a stand for something, this isn't it. If you have too much free time, which she apparently does, she should be more active in church, or actually read the Harry Potter books, before she makes unfounded accusations about the most popular book series in the world.

omg this woman is seriously pissing me off! she hasnt even read through all the freaking books!! shes just some dumb woman who just jumps on bandwagons like the Pope and say that harry potter is evil! well this woman can stuff it! harry potter is the only reason why i even became interested in reading in the first place..............

Will she GIVE IT A REST already?! She's being thoroughly hypocritical by never reading the books and calling them evil! And how does this even relate to the school shootings at all?! I can see the headline now. "Man murders school students by shouting 'AVADA KEDAVRA.'" I'm sure that's it. Even if the little kids do believe this is really, I seriously doubt that that child running around with a stick yelling 'Avada Kedavra' is seriously gonna do any harm. The only thing I could think is he poked someone's eye out with a stick. I mean seriously, come on crazy lady, give it up.

Wiccans worship the earth, the worship the gods and goddesses, not the devil, almost an exclusive Christian belief. Wiccans also believe in blessing objects and people. Guess what...so do Christians, almost every child born into a mainstream Christian religion are blessed. Priests and other religious leaders bless people before going to war. (WAR!!! Something that causes death, destruction, deaths of innocent children, not to mention the slower death of malnutrition from losing your home, crops, and who knows what else.) Religious leaders will also bless jewelry to help people. Wiccans also believe that what ever 'spell' you cast, will be returned on you 3 fold. Example, just in case you need it...You 'spell' that someone has good luck, you should get it back 3 fold. You 'spell' that someone has bad luck, you should get it back 3 fold. "Harm none". Can you imagine if everybody held that belief. Let's see, what else...oh yeah. The Harry Potter books have done something that hasn't been done in a while. CHILDREN ARE READING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that really such a bad thing. Evidently to the Georgia lady it IS. Through out our school years, we are encouraged to read. Potter books are giving children something to read, that interests them. When they read the books and watch the movies, it inspires them to read more, and different books because they see differences in the two. They get curious. Think about where the world would be if we didn't encourage curiousity. Think of all the diseases that would still be rampant because there is no vaccine. If someone didn't get 'curious' about flying, we wouldn't be flying. Mallory needs to get a life. She is speaking on one reason and one reason alone. She has a miserable life, she has nothing to show for it, and this makes her feel like she's important. She needs to read a Potter book, learn the lessons, and become more open minded. Her problem is nothing more than ethnocentrism.

This is just crazy!! If she doesn't want her kids to read it then don't let them read it. Why should every other kid have to suffer just because she believes HP is "evil"? How stupid is that? Of course witch craft and all of the magic in HP is not real, it is make believe stuff so it is the parents responsibility to teach their kids that this stuff is not real and that is just fun for your imagination. Since it is something that obviously is not real then what is the harm in kids reading it. I think it is great for children and adults to read stories like this to give the mind a break from reality. She sounds really ignorant by saying it is teaching kids dark magic & evil...hello idiot it is not real! If it were I guess I'd have some concern. She just needs to shut her mouth and worry about her own family.

Hang on (spoken like Harry does in the movies) - this woman is indicating the 'evil' and violence and devil worship in Harry Potter books, correct? Um, what about the book of Revolations in the Bible? What is described in that book is so bad, it shouldn't be read by anyone under the age of 14, IMO (in my opinion). Also, here's something else to consider: Yes, let's ban Harry Potter books, but allow "Mein Kampf" by Adolf Hitler, "The Myth of the Twentieth Century" by Alfred Rosenberg and "Foundations of the 19th Century" by Houston Chamberlain to be circulated....where's the logic in that??? For those of you who don't know the last two books, those are books that promote Nazi-ism, swastikas and everything it stands for. Sigh...okay, this isn't a political forum, but this woman is making it out to be...politics and religion - there is a fine, fine line there....

Having read Harry Potter I suddenly felt the urge to sacrifice a baby... BY JOVE, THE WOMAN'S RIGHT! [/sarcasm.]

You know, I was just thinking about this. Ms. Mallory states that the evils in the HP series indirectly relate to the recent rash of school shootings. Okay......let's see........the first shooting on Coloradeo was commited by a deranged homeless man who sexually assaulted his victims before killing one of them in a hail of gunfire with the police. Yep......that sexual assault is part of the Harry Potter series (okay, everyone.......work with me on the sarcasm here......). The second shooting was here in Wisconsin (where I live) and was commited by a teenaged boy who was abused as a child and considered emotionally disturbed by the school district. I highly doubt Harry Potter contributed to his mental demise. The third tragic shooting in Pennsylvania was commited by a man who became (or was already) deranged due to events that happened over 20 years ago (and before the HP series was even written). I think Ms. Mallory ought to get her facts straight and quit throwing random and desparate arguements out to the courts. She is already making herself look like a fool the way it is.

Well obviously HP had no affect on the school shootings. Why would a man go in with a gun if he believed in it. It's against witchcraft or something....

HELLO?!?!? disturbing??? se hasnt even read them why doesnt she get a life an acually read stuff before she attacks it if she still needs to. stupid stupid women. and no it isnt harry potter making me have these evil thoughts. ITS YOU!?!? also mallory malfoy do they seem really similar to anyone else or am i just very sad?

Wicca is not devil worship! It is based around the Force and nature. I have a friend that is Wiccan and she is very nice and Harry Potter is not an influence on her faith.

So...Harry Potter encouraged the school shootings. Well now we know. She's a freak, seriously

okay well i'm kind of worried. i live in georgia and it wouldn't surprise me if they banned a book because it wars against christianity. what i think alot of you are thinking is that the board knows what real wicca and witchcraft is unless the defense testifies the difference between wicca and HP witchcraft they may have to take mrs. mallorys word for it. ass for mrs. mallorys defense four family's stood by her on the county level one of whoms daughter testified that harry potter dragged her into witchcraft and turned her evil and its taken years and counselling to bring her back to her old self.i'll see if i can find all the articles for you on the cases development and then i'm off to find transcripts of the hearing (if i can)

UGHHH!!! not AGAIN!!!! when i read "Mother appeals decision on Potter ban in libraries" for some reason i thought that meant she gave up and i was so happy...

I think you can get her mailing address & telephone number out of the white pages. Maybe we should all write her letters & tell her how stupid she is making herself out to be. I was going to post it here on this website but didn't want to get into trouble. She is out of Loganville, GA. I am not saying send hate mail or threats, just letters sharing our outrage at her stupidity.

Ugh this is just pure garbage, and i'm sick of it

"...among young children who don't understand the difference between fantasy and reality." Haha, apparently, some adults don't know the difference either!

this lady is bloody mental, she can't possibly win. i feel sorry for her children...

Will this women ever give up? Im not that worried, I dont think they're going to ban it no matter what some hater says.

baalkor: So mote it be! Couldn't have said it better! saphirewolf: couple of things - I love your typo, "...ass for mrs. mallory's defense" Yes, she is certainly an a$$. HA! Another point on the child who stated HP brought her into witchcraft and she has taken years of counciling...Um, I'm sorry - that child had other deeper issues and her PARENTS are blaming it on HP books to justify in their 'fine, perfect Christian' world. It's easier to blame the problems of their child on HP than to admit that little Jane is mentally disturbed or something... Hey, on another note, do any of you know of any other author who has stirred up so many people on BOTH sides of the fence??? JKRowling truly is a phenomena!!!

I agree with everyone. oh my god woman, get a life and do something productive..

OMG I can't believe this lady is still fighting this! This case is a complete waste of everyone's time and money. How can she critize books she has never even read? And now Harry Potter is somehow behind these recent school shootings? What is this lady on? I've read the books over ten times each and not once after reading them have I decided to go on an rampage at my school and shoot everyone. Give me a break. And furthermore who does she think she is trying to tell other people's kids what they can't read? If she doesn't want her kids to read it then fine but don't go around and say that other parents they are bad because they let their children read Harry Potter books.

WOW...she needs to get priorities straight!

Will she ever give it a rest? If she doesn't want to read the books - fine, it's her loss. But to take them off of the school shelves and not let kids read them is just frankly, not fair.

okay here are the links from 11alive newsnewest at the top Wiccans React to Book Ban Plan http://www.11alive. com/help/search/search_ar ticle.aspx?storyid=85572 Mom: Kick Potter Out of School http://www.11aliv e.com/help/search/search_ article.aspx?storyid=8555 9 Mom: Potter Glorifies Witchcraft http://www.11 alive.com/help/search/sea rch_article.aspx?storyid= 85551 Woman Takes 'Potter' Ban to State http://www.11alive .com/help/search/search_a rticle.aspx?storyid=80891 School Board Rejects Potter Ban http://www.11alive.c om/help/search/search_art icle.aspx?storyid=79745 Gwinnett Mom Battles Harry Potter http://www.11aliv e.com/help/search/search_ article.aspx?storyid=7885 9 Gwinnett Mom: 'Ban Harry Potter' http://www.11ali ve.com/help/search/search _article.aspx?storyid=786 28 sorry but you have to copy and paste i don't know how to make links

I think she should read "God, the devil, and Harry Potter : a Christian minister's defense of the beloved novels", by John Killinger. And of course actually read the books.

OK, this has really gotten me riled up so be ready for a long post (sorry). What this "banning books" really boils down to is LAZY PARENTING. The Wizard of Oz has a Witch in it. There were children who were scared by the Wicked Witch of the West when they read the book or saw the movie. Alice in Wonderland has a queen who chops off peoples heads, and a mad hatter who is crazy. Cinderella has a fairy god mother who does a spell on her to inable her to go to the ball and meet her prince. Snow white has a witch who poisons Snow White trying to kill her. Hansel and Gretel has a witch in the woods who tries to cook and eat the children. These are classic fairty tales that hundreds of generations have grown up on. Are we now going to ban every tale that has a villan, and if so then when our children grow up and realize that there are REAL VILLANS in life will it be our fault when they are suprised?? I agree to a certain degree that younger children probably shouldn't be allowed to read, say HP 4-7. The older Harry gets the darker the story gets. In real life as we age does life not get harder the older we become? I am a christian saved by the grace of God just like this lady claims to be and while I agree that our children should not be taught to believe that when we have troubles we can just (pop) apparate away from them, or Avada Kedavra our enemies I do not agree that our fictional tales should be banned because they have magic or villans in them. Parents today need to take responsibility for what their children are taking to heart in life. Parents should monitor what books their children are reading just like they moniter what tv shows or movies they watch, or what their child is pulling up on the internet, or what music they have in their ipod. Society and J.K. Rowling should not be held accountable for what children are reading etc. I am very afraid of what will happen to the coming generations if their links to imagination are taken...

erm.......right. excuse me while i go turn my dad into a gopher. (i learned it from this book called "harry potter". it's quite good. i highly recommend it if you are ever need advice on being evil, odious little demons that meet in secret dark, damp places and join hands to contact the living. the books teach all that!! its great!) [Note: I am being sarcastic.]

Oh my god!! harry potter is such a scapegoat. people are always blaming every bad thing that is happening in the world on harry potter when there isnt really anyone to blam.

omg i read ur whole post gryffinsgirl...i so agree. my best friends mom really hates the crap outa harry potter. When i hear issues like "against religion" or "a state of satan art" or "just like the devil" it makes me go INSANE. more insane than when mugglenet doesnt post! These parents shouldn't judge a book withought even READING IT. Just because they want their children not reading these books, doesn't mean that OTHER CHILDREN shouldnt! Other parents probably would be HAPPY their children were READING A BOOK! These issues make me soo upset that these pathetic selfobsorbed, parents are saying how harry potter is EVIL and should be banned. These parents are also selfish, and only want to protect their children from these books. Just cuz THEIR children are upset cuz other kids are always talking about harry potter and are reading harry potter books, doesn't mean that they need to ban harry potter books to EVERYONE. Its really unfair.

i am so F&%$ing tired of people like this. STOP USING GOD AS AN EXCUSE TO BE NARROWMINDED!!!!!!

You can bet that this paranoid soul probably has no problem at at all with something like, say, the X-Men, which shares many of the same themes as Harry Potter. :: beats head on desk at the ignorance of some people ::

Hannah_at_Hogwarts, i agree that witchcraft wasn't her problem when she rebeled against her family or what ever i think it was just becoming a teenage girl infact my dad said at that age she probbaly had more problems that affected her behavior then witchcraft. he should know father of three girls about a year apart each. all of us went through that faze i think it has more to do with the changing world a womans position being undefined or whatever oh and the typo was a mistake, a funny one but i really wasn't watching the screen as i typed cause i missed a day in typing class in 8th grade and completley lost track

I don't think she can look past the 'waving a wand' part of Harry Potter and look deaper into the fact that this is a boy who is trying to save his world from evil JUST like we are trying to save our world from terror. She clearly hasn't read the books, and if she has then she is a very unintelligent fool. Another thing, people have a right to read what they like, it isn't up to her to ban all these books! (I am talking about Macbeth and Sleeping Beauty aswell) Everyone has a right to read what they like, if they see it on the shelf and they don't want to read it. FINE. But give them a freaking choise! Stupid, idotic, brainless woman!

Wow. This woman just doesn't know when to quit! Harry Potter has done more good for children than just about any book in the last twenty years, at least, if not longer. When kids read one book and love it, they'll read more, and they'll become more intellegent. And more intellegent kids can make wise and reational choices about their beliefs and whether or not waving a piece of wood around and muttering in latin will really do any magic. The only real magic in the Harry Potter series is the absolutely phenominal writing and story telling abilities of the author.

This really makes me sick... hey lady I hope you're reading this because guess what? I'm a Christian! I love Jesus! And I like reading Harry Potter! Woman get it together! I'm soo tired of people saying Harry Potter is evil.... there are so many Christian themes in it! You can't say it's evil because of the magic! The Bible says you shouldn't do magic and stuff like that and I never will! The thing is, this whole series is fantasy... it's not real and it was certainly not written to influence the minds of children to go into witchcraft. Magic is a part of like ninety percent of children's literature! What do you want to try to ban next, Cinderella? Lord of the Rings is practically based on Christianity and it has magic in it! JK Rowling says she loves reading the Chronicles of Narnia (can you say CS Lewis??) Have you even read the books? At all? Do you just automatically assume it's evil because it has magic in it? Let me tell you something.... in my book magic and witchcraft and sorcery ARE tools of evil.... but this is pure fantasy! Do you see people cutting off goat heads and sacrificing them to gods and stuff? NO!! People like you really need to find something better to do than try to defeat what you "think" is evil. You're going to lose!!

I live in Gwinnet County, and I am so upset! It was a highschool assingment that brought me into the Potter Mania!!! I just cannot imagine life with out Harry, and the fact that someone out there wants to ban it, in MY neighborhoor upsets me! And the schools' lawyer is right, If Harry Potter books are bannes, thenso will Lord Of The Rings, Narnia, A Midnight's Summer Dream, Snow White, Hamlet, ad the list goes forever on. Let's hope that the Board is smart again!!!

oh my god! saint laura mallory is completely right. you all are already possessed by the evil emanating from HP and his demoniac subordinates. you´ll burn in hell...

sleeping beauty... ??

We've heard this before, even from some Catholic priests (with the exception of our misinformed Pontiff, God bless him), that the kind of witchcraft practiced in the Harry Potter books doesn't resemble Wicca, or any other occult practice, in the slightest. Moreover, wizards and witches in the Harry Potter books are BORN, not MADE. They inherit their powers from their parents (or more distant ancestors), rather than obtain them through some kind of pact with Satan. Even the most casual reader of the Harry Potter books (and how many of THOSE are there, especially among children?) are familiar with this concept.