She's right. Wicca IS an organized religion and it's stupid that she's been trying to get rid of people's (MY) religion just because she doesn't believe in it. Oh, this woman's gone past just trying to get rid of Harry Potter. She crossed the line. You diss HP, you get hundreds of fangirls/guys coming after you. You diss HP and Wicca, you get thousands of angry fangirls/guys and witches coming after.

She honestly disgusts me.

My wombats clock is still on: GRADING. huff. i relay wanna c what i got! This lady is not only insulting harry potter books, shes insulting: JK *teh best person alive* DAN RADCLIFFE, EMMA WATSON, RUPERT GRINT, TOM FELTON, BONNIE WRIGHT, AND EVERYONE WHO WORKS SO HARD ON THE MOVIES! So according to her, all of us HP FINATICS, HP WRITER, AND HP MOVIE ACTORS/ACTRESS/PRODUCER ect. Are all evil and "Devillish" ...jee wat a huge way to insult (takng a gues here) 82% of america AND like..90% of the Uk!

My God...people...get a life...I'M Wiccan! and i know it's not evil, and i've read the HP books several times! But did I first hear about Wicca from the Hp Books? no, i first heard of it from a movie i watched when i was six. witchcraft & wicca are close in a lot of ways (in my opinion) but the only times evil witchcraft is used in the HP books...is by the characters who are portrayed as evil and cruel and sent to azkaban and generally portrayed as horrible people!

I thought she never read the books? If she never read the books how can they be disturbing? Am i missing something here??

I just LOVE it when people try to ban some books they didn't even read, it just shows how stupid and ignorant they are.

I think the fact that she has used the recent tragic school shooting incidents to justify her position is reprehensible. How dare this woman manipulate the situations involving grieving families to support removing Harry Potter books from school libraries, as if any of these horrific acts had anything to do with HP. The very idea is ludicrous. What a closed-minded, manipulative moron!

I know it might be off topic but I am christian and that lady is wrong in a lot of places. First of all JKR and other people aren't forcing anyone to read Harry Potter or watch it. Are we? No! It's just a great book that happens to be a favorite to a lot of people. Second, the world does not walk around flicking wands this way and that, so the books and movies haven't tottaly and utterly effected our lives. Have they? Third, you can't "ban" Harry Potter books in about every book there's a diffrent religion or thing that is going on and in Harry Potter it just happens to be magic. Fourth, it isn't very christian like to say that Harry Potter should be banned because everyone should respect what anyone belives or reads. Also, I have many christian friends that are just as excited as anyone to get the 7th Harry Potter book and their parents are really christian. Plus it's *fiction*. And it's just a relief to get out of the normal world and read Harry Potter, it's so diffrent and unusual and you just go somewhere else, were not tottaly changing as a person. Right? That's how wrong that lady is and I bet I could find many other reasons why she is wrong.

Oh and another thing: I don't know how old her children are but she states that she doesn't want them (quote) 'indoctrinated into a religion whose practices are evil,� (unquote) if the HP book are in the school library. Doesn't she trust her own childrens' judgement? Or anyone elses intelligent judgement for that matter. Her accusations are an insult to HP and other magic- related books readers. Like Cinderella or Snow White etc.

Uh... lady? Whoever said that the recent school shootings had anything to do with Harry Potter being evil? What she's obviously not getting is the fact that killling people for no good reason is evil, not a book that families enjoy together, and occasionally has some moral values whipped in as well. I hope the court keeps its original decision.

i think i'll give this woman the nickname Umbridge from now on.... :) just because she reminds me of her....

omg give it a rest woman. they do not fill our heads w/ all that dumbshit w/e she was talking about...**sigh** well w/e....moron...

to be honest, i'm glad she pointed out the positive side. but still, it's a book, and The Wizard of Oz has WITCHES!! she didn't name THAT, now did she?! hahaha (just pointing out my point)

I was born a wicca not made by one cus of harry potter and I can tell you that it's not evil and it's not a evil relgion.... this women has no right to speak so called "cod" about my belifes or anyone else's she needs to give up and stop the offense!!

Come ON woman! give it a rest would you? Harry Potter will win over you as many hearings as you can fit in your "too much time on my hands so ill try to ban the greatest books ever" life.

Crikey!!! It's ... another person trying to ban something they never read. Please for once if you want to ban something please at least read it first.

Oh, COME ON! Seriously, lady get a life! And now you also want to get rid of Sleeping Beauty?! I mean, what the heck is wrong with this lady? I'm a CHRISTIAN, for peter's sake, and I'm in love with these books! Honestly... I've said this before and I say it again: How about she actually READS the books, then get back to us? Exactly, Ciaran. Exactly. GET A LIFE, WOMAN!! This is insane in the worst way... I'm actually getting sick and tired of a person, and this is the first time that has ever happened to me... GIVE IT A REST!!! PLEASE!!! Grrr... --signed, A Very Ticked-Off Potter Fan

why doesn't she get everything banned except the bible?sheesh!!the nerve of some people!

Okay I just have to comment on something she said, it really made me laugh because it was so sad. She is trying to be a "good " person and all, but this just really bothers me: ""you would think that we would want to do everything we can to get any form of evil out of our schools now."" Okay now seriously, if you feel that Harry Potter is that evil when you haven't even read the books all the way through, then you've got issues. First off, there are far more evil things in this world then a FICTION book. So why are you wasting your time and energy (and lots of it apparently) on a book when there are much more evil things happening in the world at this time. If you want to rid the world of evil doers and things, then you need some perspective on the world and life. EVERY single day, kids are hurt and evil occurs at schools. Every day. A book is not the cause, start somewhere else. She is perfectly entitled to her opinion, but if you ask me, we should fighting for things that are truly evil. There are starving people in this world and she is worried about a fiction children's book steering her kids away from Christianity. I know tons and tons of HP fans, guess what, they are all the same religion they were when they started reading the series. Not to mention little kids aren't going to be thinking that they want to give up their religion for witchcraft or wicca, which are hardly the same thing. I just think she needs to sort out her priorities thats all. Sorry for the ranting, its just people like that are so sheltered that they feel insecure giving their kid a book thats "evil" Just turn the evening news on, maybe she'd realize that she should be doing more to prevent evil- real life evil in this world.

Here's an explanation for her actions: crazy people do not know they are crazy. (not that I'm defending her, I am not a defense attorney)

i think geauxtigers is exactly right. i was 11 when i read the first harry potter book, and i was a christian....and wow, i've read them all twice and whatdya know i'm still a christan!!!!... (funny how that happens....)

Mallory, I only have one thing to say: Kiss my ass!!! Stop wasting your time and ours!

yes, she's crazy and has a lack of attention.

As if the fact that Wicca being a religion has anything to do with it. Harry Potter has nothing to do with Wicca, and even if it did, what has Wicca ever done to hurt her? If she's so worried, she can stop her own wonderful Christian children from reading Harry Potter and urge other wonderful Christian mothers to do the same. She also says that Harry Potter is evil and that that somehow has something to do with the recent shootings. When in Harry Potter has anyone ever tried to shoot anyone else? And Jo does an excellent job of making us dislike the 'evil' characters, who are pretty much the only ones who do anything comparable. (Read: If you like Voldemort and want to be like him, you obviously just think the name sounds cool and have never read a page of the books.) If she's so worried about this, I'm looking forward to hearing about her protests against war and actual violent books and television shows. But what I really want to know is how she can recognise that "the major themes are good versus evil, overcoming adversity, loyalty, friendship and courage," and still think that the books promote evil!

I don't believe her. Oh wow! HP is directly related to the shootings in school! Oh no! What are we to do? We're evil? ..... Right.. .okay Miss.

(Warning: This was written while I was quite angry at that lady so if it doesn't make sense, you'll know why) Oh my gosh..this lady has some issues. If she's afraid of, what was it, oh yeah "violence" then maybe she shouldn't even let her kids go to school..or watch the news or even go play at the playground! I remember in grade eight, we read a book with so much violence it made me sick to my stomach to read..Harry Potter was (and still is actually) my only escape and its like that for so many other kids too!

"While I largely agree with everyone defending Harry Potter, I do feel like maybe we're undermining our own case a bit here. I completely agree that this woman is misguided in attempting to ban Harry Potter. I suppose what I am bothered by is the tone of the reactions against her... I guess I am just really impressed with Dumbledore's consistent politeness and consideration for others even when they are rude to him... I mean, the man is even polite to people trying to kill him, let alone irritating gits like Umbridge and Fudge! I'm certainly not saying that Laura Mallory is right, only that I think that we would be more effective in undermining her efforts by showing unconditional respect like Dumbledore does. In the mean time, we can certainly disarm our opponents better by being able to reasonably discuss the matter like the civilized witches and wizards we are."-phoenixdiciple.(sor ry if i'm not spelling that right) peoples i think this is important! we really don't want it to get ugly like last time,right? just one thing:respect.we respect her and she needs to respect everyone else.umm one more thing:other people can look at her religion and say its evil,i mean,it all depends how you look at it.

dude..it's just a book. people like that need to get over it.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the eighth grade book was a novel study and that I am a Catholic who adores both Harry Potter and my religion. Yes, that is possible. I believe it was rhea who said that Dumbledore is always polite about everything, even when dealing with conflict and I must say I quite agree even though I did react strongly to this freakish lady's behaviour.

They say to quit while you're ahead. Since it's too late to stop herself then can't she at least pick up a clue to give it up? Everyone esle who's already posted a comment has taken the words out of my mouth. (Or in this case, my screen)

uhhh no.it was phoenixdisiple..i think i'm spelling that wrong.

Haha LOL StrangeButCool!!! ( i know this comment is far from the conversation)

*throws head back and laughs like a maniac* I dare her to try to ban The Potter series. I honestly dare her! *cackles* I'm a Catholic, but I practice Wicca/witchcraft a bit. I've always believed that God created us with magic. I think this may be wall of shame worthy. Crazy people. XD

I agree with everyone here, this really makes me mad! Look at it this way, lady. I'm Christian, and I could care less what religion someone is. Look at the Holocausts for crying outloud, all those people killed because of their religion! Is that what you want to teach your kids. This goes beyond the fact that Harry Potter has nothing to do with wicca, it has become a respect issue. I can bet you that this lady doesn't discriminate against Jews or Mulsims or anything for that matter, they are all religions, and different beliefs. So why would Wicca be any different? I see no difference, no you may not agree with it, but you should at least respect it. She needs a MAJOR reality check. Religous discrimination and discrimination because of the color of someone's skin. There is no difference if you ask. Not to mention there is no mention of religon apart from Chistmas and Easter ect., so if she is saying its bad because there is no mention of religion, then thats discrimination against Aethism. I could go on, its so wrong on so many levels that I could never list them all. I also find it highly ironic when someone tries to ban a book they've never read. The irony is killing me! AHHHHH!

Oh, yes. Let's ban Harry Potter and all other books that even have the slighest hint at witchcraf because of course, we all know that Christianity is the ONLY religion in the world.

oh my god!! this chick has issues!!!!! harry potter evil?! ha, she makes me laugh!! yeah like someone who reads harry potter will shoot someone! she should be looking at the other side of harry potter, kids read!!! before harry potter not many kids wanted to read!! i should know my friends never read before it came out

I can't stand it when people are so narrow-minded! She's giving all Christians a bad name! I myself am a Catholic (which are renowned for being slightly more... erm... dedicated than other Christians) and yet I still find this utterly stupid! First of all you should not impose your beliefs on others, the US is a free country after all! Secondly, you CANNOT judge something without knowing all the facts! Read the books! Thirdly, it's fiction!!! Are you telling me she's against fairy tales aswell?? So Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast are Satanic?! Fourthly, the books contain one of the most Cristian messages of all - love! Love for thy neighbour, love for thyself, love for the world! What is Harry's 'Power the dark Lord knows not'? Not extreme magical ability, not superhuman powers, but one of the most human things possible! Fifthly, there is actually a lot of imagery in the books that could be considered Christian if you *want* to take it that way... And Sixthly, (lol this is getting stupid) it has made so many children, the world over, interested in reading! I myself am one of those people. It's such a great feat and that, if nothing else, should be respected. Mrs.Mallory really needs to stop persuing this because she is fighting a losing battle... this is one crusade which she will not emerge victorious from...

I have been reading and laughing at your comments for the last hour. No matter what this lady says it it apperent that Harry Potter fans won't let the books go anywhere off school shelves. I seriously think this incident will follow her for the rest of her life. She wants harry potter gone yet I bet that is all she will hear about........ for a long..... long....... long...... long ... time.

Well, you know, atleast she did give some of the positives! And that was all I was asking for really. You hear these things almost constanyl, and we often have debates about this same subject at school between friends. She showed that she was better than that and give SOME credit.

There is nothing quite like banning a book to make people curious. I'm sure that when this woman's children decide to rebel, they'll become HUGE Potter fans, and she'll have a nervous breakdown over their conversion to the Dark Side.

Um........she really needs to get on medication because she is like mentally screwed in the head! What she thinks is evil is her OWN opinion and should not press upon others to believe the same thing. To think that books these are a "subtle seduction designed to undermine souls across the world". Goes to show that yeah shes not all there in the head!. I have yet to see a child, teenager, adult say that it was because of the Harry Potter books that I decided to go and shoot up that school, or rob that bank, or kill those people! I mean seriously does she think that reading these books will make these children want to worship the devil and commit hayness crimes. That by grabbing a broom they will really fly all around the sky. I think she fails to give ANY CHILD ANY CREDIT at all; she is pretty much saying that our children are stupid and don't know reality from fiction. That even though yes that they are young that parents aren't going to help them understand whats reality and whats fiction. That as parents we are going to say oh go a head and read the book youll understand all on your own. Any child who reads these books will benifit from them even adults. These books bring families together to gather around the fire place/table/den/family room and read as a family. Something that probably isn't done as much seeing as what books have to compete with in this day an age. Computers, tv, PS2 what ever games are out there . Instead of families going to separate parts of the house they get together and READ. They spend time together to which they probably wouldn't do to begin with. I pray that today they turn her sorry rear end down and tell her look lady you NEED to read the books before passing judgement on something you know nothing about.

I think that mugglenet and other hp sites should send out an email against her and/or to the state's board of education telling them our opinion of her and how what she's doing and saying is totally immoral and illegal (seperation between church and state, anyone?) and get like the whole world of hp fans and even people who are just against what shes doing to petition. kind of like the DA lol.

maybe she's one of those people who needs attention. really badly. and she wanted it so bad and she couldnt get it, so she went totally out of her mind and started doing this a year ago. oh what am i saying...ranting more like... well if she wants attention, most of the people responding to this topic are talking about her. www.mugglenet.com. not that hard to remember

Oh lord... this is a sad, sad situation. I bet she's a lazy housewife, right? How else would she have so much time to cause all this crap over a book series she's never even read. I wonder if her lawyer told her that she might look a lot better in court if she at least attempted to read them? As a matter of fact, I wonder if the judge isn't somewhere laughing so hard that he can't hardly breath at the whole case, and her kids are hiding in the closet with a copy of half blood prince... *shakes head*

how can she criticize something she's never read? dumb woman

She needs to lay off the drugs.

I can't believe she wants the books banned based on religion when she hasn't even read them!! There's absolutely nothing wrong with harry potter! it's an awesome book; she needs to stop wasting her time! i had a christian friend who felt the same way: judged them harshly when she'd never read them... i find that sad. She should spend her energy fighting against more worthwhile causes, like pornography and such, that's a real threat to kids! Get a life and stop wasting our time, please!! Chill ppl ;p I want to say another thing. Why does she have to pick on the HP books? I think there are MANY other books that worse, in terms of violence and satanic behavior. And why ban books? Especially children's books! Remember 10 years ago, when TV was the ultimate pasttime. Because of HP, many kids have begun to read MORE than watch TV! (Including Myself) So, Laura Mallory, fight against a worthy cause, instead of fighting a battle that will NEVER be won.

So she's using the school shooting to ban the victims favorite books? How twisted is that?

I protest! The following is an essay I wrote for a class and later used to stop a banning attempt by this same Mrs. Mallory. Enjoy, Teresa Gorman Ps. this essay is copyrighted. The Pull for Potter “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you’d expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn’t hold with such nonsense.� (Rowling 1) That is the start of J.K. Rowling’s controversial Harry Potter series. This series is being considered for banning in various places around the world. If these books are banned a horrible event will come forth. It is not the ruining of our children’s minds, (an anonymous Christian group on the Today Show.), its stupidity. The Potter series should not be banned. The Potter books transcend fantasy. They reflect the same journeys of human experience and imagination writers have used for centuries: In Homer’s Odyssey, the clever Ulysses outsmarts the giant Cyclops in a cave. In the Potter books, Harry finds himself in the entrails of his castle school matching wits with various monsters in mortal combat. In two of Dickens most well known novels, David Copperfield and Oliver Twist, a little boy is orphaned and mistreated by cruel adults. Harry Potter, an orphan, lives with the intolerable Dursley family, who keep him in cupboard under the stairs. Those people who want Harry banned or censored are proclaiming that he is a child destroyer and will wreak havoc on the minds of today’s youth. They say that J.K. Rowling must be the antichrist, (the same Christian group from above.) because she writes the things she writes. It is understandable why some are upset at Harry potter books. Many people just do not understand that writers use the supernatural as a prop. However, to ban them because they deal with the supernatural is ludicrous. ...

amen Hermione0176!