thats so typical of her. stubborn. how can she say hp is evil if she hasnt even read it??? oh yeh, how does it have anythin 2 do wiv shootings?

That is just plain ridiculous. She says that 'they think the books are fantasies but Wicca is a real recognised religion'. Is she arguing that we should ban all books that are based, however loosely, on any real religion? I think that would be just about all books. Lord of the Rings has clear Christian undertones. Many classics reference religion in their work. And although Wicca may be a real religion, I doubt (correct me if I am wrong) that Wiccans can make a pineapple tap dance across the table, levitiate things etc. I was also under the impression that real Wiccan spells were rather more subtle and complicated than just waving a wand and saying a few Latin words. I am by no means an expert in this area, so I could be wrong. If she hasn't even read the books, how the hell can she make a decent case?! I would have thought reading the books were the bare minimum. She should have read, studied, highlighted and annotated the books. As well as providing substantial proof as to why we, as people living in 2006, should wish to ban a book just because the Bible says so, when a good deal of people don't think the Bible is any less of a fiction work than Harry Potter. I've no problem with people who do believe in the Bible or any other religion, but I do have problems with people who try and force their religion on others like she is doing. And Harry Potter causing gun violence? Guns are barely even mentioned in the series! How about she looks to violent films, TV shows and computer games in which the whole point is to kill the 'bad guys' first? If she'd read the books, she'd know the Killing Curse is one of the three most forbidden things in wizarding culture. And "Killing rips the soul apart" and calling murder.... no, just killing, even "the supreme act of evil"? How does that promote gun violence?

Honest to God, I actually heard this woman say on the evening news, I live here in Gwinnett, that JK has claimed to be involved in the Wicca religion since a very young age and that she practices it. I wanted to slap the living daylights out of her. Where in the world did she get that kind of 'researched' garbage? I WAS LIVID!!! She probably got it from some crazy fundamentalist website. On the Atlanta Journal Constitution website there was a blog about 'what is wrong with Harry', and one writer stated that Tim Lehaye's (author of the Left Behind series") wife runs a website called Concerned Women of America who have taken a hard line against HP. Laura Mallory has suggested that kids read the Left Behind series because it was not evil like Harry Potter. Isn't that just amazing? I live in Georgia, and I pray to God that the State Board of Education makes the right decision to keep Harry in Gwinnett County. Georgia is at the bottom of the states in education and will look like whale droppings if they listen to this nutter and ban the books. BAN LAURA MALLORY, NOT HARRY POTTER.

Yes Wicca is a recognized religion. I'm assuming that this is the state Georgia and not that little country place, and last time I checked people have freedom of religion. So if they want to be Wiccan they most certainly can. You can't sheild your kids forever, and if Wicca is the best religion for them, they'll discover it sooner or later. Besides, by the time most people are old enough to actually pull off a spell, they're old enough to choose what they do or don't do. Also, there are religion sections in all libraries. Those books are about real Wiccan rituals, festivals, and spells. Not the fantasy things in Harry Potter. Are you going to ban those too?

"Let's hope they finally put this issue to rest." She's gone this far; she's not going to put it to rest - she'll appeal as far as she can. The Board of Education does not have the final say - that's the United States Supreme Court's job. "She has two more chances to have the books banned. She has another hearing at the BoE, and if they turn her down again, she'll have to go to the Georgia Supreme Court." Don't forget that she can also appeal her decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. If she does, their word is final - if they take the case (which they probably won't), no matter what their decision is, she can't appeal again. If they refuse the case (and they probably will), and allow the lower court's ruling to stand, she can't argue that either. "I actually heard this woman say on the evening news, I live here in Gwinnett, that JK has claimed to be involved in the Wicca religion since a very young age and that she practices it." If that's true, JK Rowling herself could sue her for slander. As others have said, Wicca is very, very different from Harry Potter. In fact, I see no similarities between Wicca and HP other than the fact that they both invlove magic. Thus, nothing in HP is a religion, and there is no case for separation of church and state. We have never seen anyone in HP practicing a religion, and it doesn't try to indoctrinate us with some sort of "magic" religion. This is worse than saying something about how a story about a boy who happens to be Catholic, yet doesn't practice his Catholicism, should be removed from the shelves. The point of the separation of church and state is to ensure that kids aren't filled with beliefs that try and swing their own previously formed ones, since children are so vulnerable to that (why they teach certain other things, though, bewilders me, as they are clearly beliefs...but that's not what we're discussing here). Harry Potter shoves no religion down anyone's throat.

I suppose reading the books is out of the question... I am a mom too and I am happy to say I would let my children read as they come of age..

a lot of people back up the belief that peolpe are only trying to get rid of HP (which i agree and dont want it to happen) without any proof. but i have some. i have a little sister who watches disney channel 24/7. and one of her FAVORITE movies is Holloweentown. Ha. do you see any devoted christian trying to knock that of the air? in Holloweentown, the GOOD guys do magic, the BAD guys do magic, there are MAGICAL and MYTHICAL creatures, and there is a SCHOOL for magic; just like in Harry Potter. but no one is saying that it's "disturbing" or "glorifys witchcraft" (which it sorta does). why are they only picking on Harry? some people might say that Holloweentown isn't as widespread as HP, but its out there, isn't it? all i'm sayin is that there is tons of DISNEY stuff, for gods sake, promoting magic and no one is running at that stuff with a burning torch and pitchfork! god people, lighten up!

Anyone interested in sending this woman an owl, her snail mail address is 4307 Virgil Moon Crossing, Loganville, GA 30052. Perhaps we could drop her a line and let her know how we feel about her.

lol she wants to ban beauty and the beast...you've gotta b kidding. and how on earth r school shootings because of these books? i suppose next she's gonna say that cinderella causes people to become terrorists.

Today I read an article on MSNBC about a mother of 4 who wants to ban all Harry Potter books because Harry Potter is evil and promotes witchcraft. It's been awhile since this debate has been in the headlines, and I say, "It's about time its back! Harry Potter is the most evil thing since Danny Bonaduce! Kids are getting turned on to reading again, and by doing so learning how to fly and cast spells. That's scary! As the Venezuelan president would say, Harry Potter is, "El Diablo." But he's not alone, look at television. Kids have been watching Buffy, Charmed, The Ghost Whisperer, that show where Clarissa Explains It All becomes a witch, and movies like Teen Witch from the past and more recently The Little Vampire with that who tells Jerry Macguire annoying facts about human heads and bees. No surprise now he tells kids to suck blood and fly around peering in windows When are we going to put a stop to this? We finally got rid of those queer guys who wear ties for belts and that Gay Will and the Grace chick that gets pregnant and dates interracially, but geez! Don't we have enough to worry about in this world without Harry Potter crucifying Jesus in his books? Our kids should be reading the Bible, the Constitution, and for special occasions the O'Reilly Factor for Kids. They should not be learning how to make other kids have slugs come out of there mouth. In the good ol' days, kids read about heroic teens that were doing great things, like The Hardy Boys who were out there solving crimes and drinking milk. Now kids are waiting for the letter from Hogwarts so that they can learn how to worship the devil properly. These kids should be waiting for draft day so that they can worship President Bush and Freedom properly. It shouldn't be wands they want in their hands, but guns! I don't think I have to tell you that there's never been a problem with kids wanting guns in our school system! But now, they want pet owls which will fly around on Christianity. B...

I've got a good idea! How about this woman tries to ban books that she has PROOF and EVIDENCE of turning children evil? JK Rowling said that of all of the thousands of children she's met, none of them have come up to her telling her they wanted to get involved in witchcraft.... I wish I had this woman's e-mail address I would give her a peice of my mind! She thinks she doing this for God but she's really doing it for her own selfish desires! She has absolutely no right to ban the Harry Potter books just because she THINKS they're evil. This whole ordeal really makes me sick.

I don't care who this woman is and what she believes about Harry Potter. I am the mother of 3 kids, ages 8, 6 and 2. It is my responsibility as their mother to determine what is and is not appropriate reading material for my child and for her to do the same with her children. If she doesn't want her children to read Harry Potter, then by all mean, don't let them read it--but don't you dare tell me what I can and can't let my child read...it's not your place. That woman needs to grow up and get a life. Thanks for letting me express my opinion and vent a little anger at the same time!

This woman is so stupid! I've read all the books 6+ times! She gives all Christains and Catholics a bad name. I mean come on. Just about every fantasy book for kids have some sort of magic in it. Not that Harry Potter is just for kid. She needs to just get over it. Harry Potter has CHRISTIAN refrences and even the Bible has magic refrences. If she doesn't want her kids to read the Darn books. If she's a Christian, then she should tell her kids not to read it, and they would have to listen to it, because isn't one of the 10 Commandments Honor thy mother and Father?. They would have to listen to her also cause she's their mom. She need to get over her self and atleast read the books. She might like it if she gave it a chance. My aunt doesn't like the books but she doesn't mind if her kids read it! Who gives a rats butt!! She's a Hypocrite and a Loser that need to learn that just because she thinks something, doenst mean everyone else does.

Hey you guys. I agree with whoever said that we should be absolutely polite to her and show her more respect than she can handle and all that stuff like Dumbledore. How would she feel if she met this group of really sweet kids who were very polite and sat and discussed the Bible with her over a nice dinner (which they complimented her on making), then learned that they are HP fans? If she changed her mind about them, then she is NOT a good Christian. If she didn't, then it would prove her wrong! Either way she loses. We have to be nice or else we prove her right (even though some of my other posts may have been abusing her, I like this idea better now that I think about it.). A few people have said that they want to shoot her. Guys!!! That's proving her RIGHT!!!!! You are proving her point! I'm not trying to be mean or anything, but still! We should be the nicest people on Earth to her. Then she'll see the good these books do for us!! Follow the example of Dumbledore!!!!! The Only One He Ever Feared!!!! Remember Dumbledore by following his example!!! How many people agree? (By the way, this idea has been posted by a few people, and I did not come up with it.) ~Vici

I hate it how people mistake Wicca for Witchcraft. Darn it woman! If you want to sound smart atleast get facts correct~!

My mom teaches kindergarten at the school that woman's children go to. Gwinnett county has a rule that ALL outside media (books, movies, even posters) have to be approved by the "media committee" first. This rule has been around for decades and never enforced. My mom is on that committee. Now they have to "inspect" and "approve" of all material teachers bring in. This crazy lady is affecting everything in that county.

I think that's stupid. (in response to snikkioalford's comment) ~Vici

that's so stupid! how can you compare harry potter to wicca? there is a difference. wicca is real witch craft. harry potter doesn't give real spells! tahat lady should be locked up in the loony bin until she cahnges her mind!!

First of all, to remove the books from the shelves off schools would be censorship! and secondly, the books themselves are not evil! nothing is inherently good or evil its what we do with them that determines what we are not our physical characteristsics "It is not our abilities that define who we truly are, it is our choices!"- Albus Dumbledore

WHEN will this woman give it up?! Goodness, they're fictional books!! Someone needs to beat her senselessly with a thick-bottomed pure gold cauldron! And whats wrong with Sleeping Beauty??

I still don't understand why some people feel the need to try to ban everything in sight. Of course she probably STILL hasn't read the book. Boy does she need a hobby. Or be whacked over the head with OotP. (Then she would at least have reason to protest... "Harry Potter books are being used as weapons OMG!")

Someone tell her to get over herself. Mabye we should ban the Bible too, theres demons in it.

Can you bleive the audasity some people have? She hasn't even read one of the books, and she says they are full of wichcraft? One thing I do not understand is why the American Legal System even allows b**l s**t like this in. What a waste of taxpayers money.

omg! why dont u give it a rest laddie!!! gosh!!!! just read then books then tell us r oppion gosh!!! ive read the Harry Potter books 4-6 times each and i still love um (there the best series ever!!) just give it a rest ok laddie?.............

can you say "obsessed"??? wow...im embarrased to even live near this woman...

gymgrl:run away!!!or just sit outside her house dressed like hp holding up a banner thing that reads something cool that will just psst her off.lol.i couldn't think of anything.

naw rhea she lives in the county next to me. im not driving over to her house. shes not worth it.

LOL!!!!!!

Wicca and Harry Potter are not the same. Harry Potter for one is a fiction series, where as Wicca is a recognized and serious religion. Wicca is not evil, and it sickens me that some people still feel that anything different should be destroyed. There is nothing wrong with being a witch just as there is nothing wrong with being a christian, or a jew, or a muslim, or an aetheist.. (list goes on). People need to get out of this horrible circle of torturing people because of their own personal beliefs, which has nothing to do with Harry Potter!!!!!!

Dear me; some of these comments are immature and vicious. By and large, anyone reading this comment string would not form a very good opinion of Harry Potter fans.

My oh-so-lovely sister in law refuses to even look at the Harry Potter shirts I wear over to her house. She told me that the books are pure evil because J.K. Rowling sold her soul to the devil himself to make HP a huge success. No wonder my four-year-old niece has NO IMAGINATION whatsoever...She was playing with a Noah's Ark toy and I made the mistake of putting an elephant on top of the Ark (I should go to hell) and she literally threw herself on the floor screaming that elephants go IN the boat, not on top! See what kind of narrow-minded, non-imaginative children we will have to deal with if these idiotic ban-happy people! I am PROUD to read and recommend the books to anyone, and my son can recognize any of the characters ANYWHERE and he is only 3!! I think we should start banning the banners!! Hear Hear!

this is some scary stuff.... scarier than Voldemort himself. This IS reality Mrs. Mallory! ~~~> h t t p : / / fancypantselitist dot blogspot dot com / 2006 _ 09 _ 03 _ fancypantselitist _ archive dot html

HA! take that. god, put it to rest already. i'm not practicing witch craft, i swear. the books are just that...books. the best books ever, but thats besides the point.

I am ashamed to live so close to crazy people.... I am so writing to the Vent on ajc.com....I'll let y'all know if it is posted!

wow that made me puke.

I found this on themonitor dot com (a newspaper). I couldn't stop laughing after I read the answer to the Wizard of Oz question.... Q : Is Harry Potter evil? A: No, Lord Voldemort is evil. Harry is good. Think Luke Skywalker and Frodo Baggins. Q: Will my child start sacrificing live chickens after reading the Harry Potter books? A: Only if he or she had already planned to do so before reading them. Q: Then why are the book banners up in arms again? A: They apparently don’t know the distinction between "real" and "make-believe." Presumably, they also keep their children from watching The Wizard of Oz for fear they will aspire to become munchkins. Q: Are there any advantages to reading the Harry Potter books? A: Beside the obvious (your child is reading), these books include intricate plots, richly drawn characters, advanced vocabulary, realistic dialog and well-written sentences that make you say, "What a beautiful sentence! Let me read that again" (My children inform me that only teachers think this way, which may be true). Q: What about values? A: Your child is in "danger" of learning about loyalty, bravery, hard work and perseverance, as well as how Harry, raised by hateful relatives, finds love and acceptance with his surrogate family at Hogwarts. Of course, Harry and his pals aren’t perfect. Like all teenagers, they get angry and frustrated at times, and even say things they later regret, but overall, they are good people. Q: Any concerns at all? A: Yes, the books can get quite scary! They are not appropriate for very young children. Unless your preschooler has a tendency to curl up with 600-page novels, you have nothing to worry about. Q: Are you going to be excommunicated for disagreeing with the Pope? A: I sure hope not. Long live Harry Potter, "the boy who lived"! Sharon Cepeda, McAllen

Love the newspaper thing. I laughed really hard when I read it. ~Vici

harry potter isn't the first book to deal with witchcraft. It's not like they sacrifice chickens or something. If you ask me, she sounds a little like Uncle Dursley and how he wanted to "stamp out the magic" when he adopted harry.

Good point iwishiwashermione :) She really does seem like that.

She's a mixture of Umbrige, the Dursleys, Lockhart, and Filtch. ~Vici

Posted by AnyaMarcos 8 hours ago Christians should just stick their kids in private Christian schools, or homeschool them. More and more, we see evidence that Christians aren't fit to be around other people. Myself: OMG YOU ARE AN IDIOT WEIRDO ANYAMARCOS! There's NOTHING wrong with us Christians! Just because ONE Christian like this woman disagrees with something DOES NOT mean that the rest of us are starnge. It's people like AnyaMarcos who start to cause racism, sexism and being biased. If you continue to act like that, your going to be a really weird twisted person...

I agree wth HPFANTImothy,. Not all Christians are bad!!!! See, this woman is giving us all a bad name!!!!! I can't stand that!!!!! Now everyone's gonna be pregidous against us!!! I hope not!!! I, for one, LOVE HP, and I am very much obsessed with it, yet I am a faithful Christian. ~Vici

Exactly HPFANTimothy! I'm Christian too and I don't think the way Mrs. Mallory does AT ALL! I posted that site address a few minutes ago. As a "devout Christian" she should be more concerned with what's going on in the REAL world like that Jesus Camp, not the fantasy book world! My goodness! I guess we're the lucky ones who got out alive from becoming witches!! lol

As a Christian, I just want to apologise to the Wiccans on this board for the mess that this lady is making of my religion. According to Christian beliefs, Jesus never discriminated against any person based on beliefs, race, or way of life, but valued each person as an individual, and so do I. I just hope that this case doesn't change anyone's view on Christianity, because we're not all judgemental like that. :)

I think some people need to realize that there is a difference between fiction and non-fiction. These books are clearly under fiction in the library. Come on, become more intelligent and realize that if you don't want your children reading it, tell your children not to read it, but don't ruin it for all the other parents and children who do!!

Seriously this woman has issues... I don't even know where to start with this one. These accusations are absolutely perposterous.

I would like to agree with Starry. I would also like to apologize to anyone who has been offended by anything this woman has said about "Christains this and Chriatians that...." cause she really cannot be a true Chriatian if she is acting like everybody is going to Hell for reading HP. I would also like to point out Luca2021's article about half way up the page. She said that they shouldn't be wanting HP books, they should be wanting guns. And they're all wondering why we've had 3 school shootings? And they're blaming HP?? *shakes head* It's their fault, not ours. Ok. That's all I have to say. ~Vici

I say that we should ban the Bible because some people view it as a real, recognized religion. It's evil I tell you! It's teaching our kids about some all-powerful being that has the power to flood the earth and kill them! AHHHHHH! Pathetic. Seriously.

lol

jenseeker62442:ur sister in law is weird.lol.