Renewed calls for ban on 'Harry Potter' over witchcraft, homosexuality
The wildly popular Harry Potter books and their author, J.K. Rowling have been charged with encouraging homosexuality following the author's announcement that one of the novels' main characters is gay.
by Elena Garcia, Christian Today Correspondent
Posted: Thursday, November 1, 2007, 13:33 (GMT)
The wildly popular Harry Potter books and their author, J.K. Rowling, have already been blasted by a number of Christian conservatives for glamorising witchcraft and the occult. The fantasy series is now charged with encouraging homosexuality following the author's announcement that one of the novels' main characters is gay.
Roberta Combs, president of the 2.5 million strong Christian Coalition of America, said she was disappointed that Rowling chose to label Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as gay.
"It's not a good example for our children, who really like the books and the movies. I think it encourages homosexuality," said Combs, who has called for a ban on the seven-book series.
"I would never allow my own children or grandchildren to read the books or watch the movies, and other parents should do so too," she added, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.
Earlier this month at a book tour stop in New York City, Rowling was asked: "Did Dumbledore, who believed in the prevailing power of love, ever fall in love himself?"
In response, the British author said, "My truthful answer to you... I always thought of Dumbledore as gay."
"I know that it was a positive thing that I said it, for at least one person, because one man 'came out' at Carnegie Hall. I'm not kidding."
Upon learning of the "outing" of the Hogwarts headmaster, many Christians who formerly had no qualms about children reading the books have re-evaluted the books.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Monday, November 12, 2007, 23:04 (GMT)
I don't really see how it affects anything what so ever. Dumbledore's sexuality isn't part of the book, he is the wise and experienced wizard and that is all that is ever portrayed. As shown, sexuality isn't the major part of this characters life as with anyone else's so why should so much of a fuss be made of it now?
Nigella Kingston, London, UK
Added: Thursday, November 1, 2007, 16:08 (GMT)
Why do we get so worked up about a fictional children's book and not concentrate on the books that are really corrupting our faith? There are too many books out there teaching false prophecy that claim to be the real truth. Christians and non-Christians alike read these books thinking they should be following the practices discussed that are not based on bible truths. I for one have no concern about Harry Potter. If I'm not close enough to my children and knowledgeable of their beliefs to get the point across that it is a fictitious book, then I have a bigger problem than them reading a Harry Potter book.
Tiffany, Cincinnati, USA
