My son has read these, I am only starting to read them, just to
keep up with him :-)
But interestingly, Christian groups have been objecting to these
books locally, on the local news--and we are not a small rural
community but a modestly large urban one (San Diego, CA). The objection
centers around the use of magic and its relation to demonic themes.
I have not yet come across that in my reading but am probably not
far enough into it.
Nevertheless, the protest is to ban these books from the schools'
libraries, Ah, here we go again with book banning!
annette
On Mon, 1 Nov 1999, Gary Peterson wrote:
> As an amateur magician and educator, I am interested in the reactions of
> teachers and others to the increasingly popular books featuring the Harry
> Potter character. I haven't read the books yet, but my understanding is the
> character uses spells and magickal powers to make the world right (for him).
> I predict reactions from concerned parents, as well as folks like us who may
> be asked our view of such books in relation to a child's (or adult's)
> ability to differentiate reality and fantasy, the kind of role model being
> fostered for people who are troubled, feel rejected by others, etc (do any
> Halloween movies come to mind here? ;-).
> There might be interesting discussion of coping and adjustment, and
> appropriate and inappropriate outlets for handling personal problems, etc.
> Harry is a student of witchcraft and wizardry (still a eurocentric charter
> school??) and faces dismal and paranoid-like dangers in his world. He
> rescues himself by his sorcery and magickal powers. Old stuff really, but I
> am also curious as to the popularity of such books at a time when science
> literacy in the U.S. is considered very poor (was it ever really good?), and
> a number of us in education are trying to find ways to encourage critical
> thinking. I have put Harry Potter on my reading list and will check them
> out for myself. Has anyone else heard of them, or had discussions about the
> books? Ask your Wiccan students? You can find some reviews at amazon.com
> of course. Gary Peterson
>
> Gerald (Gary) L. Peterson, Ph.D.
> Professor, Department of Psychology
> Saginaw Valley State University
> University Center, MI 48710
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 1-517-790-4491
>
>
Annette Taylor, Ph. D.
Department of Psychology E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
University of San Diego Voice: (619) 260-4006
5998 Alcala Park
San Diego, CA 92110
"Education is one of the few things a person
is willing to pay for and not get."
-- W. L. Bryan
