Meditation 32
Still Banning Kids' Books in the 21st Century
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I have been watching with some bemusement the attempts of some Christian fundamentalists in the USA to have the Harry Potter books removed from schools and libraries. And some of them have even been collecting and burning these books (to the profit of the publisher and author.) But recently this has struck closer to home as two concerned fathers recently made a presentation to a Catholic school board in Saskatchewan[1] to have Harry Potter removed from their local schools libraries and reading curriculum.
Why are these people opposed to this series of children's books, which by most reports are well written and are interesting enough to encourage children to read more? Surely, this is a good thing.
Because, apparently magic is contrary to the Bible. And by reading Harry Potter, children will come to believe in magic and all its accoutrements such as sorcery and spells; potions and parchments; wizards, warlocks and witches
But, if these books are actually teaching children to believe in magic; that is, to believe in supernatural powers, then why aren't the skeptics of the world protesting? Why aren't the atheists and agnostics of the world demanding these books be burned? Call in James Randi to investigate! After all, the supernatural is contrary to our core beliefs.
I think that kids with the reading skills to handle Harry Potter generally have the capability to distinguish fact from fiction. And even if they come to believe in magic for a while, most eventually recognize it as an imaginary power.
I think that the real underlying reason that fundamentalists oppose Harry Potter is not that it leads children to believe in magic, but rather that eventually children stop believing in magic. And if they can successfully put that element of the supernatural behind them, there is a good chance they will critically assess all their other supernatural beliefs.
Keep the kids reading. Let them have their Harry Potter. And if there is a movement to ban these books where you live, protest!
