According to the American Library Associated, J.K. Rowling, author of the popular Harry Potter series, is the number four challenged author from 1990 to 2004 ("Challenged"). Not only have her books been officially challenged, but avid Harry Potter adversaries have publicly burned, shredded, and otherwise destroyed the books (Zammarelli). But why is this beloved children's fantasy series hated, or feared, so much?

Many religious organizations, particularly Christian groups, cite that Harry Potter is about witchcraft. In accordance with Christian doctrine, witchcraft is evil, the work of Satan, and a sin to practice. To these religious groups, reading about witchcraft is just as bad as practicing witchcraft. In fact, some anti-Potters believe that the books are a way for the Devil to condition humankind into falsely accepting him as the Supreme Being as opposed to God ("Another"). Some Harry Potter adversaries have gone as far as to accuse Rowling as being a Satanist who is attempting to turn readers against God.

However, Harry has just as many advocates as adversaries. As Judy Blume, writer and grandmother, asked in an article featured in The New York Times, "It's a good thing when children enjoy books, isn't it?" (Blume) Children should learn to love reading whether they read novels like the Harry Potter series, magazines, or the backs of cereal boxes. In fact, studies have shown that children who like to read are more apt to read, which increases the ability to learn and intelligence (Barclay).

Blume, like so many other pro-Potters, also understands that the stories as just that: stories. Witchcraft and wizardry are not the main focus for the books but rather a setting for the real plot, good versus evil. Even Rowling herself laughs at the accusations that she is trying to create a generation of readers who hate all things Christians. In fact, she has explicitly said that her faith is essential in fully understanding the series. She is a member of the Church of Scotland, which is a Presbyterian Christian church (Hulbert). Finally, as Rowling stated in an interview for The Leaky Cauldron, an online Harry Potter fan forum, "Witchcraft is just a metaphor for this other world of possibilities, beyond convention, that the mind can reach."

"Another Superb Reason to Pull Your Precious Children Out of Public School." The Cutting Edge. 28 Sep. 2005. The Cutting Edge. <http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1377.cfm>

Barclay, Laurie. "What Makes Kids Intelligent?" WebMD. 28 Sep. 2005. WebMD Inc. 15 Oct. 2001. <http://my.webmd.com/content/article/13/3606_828.htm>

Blume, Judy. "Is Harry Potter Evil?" The New York Times Company. 28 Sep. 2005. Judy Blume. 22 Oct. 1999. <http://www.judyblume.com/articles/harry_potter_oped.html>

"Challenged and Banned Books." American Library Association. 28 Sep. 2005. American Library Associated. 2005. <http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/challengedbanned/challengedbanned.htm#mfcb>

Hulbert, Dan. "Just Wild about Harry: Dedicated Fans of a Young Wizard have Scottish Scribe J.K. Rowling to Thank." The Atlanta Journal and Constitution. 28 Sep. 2005. The Leaky Cauldron. 22 Oct. 1999. <http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/quickquotes/articles/1999/1099-atlanta-hulbert.htm>

Zammarelli, Chris. "A Masterpiece of Satanic Deception." Bookslut. 28 Sep. 2005. Bookslut. July. 2005. <http://www.bookslut.com/banned_bookslut/2005_07_005957.php>