Culture Wars
Hogwarts is in the news again, with the imminent release of the fifth movie and the 7th book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, so of course there are plenty of Christian supremacists ready to make yet another quick buck by fear-mongering. Here's a representative press release in full. cl, ed.

Press Release from Christian Newswire

Author Contends Harry Potter Fuels Wiccan Growth Among Teens and that Witchcraft 'Spells Trouble' for Society
Contact: Steve Wohlberg, White Horse Media, 559-977-9744 cell, steve@whitehorsemedia.com

FRESNO, Calif., June 25, 2007/Christian Newswire/ -- Pottermania will sweep the globe with the July 2007 release of both J.K. Rowling's seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the fifth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With millions of copies poised to fly off bookshelves ("Accelerato!), forecasts are that the latest book will become the fastest selling title in history. Global interest in the boy wizard will soar higher than Quidditch players seeking Golden Snitches.

While most consider all anti-Potterism to be downright Mugglish, concerns remain among many parents, especially in light of today's surging interest in "Wicca" (witchcraft) among teens. While millions devour Harry Potter novels, increasing numbers also frequent Wicca websites, cast "Love and Money Spells," and practice "white magic." Is it all just fun and fiction, or is something truly supernatural going on? Something dangerous?

Steve Wohlberg, bestselling author of Exposing Harry Potter and Witchcraft: The Menace Beneath the Magic (Destiny Image, 2007) has read all the Harry Potter books. He also understands that Wiccans love nature, don't believe in a "Christian devil," and wouldn't hurt a fly (or owl). He is no rabid witch basher, but believes in religious freedom. Nevertheless, Wohlberg is concerned about both Hogwarts and the Craft.

"There's plenty of real occultism embedded in Rowling's fantasy works," Wohlberg contends, "and in spite of naïve popular opinion, Pottermania is aiding Wicca's growth." Even the founder of a major Witchcraft school agrees (his online training center is called a "Cyber Hogwarts"). Wohlberg warns that when Wiccans summon "nature spirits" in their rituals, they are entering dangerous territory. "Occultism has a dark side," he warns, "and practitioners can easily become trapped like a fly in a spider web." Ex-witches themselves share riveting testimonies in Wohlberg's book.

Steve Wohlberg is the Speaker/Director of White Horse Media (Fresno, CA). TV producer (Amazing Discoveries, Israel in Prophecy, Hour of the Witch), radio host (World News and the Bible), and the author of 14 books, he's been a guest on over 500 radio and TV shows, including CNN Radio, USA Radio, American Family Radio, Cable Radio Network, Information Radio Network, Focus 4, and The Harvest Show.

For interviews, contact Steve Wohlberg at (559) 977-9744 (cell) or at steve@whitehorsemedia.com. Visit www.avoidharrypotter.com.

In the adjoining column you will see the letter I've written to the publishers, as well as the author and web site.

Thank you for any support you may offer.

Nemetona
Ne State Chair
Pa Asst State Chair
North Central Regional Director, PUC
Alliance of Pagan Voters.

You see your duty to convert and to offer us salvation, while forgetting perhaps  to be accepting, forgiving and understanding, much as your Lord has commanded that you do. It was spoken in your own scriptures that many who were heathen, or pagan, would find a way to heaven ahead of those who called themselves children of God. It has also been spoken that we must not set ourselves to judge another, lest God himself find fault also with us.

It is unfortunate that we are unable to accept each other with grace and tolerance, and to walk our different paths respecting and accepting the beliefs of the other, inasmuch as ours do not in any way interfere with your own.

Our enemies should perhaps be, poverty, hunger, human rights violations, disease, lack of education, or those myriad things which steal our childrens' very lives and future.

To spend our funds on such things as these, to add our voices to those who try to correct them, might in fact be more productive than to raise them against each other.


Respectfully,

Roberta Drake
Pagan Unity Campaign Regional Director.

http://www.hourofthewitch.com

Potter  witch
charge blasted 
Northwich Chronicle
Jun 25 2003

OUTSPOKEN church leader Pastor Ross Rennie says he will stand firm over his comments branding Harry Potter evil, despite a public outcry.

The firebrand pastor's comments, which appeared in last week's Chronicle, resulted in the greatest reader response the paper has ever seen, with infuriated respondees of every religious persuasion rushing to Harry Potter's defence.

People across the globe have sent in e-mails condemning the pastor's comments as a gross example of bigotry.

But the pastor, whose family is currently boycotting WH Smith over the presence of the latest Harry Potter novel, says he has expected such criticism and is not concerned about it.

He said: 'I'm not interested in what the witches have to say, I have no truck with them. I am willing to meet them in an open forum and my pentecostal power will destroy them. And as far as them saying I don't know Wicca, I have been in jungles in Cambodia where spirits are prevalent.

'People's comments about Harry Potter being harmless fiction are wrong. CS Lewis never used evil to overcome evil, when he talks about Aslan it's a metaphor for Jesus. But we aren't talking about Jesus with Harry Potter, we are talking about a Black Witch over-come by a young wizard with dark powers.

'I find it very offensive to say Christianity is evil, it is one of the most passive religions - it says if you want to go to the Devil then that's your choice. People want to realise that every good thing such as schools, hospitals and doctors all come from Christianity.'

He added: 'JK Rowling is now a rich and powerful woman but she is going to be a very sad lady one day. I wish she'd never penned those books, they will bring her nothing but misery and all her money won't save her.

'There's a Bible verse in the Gospel of Mark that says if you lead a child astray it would be better that a rock was tied around their neck and they be thrown in the pond.

'Satanism and Wicca are variations of the same thing - people don't seem to realise this. Satanists will be rubbing their hands together because it is a method of recruitment.

'Wicca is on the resurgence and you can already see it happening in Northwich, what with the popularity of psychic Steven Holbrook and the popular media. The BBC wanted to interview me but I refused. I will not be pilloried by them for speaking my mind.'

He added: 'This week will be my slating but next week all the Christians will be defending me. Christians who have attacked me don't really know what they are talking about. I'd direct them to the Bible where it says we should have nothing to do with evil.'


www.iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/
0100news/midcheshirechronicles/
content_objectid=13109371_method=full_siteid
=50020_headline=-Potter-witch-charge-
blasted-name_page.html
      


[You don't need a "Sorting hat" to know what sort Pastor Rennie is. -----cl, ed.]

A Pagan Responds:
Mad Dog Chases
Harry Potter; 
Mob Bites Back. |

By Christa Landon
Pastor Ross Rennie passed judgement on the millions who find innocent pleasure and even a little elevation in the J.K. Rowling series. 

His ilk claims they cast judgment out of "love."

So why is he outraged when some of those people do likewise unto him?

The BBC offered Pastor Ross Rennie an opportunity to respond, and he refused.

Perhaps he's better off.

He might just make another ignorant remark to match "every good thing such as schools, hospitals, and doctors all come from Christianity."  

Christian medicine lacked the botanical knowledge of traditional healing, the experimental method of secular science, and the  caution of ancient Galen, Pagan "father of medicine."

Galen set the principles of medical ethics, which begin with "First do no harm."

Hospitals existed centuries before Christianity, in such places as Epidaurus.

Schools were well-established centuries before the common era. 

His ignorance of Wicca is grounded in his insistance on using Wicca as a stock figure for his own salvation drama.

No thank you, sir. You'll have to recruit the Satanists to play that role.  We Pagans and Wiccans aren't interested. 

As for the Gospel of Mark, it's mean-spirited people who claim to speak for God which most effectively drive people to Satanism or a rejection of all religion.

The pastor offers the "joys" of feeling morally superior to others and the promise of "pie in the sky when you die."

Do as Thou Wilt.


As for me, I think I'll go back to Vol. V just as soon as I put this ezine to bed. 



 

Potter's magic casts spell in church 'school'
June 13. 2003  
By Robin Cuneo

Regardless of whether you love him or fear him, that wizard kid in the wire-rimmed glasses is everywhere.

Groups as diverse as a Baptist church and a metaphysical store in Waterford plan to celebrate publication of the latest Harry Potter book with special events.

Grace Baptist Church will offer a summer reading series based on "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix." Casting Journeys will offer a Witch and Wizard School for kids on June 21, the day of the book's release.

Larry Shallenberger, children's pastor at Grace Baptist, 3902 W. 38th St., said Christians are divided over whether the Potter books are innocent fantasy or filled with harmful occult practices. There's room for disagreement, but the phenomenon is too ubiquitous to ignore, he said.

"Why should the biggest spiritual conversation of the summer happen outside the walls of the church?" Shallenberger asked in announcing the church's program.

In a span of five weeks, kids will review favorite passages from the four previous Potter books and discuss the new one.

Grace Baptist's Shallenberger sat up and took notice when a news report said "The Order of the Phoenix" could possibly outsell the Bible this year. Elementary school-age kids are invited to attend Platform 93/4, the Potter reading club at Grace.

Club discussions will help young readers differentiate between what Shallenberger calls "literary magic" and "real-life spiritual practices that have harmful consequences." The club will use scenes from all five books as the basis for discussion on issues such as self-sacrifice, justice, racism and developing a healthy spiritual life.

Rowan Rose, a self-described witch and co-owner of Casting Journeys, 608 High St., Waterford, pooh-poohs the idea that magic in the books is harmful.

"There's fantasy magic and real magic," Rose said. "Real magic can be amazing, but not nearly as flashy as the fantasy magic. Harry Potter is pure fantasy magic."

The Potter books exhibit excellent character traits such as courage and loyalty, Rose said. And teachers in her "school" will exhibit only the most positive rules of magic.

"The rules of magic are moral rules," Rose said. "You don't do anything to control other people or harm other people, including yourself."

Students can ask as many questions as time allows, Rose said. They'll craft their own "magic wands." The wands are "sticks until you decide they're something else," Rose said. "A lot of it is intent. It's a tool to focus your energy."

The kids also will learn about magic herbs. But it's safety first, she said. "Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's not powerful," Rose said.

Kids will plant their own herb to take home. One possibility would be protective nettle that could be worn in a pouch or used in incense tea, she said.

"We'll gear toward spell work and magic rather than religion, because that tends to be a polarizing issue," she said. "We plan to keep it nice and light."

Kids are very magical anyway, Rose said.

The spiritual path Rose follows is Wicca, a modern form of Paganism, which honors the balance and cycles of nature, she said. Paganism is an umbrella term for the many ancient religions with pre-Christian roots that practice nature-based spiritualities.

"It's fun," said Rose, adding that she considers herself a practical witch who uses common sense.

ROBIN CUNEO can be reached at 870-1739 or by e-mail.
robin.cuneo@timesnews.com


June 13. 2003  
Potter's magic casts spell in church, 'school' 

More  on Harry Potter at




Harry Potter: The witch's view
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/arts/3012270.stm

Ever since the Puritans lost power in England, 
they've been making the same gripe:

"Paganism is mainstream it appears and  mainstream has gone pagan." 

[Color indicates my emphasis and commentary. cl.ed.]

Harry Potter's Magic Is Moral Madness
By Caryl Matrisciana
ANS
Jun 19, 2003 

MENIFEE, CA - J.K. Rowling admits her Harry Potter books teach "morality" but many argue it is an anti-Christian morality forwarding lying, cheating and stealing, all of which Harry is rewarded for when caught. 

[That's the Muggle perspective.  Harry is far more "moral" by conventional Christian standards than many of the prophets and patriarchs of the Old Testament, who were rewarded for mass murder, rape, incest, and infanticide, as well as lying, cheating, and stealing.  But perhaps this Muggle doesn't know her Bible all that well. ;^) cl, ed.]  

The newest installment, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," continues that sordid saga.

The relativistic worldview supports much of the content of Outcome Based Education and Goals 2000 which is taught in public schools today. Perhaps that's why the Potter books based on dubious values, life after death, elevation of nature and animals above humans and other pagan values is endorsed by educators and mainstream society. Paganism is mainstream it appears and mainstream has gone pagan. 

Today, millions of children take Harry's curse mark on their own foreheads to show their allegiance to Harry. The Bible teaches that at the ruling of the One World leader in the end times, the whole world will take "the mark of the beast" on their foreheads to show their loyalty to him. Are our children being conditioned for something much bigger than even we understand? 

8.5 million copies of "The Order of the Phoenix" have been printed for the US market and millions will be able to purchase it on Saturday. 

Britain's Amazon.com, the internet booksellers, have 300,000 copies securely tucked away in a dedicated warehouse in the English countryside ready to send to UK buyers on its Saturday release. UK book chain Waterstones children's book buyer said, the "books are arriving in sealed boxes. We need to keep them locked off from the shop floor until 12 0'clock. We have to make sure the customers can't get to them, and staff can't get to them, apart from the one person who has the key."

The wait has been 3 years for Potter fans since book #4's release in July 2000. They did however get their Harry-fix through Warner Brother's blockbuster movies based on the first two books. Warner Bros. proudly flaunted that film #1 based on book #1 was "an accurate portrayal of Witchcraft". 

The young Wiccan, Harry Potter, then only 11 years has taken the world by storm. According to the Pagan Federation of England the interest of thousands of teens to learn about witchcraft has been stimulated through Harry Potter and television programs like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina The Teenage Witch. 

Pacific News Service says that in the Spanish speaking world, where Harry's sales top the bestseller lists in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela, Latin American, critics complain "that the world of magic through which Harry Potter travels is a metaphor for the New Age philosophy that is hostile to the Christian faith, and thus Harry Potter is an assault on Latin American values."

In the Siberian City of Novosibirsk, after the release of book #4, Harry Potter fans were believed to have been poisoned after drinking a "magic potion" inspired by the Potter books. Local police suspected that older children had stolen from a school lab and fed copper sulfate to 23 young children, who were taken to hospital, after a Potter initiation ceremony.

While critics say Rowling's use of witchcraft in the Potter series is only a literary device, the sited examples only go to show that children believe the so-called fantasy of Harry to be real and a possible tool for the power they crave in their lives.

J.K. Rowlings promised "The books are getting darker...Harry's going to have quite a bit to deal with as he gets older. Sorry if they get too scary!" In a Newsnight interview on BBC2 TV last week she tells how "she cried after killing off a 'significant' character" in her new fifth book.

The first three books were heavily promoted through the American school system by their American publisher Scholastic Inc who have provided school curriculum materials for over 80 years. It is a problem that while the teaching of Christianity has been banned from schools (through suppression of Bible reading, prayer or posting the Ten Commandments), the witchcraft and wizardry of Harry Potter can be read aloud in American classrooms. 

[This article is reposted with reference to 17 USC Section 107.]

Jerusalem Post

Jun. 22, 2003

"Prof. Danielle Gorovitch, 37, a comparative literature lecturer specializing in 12th century Celtic and Anglo-Saxon folklore and tradition, will teach a course for the second time on the classical influence on the modern hero, focusing on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings."


Harry Potter 101 taught at Bar-Ilan University
By SHIRA SCHOENBERG

Students studying literature don't have to take the train from platform 9 3/4 to Hogwarts to read the Harry Potter books in school next semester. It will do just as well to take the bus to Bar-Ilan University, which has added Potter 101 to its curriculum of classics.

Prof. Danielle Gorovitch, 37, a comparative literature lecturer specializing in 12th century Celtic and Anglo-Saxon folklore and tradition, will teach a course for the second time on the classical influence on the modern hero, focusing on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

She does not see discussions of Weasley and Malfoy as incongruous with her medieval field. "Throughout the Rowling hysteria, I've seen how nothing's changed (since the 12th century). People are still fascinated with the same things the marvelous, magic, heroes who perform marvelous deeds through their own maturity and friendship."

While skeptics may raise their eyebrows at the idea, Gorovitch insists that the classical mythological influences on Rowling are obvious.

"The goblet of fire story in book four, for example, is directly influenced by the story of the holy grail. But in the original myth, the hero Galahad died after he got the grail. Rowling couldn't make Harry die, so instead she killed Cedric Diggory."

When Gorovitch's class discussed the basilisk that Harry fights in book two, Gorovitch brought in copies of a medieval Christian chronicle that describes all animals "in existence" at the time, including the basilisk. Just as in Harry Potter, "the medieval basilisk was afraid of chickens. So people would walk around with cocks under their arms to keep it away," explained Gorovitch. The chronicle also give its readers the same warning that the centaur in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone gives Harry: It is a monstrous thing to slay a unicorn.

Rowling, who has a classical education, makes it easy for fellow Latinists to work out whodunit in the third book by just translating the characters' names (see Remus Lupin and Sirius Black). Gorovitch has started reading the fifth book and has found allusions to 20th century events, including the two world wars and the war in Vietnam. She has also noticed the influence of children's writer Michael Ende.

"Rowling really combines classical influences with modern situations. She puts this world and the 'other world' together," said Gorovitch. She's not yet far enough in the book, though, to be certain about the classical elements of book five.

So what qualifies Gorovitch as a leading "Potter-ologist"? For one, she has spent years studying medieval folklore, legends and myths, particularly those of King Arthur's court, which she says much of Harry Potter is based on. She wrote her MA dissertation at Bar-Ilan on Morgan Lasalle, a sorceress and half-sister of King Arthur who dedicated her life to killing him. Her PhD focused on Mary of France, a poetess and troubadour who lived in Henry II's castle and wrote short stories on Arthur's round table. She has also read myriads of books on magic, classics, and children's books.

Gorovitch has not actually met Rowling, and admits that she's not quite ready for that. "I need to think of a really smart question for her, and I haven't done that yet," she laughs. "She's my age, we both have small children. Maybe we'd just talk about baby-sitting."

While some may scoff at the idea of Harry Potter being taught alongside King Arthur, Gorovitch insists that the 21st century fantasy series is itself a timeless classic and attributes its appeal to a few characteristics.

"Harry Potter is what anthropologist Joseph Campbell calls a universal hero. Anyone can identify with him. He's a child who finds out he has spiritual abilities, which most of us wish we could have, and he has the strength within himself to change his fate. Finally, it's a series, so we have enough time to grow and develop with him." 

Fifty years from now, people will still be reading about muggles and wizards, predicts Gorovitch.  "The genre of the marvelous is ever-attractive to children and adults. We live in a world of uncertainty; we need a little magic ourselves. Harry Potter makes you think, can I do this? Can I join the sports team I'm dreaming of? Can I overcome a force that is trying to prevent me from doing what I want?"

Judging by the response of her students, Gorovitch is not the only one who gets exuberant over Potteresque talk of elves and poltergeists. Morag Belinki, one of Gorovitch's students in last year's course, said, "Potter until now has been seen as a kid's book, and I'm happy to see that now it's in its proper place." She explained that from Gorovitch's class, "I've learned literature, psychology, history of England, of Ireland, the Celtic tradition."

Belinki and fellow student Snir Rosenfeld both agreed this was the best class they had taken at Bar-Ilan. Rosenfeld said, "Before I took the class, I was anti-Tolkien, now I absolutely love him. When she said there was a class on Harry Potter, I thought 'This is a break, it's not literature.'
But she's connected us to it in a totally new way. If I could take the class again, I would."

Gorovitch is only in her second year at Bar-Ilan, teaching this course as well as a course on folklore studies, which examines hagiographies of saints from the 5th to 15th centuries. She is thrilled with how her Potter course turned out last year, and is excited to be teaching it again.

"Over 30 students learned about the 12th century and the 14th century church, and they didn't know they were learning. They just thought they were having fun."

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