Laura Mallory: In her own words & in my own words
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a treat. An article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution by Laura Mallory was published on January 28. Ms. Mallory wrote the article to attempt to disspell some of the misconceptions about her case to remove the Harry Potter books from the shelves in the Gwynett County School System. Here is an excerpt:
Myth: We are trying to ban Harry Potter.
Truth: This case first began when we noticed the books in our son’s elementary school classroom. We were then told by the school that anything in the school library may be used in the classroom. The original request of August 2005 asked that the books be removed from the classrooms and libraries due to the extreme evil and violent content, the promotion of witchcraft (Wicca) and the age-inappropriateness. We are not trying to ban Harry Potter. The books may of course be purchased in bookstores or checked out at public libraries, but need not be encouraged, assigned and read aloud in our children’s schools and classrooms. Are they ready to put the Bible and prayer back in our schools and classrooms and read it aloud?
Myth: This is a one-woman fight.
Truth: I have never been alone in this “fight.” There are hundreds and even thousands of other parents who have stood up against the Harry Potter series and its paganization of this generation. The American Library Association reports Harry Potter books rank No. 1 on the list of most challenged books of the 21st century, having received more than 3,000 challenges nationwide. Additionally, there have been numerous people who have become dear friends who have written, called and helped with their love, encouragement, prayers and donations. Without them, I could not have continued this case.
It has not been an easy path to take, but one in which I know I must not quit. God has been with me, answering specific prayers and reassuring me of His will and His Word, and my husband of nearly 13 years has supported and stood with me — I’m enormously grateful. This has never been a one-woman fight; if it were, believe me, I would have quit long ago.
Myth: Witchcraft is just harmless fantasy.
Truth: This is perhaps the greatest myth of all. America’s desensitization to the occult is not only sad, but dangerous. We are in serious need of revival and a return to the traditional Judeo-Christian roots upon which our blessed country was founded.
I cannot count the times I have been told that these books are “just fantasy.” But if you would like to know the truth, please keep reading and do your own research.
Not only is witchcraft a real religion, subtly intriguing and luring our children and teens in unprecedented numbers, but it is also a dangerous one, often leaving its followers in darkness, depression and even suicidal. This was verified by a teenager from Lawrenceville and Mrs. Marsha McWhorter, a registered nurse and certified marriage and family therapist, both of whom testified at the Gwinnett County hearing on April 20, 2006, coincidentally, the anniversary of the tragic shootings at Columbine High School.
And now my attempt to clear up a misconception.
Myth: Laura Mallory has read the Harry Potter books so she is making an informed judgement called.
Truth: Laura Mallory has never completely read one of the Harry Potter books.
Myth: I will take Laura Mallory and her followers seriously.
Truth: I don’t think so. While some children who have followed Wicca have ended up being depressed, violent and/or suicidal- do we know there was a direct correlation? And forget about that, whether that is relevant or not, Harry Potter does not equal Wicca. Anyone who has read Harry Potter can figure that out, but that brings me back to the previous Myth.
I’m done with you, Laura Mallory. Unless there are any really humorous quotes from you (like the “God” one from last week) or any significant happenings with the story, the Harry Potter Prognostications listeners and readers will have to get their Laura Mallory news elsewhere. I am wiping my hands clean(ish) of her.
-Penny
January 31st, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Ok, i know what i just wrote on your wall on Facebook, but i couldn’t resist.
What promoting witchcraft is concerned, it think linking witchcraft to the Harry Potter books is outrageously unfair. As you said, there has never been any evidence that children get into witchcraft because of Harry Potter. I do agree that witchcraft can be dangerous, but i do not agree that Harry Potter promotes practicing witchcraft. J.K. Rowling has never said, either in the books or in an interview, that children should try to practice magic at home. If you want to remove the Harry Potter books from classrooms, why allow Disney movies or even fairy tales for example? Cinderella, Phantasia, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The frog prince, … they all have some form of magic. Why can the fairy godmother in Cinderella turn mice into horses and a pumpkin into a carriage, and can a witch cast a spell on a prince and turn him into a frog, but can’t McGonagall turn a bird into a water goblet? And why is it that some people think it’s perfectly normal for Peter Pan to let children fly around the room by ‘thinking happy thoughts’ and using little fairy dust, but do the same people flinch when Harry Potter flies around on a broom?
Basically, if she doesn’t want her children to read the Harry Potter books, than fine, don’t let them. But there are just as many Christian families who do allow their children to read the Harry Potter books. Some think it is a beautiful story and even applaud the variety of themes in the books like discrimination, the value of friendship, dealing with loss, standing up for what you believe in, etc. The point is that, regardless of your beliefs, that you read the books yourself, as a parent, and guide your children, talk to them, ask them what they think about the story, and let them ask questions too. Communication is immensely important. A child should be comfortable talking to its parents, and parents should be open and honest towards their children.
Anyway, i agree with you. I could do without Laura Mallory updates. No problem.
If anything, it’s her absurd ideas and pointless discussions are frustrating and depressing, not the books.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
The really sad thing is that she’s doing all this without even reading the books completely, and now she’s posing like she’s an expert on HP to be able to say it promotes witchcraft and all that. If a kid can use HP as a manual for witchcraft and actually perform spells…. that’ll be the day. I think parents have a big role to play in all this. And with good parenting and constant vigilance, I believe kids can still enjoy the books without any problems whatsoever, and without inclinations to practice witchcraft.
January 31st, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Here Here to both of your comments- Dorien (welcome to the blog!) and Yvaine. Like you said, Dorien next- will LM (I am not even writing her name anymore) try to ban all fairy tales?
I think the people who will suffer here the most are LM’s kids. First of all, they will not experience the joys of reading the HP series (which obviously to me is a tragedy in itself) but putting that aside, first of all their mother is being turned into the laughing stock of the western world with her ridiculous views. That can’t be good for these kids. And furthurmore, LM has been quoted as saying something ot the effect of TV, movies, MTV, etc. are all bad (fine, to some that is a reasonable statement)- but if she is banning her kids reading certain classic books (and you know it won’t end with Potter), what will her kids do for entertainment? Its kids like that who end up completely screwed up, on drugs, and doing anything to go against their parent’s wishes.
Like Yvaine said- in most cases all it takes good parenting and “constant vigilance” to make sure your kids go in the right direction. LM is practically begging for her kids to go behind her back to defy her. Its sad.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I just have to add that in addition to the fact that equating Harry Potter with Wicca is simply false, there is nothing inherently wrong with Wicca, regardless of what Mallory thinks.
I know several practicing Wiccans, and, because I do know people who prctice it, I’ve read up on the religion. The tenets and practices of the Wiccan religion are in no way evil, and the faith and belief structure are meaningful and important to the people who practice it - just like any faith. (Yes, I’m sure there are some bad people who practice Wicca - because there are bad people practicing EVERY religion.) People need to educate themselves, for crying out loud! Unless you think that ANY religion that is not your own is inherently evil, there is simply zero evidence that Wicca is any better or worse than any other faith.
Ignorant people like Mallory throw the words “witchcraft” and “Wicca” around without even knowing what the words actually mean in context - or what they mean AT ALL.
End of rant
March 10th, 2007 at 1:37 am
laura mallory is a load of bull crap. although i dont doubt that harry potter and wicca have some similarities, i don’t believe that harry potter and wicca are related purposely. Also. Wicca, as Janice said, is in no way evil. that would be like us harry potter nerds saying that Christianity is copying off harry potter and causing spaghettimonster teens to jump off buildings. like i said before. nonsense
although janice has allready said what i have allready wanted, i would like to add that laura mallory is just blatently ignorant
the end
now it is
thats it
ok no its not…………
July 26th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
laura is stupid. haryr potter shall be up to the reader to read the books .. not just because she says its “evil” and promotes wichcraft. she has her own ipinions and she shall keep them to herself. other parents of harry potter fans see that there is nothing wrong with the series. it helps spark the imination of their beloved children and and also helps them take their minds of the real world for once and that is a great accomplishment in this ear. when children are being loaded down with school work outside of school they should have the right to tae time away…
November 5th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I can hardly beleive how many people condem Harry Potter! It’s an amazing series that teachs kids to read and it t has memorable and lovable characters. It teachs kdis about good and evil and trust and loyalty and love… And it’s just fantasy! I know it’s over-used, BUT COME ON! D: It’s true!
I adore Harry Potter. I stayed up till midnight to get the sixth and seventh books! And… just… It makes me sad to read about people who campaign against this amazing series.
Get a life, Laura. You’re messing up the fandom. D<
May 6th, 2008 at 3:29 am
Actualite Medias: Le nouveau film de Harry Potter 7 sera divise en deux parties…
Maintenant il est connu le nom du realisateur ? David Yates et le nom du scenariste qui a deja travaille sur les scenarios de quelques films precedents - Steve Kloves pour le septieme film.
Le producteur du film David Heyman constate que la……
July 17th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Honestly she has no research, and no brain.
1. harry potter books have no relation to witchcraft, and I doent like calling witchcraft witchcraft because it makes it seem like something evil, and it’s not.
2. Saying witchcraft is dangerous it like saying Christianity is dangerous, would god punish you for doing something wrong, i think not.
3. harry potter books are also very empowering and I think that they are very good for the brain.
4. I don’t think that if her kids read harry potter they will become wicans. living with her they will become anti-wicans.
5. Wicans worship the same god as you do. They just “call upon Venus” to ask for that quality. It’s like Christians praying to angels or asking something of God. And spells for wiccans are like your prayers, but only with props, so it’s physical and symbolic
Laura needs to get her facts straight.