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AUGUST 7, 2003 at 12:30 PM
Posted by GRAE
Source: The Detroit News via The Leaky Cauldron
After learning about the book burning held last weekend by the Jesus Non-denominational Church in Greenville, Michigan, community members expressed mixed emotions
about the event.
The Rev. Mark Shaw, senior pastor at Calvary Baptist, dismissed the book burning as a misguided publicity stunt.
"What kind of an image are they setting in the community?" Shaw asked.
Toni Jagger, director of the Alvah N. Belding Library in nearby Belding, said she is always disturbed by reports of book burnings.
"Burning books is such an extreme," Jagger said. "Books don't have to be read if people don't want to read them. That's one of the wonderful liberties we have in America."
As long as the book burning does not prevent readers from accessing those titles or other literature, the congregation can do as it pleases, said Tara Conaway, director of the Flat River Community Library.
It also turns out that Harry Potter books weren't the only objects being burned - included in the list of what the church considered evil were the Book of Mormon and non-King James Version Bibles.
Other books, magazines, posters, compact discs and movies that members believe do not promote God also went up in smoke Sunday, as more than 50 people gathered outside the church for the fiery display. Among the incinerated items were Shania Twain's album "The Woman in Me" and the Dan Akroyd movie "Coneheads."
The church's bishop, the Rev. T.D. Turner Sr., said the congregation "will burn 'Harry Potter' books and other witchcraft items to let the world know that there are true followers of Jesus Christ who will not call evil good."
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Student
Points: 217
Dreyven says:
Nooooooo, not the coneheads! I love these nuts, they crack me up everytime. Let the people burn the books. It just gives JK more money to keep on writing the material.
Posted Sep 25, 2004 at 1:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 556
hpbri says:
THAT IS SO CRAZY! They burned the book of mormon, Harry Potter and bibles? That is so crazy. I'm kinda mormon, so thats kinda insulting!
Posted Oct 12, 2004 at 10:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 537
Mrs. Hammerlick says:
Just caught this in the archive. It seems the people doing the book burnings have almost no familiarity with what they are destroying. This is just another example of why labels are dangerous.
Posted Nov 9, 2004 at 3:25 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 382
spazzy magee says:
That is soo stupid!! book burning, you cant control what people read!!!! plus its a bookoh my god its not going to kill anyone, dude harry potter fights evil not good, evil. People overreach to things like this!!! stop with the maddness. its the 21st century, get over it people like to read it, you cantt stop them!!!
Posted Nov 14, 2004 at 3:39 AM EST
The Charmer
Points: 4321
Amarantine says:
Why do people do things like that? It's so narrow-minded, why can't people accept other religions? It's not like they're doing anything wrong!
~*Aquilus*~
Posted Nov 23, 2004 at 6:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Prof. Weasle says:
If ignorance was painful, these people would need a morphine drip line...
Do the morons not realise that they had to *buy* the books to burn them? They are all supporters of "witchcraft"! hahahahahah!
Hopefully some of them will realise that they live in a country where there is freedom of speech, and they will just use their freedom to *not* read HP or watch the coneheads (for the life of me I cant figure out how thats evil... is it cause the coneheads are French,and all french things are evil since they didn't support Bush?!?!)
oh well... never underestimate the power of stupid people in groups - or in this case, congregations...:)
Posted Nov 29, 2004 at 12:35 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1433
Buxtehude says:
I know this will confuse people but I can understand the burning of books. According to Civil Theory, A community is a tiny nation unto itself right. This community operates on the same plain that a nation operates on. Essentially, the individual releases his control unto the will of the people. This group control is essentially a town, nation, whatever. When a nation decides for itself of the masses that a certain thing is wrong it becomes a sin. Therefore when a community decides to burn books it is merely stating that in this community they believe that these books burned are not going to be legal in their community. What they are doing is setting standards for themselves because they can't set the standard using traditional government.
Therefore, they burn books because what they believe is inside is wrong, be it witchcraft, blatant sexuality or otherwise. This is no different than a father confiscating a young boys comic books. It is the same thing but on a bigger scale.
They are not forcing their beliefs on others, they are forcing their beliefs on themselves and if they want to do that, it is fine with me.
What I don't believe is right is saying that because they have taken these steps supposedly against witchcraft and satanism they are better than the rest of the people.
'that there are true followers of Jesus Christ who will not call evil good."
This is effectively insinuating that the Christians of this congregation is better than the rest of the conregations out there because they burn HP books. I have read many pamphlets from this Denomination. They only support using the KJV and they claim that unless you use the KJV bible, you aren't really saved.
That is where I have to draw the line. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16 in their vary own KJV that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" Now, if all scripture is from God, would not that include the other Bibles they were burning? That verse says clearly that no matter which version you use, God can still work through it.
Romans 3:22-24 (New International Version)
V22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
V23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, v24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
This verse does not say all who believe and use the KJV it says that all who believe whether they use the KJV or (gasp) TNIV. They are still saved.
As far as accpetance of the non-saved, I still think that the Church needs to be more open and less critical of those who practive sin. I know many Wiccas but I treat them in the same manner as I do my Christian friends: respect. They are still savable and their witchcraft isn't any more sinful than me lying. They are still human and they were made by God, so there is no reason why I should treat them as inferiors. It is a pathetic situation when a teenager can effectively demonstrate the sins of other Christians and show through scripture where they are wrong.
I am a Christian, but sometimes I am ashmed of what my brothers in Christ do in the name of the Lord. sometimes I just want to denounce the church and spend time with my Saviour on my own. I know however that by me not doing anything, I am letting the foolish take control.
As parting words, I must beg of you to not fall to the same trap they have. They have seen Harry Potter and declared it to be evil without reading it. Don't look at what they do and call it evil without understanding for yourselves why they are doing it.
They have called those who read the books sinners and inferior. Treat them no different than you would another HP fan, because they too are human, and they too can be misled. Just try to remember that.
Posted Dec 16, 2004 at 1:21 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 69
Wulfric Kettlestump says:
Buxtehude,
That was a very well stated and thoughtful post. Are you truly only 16 years old as your bio indicates? If so, it gives hope for society that youth is still able to slice through the garbage that us adults create, and still find truth and goodness.
As a Christian, I find myself constantly defending Harry and his world.
True, the books are about witchcraft, which the bible vehemently speaks against. I do believe that practicing witchcraft invites evil into one's life, but I do not believe in witches and wizards. I believe in good stories, and imagination, and fostering such things. When I read a Stephen King book, I do not believe that possessed cars and reanimated deceased pets are out to get me. This is fantasy; make-believe.
Yes, if you try to live out these fantasies, and make them your reality, you are inviting all sorts of bad things into your life. This, however, could be said about all things. It is never good to take the pure fantasy and twist it into reality.
But enough blathering; Buxtehude, again, thank you for the wonderful post.
Wulfric
Posted Dec 20, 2004 at 11:54 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 69
Jenna_Snape says:
Okay, just speaking from a Pagan view here, I think that this was completely dumb of that church. For crying out loud people, if you forbid something to children, all it does is make them want that object more. And Harry Potter really isn't all that much on the whole "witchcraft" thing when it is more about people doing what is right. I really can't believe that people will call themselves intelligent and then do something so stupid. It just goes to show how close minded some people can be.
I mean, most children love reading Harry Potter and I think they are getting something wonderful out of it. I mean, some kids want to be like Ms. Granger and read more and study more. Some kids want to be like Harry Potter and be brave and loyal to his friends and want to do good with their lives. How can this be called evil? We are talking about morals that people should have and yet some people think that we should burn the carriers of that message?
I just don't understand why anyone would do this. If you don't want your kids to read the books then don't let them. Don't go to the extremes and burn them. There is truly no point in burning books. Its silly and a waste of money and trees.
Posted Dec 23, 2004 at 5:47 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 65
Meara Fayak Lupin says:
I'm in such a state of shock that I can hardly fromulate an answer or response to this news. All of you who have posted before me are correct, it does feel like the mid-evil/dark ages, it does feel like the time that the natize regeme crushed all life but its own back in the 1940's, and it dose remind me of Ferinhight 451... In all reality this frightens me more than just about anything else. When basic freedoms and forms of communication are censered and taken away we are just one step closer to no freedoms at all. I have to wonder if these same people who burned these books, would also include the LOTR's books, or the Narnia books? Which by the way are both written by Christian authors. I'm not totally sure of JKR's religion but ya know what I dont care. These books are some of the best childrens books I've seen in a long time. They support the morals I would like my children to grow up with, no matter what religion I raise them as. I've been the uber Christian, the one who marches against abortion, the one who only listens to christian music, and the one who only reads christian literature. I have NEVER in my life thought of burrning a book. It just seems wrong to me and always has, and the aragonce of the people who have leaves me very unsettled. I wish there was a way we could protest this act of violence but I dont know how, they will simply say they were with in their religious rights and although that may be true.... sigh.... i just dont know...Sadly I dont think even a petition on the internet would do much good... Any one have any other ideas?
Posted Dec 23, 2004 at 6:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 618
Prof Crouch/Moody says:
This sort of thing just irrates me. Who are these people to say which version of the Bible is good and which is evil? Also, why is fantasy evil? Harry Potter has many moral teachings. Just wondering if they burned J.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis too. What makes their version of fantasy and magic good, and J.K. Rowling's version evil?
Posted Jan 5, 2005 at 11:02 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 28
Rayne Black says:
I never really thought Shania Twain and Dan Akroyd promoted evil...
oh them crazy fundamentalists
Posted Jan 6, 2005 at 4:37 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
I think this is horrible, we shouldnt be condemning Jk. And its Christians who call us heathens?
Posted Jan 7, 2005 at 11:06 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 65
Meara Fayak Lupin says:
I guess my main thought in all of this is "why?" why go to such extreems? why be so violent? why be so hatefull? Last time I read threw the Bible it did not talk about hating the world and everything in it, but rather loving all people and understanding all situations...
Sigh..I still cant believe that this happend in our modern day world. I had hoped we were past this ridiculiousness..
Posted Jan 7, 2005 at 12:06 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 26
Simon_Duong says:
I think book burning is stupid, how would they like it if we shoved a few bibles in the fireplace? (not meaning to be rude to christians)
Posted Jan 8, 2005 at 9:57 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1227
I Who Lived..To Read says:
Erm....that's a little overboard. People have the freedom to read what they want, it violates Pursuit of Happiness and Liberty! *I've been listening to closely in history class again...*
Posted Jan 22, 2005 at 11:39 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 12
ShainaDW says:
"Where books are burned, soon people will follow" It is a dangerous thing to burn books because it limits ideas. Not very tolerate like the christian religion is supposted to be.
Posted Feb 28, 2005 at 12:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 522
Roxy344 says:
Utterly RIDICULOUS! I hate how religion has to be tied into things like harry potter and what books to read and what not to read. I only wish people would have a broader understanding of other peoples points of views and not just think that what they are doing is best, because its not in most cases (such as this one)
The United States is meant to be a country where freedom of speech is encouraged. By burning books, what good does that do anybody. The United States celebrate by reading banned books at one point of the year, yet it parts of the country people are burning them. What about the people who dont believe in god and want to read harry potter books? why should they have to suffer for something they dont believe? (rhetorical questions)
Most people will agree that if someone tells them they cannot do anything, then they will want to do it even more. The thought that people would burn books is pointless and a waste of time and energy (and paper)
In addition, harry potter books were not written to make people turn away from god. In my situation Harry Potter books were the best thing that ever happened in my childhood. I had a lot of problems reading and therefore hated reading all together. The harry potter books helped me become a better reader and more interested in imagination rather than television. They opened up a new way of approaching situations, i never felt in any way while reading the harry potter books over and over to be pulled away from god.
Posted Mar 12, 2005 at 9:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 522
Roxy344 says:
Utterly RIDICULOUS! I hate how religion has to be tied into things like harry potter and what books to read and what not to read. I only wish people would have a broader understanding of other peoples points of views and not just think that what they are doing is best, because its not in most cases (such as this one)
The United States is meant to be a country where freedom of speech is encouraged. By burning books, what good does that do anybody. The United States celebrate by reading banned books at one point of the year, yet it parts of the country people are burning them. What about the people who dont believe in god and want to read harry potter books? why should they have to suffer for something they dont believe? (rhetorical questions)
Most people will agree that if someone tells them they cannot do anything, then they will want to do it even more. The thought that people would burn books is pointless and a waste of time and energy (and paper)
In addition, harry potter books were not written to make people turn away from god. In my situation Harry Potter books were the best thing that ever happened in my childhood. I had a lot of problems reading and therefore hated reading all together. The harry potter books helped me become a better reader and more interested in imagination rather than television. They opened up a new way of approaching situations, i never felt in any way while reading the harry potter books over and over to be pulled away from god.
Posted Mar 12, 2005 at 9:30 PM EST
Witch
Points: 522
Roxy344 says:
Utterly RIDICULOUS! I hate how religion has to be tied into things like harry potter and what books to read and what not to read. I only wish people would have a broader understanding of other peoples points of views and not just think that what they are doing is best, because its not in most cases (such as this one)
The United States is meant to be a country where freedom of speech is encouraged. By burning books, what good does that do anybody. The United States celebrate by reading banned books at one point of the year, yet it parts of the country people are burning them. What about the people who dont believe in god and want to read harry potter books? why should they have to suffer for something they dont believe? (rhetorical questions)
Most people will agree that if someone tells them they cannot do anything, then they will want to do it even more. The thought that people would burn books is pointless and a waste of time and energy (and paper)
In addition, harry potter books were not written to make people turn away from god. In my situation Harry Potter books were the best thing that ever happened in my childhood. I had a lot of problems reading and therefore hated reading all together. The harry potter books helped me become a better reader and more interested in imagination rather than television. They opened up a new way of approaching situations, i never felt in any way while reading the harry potter books over and over to be pulled away from god.
Posted Mar 12, 2005 at 9:31 PM EST
The Gryffindor Guy
Points: 2727
z Jamie Potter z says:
That is so stupid to do book burnings. People have the right to say whatever they want and that's plain wrong anyways!
Posted Mar 19, 2005 at 8:24 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 304
Hermione Granger-Snape says:
This is really disturbing. This would never happen in the UK - Christian extremism can be a frightening force.
Posted Mar 30, 2005 at 2:05 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 3
casual_observer says:
I wonder if they burned Tolkien, Lewis, L'Engle, etc. as well . . .
Posted Apr 1, 2005 at 10:43 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1656
DracosBarbie says:
I think this whole thing is just wrong on a number of levels - it makes me angry that this has happened. Its pathetic and immature to name but a few things. Whatever - i doubt they will ahve any real impact on the books popularity - will probably make them even better now they are 'controversial' hahaha
Posted May 16, 2005 at 9:37 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 50
Pesky Bug says:
I cannot believe that they burned books! I am just appauled! For one, Why the Book of Mormon and why other bibles? It is just blind intolerance.
Posted May 26, 2005 at 12:58 AM EST
Witch
Points: 778
stillDUMBLEDORESgirl says:
I do not understand why these people think that Harry potter is evil and who says the people who read Harry Potter aren't followers of God. I just don't understand...........They had to burn those pages and pages of Harry Potter that is such a waste of trees. Those supposed followers of god do not get this at all Harry potter is to witchcraft, how many times do we have to tell them this...........HOW MANY TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted May 29, 2005 at 12:16 AM EST
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