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AUGUST 4, 2003 at 1:53 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: WZZM TV via The Leaky Cauldron
The Jesus Non-denominational Church in Greenville organized a Harry Potter book burning 
this past Sunday to demonstrate that glorifying wizardry and sorcery will lead people to accept and believe in Satan. They were trying to save their souls by tearing up the devil and burning his words.
Pastor Tommy Turner said:
The younger members of the church agree. Kristi Eastman says many books teach that sorcery is okay.
But Tasia Kisscorni, a high-school teacher says the church is making a much 'to do' about nothing:
Harry Potter wasn't the only thing that took a burning - some of the parishoners also burned music CD's like 'NSync. They say the music is not glorifying God, so they don't need it.
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Prefect
Points: 340
Prongs1 says:
Um....right ok, I don't believe in this so I'm gonna burn it Right?, now I know that's acceptable there are gonna be alot more fires, bye bye school books *Burn* bye bye Work Clothes *Scortch* No No its ok boss...God told me to do it? Do I sound Sane? lol Prongs
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 2:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 917
Slytherin_Punk says:
oh yay thats really going to get ppl to stop reading them. Burning the book... very clever. not. are these ppl insane.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 2:02 PM EST
Points: 149
Presy Twt says:
I really do feel sorry for those lost people because they're missing out on all the fun of the books. I guess if they feel it's the right thing to do then nobody should stop them because we live in a free country.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 2:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
jaxsynlittrell says:
Harry Potter and N'Sync are bad in the eyes of God? What next? I'm afraid to know. This is absolutely ridiculous, as it is everytime something like this happens. I understand that this is their constitutional right to free-speech, but this is just dumb. People like this give a bad name to the human race. Harry Potter is good literature, and N'Sync is good music, in some peoples' eyes.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 2:55 PM EST
Metamorphmagus
Points: 37939
tonks black says:
Ugh. Stuff like this makes me mad. In church, you arent supposed to burn things i dont think. And burning is more of satanism than a book.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 2:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1124
mattie says:
Sorry, still not finished laughing... hahahaha!!!
This is so stupid. Think the lord in heaven can forgive a fantasy book or two....
Geez, cry out loud!!! Hmmm.... don't like the book think i'm going to burn it and then pray for the poor people who have readed it. NOT!!!
My parents don't do much in religion....
Think this is hysterical.... I mean there is other ways to get attention, right.
We'r not living in the 14 hundred anymore, you know...
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 3:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 532
Obsessed-Harry-N-Dan-Fan says:
I got to agree with what Prongs says. Is everything that people dont believe in going to get burned? thats just a little insane. its not teaching the kids very well, telling them to burn things they dont like or believe in. arent they like violating some law or something? but if you dont like it or think its against your religion, dont do anything with it just leave it alone. jk just wrote a book she didnt want anyone to think its the work of the devil and to burn it she just wants people to enjoy it, so if youve got a problem with it then just ignore it. are we going to start burning people we dont like too? *thinks of umbridge* i also agree with tonks black and anyone else who thinks this is stupid.i mean thats not going to stop anyone else from reading it. if that group doesnt like it they should just not read it and ignore harry potter all together not go buy the book and burn it. i dont think that any of the stuff those people dont like is evil they are just a little of their rocker and believe in the devil too much. sorry if i upset or make people disagree with what i said. its just my opinion just like its those crazy church peoples opinion.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 3:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 721
Lupakitty says:
These people just need to lay back and let other people live their lives. They like what they like and you can't force it away from them.
=^^=
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 4:26 PM EST
Squib
Points: 191
kanismajor says:
what a waste. You know how many kids wold have been happy if that stuff was donated to a charity instead of burned. I think that it shuold be a sin in it self to burn a book. I think the church is rather selfish.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 4:39 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1037
Fred and/or George says:
I grew up in a strict regimen of church and religion. I'm proud of my personal beliefs, but often I'm ashamed of the company I'm forced to keep under the huge umbrella labeled "Christianity."
There have long been groups desperately seeking attention through the loud and public vilification of pop culture. It has long since become embarrassingly transparent coattail-riding. You want fame and glory as a religous zealot? Go on a witch-hunt (pardon the pun) among the rich and famous. I remember the days of serious record-burning--talk of back-masking and suicide-inspiring rock-and-roll. Even back then burning books was considered cliched and anachronistic.
The idea of burning a pile of books worth upwards of $30 each seems like a horrible waste of financial resources for a charitable(?) organization. Think of hungry mouths that could be fed, clothed, or treated for illness with that stack of burning cash.
If book burning was truly a way of redeeming oneself--that it in someway shows a rejection of faith-deterring propaganda--wouldn't it be a terribly personal thing? Something between you and God? Or even just between yourself and those you hold yourself accountable to? Would it be a publicity stunt? I don't think so.
Public displays of ignorance can be funny, sad, or even dangerous. These people need to educate themselves. They could start by reading a book instead of destroying one. Not necessarily Harry Potter. Maybe just the Bible to start with. If they had read it more carefully, they certainly wouldn't have pulled such an ego-seeking stunt at the detriment of their children.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 4:56 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 380
AvadaKedavra27 says:
It will do these people good to remember that Harry and the gang are fictional characters. They also should realize that in this magical world, magic isnt used to contact spirits, devil worship, or even to tell the future. Professor Trelawny has proven herself a hoax (except for the prophecies) and most WIZARDS don't believe that many people posess the seeing eye. I must stress that this is a childrens (ok and adults) book and in no way does it tell us to go out and try to get in touch with a spirit. It is not a common practice in the wizarding world.
Not everyone in the world likes the Harry Potter books and im not going to force them to. but you dont see everyone burning the books because they just dont float their boat. I think a bigger statement is made by NOT BUYING THE BOOKS! why make Rowling richer so she can produce more works and be better advertized? not that i would do this but i just think it is common sense. lets leave the books alone for people who DO read them, enjoy them, and not take them as satanic, because they are not.
I am a very educated Lutheran and i know about satan and his works. i also know that he uses things like music and books to try to manipulate people. but i also know that it takes the person he is trying to screw with to, to a certain extent, ACCEPT his manipulating. satan puts the idea into our head but we are the ones who grasp it and put the idea into play. that being said, if someone with this mindset were to read harry potter, they might think it to be satanic because that is what the devil wants them to think. the book doesnt tell us to go practice witchcraft or sorcery, satan does. I know not to dabble in anything to do with satan, and i am a huge fan of Harry.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 5:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4247
gryfgirl says:
I'd add more of my own comments but they would only echo what others have posted already... how many times are people going to do these silly things for attention? But anyway - *applauds the post made by Fred and/or George*
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 5:57 PM EST
Points: 1248
CalimaCala says:
This is sick. And what's most disturbing, to me personally, is that these sickos do it under the "Conservative" banner. They're not conservative. (I should know, I am a conservative.) They'd be in favor of totalitarian governments and censors like in the old Soviet Union, or like in the communist system portrayed in Orwell's 1984. If any of you "book burners" read this, please, just get a life. It's not about witchcraft; I don't even think you've read -- ... why am I even typing this? I doubt those freaks even believe in the internet!
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 6:10 PM EST
Points: 179
kjady says:
"I don't want anyone to go to hell, and the bible says if people use sorcery and witchcraft they will go to hell," says Pastor Tommy Turner
Well i think the main word is USE. I think i would like to use my money to buy the books and read them. Not burn them. What is the world coming to when people use $30 to buy a book and burn it.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 6:26 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2773
Alessandra says:
To those folks at that church I have one comment....
Burn more! Boost those sales figures! Help JKR, the bookstores, and the publisher make money!
After all, ideas are very dangerous things. It must be sad to be so insecure in one's faith. If one can't even handle being in the same WORLD with such a book, how could one hold faith in the lion's den or in the furnace?
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 6:34 PM EST
Points: 245
Tonks510 says:
ok... I think its just a book. A really,really,really good book.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 7:24 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23483
KT Lady says:
what is this madness???!?? Son of a monkey...honestly id love to smack some of these people! Its ridiculous! I mean i can understand following the bible and having beliefs but isnt that a bit much? Harry Potter is fiction, its fantasy, and its fun lets just leave it at that, noone is actually practicing witchcraft (well..besides that lady that tried to brew some potion and ended up blowing up her house) these people need some imagination and need to get a life DONT READ THE BOOKS IF U DONT LIKE THEM noones making you!
sorry i just think that whole topid is ridiculous...people need to find a new way to get attention and FOCUS ON MORE IMPORTANT THINGS
*draco_yum*
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 7:37 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
Tadhgain says:
Fine, let them burn the books, that means they actually had to buy them in the first place, thus making the sales of Harry Potter rise even more. And NO WHERE in the bible does it say to not practice witchcraft...the word witchcraft, to my knowledge does not appear in the ORIGINAL bible...I dunno what translation their reading...Trust me, Catholic school for 13 years...I know a thing or two about the bible....
And honestly, are they not showing their own stupidity? That they can't accept a fictional novel depicting fictional events that actually aids children in distinguishing good from evil. But I guess they wouldn't want their children developing their imaginations and getting all "uppity" like...God forbid their children think for themselves...
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 7:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
I am so scared right know, am I the only one who is getting these weird history flashbacks concerning crazy religious groups. And what's next are we gonna start burning "witches" again. Ok thats a bit fare fetched, but seriously what are they thinking?
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 7:58 PM EST
Witch
Points: 750
siriusgurl says:
I know I just posted but I have a comment to Tadhgain, I'm pretty shure your right about the bible thing but their not catholics so they do have a different translation and if it is in their well what do you expect for a book that was translated when the entire world was completely superstisious, plus even if it isn't they'll find something that they see as meaning that. The catholic churche is accually pro-Harry Potter by the way .
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 8:04 PM EST
Student
Points: 268
Tadhgain says:
Siriusgurl, I know that they are probably reading the King James edition of the bible, but I'd venture a guess there's no mention of witchcraft in there, I know the word witch is used, but it's used to describe just a meanspirited woman... And yay for the Catholic Church, the Pope actually mentioned how much Harry Potter is helping children learn about good and evil :D.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 8:15 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23483
KT Lady says:
Yea it kinda scares me...if theyre burning books how soon will it be before they start hanging"witches"? fiction people!! come on!
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 8:24 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1065
Lerah99 says:
Sigh, It is people like this who give Christian's a bad name. People have a right to their faith. They can worship a giant chicken outside of KFC for all I care. I just wish they wouldn't push thier faith down everyone else's throats. I wish they insist everyone else meet their standards of Morality.
Quick quiz: eveyone here who has signed a pact with "Satan" because of their obession with Harry Potter, please raise your hand.
Anyone?
Hmmmm, no hands raised. Imagine that.
:o)
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 9:18 PM EST
Points: 200
Brittany says:
I think these people should just read the books. Then if they still really dont like them, they can give them away, they dont need to burn them. I dont think its a very good church activity to burn books. In some ways, it is discouraging reading. I know these people belive that its right, but is burning these to get your point across really right? J.K. worked really hard on these books, and then people go and burn them, I dont think thats what God would want.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 9:27 PM EST
Lycanthropist for W.S.S.
Points: 3603
Alchemist 530 says:
LOL- what stupid people. Stupid, narrow-minded people. How ridiculous. It's FINE to avoid witchcraft and whatnot if you're THAT concerned about it, but don't react with destruction and violence, what hypocrites. Like this: "I do everything God wants" -ok, I guess you're Jesus, now??? You don't do everything God wants, stupid... AND- N*Sync?!?!?! WHAT THE *profanity*??? Do these people know nothing about music- Marlyn Manson, Eminem, I mean come on people, atleast pick something bad. Ok, I'm going to stop before I get really mad.
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 9:35 PM EST
Transfiguration Professor
Points: 2990
Choralee says:
More time wasted in the pursuit of what? Complete freedom from all material missing the label of "Christian"? Some people need to get a life. Burning HP and an N'Sync CD? I agree whole heartedly with [b]alchemist530. Narrow minded people need not walk into a book store for any reason - I can just see these folks lighting the place up....
Posted Aug 4, 2003 at 9:56 PM EST
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