Priests burn Harry Potter books over fears of witchcraft
Written by News on 02/04/2019
Priests in northern Poland have burned books they consider sacrilegious – including some from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
An evangelical group called the SMS From Heaven Foundation also burned what appeared to be symbols from other religions.
A book by Stephanie Meyer, who wrote the Twilight series of novels about vampires, was set alight too.
Evangelical Christians have often expressed concerns about the Harry Potter series, because they believe its depiction of witchcraft is dangerous to children.
Books written by the Edinburgh-based author have also reportedly been burned in the United States.
On their Facebook page, the Polish priests say they are “obedient to the Word”.
Pictures show books being selected in church, before being carried to an outside location to be burned.
The priests quote from the New Testament book of Acts, chapter 19, verse 19, which says: “A large number of those who practiced magic brought their books and burned them all.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is invoked too. Section 2117 says that “all practices of magic or witchcraft are in serious contradiction with the virtue of religiosity”.
Thousands of people commented on the priests’ actions. Wojciech Kempinski said: “Burning books in the 21st century? Seriously?”
Marta Plaza described the Harry Potter series as one that had “instilled in the entire generation of kids the love of reading – that taught these kids (about) true friendship, courage, (and) sacrifice in the name of higher values.”
And Dorota Pytel wrote: “Destroying books is simply stupid and will always be associated with the Inquisition, the Third Reich and the USSR.”
But Angela Lewandowska said: “Get rid of everything that does not please you and you will see how your life will change. God bless.”
(c) Sky News 2019: Priests burn Harry Potter books over fears of witchcraft
