#1 Harry Potter (series)

The Harry Potter series has been banned since 2001 when the first book was released.

According to the Marshall University Library Web page, it was banned in 2001 for occult/Satanism and anti-family themes.

Before addressing the occult and Satanism, let's talk about the anti-family portion.

The reader is introduced to Harry when he is a young boy. 

When he was a child, his parents were murdered by He-who-must-not-be-named. 

He goes to live with his aunt and uncle who accept him (the nicest way to put it is) grudgingly and he grows up with them. 

He intensely dislikes his aunt, uncle and his cousin Dudley who all treat him as a delinquent. 

Beginning with this plot line, I can see how people would think it was anti-family. 

After all, Harry longs to get away from the Dusleys his supposed family, like they were anything. 

However, labeling this book as anti-family is a mistake. But if and only if, the reader goes beyond the first chapter.

When Harry goes to Hogwarts, he finds the Mirror of Erised, which shows "nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts," (Sorcerer's Stone, 213).

When looking into the mirror, he sees himself surrounded by his family. 

He returns to the mirror several nights until he meets Professor Dumbledore, bless his heart, in front of the mirror who tells him "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live," (Sorcerer's Stone, 214).

This part of the book is about halfway through, so if someone didn't read though the whole thing, I could understand. 

But this scene is the first time Rowling displays Harry's intense desire for a family.

Throughout the entire rest of the series, is it obvious to see that Harry wants to be part of a family and, he cares deeply about his parents although they died when he was young. 

This is shown through a number of instances for example, in the second book, after Harry escapes from the Dursley's house, he goes to Ron's house.

Ron's family is not wealthy and their house is a little, falling apart. When the Weasley's and Harry walk in, Ron said, "'It's not much,' said Ron. 'It's wonderful,' said Harry happily," (Chamber of Secrets, 32). 

In the third book, he finds out why He-who-must-not-be-named came after his family and who was responsible for the murders. 

When he mistakenly thinks the person is Sirius, the books reads,"A hatred such as he had never known before was coursing through Harry like poison," (Prisoner of Azkaban, 213). 

When Sirius dies in the fifth book, Professor Dumbledore said "You have now lost your mother, your father, and the closest thing to a parent you have ever known. Of course you care," (Order of the Phoenix, 824). 

In the final book, before Harry is killed by Voldemort, he uses the resurrection stone to bring back his parents, Sirius and Lupin. 

He asks if they'll stay with him. Then says to Lily, his mother, "Stay close to me," (Deathly Hallows, 700). The entire series is centered around family and belonging. 

Although Harry doesn't have any family is the traditional sense, he calls Hogwarts home "Hogwarts was the first and best home he [Harry] had known," (Deathly Hallows, 697).

Concerning the Occult and Satanism, there really is nothing anyone can say that will change the minds of people convinced of this. 

Yes, there is magic in the books, and yes the bible says magic is of the devil. 

But Harry Potter is a book. 

It's a not the Devil in disguise trying to drag children to Hell.

Just because the book involves people cast spells and using magic the moral of the story isn't "magic is good" its "good conquers evil."

The take away message from Harry Potter is to stand up for the right and fight those who are against it. 

What's wrong with that?

The world is at a place where almost all people do not believe in magic. Children might want to read about it, but that doesn't mean they will try to summon the Devil. 

Living in this world, children will encounter all sorts of evil things, but Harry Potter is not one of them.