The following is my response to a reader who sees no reference to Satan in the Harry Potter books:

Greetings James,

My comments to a previous reader, which you quoted above, expressed the hope that readers wouldn't be subliminally harmed by the Harry Potter books. You reacted quite vehemently to that comment and yet the very head of the church which you are assumably a member of made similar comments in support of someone who was sounding a warning. Here's what the present Pope said not that long ago, when he was still a Cardinal:

"It is good that you are throwing light on Harry Potter because these are subtle seductions that work imperceptibly and, because of that, deeply erode Christianity in the soul before it can even grow properly."

Harry Potter and the Vatican enforcer (Pope condemned 'subtle seduction' of tales of wizardry). Times, Jul 14, 2005

Some parents, after seeing the last movie "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" complained that the "black-cloaked, soul-sucking floating dementors" were too dark and horrifying for young children to see.

Harry Potter turns to the Dark Side (kids will be faced with a story as black as night itself). Fox News, Jul 15, 2005

So I am not alone in my thoughts about the negative aspects of the Harry Potter books. Personally I have no interest in reading any more than the two I have so-far managed to complete. My sentiments are somewhat expressed by an article I read this morning:

'Why I hate Harry Potter' (for people whose interests are soaps, reality TV & celebrity gossip). BBC, Jul 15, 2005

I suggest people read "1984" as an antidote to the subliminal and not-so subliminal evil undertones of books on witches, wizards, demons, vampires, etc because George Orwell says that the organization out to rule the world, Big Brother, is evil.

You say you see no reference to Satan in the Harry Potter books but even a person who hasn't read them has heard of the evil Lord Voldemort and assume he is affiliated in some way. And the name "Harry" itself is part of one of the Devil's nicknames, ie "Old Harry".

All the best,
Jackie Jura

WITCHES, WIZARDS & DEMONS and 2.Big Brother and 35.The Brotherhood