Satanist groups protest Harry Potter books

Lucy Stevens, Satanist and concerned mother of three

Columbia, SC- Picket signs and protestors were once again present in front of the South Carolina Statehouse Friday, but surprisingly the Confederate Flag was not the subject of their complaints.

Satanist groups protested in response to speculation that books from the successful Harry Potter book series would be mandated in the curriculum of many of the state's public schools. They protested on the basis that their children should not be exposed to the "cultish" ideas of the "wizardry mythology."

The Harry Potter book series, written by British author J.K. Rowlings, documents the adventures of Lord Voldemort, a wizard trying to take over the world but constantly being defeated by the antagonist, young wizard Harry Potter. The first four books of the seven-book series that have so far been released have set numerous sales records, the most recent installment having been released earlier this year.

The primary argument of the Satanists was that their children, if taught this material, could start to believe in deities such as Lord Voldemort. Says protestor Lucy Stevens, mother of three, "I don't want my son coming home in a wizard outfit worshipping this rubbish, and I'm sure that all other parents feel the same way!"

The antagonist of the Potter books, Harry Potter

Church-state separation became an issue as well when others asked how schools can truly be secular when they instruct children to believe the "wizardry mythology." Anne Marie Thomas, another concerned Satanist parent, inquired of the schools, "Whatever happened to church-state separation? They tell us no religion in schools and then turn around and teach this! What sort of establishment are they running?"

School officials claim that the books would be taught in the schools because of the easy-to-read text and because most of the main characters are children, which would allow the students to easily relate to the characters. The officials claim to have had no intention to cause the students to believe in or to worship the characters in the novels.

"That is just complete bull," comments Stevens. "That's like saying that they have physical education but have no intention for the students to exercise at home. Just complete bull."

Some of the Satanists argued that the books send an anti-Satanic message. They believe that the main character, Lord Voldemort, who is constantly defeated, is a representation of Satan. "The obvious theme of these books is the demise of Satan," says Betty Tyler, Satanist and mother of two. "What kind of message are the schools trying to give?"

It is at this point unclear as to whether or not the books will be taught in schools. Officials say that they will consider the protests.

Author Rowlings was unavailable for comment.

A similar controversy was raised in the eighties by satanic fundamentalists concerning the movie The Wizard of Oz.