It seems that the Rev. John Pritchard has been misled. Children are impressionable and have not yet formed the ability to properly discern what is truly good for them verses what has been cleverly disguised to appear good. Couple this with the fact that wiccan spells have been included in this series of books (and word for word I might add). Therefore, these books should be considered harmful to all not only to children!

Ralph Dietz, Washington, USA / DC

On a recent programme about the mind on the BBC there was evidence produced that those who have had abusive childhoods are far more likely to believe in ghosts, psychic phenomena, the supernatural and religious doctrines. On this basis it seems that the clergy of every belief are more likely to contain those who were abused in childhood. We know that abusers go on to abuse others and therefore it seems highly probable that every religious group could contain a significant proportion of clerics likely to abuse children. Certainly the worldwide abuse situation in the Catholic Church would bear this out but there have been lots of small indications of similar abuse in other religions which have not been believed or talked about for fear of being ostracised. Together these are a significant and sinister trend and It looks as if the pattern may be repeated and that the crimes in the Catholic Church are just the tip of a religious abuse iceberg.

Keith Budden, Rayleigh, Essex

The Potter books have become a cultural phenomenon. Something in them has struck a chord with children and adults. If the church wants to use them to spread its message, why not? In the past, churches used art to spread their message to people (think Michaelangelo, etc.)

Only now, instead of the church giving a commission to an artist, it's a little like the church taking a commission from the artist.

These are stories, and they don't pretend to be anything else. I don't understand the comments that are so negative about the Potter books. I think there's more danger from people who take the bible too literally than there is from people taking the work of JK Rowling too literally.

Walter Anastazievsly, Shoreview, MN, USA

What a despicable society we live in.

With Rowling herself and every commercially interested hanger-on we now have religion, on familiar territory, exploiting child impressionability. How has it become acceptable that we adults can make pots of money and further our own interests by selling to and proselytising the relatively undisciplined?

Religion may think 9-13 year olds are fair game to peddle there wares and ASDA, or whoever, to sell to parents of insistent children but surely we can bring them up without this stuff and still give them a sense of wonderment of the world around them.

Martin Hughes, Oxford, UK

Yet another good reason to thank God I'm a Catholic.

Paul Rodden, Ashby de la Zouch,

What a despicable society we live in.

With Rowling herself and every commercially interested hanger-on we now have religion, on familiar territory, exploiting child impressionability. How has it become acceptable that we adults can make pots of money and further our own interests by selling to and proselytising the relatively undisciplined?

Religion may think 9-13 year olds are fair game to peddle there wares and ASDA, or whoever, to sell to parents of insistent children but surely we can bring them up without this stuff and still give them a sense of wonderment of the world around them.

Martin Hughes, Oxford, UK

When a story teaches that one can use evil methods to produce good results, then it's teaching is not only seriously flawed, it's blatantly occult. The Rev. may want to consult his bible, namely: Exodus. 22:8; Gen. 41:8, Deut. 18:10 and Deut. 18:11

Kathleen, Nelson, British Columbia, Canada

So a church youthworker in Kent thinks we vastly underestimate the ability of children to separate "the real from the imaginary" as far as the Harry Potter tales are concerned.

How are they doing on that score as far as "gods" are concerned.....................?

Heredal, Edinburgh, UK

Children are only to capable of 'seperating the 'real from the imaginary' an ability only lacking in mature Anglicans, Tony Blair and GW Bush. Christianity's not dead, it's just starting to smell funny.....

Cassandra, Somerset, UK