In Rowling's FICTIONAL world magical abilities are genetic determinated (so they're not forces "beyond human control") and they are NOT paranormal powers given to people who deal with satan, occult or Wicca. And I will pray to my God that people like you won't dominate over us: people who are able to distinguish between FICTION and REALITY.

Justyna, you wouldn't have idea where, Poland

If I like reading mystery novels, do I violate the fifth of Ten Commandments? No, I don't because I'm not killing anybody.
If I love romances, do I violate the sixth Commandment? No because there's no real adultery on my side.
If I read fantasy, do I violate the first Commandment? No, I think not.

Your unwilligness to words "witchcraft" and "wizard/witch" reminds me of unwilligness to the word "marriage". Some people associate this word negatively (for various reasons) with everything that's bad in human relationships and so you do with "magic". Believe me human beings possess better ways to blackmail others than magic, satan and witchcraft...

Justyna, you wouldn't have idea where, Poland

In Rowling's FICTIONAL world magical abilities are genetic determinated (so they're not forces "beyond human control") and they are NOT paranormal powers given to people who deal with satan, occult or Wicca. And I will pray to my God that people like you won't dominate over us: people who are able to distinguish between FICTION and REALITY.

Justyna, you wouldn't have idea where, Poland

That's the problem. Dragons and broomstick-riding are mythical.

The realm of magic and spirits is not. And Rowling makes it all look like one can be mostly normal while still dabbling in spells and...dare I say it...witch- (and wizard-) craft.

About the most one should ever do along that line is pray to whatever God you believe in. There are terrible consequences for messing with forces beyond human control.

Jonathan, Omaha, USA

When you want to ban books because they include invented magic/mythological elements than you should condemn Tolkien, Lewis, Pratchett, Carroll, Pullman, Le Guin and thousand others, Jonathan...

Justyna, you wouldn't have idea where, Poland

Hmm...let's take a look at the plot of the Harry Potter series.

Long story short: the adventures of a young man with magical talent, sent off to a top-secret school of magic that is hidden and boboy-trapped against outsiders. He participates in learning spells and uses all sorts of magic tools in his daily life. (ex: the special binoculars he uses at the Quiddich game)

Sports consist of things like: stealing the eggs from dragons (which are of course mythical creatures) and riding on broomsticks to catch a magic ball.

Oh, I say, this couldn't possibly have anything to do with magic or...or *the occult*, would it? Dear me, heaven forbid!

Jonathan, Omaha, USA

What the teaching assistant doesn't seem to realize is that less and less kids are going outside to play make-believe anymore. Do you remember when you were younger and you would just think of the most random things, and then act them out. I was hardly ever indoors when I was younger. Now, that childlike excitement at just playing is being replaced by video games and television. I was babysitting a 2nd grader the other day and could not get her to leave the couch to play hide-and go-seek or jump roping or any other games because she refused to miss the "Hannah Montanna" marathon. And do you know the only way I got her to do anything? I had to get her a small bowl of ice cream so that she would play with her brother and I for about 45 minutes. This is pathetic!!! I think that JK Rowling is an amazing woman to be able to pull kids away from this mind-numbing world and give them an imagination. Also, I think that people need to actually read the Harry Potter books before they judge them.

Mandy M., Avon Lake, Ohio

Sariya Allan may well be oversensitivie. She may also have come from a part of the world where some sort of magic is practiced.
I get the impression the book was to be read on a 1:1 basis and she felt extremely uncomfortable about it. There must have been plenty of other books that could have been read.
I cannot help feeling people would be taking a different line if it were a Muslim being highly upset by having a certain book read to them.
I think the mother is stirring up trouble.
The remarks by various people about the book may well be reasonable, but the fact is Sariya had strong objections and has no one any sympathy for her feelings? Is this live and let live?
I have a feeling it is all about of the public to be offensive to Christians and their having no right of reply. That Christianity is a second class religion is implicit in a reply I have from the Home Office.

colin, Northampton,

So much for the twenty-first century. The Spanish Inquisition obviously didn't make a good job of burning the witches. And while we're at it, why not burn all the books as well? I am an atheist, but I would consider banning a child from reading the Bible a sin nonetheless. Will you please just live and let live?!

Suzana Žižek, Ljubljana, Slovenia

This lady needs to read a little more, Harry Potter is not only about witchcraft and spells, it is about what true friendship is, families sticking together (the Wesleys). How hard it is to grow up and deal with crazy grown ups. Try teaching discipliant to children.
This woman should be glad that in this cruel world there is a MAKE BELIEVE world for children to enjoy, not only children but adults.
It is up to a parent to decide what a child should and should not read.
People telling children they cannot say a prayer in school or taking under God out of the pledge of allegence is also taking someones freedom away and discriminating against a person. Why doesn't she fight that?
All this woman wants is a reason to sue.
I love to read these books and Narnia, Aragon, Lord of the Rings, it takes me away from this crazy world for a couple of hours.
God love books, if he didn't he would give the people the smart and imagination to write them.

Donna, Baltimore, Maryland

I think that everyone is entitled to there own opinion; however, pushing that opinion on others is inappropriate. As an educator this teacher should know better than to push her beliefs on a child. It all comes down to sensorship and If the child's parents did not have a problem with her reading Harry Potter then who is this woman to say she can't. If her beliefs are so strong that she cannot do her job in an appropriate way then in my opinion she should not be teaching (especially children).

Teri Mitchell , Holloman AFB, United States / New Mexico

Harry Potter....what a delight to have reading material that takes a child beyond the real world, and helps to develop the imagination. From such imagination and wonder, comes the development of the minds that discover cures for deseases, minds which think up new and less harmful ways to produce energy,,,imagination leads to new ideas, new inventions, new approaches to daily functions. I do recall adverse publicity when the series first came to the shelves...there were articles stating that the witchcraft could be harmful to the very youngest readers, as they still are not clear on what is actually real, and what is fantasy. There were indications that the incantations could be a harmful habit for the very young, as they may innocently experiment with actual witchcraft--in such play there could be danger. Children develop at different rates, and must be protected to some degree. Adults must act on the behalf of the innocent when necessary. Did this teacher feel the need to protect?

VH, Woodbury,

get over the witch craft thing already!!! harry potter is not bad for children to read. Its not real, so how could that be bad.

Liz, colo spgs, co

Wait, SHE'S suing the school for religious discrimination!? Let's suspend disbelief for just a moment and assume this child is reading the book because she is a witch:

By not letting the child read the book, isn't the aide discriminating against this child's religious beliefs? Apparently this TA believes that "religious discrimination" means not forcing all of humanity to be Christian. I wish the school had some way to counter-sue this moron, if for nothing else than dumbing down the judicial system and clogging up the courts.

Marie, Los Angeles, California

gosh.....i can't believe that someone would do that.....it is not her place to say what a child (not hers) can or can't read. and compensation for it too........she is just out for money not anything else.......i don't care if this woman thinks about Harry Potter, if she does not want to read it that is fine, but don't stop someone or a child for that matter from reading it, I just don't understand these types of people. READ WHATEVER YOU WANT TO!!!!!!

Amy, Raleigh, NC

I think there is nothing bad about the 7 year old reading Harry Potter books in class infact i used to read them all the time at school i love Harry Potter books no matter what happens i am a big fann of it my mum and brother love it aswell.

Thomas, Gateshead, Nsw

I think it is rather rediculous that the assistant teacher wouldnt let the 7 year old read the harry potter book. It would be the childs parents to decide what the child can read, not the teachers. I have 2 younger children and they love harry potter. Also I think this whole harry potter thing with the witch craft issue is dumb. There is nothing bad or evil about witch craft in a childrens book. If you read the books there's nothing bad about them. I think people need to get over the witch craft issue, especially in harry potter. Its so silly!!!

Liz, colo spgs, co

Its a BOOK! When will religious wackos stop trying to run everybody elses lives? If the teacher didnt like the book,she should've found someone else to help the child. Im glad she lost her job!!

Janae, Perry, Iowa

any good christain knows that only God reserves the right of judgement and their being judgementail of a fictional book that is loved by all and hated by only those who are too stuck in their backwood ways to see that they are being very hypocritical of their lord and savior. I bet Jesus likes Harry Potter ;-)

Felisha , Bean Station, Tn

How very Christian of her to ask for money. I'm Christian myself, and I think it's very stupid to not let a child read a book in a public area due to her own - not the child's or their parents' - beliefs. What the heck. What if the girl was Jewish?

Nestor , Pembroke Pines, FL

First of all, JKR has actually said in an interview that she is a Christian but keeps it quiet because she does not want people to use religious themes when discussing the books' outcomes. Secondly, that assistant has no right to tell any child what she cannot read unless it is her child. She should be glad that the child chose to read at all in today's society of television and video games and should also be glad that the child has found something else that captures her imagination.

If a different tool achieves the same ends as another (whatever book, regardless of theme, captures a child's interest and encourages reading), then the assistant has no right to speak against it to such an impressionable person as a seven-year-old.

Lisa, Indianapolis,

Born again .. ok I know everyone needs to find religion but that was really out of hand.. first of all being a kid once i remember that when you where at school you read books to leaarn how to read, most teacher encourged reading.. It also help w/ the imagination.. to be creative.. what gave her the right to take a book that her "PARENT " gave her to read for fun.. I thinks the the woman needs to go back to school herself and use her imagination.. when I read the books it takes me back to being a kid.. we all have to find our inner child some how.. geese lady get a grip.....

Erin , saint mary , GA

I wouldn't let my 7 year old read it either. There are many other great books for kids that age. Maybe when they are older and you can have a discussion about it, then I'll allow it.

Jacky, Jhb, SA

I love the Harry Potter books and think they are harmless fun, but I wouldn't let my seven-year old read them.

Mom, Virginia Beach, VA

the lady is a psycho, she shouldn't care about what the girl is reading anyway unless its her own daughter. Even if it was her own daughter she should still be allowed to read a completely harmless book that isn;t gona hurt anybody.

jim, nashua,

This is ridikulas!! lol! books are books...and i agree that she should just be happy this kid was reading. i have read the harry potter series 16 times...these are not real spells..AVADA KEDVRA!!

Lord Voldemort, trumansburg, ny

The sad thing about this Born Again, is she probably is a big fan of the "Narnia" series
and thinks witches, and talking animals in those books are O. K.
If she truly had faith that what she did was right, she wouldn't sue... because she would be at peace with her decision. By suing, she's is showing herself as just another greedy human looking for a fast fortune she doesn't have too work for.

BugGirl, Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Well. I think it's kind of stupid that any teacher would tell a child that she could not read a book based on weather or not the author is a witch. The Harry Potter series is pure fiction, by this teacher banning it isn't she saying that any kind of books that have witch's, wizards, dragons, or any magic using creatures should be banned for glorifying witchcraft......... Seems a little mental doesn't it.

missi, joplin, mo usa

Shocking that a born-again Christan halucinates over mythical fables like witchcraft, "real" spells, and the "disasteral" moral affects of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter is a rare book series that genuinly bridges the gap between adult and chilld. It's wonderful series and I am sadded to see such a thing happen to an innocent 7 year old girl. I am glad, however, that the school fired this lunatic.

Eric, Aurora, USA, Colorado

That is why multi-cultural education can't work. The adults can't agree what to teach the children. If the book contained golliwogs then the outcome would have been different, but it is still essentially the same issue.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

I too am a born again Christian and I happen to LOVE Harry Potter! I think that is a great series and am waiting anxiously for both the book and movie. I think its sad how people can write off a book because it has witchcraft..there is so much more to the books than that. I do not find it the least bit wrong for children to read.

Amanda, Evington, VA

J.K. Rowling states on her official Harry Potter website that she does not actually believe in magic. Therefore I suspect that it is unlikely that she has ever stated that she is a witch or that the spells are real. I daresay that Ms Allen has, with the best of intentions, fallen into the trap of believing hearsay from a source whose general views concur with her own, rather than checking the facts for herself. (But I am happy to stand corrected if J.K. Rowling proves to have maken inconsistent statements :)

Christie, Cambridge, UK

Born again Christian? Typical teacher.! If you don't get Christianity right the first time you have to do it again unti l you get it right.

martin, Cambridge,

OMG! People this days. First, she shouldn't care what the kid is reading, is not her kid anyway; second, her religion might not be the same as the religion that was set on the kid; third and lastly, the woman should be glad that the kid is reading, kids now like video games more than books.
Personally, I'm glad that she reads that book, after all, I'm a Harry Potter fan.lol. ^_^

Mariel, NY,Queens, U.S.A.

Interesting that she is claiming "£50,000 compensation for religious discrimination". Why then is she discriminating towards Wicken (or whatever) in the school by banning a book that contains possible references to it? Maybe there are other religions that don't think witchcraft is a "sin" at all. Are they not being discriminated against too, or is this a "born again" school?

I can't wait to hear the outcome of this one, I'm laughing already. These "Born against" lot are as bad as any other religion or cult for wanting to control everyone else. Listen guys it's very easy: Just be nice to everyone ok?

NevTheTech, Essex, UK

“I explained that I had a problem with Harry Potter as J. K. Rowling had proclaimed that she is herself a witch and that the spells mentioned in the books are actually real spells.”

Wow those are very good reasons *sarcasm*

First the series are fiction and second J.K. Rowling IS NOT a witch,
Her arguments are ridiculous and hilarious :D.

Oscar, Austin TX,

Firstly I would like to congradulate the school for taking the proper route of action. Secondly I would like to say that the Harry Potter has captured the attention and imagination of millions of children and adults alike. It makes no logical since to prevent a child or anyone from reading a good novel. If we as parents, mentors, teachers, and leaders take the choice to read any book away from a child or anyone we are saying that having an open mind and letting our imagination run free is a bad thing. And with that we deny our children the right to be children. Furthermore if one did the research on the"spells" used in the Harry Potter books they would realize that the "spells" are actually mainly based in latin and Greek. The creatures and villians are based in Greek mythology. I believe it is exteamly arrogant of anyone to ban the Harry Potter books. Our world is too torn in distruction to disallow the mind a bit of fun.

Felicia S, Charleston, SC, USA

I do believe they banned any reference to "God" in the HDM film, Jacqueline.

No, I have no idea how they'll manage that either, it being one of the main themes of the books and all ...

starling, Lancaster,

I hope they hexed her with boils.

starling, Lancaster,

They used to Section people who said they believed withcraft and spells were real. Now we are forced into paying them £50,000.

The girl has a right to read Harry Potter is she wants to. It does concern me that in today's world we seem to be continually descriminated against for not believing in a religion.

Ian, Manchester, UK

I think this is hilarious and I'm glad the school disciplined her. I'm astonished at the reasons the woman gave! All this relgious hysteria over Harry Potter is ridiculous. Firstly Harry Potter is fiction and most children understand that and secondly Harry Potter is a highly moral book dealing with issues such as racism, prejudice, genocide and tolerance. When I come across people like this woman who claim it is an evil book, I usually find they haven't actually read it all the way through.

I dread to think what these people would make of His Dark Materials (another highly moral book) and I am looking forward to their outbursts when the film comes out later this year.

Jacqueline, Leicester, UK