Pastor Shreds 'Harry Potter' Books
Minister says book promotes witchcraft and pagan religion
Kathy Ishizuka -- School Library Journal, 1/1/2003
A Lewiston, ME, group ceremonially shredded copies of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets the night before a film version of the novel was scheduled to open nationwide. The November 14 event marked the grand finale to an anti-Harry-Potter campaign led by Rev. Douglas Taylor, who objected to the bestseller's alleged promotion of witchcraft and pagan religion.
"I feel like I'm in a cutting mood tonight," Taylor told about 30 followers outside the local Ramada Inn before leading them to destroy copies of the second volume of J. K. Rowling's fantasy series.
About 25 Harry Potter supporters protested nearby. "I've been branded by Potter fans as a chief muggle," Taylor told the Portland Press Herald, referring to the book's description of nonbelievers of the magical world of wizards. "And I would feel bad if I didn't live up to their expectations."
Taylor and his ministry, the Jesus Party, had staged a similar ceremony in 2001 before the opening of the first Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Taylor had originally wanted to burn the books, but city officials would not grant him the necessary permit.
