is this the true face of evil?

Nothing the Shrub admin did would surprise me- it's sort of like a kiddies version of negative rating MyLotters who disagree with you. It was John Stuart Mill who once said (and I paraphrase, 'cause I can't put my hands on the actual quote at the moment): You don't have to be stupid to be a conservative, but most conservatives are stupid. And censorship is indubitably a conservative's sin.

I might take a slight issue with your rating of Potter. I don't actually consider the series as strictly kiddies books, else I, my partner, and countless thousands of other supposed oldies are actually kiddies in disguise. I found it a cracking good set of stories with a lot to say about tolerance and ethical behaviour. As an initiated witch I don't consider the series to actually have much to do with witchcraft at all, more ceremonial magic, but that's nit-picking a bit.

Lash

it looks like it is coming from fundamentalist christians - be good to hear some americans on this one because the states seems to be where it is happening. (promise i won't call your country names. well not this time...). i did a search on harry potter and witchcraft and got pages of gumph. here's a good one [at end so you can click] on harry potter not only encouraging witchcratft but also homosexuality. i remember readying blyton when i was little - and while she is incredibly irritating to adults for children her books are great adventure stories (well most of them). certainly don't think i picked up any snobbish or racist attitudes from them either. in fact i never noticed the occasional appearence of these - just enjoyed the stories: http://www.christiantoday...

By the way, what exactly is the "pe" topic that I have just answered in?

Lash

[tries to answer before thea does]. i set it up, stands for private eye, a very good satirical magazine. wanted a vague title but mrs walrus disapproves.

And just when did I lose my spot, I'm a bit lost on that one I'm afraid.
Enid Blyton is not just kiddies books jb, just think how many miserable hours I whiled away whilst on my death bed with a cold or some such thing, re reading the great Malory Towers books. Unfortunatley I didn't bring them over with me which I regret to this day, presuming they were girls books and my son might not want to read them. I shall now take on Granpa in his own box.

well to be honest i know that a lot of adults read harry potter but aren't all that keen on them myself - they're ok but i've seen what i think is better children's fantasy. i don't really go in for any kind of fantasy (with the occasional exception) now although i liked it as a child. you've brought up wicca i take it - don't know all that much about it myself but what i can tell it's a harmless, peaceful kind of religion. some people apparently get their idea of a witch from hansel and gretel or something. shakespeare? get some props if i was you - a cauldron, some obscure bits of animals, an oven certainly, a broom, and the complsory evil cackle. should do the trick nicely.

Ah, gently points out, in Wicca (at least the style I studied) third degree initiation is High Priest/ess level, and the paraphernalia has been long in place, including making and consecrating my own wand (oak) and athame (hand-worked cast iron blade), plus a couple of other hand-crafted items of personal significance. The evil cackle is optional, and my long practised and polished lascivious chuckle doubles for both.

Lash

Goodday to you grandpa_lash, I in no way degnigrated any potter books and nor would I until I read them for myself and formed my own opinion. But I know indeed that I don't tend to enjoy the same reading material as my ten year old these days, but would probably have done so when I was ten. Of oourse if you can assure me they are full of rampant serial killers reduced to cannabalism atop a snow encrusted mountain, while hiding out in Afgani burkas, or whatever my latest interest is, then I shall duly borrow a copy from my son.

I should add for the record that I have no interest in religionism or witchraft and would personally choose to leave them out of my reading mat

So, are you a fan of Enid Blyton yourself young sir?

evil chuckle is not that good. do you have a diabolical snigger as well? satanic giggle perhaps. anyway as i said i don't know all that much about it but am pretty certain that getting your idea of it from old children's stories is not all that sensible.

Thea, I didn't say denigrated, I said underrated, but in fact that comment should have been made to jb not you.

Lash

Well, Thea, I missed the question about Blyton. It was so long ago for me, 55 years or more since I read them, but as a child I adored the Famous Five and the Secret Seven. I don't actually remember Noddy too well. There was another writer around at that time, Arthur Ransome, who wrote a series of children's books of which I can only now remember one title - Picts and Martyrs - but there was one where the family of children mapped an island, with progressively more extensive and detailed maps appearing as the book progresses. There was something about mastadons too, if I remember correctly.

Lash

My mum got a bit upset when one of my work colleagues suggested i go to he witch in her village to try and get pregnant! I had to expalin that it was only herbalism and a type of praying, wishing for good luck before she realised that I wouldn't have spells cast on me!!! And she's a very intelligent woman

Personally I can't understand why of all the books he has my ten year old refuses to show the slightest interest in 'The Borrowers' which is an amazing yarn. But no doubt it could be conceivalby attacked as promoting stealing or being politcally incorrect about small people. Thank goodness censorship has not spread over here, can't see any of this nonsense being allowed out here, unless the EU sticks on another fine for us being politically incorrect.

the borrowers is awesome!!! they cannot ban that! they have kids books about pooing on people's heads!!

Yeah, whats worse, invading two countries for extremely tenuous reasons, or inventing a fantasy world for children to enjoy???

I'll have to think about that one!

tricky that is.

hello harry potter fan. here have a cauldron. . yes i was wondering a bit too why lord of the rings hadn't come up when i started looking into this. mind you the equally demonic buffy and charmed did.

Was my hunky Angel in there with Buffy and Charmed?

probably

well agree with all of that pretty much. hey if let's say 5%of any population are idiots do they get listened to more when they are more of them even though they will still be equally outnumbered? do you also think it might be also something to do with larger populations polarising more?

Probably, plus a lot of communities in america are more cut off than the smaller communities in England, so things like relgion become much more important to them and local spokespeople can have more of an influence. If that makes sense.

harry potter is subtlely spreading bible madness? eeek

I meant that it is madness to think in the way that some biblicists do if they think there is harm in childrens stories. There have always been such stories since tales were first told. The biblical references pertaining to this i would just say are very misguided.

. well could well be true...

exactly - kind of an hysterical reaction really i think.

to be fair i don't know all that much about this medal - it seems to be a bit more general than just protecting us security judging from this though:

"The medal is given to "individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours". During the Bush administration, it was awarded to individuals including Tony Blair, Harper Lee, Muhammad Ali, Alan Greenspan, Nelson Mandela, Doris Day and Charlton Heston."

what do you prefer that they read?

I prefer they read something that reinforces the Christian values we try to show them... though we are not always successful, lol. Classics, financial books such as Rich Dad Poor Dad. Dont get me wrong our children are older now... youngest is 15 and we are open to listening to their reasoning if they choose a book, movie or music that we feel is not appropriate. I will read, watch or listen with them and then we discuss it. We are very proactive and not just mini dictators lol.

to be fair i do not agree with trying to shape children's thinking by deciding they can only read books that present your own viewpoint. this does not encourage independent thinking. they will listen to you more than what they read anyway.