.: Articles / Harry's Harshest Critic Speaks Out

Harry’s harshest critic speaks out, by Sharon Swanepoel

The Loganville Tribune Published June 29, 2007

LOGANVILLE - Loganville mother and ordained minister Laura Mallory has spent the past two years locked in a battle to have the Harry Potter books removed from the Gwinnett County School libraries.

Mallory claimed in a case that garnered international attention the books indoctrinate children in witchcraft.

Opponents say they simply spark imagination and encourage children to read.

Last month Mallory’s attempts were again struck down — this time by the Gwinnett County Superior Court. Her first four attempts, with the school administrators, an appeals committee, the Gwinnett County Board of Education and then the Georgia Board of Education, were equally unsuccessful.

Mallory’s opponents say she is a religious zealot who is simply attempting to interfere with the separation of church and state and get religion back in schools. Mallory gives some of her reasons for taking up the fight in the interview that follows.

What first prompted you to take on the Gwinnett County School System over the Harry Potter books?

The books were in my children’s classrooms and the principal told me anything in the libraries can be used in the classrooms. According to Dr. Lisa Eickholdt, a witness for the school board, the books are being used as “text” in the classrooms, read aloud to children with reading difficulties and they’re taking field trips to the movies.

Then I began to research the books and study their effects on today’s children and youth. I came across “Harry Potter — Witchcraft Repackaged — Making Evil Look Innocent,” a video documentary by occult expert Cary Matriciana and, overwhelmed by what I found out, I began to do more research and felt I could not be silent.

Did you expect to garner so much international attention?

No, I never expected any of that. It was quite a shock to me and my family.

Did you expect to receive so much opposition from the courts?

I believed in the merits of this case from the beginning and, along with other parents, we made every effort to present the truth about these books and really expected them to listen. We mentioned the 1985 case where “Deenie,” by Judy Blume, was removed from the schools, so there’s a precedent.

Regarding one of the system level hearings, I was told it was the best debate they ever had and the vote was not unanimous. That was the first time an actual witness, a teenager, testified about what I had only researched. She brought a face to the issue and her incredible story encouraged me not to quit.

I think the turning point in the case was probably when the school board brought in a lawyer and I didn’t. But they know I spoke the truth, and they’re accountable for it and the lives of these young people.

You said the books weren’t just available but were used as text. Do you have an example of this?

Yes, several. At the school board hearing and to the shock of the hearing officer, Eickholdt proudly admitted, “I’ve used it as a text.” This proved my case right there, but the media and their lawyer tried to make the case just about the libraries.

Eickholdt also testified that she read the books aloud to children with reading difficulties and referred to “Harry Potter” as a “book of miracles.” A Gwinnett County resident came and testified about them being used in her son’s classroom along with posters on the wall.

The most profound example is that of a brave teenager who testified at the hearing, who for her privacy and protection will remain anonymous.

She was assigned one of the books in elementary school and testified how it led her and her friends to experiment with witchcraft and into the Wicca religion.

What do you say in response to those who say Harry Potter is no different than such classics as Peter Pan?

Please do your own research. There is a far cry difference between Harry Potter and all the rest. Never before has there been a children’s book series portraying witchcraft and sorcery as good, fun and normal for children. Harry and the “good” characters are children who learn and practice witchcraft just like the evil characters.

There are at least 11 real occult/witchcraft practices in the books, according to occult experts and former witches/Wiccan high priests.

Do you think what you are doing is simply an attempt to impose your spiritual beliefs on others in the school system?

Not at all. Our country was founded on Biblical values and beliefs, hence our nation’s amazing success. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” — Psalm 33:12. A Biblical world view was taught in the public schools and only as recent as 1962 and 1963 did that begin to change, when the Bible and prayer were removed from our schools by the U.S. Supreme Court in the cases of Engel versus Vitale and the case of atheist Madeline Murray O’Hair.

Looking at statistics, it’s shocking how dramatically education and moral standards have dropped since then. I think the atheists’ views were/are imposed, and it certainly hasn’t helped but hurt our country, our schools and our children.

Would you have attempted to remove the books from the public school system if you had another option?

If my children had not had Harry Potter in their own classrooms, I would never have filled out the first form.

From there, it was just, “don’t quit.” Vouchers were not an option and our tax dollars go to these schools whether our children attend or not. I also requested the school system to implement some Christian fiction, but that has not been done.

There is an undeniable bias against Christianity today in our schools, and I believe it’s time to take a stand.

Have you had any support from other organizations?

Yes, from the Christian Law Association, but they were unable to represent me due to their case load. Also, prayer support from the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and numerous Christians across the country who have contacted me. I’m grateful for their help, prayers and support.

Has this been an expensive fight?

Somewhat, but I’ve had help from various individuals who I can thankfully now call friends.

Is the issue over for you now or are you looking at other options?

We’re praying about the next step. This battle is the Lord’s, who calls witchcraft an abomination and detestable. I am just the messenger. I did just recently receive an e-mail into our Web site, www.HisVoiceToday.org, from a Gwinnett County teacher stating she caught kids in her classroom casting spells.

She said, “Shortly after your case made news a year ago, Scholastic had a book fair at my school in which they sold the book ‘Wizardology’ alongside ‘Harry Potter.’ The book came to my attention when I found a group of students huddled over the book casting spells in my class. My complaint to the media specialist was met with rolled eyes. My principal took the complaint a little more seriously and the book hasn’t been back in the book fair since. I thought you might find this interesting since the book ‘Wizardology’ is ‘non-fiction’ and comes with several interactive tools, including tarot cards. The book teaches spells, how to read palms and encourages kids to attempt flying on a broom. The book is out of my school, but I can only wonder how many copies scholastic has sold by placing it right next to Harry Potter at other school book fairs.”

So, no, I don’t think it’s over. Scholastic knows that sorcery sells, the market is our children and the marketplace is our schools. It’s time to wake up.