Banned Books Webquest – Banned for The Occult


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The occult is “knowledge of the hidden” or “knowledge of the paranormal,” as opposed to facts and “knowledge of the measurable,” usually referred to as science. Although it is difficult to define, for some, it simply represents a fascinating sphere of paranormal activity and mystery, while to others, it implies sorcery and dark intentions.

All of the Harry Potter Books have been censored. They were proposed for removal by a teacher’s prayer group at the high school in Russell Springs, KY (2002) because the book deals with ghosts, cults, and witchcraft.

In 2020, a pastor at St. Edward Catholic School in Nashville (TN) expressed concern about the heretical lessons students could learn from the series. He consulted exorcists, and removed the books from the school’s library. “These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception,” he explained. “The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text.”

Sources

Banned Books 2020– Harry Potter Series.” Marshall Libraries, Marshall University, 12 August 202o, https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/harry-potter-series/

Doyle, Robert P. “Books Challenged or Banned in 2002-2003.” Chicago: American Library Association, 2003.

Other reasons books are banned:


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