From: JMason at Scholastic.com <JMason>
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 12:24:42 -0500

At Scholastic, we regret that some people think children should not be exposed to the Harry Potter books, for fear that they will be corrupted by witchcraft. We do not believe such fears are warranted - we believe the books are harmless, humorous fantasies, based on good morals. We feel the books depict evil, but do not condone it or promote it. However, we respect your differing opinion. Your post (below) is the most direct statement that I have read so far expressing this fear that witchcraft is real and can be dangerous, and that reading a book like Harry Potter might actually cause readers to practice witchcraft, and that this might lead them to commit heinous crimes.

Now, could you please take this one step further? Could you cite for us any actual instances of crimes that have been committed recently, that have been proven to have been motivated or influenced by the practice of witchcraft, of the type portrayed in the Harry Potter books? If so, can it be shown that any such crimes were committed by people who were led into practising witchcraft by reading a children's fantasy book? What I am looking for is evidence - in the real world - that reading the Harry Potter books could directly influence someone to commit a crime, who would not otherwise have committed it. I would be interested to hear from you with any "chapter and verse" backing up your assertion.

John Mason, Associate Marketing Director Scholastic, 555 Broadway, New York, NY 10012999 Phone (212) 343v07 Fax(212) 343v04 email: jmason at scholastic.com
Received on Mon 29 Nov 1999 11:24:42 AM CST