A Catholic school has banned Harry Potter for fear of raising demons
The chaplain at a private school in Nashville, Tennessee, has had the Harry Potter books removed from the school library, due to a very unusual concern. You might expect that it’s because he thinks the pupils could be turned into Centrists by an admiration for the books’ author, or worse still, that they might start wandering into out-of-bounds areas of the school looking for mysteries to solve.
But no – the Reverend Dan Reehil fears the spells in the book might conjure something other than a desire for snot-flavoured jelly beans. He wrote, in an email:
“These books present magic as both good and evil, which is not true, but in fact a clever deception. 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,”
He further claimed that he had taken advice from a number of exorcists, although we can only hope that number wasn’t 666. The information found its way onto Twitter.
Harry Potter books removed from Catholic school 'on exorcists' advice' | Books | The Guardian https://t.co/ReH9mZVnNr
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) September 2, 2019
Of course, people had opinions, and they weren’t afraid to share them.
"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," said Rev. Dan Reehil, who reveres a zombie as his lord and savior. https://t.co/S1sSu7mvQx
— shauna (@goldengateblond) September 2, 2019
The irony in banning a book readers know is fictional because you refuse to admit your own favorite book is also fictional. 🙄
— Gingersnap 🌈🥀🍷🍪🖋️🦄 (@TheCheekyGinger) September 3, 2019
If Catholicism wants to go up against Harry Potter, the smart money is on HP. https://t.co/8fYoTsgO1c
— Capitol Hill Books (@chbooksdc) September 3, 2019
This morning the school reluctantly admitted they're finding the Sorting Hat useful. https://t.co/NDKpOzRmWR
— Just Bill (@WilliamAder) September 3, 2019
Their school has an exorcist. My school yelled at me for taking two chocolate milk cartons https://t.co/SEKQegqW9F
— amricanidiot (@amricanidiot_) September 3, 2019
Sh*t biscuits we’re finally safe folks! Hopefully that public school down the street doesn’t accidentally do any conjuring. #boo #nicetrycasper https://t.co/XhWqAf1A5c
— yeggrumpy (@yeggrumpy) September 2, 2019
Film writer, Scott Weinberg, had an entirely valid question.
quick question what year is it in tennessee https://t.co/Plq2jnYXyn
— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) September 3, 2019
Whilst, comedian Luis Gomez suspected the spell nonsense might be a cover for some different nonsense.
Don’t be fooled. This is about Dumbledore being gay. https://t.co/4SdPJ2eq5c
— Luis J. Gomez (@luisjgomez) September 2, 2019
Expecto homophobia.
Source: Guardian Image: Artem Maltsev on Unsplash, Twitter screengrab
