The topic I have chosen to research for the online website I have created is �Harry Potter, Magic and Religion�. I will be exploring the different uses of magic within the stories and the similarities these wizardry techniques have to existing religions, such as Witchcraft (Wicca). There are parallels present within the Harry Potter books and certain religion practices. I wish to find these parallels and discuss the motivation for using them in the stories, and the message that is pushed forward on the readers and viewers as a result. The success of the stories themselves is evidence that many people, adults and children, are exposed to the promotion and demotion of certain religion practices (which I will discuss), which of course has an effect on the fans and society in general. My goal is to find and identify those effects and determine whether or not the magic used in Harry Potter is a fantasy that was created by an imaginative mind to entertain fans, or a representation of an already existing religion that is being promoted through a unique story.
Sources
Academic
Boston, Rob. (2002). Withc hunt: why the religious right is crusading to exorcise Harry Potter from Public schools and Libraries. 55 (3), 56-60.

Komschiles, Jacqui. (2000). The perils of Harry Potter. 44 (12), 113-115.

Innocent, Monk (2001). Potter field: Harry Potter and the popularization of witchcraft. 37 (5), 241-255.

Ballard, S B. (2000). Thoughts on Harry Potter: Wizardry, Good and Evil. 82 (1) 173-175.

Leblanc, Douglas. (2004). Looking for God in Harry Potter. 48 (10) 111-112.
Internet
Retrieved October 17, 2006. Is Harry potter Harmless? Web site: http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/harrypotter.html

Cline, Austin. Retrieved October 15, 2006. Is Harry Potter a Christian Allegory? Does Harry Potter Teach Christianity? Web site: www.atheism.about.com/od/harrypotter/i/christianity.htm

Cline, Austin. Retrieved October 15, 2006. Does Harry potter Promote Wicca or Witchcraft? Is Harry Potter a Pagan Book?  Web site: http://atheism.about.com/od/harrypotter/i/witchcraft.htm 

Retrieved October 17, 2006. Various Perspectives on Harry Potter. http://www.apologeticsindex.org/p03.html

Retrieved October 12, 2006. Harry Potter, What Does God Have To Say? Web site: http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract7.html

Retrieved October 14, 2006. The Harry Potter Books have nothing to do with Witchcraft. Web site: http://paganwiccan.about.com/library/blharrypotter.htm

Paajanen, Terri. Retrieved October 15, 2006. What is Wicca? An Introduction to our Religion. Web site: http://paganwiccan.about.com/cs/whatiswicca/a/aawhatiswicca.htm


Eaton, Daniel. Retrieved October 16, 2006. The Harry Potter Controversy: Does Harry Potter promote Witchcraft or the Occult? http://www.atlantaapologist.org/harrypotter.html

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved October 16, 2006. Harry Potter. Web site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter

Retrieved October 17, 2006. Harry Potter Controversy. Web site: http://www.cbn.com/special/HarryPotter/
Books
Rowling, J.K. (1997). Harry Potter The Philosopher�s Stone. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast Books.

Rowling, J. K. (1998). Harry Potter Chamber of Secrets. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast Books.

Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast Books.
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