(U-WIRE) BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Harry Potter buzz is causing a stir for devout Catholics.

It has become recent news that the Pope is firmly against the series, as stated to the author of an “anti-Harry Potter” book. In a letter to the author, the Pope said “It is good that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because these are subtle seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.” This statement was made in 2003 when the Pope was still a cardinal.

We think the whole situation has been taken out of perspective. The line between non-fiction and imagination has become hazy.

Groups are getting together to rip pages out of the new book and even going as far as to burn it. Can you imagine the reaction a child would have to see their favorite book burned in front of them?

What we need to realize is that these kids are reading. Instead of wasting hours on end watching cartoons and subjecting themselves to inappropriate television shows, these children are picking up books and reading for hours. They’re tapping into their imagination instead of zoning out in front of the TV. Using their imaginations allows children to be creative and show their creativity.

Seeing kids get very excited about reading a 700 page book should be a good thing and not considered sacrilegious.

It’s impossible to protect children from everything all the time, but at least it can be comforting knowing they are in their room reading a children’s book instead of wasting their intelligence in front of a TV.

Staff Editorial

Indiana Daily Student (Indiana U.)