The Uninspired Manifesto

Who is James Dobson? Why, he's the head of the evangelical group 'Focus on the Family'; you know, the group that's responsible for destroying everything I love, from rap music to porn. Anyway, given the release of the final Harry Potter book is taking up headlines in newspapers across the country, he might as well get his two cents in.

According to the Washington Post, Dobson recently praised the series:

Christian parenting guru James Dobson has praised the Potter books. Catholic News Service, an entity of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has put them on its list of recommended children's books.

But, according to the 'Focus' website, the Post article was mistaken, and cited comments made on Dobson's radio program years earlier:

Dr. James Dobson wants all friends of Focus on the Family to know about an error involving him that appeared on Page 1 of Wednesday's Washington Post. In a story about Christians' views on the Harry Potter books and films, reporter Jacqueline Salmon wrote that "Christian parenting guru James Dobson has praised the Potter books."

This is the exact opposite of Dr. Dobson's opinion — in fact, he said a few years ago on his daily radio broadcast that "We have spoken out strongly against all of the Harry Potter products." His rationale for that statement: Magical characters — witches, wizards, ghosts, goblins, werewolves, poltergeists and so on — fill the Harry Potter stories, and given the trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology in the larger culture, it's difficult to ignore the effects such stories (albeit imaginary) might have on young, impressionable minds.

First, let me make it clear that there is no love lost between me and the Harry Potter series. I have never liked the books and I hated the movies even more. Not because of any idealogical differences, mind you, but rather just because they suck. Still, I would never protest or discourage others from reading the books because I'm not an fascist asshole that wants to control people. Mr. Dobson, if you want to talk about the effects of made-up stories on impressionable young minds, why don't we look at all the indoctornation parents force on children through the Bible, in some cases bordering on fucking child abuse. Don't criticise a book brave enough to be labeled fiction when it makes more fucking sense than your holy book.