Claim: An Evangelical Christian mom re-wrote the Harry Potter series to remove all references to witchcraft and wizardry, replacing them with "prayer and miracles."
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Example: [Collected via the email, September 2014]
Has a housewife really rewritten the Harry Potter stories into a conservative Christian novel? I've seen this several times in the past few days on Facebook
Origins: On 24 August, a Harry Potter-themed story was posted to FanFiction.Net, under the title "Hogwarts School of Prayer and Miracles." The author, whose pen name is "proudhousewife," stated that she posted the revision in order to allow her children to read the wildly popular young adult series without being exposed to themes of witchcraft.
The author of the religious Harry Potter fanfic, who identifies herself as "Grace Ann," explained:
Do you want your little ones to read books; and they want to read the Harry Potter Books; but you do not want them to turn into witches? Well-this is the story for you! This story has all the adventure of JKR's books; but will not lead your children astray. For concerned mommies everywhere! Blessings!
What follows is a re-imagining of Harry's first meeting with Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's groundskeeper Hagrid. In that scene, Hagrid comes to recruit Harry to Christianity and brings him back to Hogwarts.
In this particular fan tribute, Harry Potter is refashioned as an American, and the threat of Voldemort is interpreted as Congressional action to restrict "freedom of religion."
One of the later chapters features this excerpt:
Too many young men these days pressure young women into things undesired and forbidden. It is the mark of a true, old-fashioned gentleman to respect the fact that every young woman is another man's future wife. And we all know that it would be a dreadful, terrible sin to bring another man's wife into intimacy. Why does modern culture suddenly treat that as okay simply because he does not have her yet? Man's laws may permit it; but the laws of the Lord are not bound by time.
Hermione moved to push open the imposing, large door, but she struggled with the knob. It was quite a heavy door! But Harry was a good, devout Christian now. He would not have a young, godly girl struggling to open a door which he was perfectly capable of opening himself!
With the simple faith so often seen in little ones, Harry got down on his knees; and lifted his hands skyward; and shouted prayerfully, "Dear Lord, please open these doors; and allow me to enter my new home!"
With a loud, thunderous boom that echoed throughout the expansive, beautiful campus, the doors crashed open. Harry stood up piously as Hermione's jaw dropped. Now, she knew for certain that this was truly a man of the Lord!
Harry was about to step inside when Hermione grabbed his arm. He blushed once more.
"Wait, Harry!" Hermione uttered quickly. "There's something you should know."
"What is it?" Harry queried questioningly.
"My father says that dark times are coming," Hermione spoke worriedly. "There is a man named Voldemort who wants to destroy all that we stand for. He is pushing an agenda in congress which will stop us from practicing our faith freely."
"But that is what our founding fathers built this nation for!" Harry cried indignantly. "The freedom of religion!"
"Voldemort doesn't care," Hermione remarked sadly; and she shook her head. "And he is gaining power. The freedom of Christians to practice our faith is disappearing by the day. Soon, it will be like it was in Rome." Lovely, ladylike tears began to roll down her delicate, terrified face. "And I don't like lions!"
Hermione moved to push open the imposing, large door, but she struggled with the knob. It was quite a heavy door! But Harry was a good, devout Christian now. He would not have a young, godly girl struggling to open a door which he was perfectly capable of opening himself!
With the simple faith so often seen in little ones, Harry got down on his knees; and lifted his hands skyward; and shouted prayerfully, "Dear Lord, please open these doors; and allow me to enter my new home!"
With a loud, thunderous boom that echoed throughout the expansive, beautiful campus, the doors crashed open. Harry stood up piously as Hermione's jaw dropped. Now, she knew for certain that this was truly a man of the Lord!
Harry was about to step inside when Hermione grabbed his arm. He blushed once more.
"Wait, Harry!" Hermione uttered quickly. "There's something you should know."
"What is it?" Harry queried questioningly.
"My father says that dark times are coming," Hermione spoke worriedly. "There is a man named Voldemort who wants to destroy all that we stand for. He is pushing an agenda in congress which will stop us from practicing our faith freely."
"But that is what our founding fathers built this nation for!" Harry cried indignantly. "The freedom of religion!"
"Voldemort doesn't care," Hermione remarked sadly; and she shook her head. "And he is gaining power. The freedom of Christians to practice our faith is disappearing by the day. Soon, it will be like it was in Rome." Lovely, ladylike tears began to roll down her delicate, terrified face. "And I don't like lions!"
The Evangelical version of Harry Potter spilled onto the social web
While there is indeed a Christian Harry Potter fanfiction story circulating the internet, it isn't entirely clear whether the writer's intent was satirical or straightforward. Contrary to some rumors, there are no plans to create a published set of Harry Potter books without the troublesome witchcraft and wizardry.
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/harrypotter.asp#mDshvgZ3ZYEHc0Ex.99
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