Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Letter from Elaine Cunningham. Topic: Banned books

Epona · 09-18-2001, 05:15 AM

I recall hearing that the Harry Potter books had been banned from schools in some states because they argue the stories promote paganism (in some people's eyes this is muddled with satanism, not at all the same thing) because the main characters are wizards and perform magic or something like that.
Some people are just small minded, unfortunately they form quite a powerful lobby in some areas.

Banning does happen in Britain - Reservoir Dogs was banned from VHS release for ages because it was 'too violent'. During the gulf war some songs were banned from radio air-play (Queen's 'Another one bites the dust' and a few others). The BBFC - British Board of Film Censors - was set up originally to prevent any portrayals or mention of class on our screens - the early banned/censored films were often political or social comment. Now they mainly concern themselves with violence and sex, although politics does still fall foul of their moralism. Many films from the states are released here in shortened version, because the BBFC will only allow release with some scenes removed.

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Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.

Epona of The Laughing Hyenas
Proud winner of the 'Most Useless Post 250 Has Ever Seen' Award 2001. "I'd just like to thank my friends and family, without whom none of this would have been possible..."

09-18-2001, 05:15 AM	#12
Epona Zartan Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: London, England Age: 54 Posts: 5,164	I recall hearing that the Harry Potter books had been banned from schools in some states because they argue the stories promote paganism (in some people's eyes this is muddled with satanism, not at all the same thing) because the main characters are wizards and perform magic or something like that. Some people are just small minded, unfortunately they form quite a powerful lobby in some areas. Banning does happen in Britain - Reservoir Dogs was banned from VHS release for ages because it was 'too violent'. During the gulf war some songs were banned from radio air-play (Queen's 'Another one bites the dust' and a few others). The BBFC - British Board of Film Censors - was set up originally to prevent any portrayals or mention of class on our screens - the early banned/censored films were often political or social comment. Now they mainly concern themselves with violence and sex, although politics does still fall foul of their moralism. Many films from the states are released here in shortened version, because the BBFC will only allow release with some scenes removed. ------------------ Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so. Epona of The Laughing Hyenas Proud winner of the 'Most Useless Post 250 Has Ever Seen' Award 2001. "I'd just like to thank my friends and family, without whom none of this would have been possible..."