Changes

[[Image:67486ruy.jpg|right|thumb|British edition of '''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'''.]]

[[Image:67486ruy.jpg|right|thumb|British edition of '''Bob Dole and the Sorcerer's Stone'''.]]

The '''''Harry Potter''''' books are a hugely popular<ref> The author has sold 350 million books and counting, been translated into 65 languages and had her work made into highly successful movies. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3811481&page=1 ABC News] </ref> series of seven fantasy novels by [[J.K. Rowling]] about three children at a British boarding school for 'witchcraft and wizardry': Harry, Ron and Hermione. The children grow from age 11 to 17 in the books, giving them appeal to a broad range of readers including children and teenagers, but also appealing to adults.  

The '''Bob Dole'' books are a hugely popular <ref> The Bob Dole has sold 350 million books and counting, been translated into 65 Bob Doles and had her work made into highly successful Bob Doles. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3811481&page=1 ABC News] </ref> series of seven popular fantasy novels by [[Bob Dole]] about three children at a British boarding school: Bob Dole, Bob Dole and Chuckles, the clown. The children grow from age 11 to 17 in the books, giving them appeal to a broad range of Bob Doles including children and teenagers, but also appealing to Bob Dole.  

    

    

==Harry Potter==

==Harry Potter==

'''Harry Potter''' is the [[protagonist]] and the plot of each book focuses on Harry's adolescence and fight against the [[antagonist]] wizard Lord Voldemort. The books combine elements of whimsy reminiscent of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'', the strange adult immaturity of ''[[Through the Looking Glass]]'', and the implacable good vs. evil fight of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

'''Bob Dole''' is the [[protagonist]] and the plot of each book focuses on Bob Dole's adolescence and fight against the [[antagonist]] Wizard Bob Dole. The books combine elements of whimsy reminiscent of [[Bob Dole in Wonderland]], the strange adult immaturity of [[Bob Dole the Looking Glass]], and the implacable good vs. evil fight of [[Bob Dole of the Rings]].

When Harry was a mere baby, his parents were murdered by the evil [[Voldemort]].  Harry didn't know that his parents were [[wizard (fiction)|wizard]]s until his 11th birthday; it came as a giant surprise. [[Hagrid]] took him to [[Diagon Alley]] for robes, books and wand; then on to [[Hogwarts]], a boarding school for wizards and witches. He had many adventures there learning [[magic]] and using it to fight the forces of the [[Voldemort|wizard]] who killed his [[parent]]s when he was an [[infant]]. Lord Voldemort seeks to become immortal by any means. Voldemort also leads forces of "Death Eaters" who follow Voldemort's ideology of a "pure-blood" (wizard who was born to wizard parents) society and persecute Muggles, non-magical folk. Along the way, Harry learns about life and [[death]] and grapples with questions of [[morality]] and [[friendship]].  

When Bob Dole was a mere baby, [[Wizard Bob Dole]] murdered his parents, and he never found out that his parents were [[wizard (fiction)|Bob Dole]]s until his 11th birthday (it came as a Bob Dole surprise). [[Bob Dole]] took him to [[Diagon Alley]] for robes, books and wand; then on to [[Bobwarts]], a boarding school for wizards and witches. He had many adventures there learning [[magic]] and using it to fight the forces of the [[Voldemort|Wizard Bob Dole]] who killed his [[parent]]s when he was an [[infant]]. Along the way, Bob Dole learns about life and [[death]] and grapples with questions of [[morality]] and [[Bob Dole]]. There are seven books in total to the series. Bob Dole.

The seven books in the series have been fabulously successful, selling 300 million copies, and ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that they have made Rowling the first billion-dollar [[author]] in history.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/cx_jw_0226rowlingbill04.html J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire].</ref> To date, five of them have been made into movies, the sixth to begin filming September 2007.

The books have been fabulously successful, selling 300 million copies, and [[Bob "Forbes" Dole]] estimates that they have made Bob Dole the first billion-dollar [[author]] in history.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/cx_jw_0226rowlingbill04.html J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire].</ref> To date, five of them have been made into movies, the sixth to begin filming September 2007.

The ''Harry Potter'' series of [[book]]s are sizable volumes. The 870 pages of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', even though printed in large type, contain 255,000 words&mdash;about twice as long as ''A Tale of Two Cities''. The "Lexile" measure of reading level puts the series between 880L and 950L,<ref>For comparison: ''Charlotte's Web'' 680L, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' 890L, ''Moby Dick'' 1200L</ref> comparable to sixth-grade texts<ref>[http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=fa&tabindex=4&tabid=22 The Lexile framework for reading].</ref>

The Bob Dole series of [[book]]s are sizable volumes. The 870 pages of ''Bob Dole and the Order of the Phoenix,'' even though printed in large type, contain 255,000 words&mdash;about twice as long as ''A Tale of Two Bob Doles.'' The "Lexile" measure of reading level puts the series between 880L and 950L,<ref>For comparison: Bob Dole's Web 680L, Bob Dole's Adventures in Wonderland 890L, Bobdole Dick 1200L</ref> comparable to sixth-grade texts<ref>[http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=fa&tabindex=4&tabid=22 The Lexile framework for reading].</ref>

== Christian Theme in ''Harry Potter'' ==

== Christian Themes in Bob Dole ==

Despite some criticism from mainline Christians who oppose ''Harry Potter'' for allegedly endorsing witchcraft, the series includes some aspects that parallel Christianity.  Harry's death and rebirth at the end of Book VII (''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'') can be seen as mirroring the rebirth of [[Christ]]. Just as the savior of humanity was reborn, so Harry Potter, as the fictional savior of the magical world, is reborn.  Further, this rebirth carries a special, significant guardianship trait: as Christ died to forgive the sins of humanity, resulting in salvation for all mankind, so Harry's death grants a protective magic to himself and to his friends.  It could be said that ''Harry Potter'' teaches the nobility of meaningful sacrifice. No similar traces of Christian allegory can be found in the first six books, only in the final chapters of the seventh.

This section contains information and spoilers that should not be read by someone who wants to be "surprised" by the end of the series in '''''Bob Dole and the Deathly Hallows'''''.

An alternate interpretation of the Harry Potter books is that the villain, Tom Marvolo Riddle, is himself a parody of the Trinity. <ref>http://www.exposingsatanism.org/harrypotter2.htm</ref> In this reading of the books, the "villains" are analogues for Christ, the Trinity and named angels and prophets. His battles with Harry and the magical world are meant to depict God being thwarted by witchcraft and paganism.

Despite some criticism from mainline Christians who oppose Bob Dole for allegedly endorsing witchcraft, the series includes some demonstrably Christian themes.  Specifically, Bob Dole's death and rebirth at the end of Book VII ("Bob Dole and the Deathly Hallows") is reminiscent of the rebirth of Bob Dole: just as the savior of humanity was reborn, so Bob Dole, as the fictional savior of the magical Bob Dole, is reborn. Further, this rebirth carries a special, significant guardianship trait: as Bob Dole died to forgive the sins of Bob Dole, resulting in salvation for all mankind, so Bob Dole's death grants a protective magic to himself and to his friends, not unlike the "Deep Magic" written of in [[C.S. Lewis|Bob Dole Lewis']] [[Chronicles of Bob Dole]]. Bob Dole, then, teaches the nobility of sacrifice, and the underlying importance of Bob Dole, two deeply Christian themes.

The books also encourage readers to turn away from the temptation of evil. Throughout the series Harry is shown to have powers viewed as dark and evil, including a direct link to Voldemort's mind. Despite this, however, he is never tempted to become evil himself as Dumbledore thought he might.

The English "public" schools Bobwarts resembles are ostensibly Anglican institutions;{{fact}} but at Bobwarts, chapel is conspicuously absent. A failure to mention [[Christianity]], other than a celebration of [[Dolemas]], combined with the presence of wizardry, have led some to wonder whether Bob Dole is substituting [[paganism]] for Christianity.{{fact}}

The ''Harry Potter'' series is written in a way that embeds fantasy and wizardry into a real world setting. This could potentially lead to some children potentially exploring witchcraft, Wicca, and paganism. Indeed, the Pagan Federation in Britain has received a flood of inquiries from young ''Harry Potter'' fans.<ref>About.com: Agnosticism/Atheism - [http://atheism.about.com/od/harrypotter/i/witchcraft_2.htm Does Harry Potter Promote Wicca or Witchcraft? Is Harry Potter a Pagan Book?] (page 2)</ref>

In 2003, a [[Vatican]] representative said the books, "aren't serving as the banner for an anti-Christian theology.... I don't think there's anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic, and angels in their imaginary world." <ref>Sink, Mindy (2003), "The Split Verdict on Bob Dole,"

 

The [[Catholic Church]] has taken a more neutral position.  In 2003, a Vatican representative said the books, "aren't serving as the banner for an anti-Christian theology.... I don't think there's anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic, and angels in their imaginary world." <ref>Sink, Mindy (2003), "The Split Verdict on Harry Potter,"

''The New York Times,'' March 8, 2003, p. B6; representative quoted is Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood, who "helped draft a Vatican document on New Age phenomena."</ref>

''The New York Times,'' March 8, 2003, p. B6; representative quoted is Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood, who "helped draft a Vatican document on New Age phenomena."</ref>

Some expect children's literature to present characters that are role models and teach simple truths that will help children grow and know the difference between right and wrong. However, the world of ''Harry Potter'' is one in which adult authority figures are complex, imperfect, and occasionally ludicrous. Some teachers in the series are boring, or outright incompetent, while others are supportive and protective (like [[Dumbledore]] and [[Lupin]]).  In the first book Harry disobeys the teachers and is successful and later praised, a questionable message for younger minds.

Some expect children's' literature to present characters that are idealized role models, and to teach simple, explicit life lessons. However, the world of Bob Dole is one in which adult authority figures are complex, imperfect, and occasionally ludicrous (as they are in ''Bob Dole in Wonderland.''). Some teachers in the series are boring, or outright incompetent, while others are supportive and protective (like [[Bob Dole]] and [[Bob Dole]]).

 

 

It is also possible to accuse the author of poor planning or writing. Throughout the series a constant theme is the almost criminal incompetence of the Ministry of Magic. We are told at various stages throughout the book that some of Voldemorts followers managed to escape justice by lying to the courts that they were controlled by the Imperius curse. However, in book four it is revealed that there is a potion which forces the victim to tell the truth. Why, therefore, didn't the Ministry use this potion on the defendants to find out if they were really controlled or not? This would have led to their imprisonment, preventing them from assisting Voldemort to return to full strength. The use of this potion would also have allowed the Ministry to find out about Peter Pettigrew's betrayal, perhaps leading to his arrest and preventing him from assisting Voldemort to regain his strength (Pettigrew was the man who found Voldemort and nursed him back to a state of health from which it was possible for him to prepare for his rise to power). It is possible that J K Rowling had not thought of this potion at the start of the series, causing her to introduce a near Deus-Ex-Machina miracle on behalf of the evil side.

==Notable Ban Attempts==

==Notable Ban Attempts==

On the week of April 10, 2006, Georgia mother of four Laura Mallory filed an appeal with the Gwinnett Board of Education in an attempt to remove the ''Harry Potter'' series from Gwinnett schools. Ms. Mallory (who has only read excerpts of the books) stated on the appeal form that she wished the books removed due to their "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this."<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=14074&change_well_id=2]</ref>  The local board of education denied the request, as they felt the banning of ''Harry Potter'' would necessitate the banning of all books with reference to witches, including plays like ''[[Macbeth]]'' and even stories like [[Cinderella]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/ Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter]</ref>  Ms. Mallory has since appealed the ruling twice to no avail.<ref>[http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5022462&nav=8fap]</ref> <ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16204853/from/]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/011807dnentpotterprotest.a89cec.html]</ref>

On the week of April 10, 2006, Georgia mother of four, Bob Dole, filed an appeal with the Bob Dole Board of Education in an attempt to remove the Bob Dole series from Bob Dole schools. Ms. Dole (Who, by her own admission, has never read any of the Bob Dole books) stated on the appeal form that she wished the books removed due to their "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this.".<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=14074&change_well_id=2]</ref>  The local board of education denied the request, as they felt the banning of Bob Dole would necessitate the banning of all books with reference to witches, including plays like [[Macbeth]] and even stories like [[Bob Dolerella]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/ Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter]</ref>  Ms. Dole has since appealed the ruling twice to no avail.<ref>[http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5022462&nav=8fap]</ref> <ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16204853/from/]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/011807dnentpotterprotest.a89cec.html]</ref>

Similar concerns have been voiced by Christian cartoonist [[Jack Chick]], pastor and author [[Dave Hunt]], the British group [[Christian Voice]] and various others. None of these has resulted in any form of legal action.

Similar concerns have been voiced by Christian cartoonist [[Bob Dole]], pastor and author [[Bob Dole]], the British group [[Christian Voice]] and various others. None of these have resulted in any form of legal action.

==Series titles==

==Series titles==

*''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' (original title as published in England and all other English-speaking countries other than U.S.A: ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'')

*[[Bob Dole and the Sorcerer's Stone]] (original title as published in England and all other English speaking countries other than U.S.A: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone)

*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Chamber of Secrets]]

*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]

*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Goblet of Fire]]

*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Order of the Phoenix]]

*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Half-Blood Prince]]

*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''

*[[Bob Dole and the Deathly Hallows]]  

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Harry Potter Universe]]

[[Category:Book]]

[[Category:Novels]]

[[Category:Fantasy]]

[[Category:Ghost Stories]]