The British TV Christmas Day screening of Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone has been blasted by church leaders.

Religious figures have condemned the BBC network for showing the 2001 movie over the festive season as they believe JK Rowling's wizardry tale is sending out the wrong message.

A Church of England spokesperson says: "The BBC has picked the least suitable time to show it.

"Harry Potter portrays witchcraft and black magic in a fictional way but it is capitalising on the supernatural."

A BBC spokesperson comments: "Harry Potter is one of the most popular family movies in recent years."

Source

Religion needs to learn how to shut the hell up. People like harry potter. Let them watch it. Stupid religous fanatics.

oh jeeze its a movie! so what if it portrays black magic! if you dont want your kids to watch it because it might "spoil" their minds, then dont let them. lock the tv away somewhere. dont ban it for everyone

Oh for petes sake.

Do WE get angry when something like Passion of the Christ is played on a NON-religious day?? Nope, because Atheists, unlike religious types especially christians, learn to actually be understanding and tolerant of other peoples views.
God, religion makes me sick sometimes.

She's a witch! Burn her!!

I am glad that it's not just America where this stupidity is rampant.

our legions of the church of england might be persuaded by this "movie". just like we come over to your house and try to convince you to be one of ours...doesn't make any sense...blah, blah, blah ,blah, blah....shout and pout...that's all i hear...my 3yr old nephew could do better...

Hmm...are they sure it's the philosopher's stone?

Yes, no other Harry Potter is even close to making it to normal TV yet.

Yes

and what message is this exactly?

That's the original title of it. The US changed it to 'Sorcerer's" for some reason.

Because america likes to be different. They think they are the ones being unconformitory (i think that's a word)

"That's the original title of it. The US changed it to 'Sorcerer's" for some reason."


hmmmm....i wonder why???? you know i worked with 2 employees that refuse to show thier kids any of the harry potters or lord of the rings...why??? they said because it for religious reasons...lol

oh no! not lord of the rings

Because it deals with something outside of religion i guess.

I've never heard of 'Sorcerers' Stone. Weird. And stupid, there are no sorcerers in Harry Potter!

I knew it!!!

Harry Potter is EVIL!!! EVIIIIIIIL!!!!

My guess for the title change is they did not think American kids would understand that by 'Philosopher' Rowling meant alchemist, who is a sort of magician. Poor, stupid American kids aren't given any credit.

they have so much faith in us American kids

I bet it was an American who saw to it aswell, the way some of you TV shows seem to think you cant even spell your own names is ridiculous.

that and americans can't handle the truth...sorry USA we are a whole bunch a softies... but wait...that means we are right right??? we are sheltering ourselves from bad influences from outside...he..he..

Juliea...Julie...Jula...Juila

One other thing about the HP books when they crossed the Atlantic--have you other Americans seen the cover art for the UK versions of the books? It's gorgeous! I bought my copy of Prisoner of Azkaban in Amsterdam and the cover's just vastly superior to that strange, sorta modern art- looking Harry Potter covers we get.

Well there's lots of different versions and covers. Mine all have nice artwork, but i've also seen a set with horrible black and white images.

That happens a lot I've downloaded a lot of Australian DVD covers to replace my original ones.

That is true.

I read the reason a long time, in fact I beleive it is on the PS DVD somewhere but I can't remember the exact wording of it now. Basically it was changed because in the US a philosopher is someone who thinks about and creates theories about the nature of existence and/or the future. In Europe it has the same meaning but it can be usedin conunction with other things such as an alchemist. It was beleived that americans wouldn't understand the use of the word philosopher in this case so they changed it to a sorcerer.

With the whole "pedophilia" issue the church has been busy covering up for the past century, I don't think it is in any place to tell people people what is right and what is wrong in regard to messages. They are hardly a credible source at this point.

Thats so stupid! Harry Potter does not promote bad morals in any way. All these paranoid freaks that won't let tHeir kids watch or read Harry Potter are depriving them of a good story. I myself am a Christian and there is nothing wrong with Harry Potter. People just wanna hollar about it because it's popular.

God religion breeds stupidity.

Oh, they're so awesome! My mom owns a little used bookstore/cafe thing, and she got a set of the UK versions and they are so much cooler.

O cry me a bloody river and build me a bridge. O no! they showed a made up story that INCLUDED *gasps* magic! Christian church is just a control freak that complains when things don't go their way.

Not all religious are stupid. I'm Christian, but I'm not a Bible Thumper, and I adore Harry Potter.

More people believe in God than don't. Majority rules.

Please, don't lump all believers together as being illogical fanatics. Nut jobs come in all religions and beliefs (or non-beliefs).

Same here. I'm Christian too. I think it is ridiculous how they react to the movie. I got lecture by a relative because I was reading the books and she thought it unhealthy to my daughter. that I was encouraging witchcraft in my home. I, obviously, disagree. Its just a book! She complains about Harry Potter soooo much but rents LOTR????hmmm......

Feenix Fire, I know the feeling! My mother gives me a hard time about Harry Potter, saying it's of the devil. Hm. It has witches, wizards, and magic. Needs to be banned! They could have said the same thing about the Wizard of Oz!

My mom said, "Harry Potter lies to his parents." I said, "Mom, Harry's parents are DEAD!"

Most people who have objections about Harry Potter have never even read or seen the movies. They are just blind sheep.

With all things, I think we need to use our conscience, our common sense, and depend on our own spirituality and moral values to make decisions on what we and our children should view as entertainment. But the operative word here is "ENTERTAINMENT"!

British TV????

And I thought American religious fanatics were bad!!!

It has aired here several times... and I haven't heard of anyone here getting their panties in a wad....

I am a Christian .. and love Harry Potter... one of my favorite movies ... even at age 33

People always try to make Mountains out of mole hills! How pathetic!!!