Thursday, January 24, 2002

From Yahoo: 'Harry Potter' Prompts Police Boycott PENRYN, Pa. (AP) - The police department has refused to direct traffic at a YMCA triathlon because it says the club promotes witchcraft by reading Harry Potter (news - web sites) books to children. Penryn Fire Police Capt. Robert Fichthorn said the eight-member force voted unanimously to boycott the 20th running of the triathlon, scheduled for Sept. 7. ``I don't feel right taking our children's minds and teaching them (witchcraft),'' Fichthorn said. ``As long as we don't stand up, it won't stop. It's unfortunate that this is the way it has to be.'' The Lancaster Family YMCA began reading chapters of the Harry Potter books to children enrolled in an after-school program in November. In a letter to the township and the YMCA, Fichthorn challenged the religious integrity of the YMCA, and questioned whether it was ``serving the will of God'' in using the books. Sheeeeesh! Are these people still living in the dark ages or what? 9:44:23 AM    Comments []