this post was submitted on 01 Dec 2023
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Harry Potter

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Historical_General@lemm.ee
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People around at the time, was the 'religious' hysteria around Harry Potter a big deal? (lemm.ee)
submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by Historical_General@lemm.ee to c/harrypotter@lemmy.world
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I've heard some people place a lot of the responsibility for Harry Potter becoming popular at the altar of the US Christian Right. Considering their wealth, reach and influence it seems plausible to me!

What's your recollection of that era?

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[–] PullUpCircuit@iusearchlinux.fyi 4 points 11 months ago

At the time I was part of the religious right. I don't remember the books being directly targeted, but I do recall what could be considered a bit of leftover satanic panic as well as anti secularism.

I found out about the books when people at work were discussing them. I personally was interested in fantasy my whole life and was partially put off by the idea of witches, but since it wasn't a satanic manual of evil I was okay with it.

I think the churches got wind of it too late, and while some people totally read it because it was forbidden, I don't think it was ever considered counterculture.