Government and religious leaders attack a children’s book.
In an excellent demonstration of why the separation of church and state is a good thing, the Israeli industry and trade leader has threatened to file charges against and fine any stores which open on June 21st for the release of the newest Harry Potter book. You see, Saturday is the Jewish sabbath. Since Christianity comes from Judaism, you’d think it would be the same for Christians. The story of why it’s Sunday is interesting, but a little off-topic for this post.
The book is being released worldwide at the same time. The fact that it conflicts with a day some people pretend is special is simply a coincidence, yet there is an uproar which has included a member of the Israeli government insulting the content of the book (which he undoubtedly has not yet read) and refers to people excited about the release as being “carried away like monkeys.”
Aside from the fact that this is ridiculous in general, it irritates me that shop owners and customers who do not believe the mythology behind the silly rule can find themselves inconvenienced or in trouble with the law because they want to read a book. I’m all for reading, and there’s not enough of it going on in the world. I encourage people to read the Harry Potter book
I’m not a big Harry Potter fan personally, although I have nothing against the series. Anything that gets more kids to read is fantastic as far as I’m concerned. Yet here we have religious people enforcing their unfounded beliefs onto others yet again — this time to attack a children’s book.
