Claiming that behind the bespectacled face of Harry Potter is "the power of satanic darkness"

Christian Century, Jan 16, 2002

Claiming that behind the bespectacled face of Harry Potter is "the power of satanic darkness," a New Mexico pastor on the last Sunday of 2001 led a public book-burning of the best-selling tales of magic. Pastor Jack Brock of the Christ Community Church in Alamogordo drew hundreds of supporters and protesters to the after-service burning.

Church members sang "Amazing Grace" as they tossed dozens of Harry Potter books and other works they consider spiritually harmful (including Shakespeare) into the flames. The burning, which had been advertised in Alamogordo the previous week, also attracted hundreds of Potter-loving protesters who chanted "Stop burning books!" from across the street.