Censorship/Harry Potter

I do believe that Harry Potter books should be allowed in the classroom. There has been too much controversy over a series of books that has inspired millions of children and teens to put away electronic media and pic up a quality piece of literature.
I would make a point of the fact that the Harry Potter books are pure fantasy. Given that, I would definitely use the series in my instruction.
The books are full of so many positive influences and weaknesses in humanity that students will be able to procure an enormous amount of moral fortitude from reading them. Based on the wise and foolish decisions the Harry Potter characters make students will learn to discern right from wrong as well as good from evil.
I am sure that some families would oppose the use of the Harry Potter books due to the misconception that the books glorify witchcraft and wizardry. Some people even go as far as to say that the books endorse the Wicca religion, but as I recall there has been no mention of the goddess or Baphomet in any of the books. So, even thought the Hogwarts is a school of wizardry- I can find no physical support that the books encourage paganism.
Through reading the Harry Potter books students would be enhancing more than just their reading skills. They would strengthen their vocabulary, begin developing an understanding of the use of metaphors, and gain a discernment that is needed for a strong moral character. The books are more that mere fiction they are a phenomenon that sparks a quest for students to gather lifelong knowledge. When the text of these books introduce unfamiliar subjects students become inspired to find out more about that particular subject so that they can understand the book better.
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone the character Harry Potter exhibits such a humble nature. He has been raised in a near abusive environment for his first ten years of life-yet he holds onto the hope of a better tomorrow. When he finds out what really happened to his parents he does not act out in rage to his aunt and uncle, but instead he reflects on some of the things that have happened that he could not explain before. Now he has a new understanding of why he was punished at the zoo when the snake escaped from his cage. He understood that his guardians were afraid of his magical abilities. In each instance that Harry is successful in his endeavors at Hogwarts he remains humble. He is the most famous person at school yet his demeanor never reflects a sense of pride. Along the way Harry makes some poor decisions, like when he and his friends are caught by Mr. Fitch coming from the school's tower after delivering Hagrid's dragon to Ron's brother. But when his actions cause others to get into trouble or the consequences of his actions in anyway penalize another person he shows deep remorse. He even takes the responsibility for failure-even when it is not warranted. One example of this is when he thinks that Quirrell/Voldemort has the sorcerer's stone. Harry's first words to Dumbledore after regaining conciousness are ones of concern for the stone's whereabouts. I would have to agree with Chuck Colson's views on the book. He states that the books are very "positive," calling them "enormously inventive," and assures parent-listeners that Harry's magic is "mechanical as opposed to occultic."