Infatuation with witchcraft is a phenomenon that has captivated human fascination for centuries. The allure of magic, the supernatural, and the unknown has always been present in various cultures around the world. From ancient civilizations to modern society, witchcraft has held a prominent place in literature, folklore, and popular culture. One of the reasons for this infatuation is the sense of power and control it represents. The idea of harnessing magical abilities and using them to manipulate reality is enticing to many individuals. In a world where people often feel helpless and insignificant, the concept of having supernatural powers can be empowering and exciting.
"Sniffles"
Don't assume I dislike all allergists.
Award-winning storyteller David Lubar s third collection of warped and creepy tales, in which the young protagonists encounter monsters of every kind, from a thirsty vampire and wandering ghost to a dreaded math teacher and overly enthusiastic Girl Scout leader. He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn t all have happy endings.
In a world where people often feel helpless and insignificant, the concept of having supernatural powers can be empowering and exciting. Furthermore, the mystique surrounding witchcraft also provides a sense of escapism. The idea of living in a world where magic exists can be a welcomed reprieve from the mundane realities of everyday life.
Weenies stories inflame censor’s imagination
Eight, to be exact. Titles in this series of scary short stories for children include:
“Invasion of the Road Weenies.” “In the Land of the Lawn Weenies.” “Attack of the Vampire Weenies.” “The Battle of the Red Hot Pepper Weenies.” “The Curse of the Campfire Weenies.” “Beware All Ninja Weenies.” “Wipeout of the Wireless Weenies.” And “Strikeout of the Bleacher Weenies.”
These books have sold close to 3 million copies and won all kinds of awards and other positive recognition. They’re very popular with young people, and I can see why, just looking at the colorful covers showing live hot dogs in a wild variety of settings and knowing how much children enjoy creepy stories. I’ve read some of his other books, and they’re terrific.
So imagine the surprise of Lubar, who lives in Lower Nazareth Township, when he learned a couple of months ago that a teacher in Kansas was actively seeking to have these books banned from a middle school library because she felt many of the Weenies series story titles — for example, “Fourth and Inches,” which is about football — are sexually suggestive.
Before I share the school librarian’s letter that alerted Lubar to his unexpected notoriety, I’ll explain that attempts at censorship of books and other library materials are sufficiently frequent that the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom maintains a database of reports it receives from authors, librarians and others.
Kristin Pekoll, assistant director of the office, told me they received 275 such reports in 2015.
“They happen a lot more than is reported to us,” she added. She said their research suggests their numbers represent only about 20 percent of the challenges taking place.
With their recently upgraded database, she said, “We can track the actual language used when someone is challenging a book.
“It helps us to understand that mentality and have those conversations with people, to really share with them that their values are great for their families and themselves, but not necessarily for everybody.”
For example, she said, some people have challenged Harry Potter books, not just because of the wizardry but because the young characters are … defying authority.
Lubar told me he was scheduled once to make an appearance to encourage reading and creativity for a group of kids in a summer program — until the wife of the person running the program saw there was a ghost on the cover of one of his books. “She decided I was not fit to speak to the kids because of that anti-Christian concept,” he said.
He said visits to classrooms in a Poconos elementary school were similarly canceled because a parent complained to the principal that the stories in his Weenies series, mostly horror and science fiction, didn’t all have happy endings.
Anyway, here’s that email he received a while back, slightly abridged.
“At our middle school I have a teacher who says the chapter titles of the Weenie books are sexually suggestive to middle-schoolers. I don’t see it, but she is adamant. She has requested the Weenies be removed from the shelves of our middle school library. I am compiling information to fight this, but I wondered if you could send me anything to add to my compilation. Do you have a list of titles and the awards each book has been nominated for or won? Or maybe a list of titles and a list of moral/ethical issues included in each title? Even though I was in a middle school classroom for 16 years, she is very vocal and persistent and I think the administration would side with her over me unless I have LOTS of info backing my reasons to keep your books on the shelves.”
He responded, “Wow. I’m gobsmacked. First and foremost, thank you for your willingness to fight this.”
He referred her to a topical index he had compiled for the first four books, with subjects that included “altruism,” “internet safety,” “litter” and “medical ethics.” He also sent her examples of the awards and recognition the books have received, including one reviewer’s description of him as “The Rod Serling of Middle Grade.” He mentioned the Office for Intellectual Freedom, which she and he ended up calling.
She provided more information about the teacher’s objections, which the teacher claimed were shared by “lots” of parents, although that seems highly unlikely.
“She even went so far as to suggest the cover of the books and the word ‘weenies’ is suggestive … Please understand that neither I nor my library aide found any sexual innuendos in the chapter titles until this teacher came and told us that every sixth-grade boy would think these titles were sexual.”
She listed some of the titles the teacher thought were objectionable, including “Dead Meat,” a story in which a boy is attacked by butcher’s-case meat that comes alive; “Big Bang,” in which a girl tries to end the universe; and “The Ride of a Lifetime,” about a roller coaster. None of the titles had anything to do with sex.
After removing the books until she could investigate the teacher’s claims, the librarian wrote in her last email, “They are going back on the shelves today!”
Pekoll said it’s not always easy to stand up to misguided censorship, because jobs may be at risk.
“The principal is being pressured by parents, and he says, ‘Let’s just remove it’ — and if she doesn’t, she loses her job,” she said. “It’s hard to fall on your sword for that.”
Lubar certainly appreciated that Kansas librarian’s efforts. He concluded, “One thing I hope you’ll touch on is how awesome librarians are.”
Bill White’s commentary appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
"The Unforgiving Tree"
As you may have guessed, I started with the title. The rest was easy.
It allows individuals to explore different possibilities and engage in a world of fantasy and imagination. The portrayal of witches in media and literature has also contributed to the infatuation with witchcraft. From classic tales like Shakespeare's Macbeth to modern franchises like Harry Potter, witches have been portrayed as complex and intriguing characters. Their ability to bend reality to their will and navigate the realms of magic and mystery adds depth and intrigue to their stories. However, it is important to note that infatuation with witchcraft can also have negative consequences. Some individuals may become obsessed with the occult and engage in harmful practices in an attempt to tap into supernatural abilities. This can lead to mental, emotional, and even physical harm. Additionally, the association of witchcraft with evil and malevolence has also played a role in shaping public perception. This negative portrayal has led to misunderstanding and discrimination towards those who identify as witches or practice witchcraft as a spiritual or religious belief system. In conclusion, infatuation with witchcraft is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It encompasses elements of power, escapism, and fascination with the mystical. While it can be a source of inspiration and creativity for many individuals, it is important to approach the subject with caution and respect for those who practice witchcraft as a legitimate spiritual path..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Healing: Exploring Alternative Medicine"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with this book. The storyline seemed promising, with a lot of potential for suspense and excitement, but it fell flat for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I found "Infatuation with witchcraft" to be a lackluster read that didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't even finish this book. From the very beginning, I was put off by the excessive use of clichés and predictable plot twists. The characters were completely unrelatable and their actions didn't make sense. It felt like the author was just trying to force a supernatural element into the story without any real substance. I found myself skimming pages, hoping it would get better, but it never did. "Infatuation with witchcraft" was a complete waste of my time.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for this book, as I'm usually a fan of witchcraft-themed novels. However, "Infatuation with witchcraft" failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of mundane dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The main character was unlikeable and made questionable choices throughout the story. The lack of character development and depth made it hard for me to care about their journey. Overall, I found this book to be uninteresting and predictable. I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling witchcraft tale.