JK Rowling responds to the pastor who thinks Harry Potter is Satanic
While accepting an award on Monday at the PEN America Literary Gala, J.K. Rowling defended Donald Trump’s freedom of speech and responded to anti-LGBT critics.
The Harry Potter author told the audience that free speech must be protected at all costs, even if that means defending the “offensive and bigoted” Trump, reports The Wall Street Journal.
“His freedom to speak protects my freedom to call him a bigot,” the author explained as she accepted the PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award. The author clarified her position, saying:
“His freedom guarantees mine. Unless we take that absolute position without caveats or apologies, we have set foot upon a road with only one destination. If my offended feelings can justify a travel ban on Donald Trump, I have no moral ground on which to argue that those offended by feminism or the fight for transgender rights or universal suffrage should not oppress campaigners for those causes.”
Rowling, who is known for advocating for LGBT rights, referenced the ways in which her books have been attacked by various critics. “I was once confronted by a Christian fundamentalist in a toy shop here in New York. I had no idea the phrase, ‘I’m praying for you,’ could sound so intimidating,” she said. “A bomb threat was once made to a store at which I was appearing.”
Her books have been criticized by the notoriously anti-LGBT pastor Kevin Swanson, who has called for gays to be sentenced to death. He once condemned Rowling’s gay Harry Potter character, saying in a speech: “America, repent that Dumbledore emerged as a homosexual mentor for Harry Potter.” Swanson also claimed a few months ago that children should be drowned rather than allowed to read the ‘Satanic’ books last year.
Responding to what some consider to be remarks delivered by Swanson, Rowling said: “My critics are at liberty to claim that I’m trying to convert children to Satanism. And I’m free to explain that I’m exploring human nature and morality, or to say, “You’re an idiot,” depending on which side of the bed I got out of that day.”
Rowling said her books are on lists of those most frequently banned, but it doesn’t bother her. “Such lists feature many of my favorite writers, I’ve always been very flattered to be included,” she said.
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10 Comments
Kainene
May 23, 06:52“His freedom of speech protects my freedom to call him a bigot” you gat dat rite bae bae. Mtchewww if reading the HP series makes me a satanist then biko book me an apartment on liquid fire street in hell right next to JK Rowling. *narrows eyes with concentration and points wand at Donald Trump*
Pink Panther
May 23, 07:31Hahahahahahaa!!! Like seriously!
Terra
May 23, 08:34The spell you need—->Avada kedavra
ambivalentone
May 23, 12:30I think u shud torture him 1st. Death is too easy
#TeamKizito
May 23, 07:31That picture though. She’s like: “Hmmm. Naso. Kontunu. Bi-goat.”
Mandy
May 23, 07:53Yes freedom of speech ought to have no restrictions. But sometimes… Urrggghhh!!! You just wanna take the horseshit someone has vomitted and shove it right back into his mouth.
pete
May 23, 08:05Who says freedom of speech ought not to have restrictions?
Kenny
May 23, 08:28When she puts it that way, freedom of speech does make sense but the effects this freedom of speech has on people who are on the receiving end of the vitriol and are not used to throwing it back nko?
Pink Panther
May 23, 09:04Exactly!
Delle
May 23, 11:34All these pastors and their senseless quips. Kill gays and yet u claim the same bible where it’s boldly written ‘Thou shall not kill’ is against homosexuality? I don’t know how ppl can revel in being confidently daft.
The freedom of speech issue is a bit dicey. Your right stops where mine begins. Just because we have the freedom to say what we want doesn’t mean we should spit unnecessary vitriol especially when it’s one-sided and could have adverse effects on the receiving person.
Btw, J.K and Nora Roberts are my literary baes for life!