A Catholic group in Poland has been criticised after organising a book burning protest, throwing popular Harry Potter and Twilight novels into the flames for going against the Word of God.
In photos shared on social media by The SMS From Heaven Foundation, which is based in Koszalin in the north-western Polish region of West Pomeranian Voivodeship, priests and altar boys can be seen burning titles by British author J.K. Rowling - such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Quidditch Through the Ages.
Books from Stephenie Meyer's vampire-themed series Twilight were also seen among the flames, as well as a self-development book by Indian guru Osho and a Hello Kitty umbrella.
The group said on social media: "It is necessary to reject all forms of divination referring to Satan or demons, summoning the dead or other practices that allegedly reveal the future."
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According to local Polish media, the foundation considers such books and products to contradict the Word of God.
Using passages from the Bible to bolster their argument, the SMS From Heaven Foundation also argued that believing in 'horoscopes, astrology, palmistry and omens' is 'contrary to the reverence and respect that belong only to God' and they are 'manifestations of the desire to control time'.
However, the photos from the protest have sparked outrage online, with many people comparing the incident to the famous Nazi book burnings of the 1930s.
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One social media user said: "Where they burn books, they will also ultimately burn people - Heinrich Heine."
The Harry Potter books have been condemned by various religious groups and figures over the years, including the Pope - in a 2003 letter, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, said that the books contained 'subtle seductions' capable of corrupting young Christians.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has previously spoken about the role that religion has played in shaping her work, having revealed in 2007 - following the release of the series' final book, The Deathly Hallows - that she had been raised Anglican and is now a practising Christian.
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"To me, the religious parallels have always been obvious," Rowling said during the 2007 interview, as cited by the Telegraph.
"But I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going."
Rowling also discussed the two biblical passages inscribed on Potter's parents' gravestones.
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"They are very British books, so on a very practical note, Harry was going to find biblical quotations on tombstones," she said.
"But I think those two particular quotations he finds on the tombstones... they sum up, they almost epitomise, the whole series."
Featured Image Credit: CEN/@smsznieba
Topics: Harry Potter, Books, JK Rowling, World News, News