Despite constantly hearing from people in the 'know' that Harry Potter is evil--one time I was told that a boy heard voices telling him to kill himself after watching a Harry Potter movie--I really don't think they are evil. They are just fiction, like Lord of the Rings and Beauty and the Beast. I don't hear people clamoring for those films to be banned.

It seems to me that most of it stems from the belief that JK Rowling is a practicing witch or something. Where do people get their information?

That said, on the other hand I wouldn't let a very young child read Harry Potter, just like I wouldn't let a young child watch Sin City or play God of War, at least not one who was young and impressionable.

ETA: Also, I was going to mention that even though I don't think HP is evil, I'm not a fan. I don't hate it, it just doesn't interest me.