The author of the popular "Harry Potter" series, J. K. Rowling, is an avowed Satanist and wrote the books to seduce children into Satanism.

See the story here.

The email quotes extensively from an article published by the Web magazine The Onion.

The Onion describes itself:

The Onion® is a satirical newspaper published by Onion, Inc.

The Onion® uses invented names in all its stories, except in cases when public figures are being satirized.

So, in other words, the Harry Potter article was satire.

It is interesting that most versions of the email also give the link to the Onion's Harry Potter spoof. One would think that articles with titles like "Aliens Demand More Positive Portrayal In The Media" and "Woodland Pals Hold Impromptu Oompah-Band Jamboree" might tip off the diligent that article was not a real news story.

• "Harry Potter and the Chain of Fools" from About.com
• "Harry Potter" from the Urban Legends Reference Pages

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