Penny Linsenmayer of Houston, Texas, helped organize Nimbus 2003, the first international symposium about Harry Potter, held in July 2003. Linsenmayer founded the Harry Potter for Grownups Internet discussion group, which has nearly 7,000 members.

Read a Nov. 5, 2010, article from The New Yorker providing an overview of how religious groups have reacted to the Harry Potter series.

Harry Potter for Seekers posts articles, resources, lists of books and more for “seekers who want to explore the deep spiritual foundation of Harry Potter.” Contact through the website.

Read a March 4, 2003, WorldNetDaily article about a minister’s comparison of Harry Potter to Jesus.

The year 2004 was the first in five years that Harry Potter did not appear on the list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books. See the American Library Association’s list of challenged books and background information.

Read a June 19, 2003, Christianity Today Web blog titled arguing that the majority of evangelical Christians do not have a problem with the Harry Potter series.

Read a July 15, 2009, media release about Witch School’s booklet comparing Harry Potter with “real witches.”

Read an April 15, 2013, article from Slate arguing in favor of legalizing polygamy as the fight for gay marriage advances.

Robert L. Brown is a professor of art history at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has written about Buddhism, asceticism, health and the body.