A forum this week on the Harry Potter books has been criticised by some of the attendees as "totally biased" and advertised under false pretences.

While no one offered dissenting views at Wednesday's forum at the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium, a silent, but tiny, minority has emerged to say they thought the event went beyond the pale and did not do justice to the topic.

"It began with the premise that the Harry Potter books are completely evil," said one man who did not want to be named. "I found it amazing that I heard not a single individual professed to have read the book, so nobody was speaking from the experience of having read a single word."

The forum took place in the Ruth Seaton James Auditorium with a panel of Christian leaders and an audience of about 60 people.

"I went because I have the greatest admiration for (author) J.K. Rowling and feel she has made a very, very positive contribution to get millions of kids reading again and utilising their imaginations which I think is wonderful." But the forum panelists all denounced the work for not conforming to their biblical worldview. Instead, they said, it taught children the tools of witchcraft.

He said that he expected a balanced discussion on the pros and cons of the popular children's series. But "it began with the premise that these books are evil incarnate", he continued. "I chose to say nothing because I realised we were in the tremendous minority." He cited personal reasons when asked why he felt he had to speak out on the forum anonymously. "I also get very fearful when I hear people say, to tremendous applause, we must control the media. It's very scary." Controversy erupted this week when it was reported that CedarBridge principal Kalmar Richards refused to allow the books to be used by teachers in the classroom. Wednesday's forum had been advertised as a discussion, said Christine Hind, another attendee. But with a panel of Christian leaders all voicing the same sentiment there was no balance, she said.

"It was like being pulled in under false pretences. We were amazed at the stupidity of the thing," she added. "If they were going to have a forum it needs to be fair. It was a witch-hunt." She also expected a discussion on Mrs. Richards' decision to ban the book from the classroom. "I would have liked for her to be there - she may have had a point but we never got to hear it. We just heard a bunch of misinformed holy rollers. I expected them to say Harry Potter is the Anti-Christ." She claimed that the moderator ignored her husband when he raised his hand several times to make a comment. "But there was no point making a comment anyway because I thought we would have been stoned. There was no feeling they wanted you to make a comment." "Hitler burned books before he killed people. I'm not saying they (the panelists) are bad people but it's fair comment because they likened Harry Potter's scar to a swastika." Political scientist Walton Brown told The Royal Gazette that there was an "exceedingly unnecessary discussion about the apparent satanic dimensions of Harry Potter. It is a work of fiction with no negative implications to society". "I would dismiss their views out of hand. We run the risk of setting a very dangerous precedent if we seek to censor those we don't agree with. It's a bizarre position to take by those who claim to believe in democracy."

Former Education Minister Clarence Terceira has come out in support of the books saying they encourage children to read. "They know the difference between make-believe and reality", he said in a letter to the Editor. "I hope all the children in Bermuda read Harry Potter and the Tolkien books.

Tolkien was born in 1892 and published "The Hobbit in 1937."