Perhaps reading "Catcher in the Rye" did ruin Mr. [Steve] Chawkins for life, as he writes in this article. Even so, the essence of this issue involves the religious beliefs of the parents who object. The Hebrew Bible clearly condemns anyone who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)