Philosopher, a Teacher?

UK Version

Have you ever wondered why the first book in the Harry Potter series has a different tittle in The United States? It originally was published with the title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in June of 1997  and was published in The United States as: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in 1998 (HPatPS Wiki). So Why the change? My speculation is because one definition of the word Philosopher is: a student, teacher , or devotee of philosophy (Dictionary.com Philosopher). Since there are many Christian conservatives in America that view the entire Harry Potter series as a work of pagan propaganda, advocating that magic is real and hidden from view of the world, it undermines Christian values and potentially could turn children/young-adults away from their faith. Perhaps the publisher (Scholastic - US) decided to change the name to lessen the book's philosophical implications and make it more agreeable to those Christians that did not take such a dramatic view on the subject, but since it was the first novel with growing popularity in the UK they did not want it to fail (loose profit) in America. I'm just saying that decisions are made like this everyday to lessen the degree of influence/implication anything could possibly have. The original meaning for philosopher refers to an old definition: an alchemist or devotee of occult science. Even by this definition it implies a level of dangerous thinking with the use of the word "occult", most likely why this definition is no longer used since studies that once were considered "occult science", in today's society have a very different meaning.

US Version

How amazing is it that language can shape society in a way that we fear to use a words that COULD be taken from a different point of view and cause offense in others.

What are some other examples of how language shapes our society and views of the world?