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SLAMMING
Subject: Harry Potter,
Christians and Pagans
Date: Sat, 09 Mar 2002 23:12:36 -0500
From: Valarie SageWind
David, and to
anyone else who's reading this:
The nature of comments and argument surrounding Harry Potter has
caused me to feel very sad. Personally I haven't seen the movie,
but what I have seen is a great amount of hate and ignorance evident
in the comments on this site. Christians slamming pagans, and vice
versa....this makes me sad for two basic reasons:
1) That
any people who have faith in a facet of religion that has a core
of love (such as Christians and pagans) should be so ready to exhibit
hatred for one another. I believe that all religions stem from the
same place (God, however it is that you perceive God), and that
makes us brothers and sisters. We shouldn't give in to ignorance,
but should explore the so-called facts of other religions. I know
that in my life, exploring other religions has done nothing other
than enrich my own faith.
2) Haven't
we seen enough hate in this world? Just think back to September
11th, and beyond that, to the injustice and violence that occurs
EVERYDAY, all over this world. Any people that believe in doing
good over evil should band together, learn from one another, and
work to make the world the loving and sharing place it could be.
We shouldn't waste our time and energy on this fruitless feuding.
Please use YOUR
energy to its fullest potential: Choose love over hate, truth over
untruth.
"Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you." It means the same thing regardless
of whether you're a Christian, Pagan....whatever. Choose love!
Always,
Valarie SageWind
HARRY
POTTER AND THE BIG PICTURE
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2002
From: Celeste Keller
Harry Potter and
the Big Picture
An essay by Celeste Keller
[a note: I love
Harry Potter and that is why I am defending the book, I also love
the series that are mentioned in this essay although I am an adult
and am discussing the possibility of young children reading them]
Many schools and
churches have banned, confiscated, and even burned the famous "Harry
Potter" books by British Author J.K. Rowling. These organizations
have attacked the series because it contains witchcraft .
I believe that
many of these groups are striking against this lovely and whimsical
series and yet not looking at the big picture. What I mean by the
big picture is the hundreds of other books in the age groups that
have latched onto Harry Potter.
First of all there
is no sexual content in Harry Potter whatsoever. In several series
that I know to be read by children as young as nine some of the characters
learn to deal with menstruation and have 'off screen' sexual encounters.
In two series, magical methods of birth control are discussed and
used by the characters. Homosexuality is also an issue in these series
and one series contains a pair of lesbian characters.
Another issue that
has been brought up about the Harry Potter series is "Fluffy" the
three headed dog borrowed from Greek Mythology who guards Hell. This
is nothing compared to a series where a character is threatened by
a 'Taurus' which is a creature that rapes and kills women.
Again the magic
in Harry Potter pales in comparison to the spells cast in these other
books. Spells where the character cuts himself in order to give the
spell more power and spells that truly do summon terrible creatures.
I also have read
several articles concerning Harry Potter and 'drugs'. These articles
reference the potions in Harry Potter and furthermore delve into scientific
detail about the contents of said potions... what eleven year old
is going to go look up wormwort and asphodel? What is more disturbing
(yes even to me) is the drug use that is rampant in one author's books
and short stories. The characters remorselessly use heroine, cocaine,
and marihuana. They are never sorry after words.
There is almost
no swearing in Harry Potter and the few dirty words in the books are
of a relatively mild nature. In one of the books I just mentioned
the "F" word and all of its variants can be found on nearly every
page.
I did not find
these books in the adult science fiction/fantasy section of the library
or bookstore. I found them alongside Newberry honor books and Anne
of Green Gables. Furthermore I agree that they should NOT be there,
they should be in a more mature section. However they are not. In
other words... kids could do worse than Harry Potter.
I know children
under fifteen who read romance novels that would make Nora Roberts
cringe at the vulgarity. Harry Potter is an innocent story that promotes
friendship and the overcoming of obstacles such as prejudice and child
abuse.
Some Christians
have made reference to the word "Muggle" a term in Harry Potter which
essentially refers to a 'non-magical' person. They claim that it is
a slur, a word to demean lesser individuals and a profanity against
Christianity itself. I don't have any idea where they get that idea.
Harry and his friends fight against prejudiced 'death eaters' who
would eradicate muggles. The death eaters by the way strongly remind
me of the religious leaders of the past (and in some parts of the
world, the present) who persecuted the Jews, Huguenots, etc. Harry
and his allies strongly oppose these people and fight for the rights
of non magical peoples.
I am an adult and
the books I have mentioned contain adult themes. I am not ashamed
to admit that I read and enjoyed the series' that I have mentioned.
I just want to state that judging Harry Potter without balancing it
with other books geared toward a young adult audience is biased and
ignorant.
I do not wish to
give the names of the books or authors I have referenced, and there
are many, because I do not wish to have them be persecuted by narrow
minded people.
And yes. I am a Christian.
Celest
What happened in
the dungeons between you and professor Quirrel is of course a complete
secret. So, naturally, the whole school knows. ~Dumbledore~
HARRY
POTTER AND ALL THAT IS EVIL..
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2002
From: john
Dear David.
According to the bible, wizardry and whichcraft and anything simulare
is bad. not only bad, but real bad. But that makes me wounder, what
is this "polecy" based on? Jesus walked on water, cured the cripled,
and even awakend the DEAD! These actions are described as mirecals
in the bible. So why is it a mortal sin for a man, any man, to try
to awaken sutch powers whitin himself so that he can help his loved
ones? I'm pretty sure that you have been in a situasion where you
have prayed and prayed for hours, asking God to take care or save
the life of someone you love who has a desise or in some other way
is in dire straits. Now, what I would like to know is, if I may
ask, what EXACTLY makes you a good man when you use a cross and
the name of Jesus as a symbol in order to do this, but if I choose
to do the same, only whit a bag of oceansalt and my own name/ansectors
name instead of a cross and the name of jesus, I'm the most horrible
and evil person on earth, and I should be burned alive in good,
old Dark-age fasion?
HARRY
POTTER, EVIL!
Subject: Harry Potter
Date: Sun, 24 Feb 2002
From: Rae
Hi, my name is
rae and i disagree with what you posted about how Harry Potter is
evil. The author, JKR even says that she made up 98% of the things
in those books. If you Christians want your kids to stop reading the
books, fine! BUT YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TRY AND FORCE OTHER PEOPLE TO
STOP READING THESE BOOKS! You trying to make people stop reading the
series is like trying to ban the religion of budism or some thing
to that effect. IT IS A FREE COUNTRY AND WE CAN READ WHAT WE WANT!!!!
Enough book burnings! Harry Potter is not evil! The books are about
a boy fighting for good and overcomeing evil. So please, I speak for
my best friends who are in 6 grade as well, please stop enfoceing
your beliefs!
THOUGHT
ON HARRY POTTER
Subject: Harry Potter AND Newsletter_30_Harry_Potter
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 12:58:26 +1100
From: "Wendy"
Hi David,
It has been
interesting, and sometimes sad, this debate over Harry Potter, between
Christians.
Untill recently
I have been stting on the fence regarding the Harry Potter issue,
meaning that I was neither for or against it. In fact I really had
no interest in Harry Potter at all, not because of any issue with
the occult. I just wasn't that interested.
However as arguements
and opinions became more heated, I decided instead of getting too
involve, I would seek wisdom and discerment from God.
I thought God
knows my heart. He knows that I am aware of the truth, that Jesus
Christ in Lord and Saviour. He knows that if I read Harry Potter,
I'm not going to turn my back on him, and become a witch.
It is interesting
that some Christians believe it's a sin to read Harry Potter, where
as others do not.
So I think the
question to ask is 'What is a sin? The Bible says it is something
that seperates us from God.
How do we become
seperated from God? By becoming obssess with something, and spending
more time with that, then with God.
In other words,
if you have become obsessed with Harry Potter to the point where
it has taken over your life, than yes, for you reading Harry Potter
maybe a sin (because it has seperated you from God).
If however,
you just occasionally read the books, but have no obsession with
them, in that you have more of desire to know God, then to get your
hand on the next Harry Potter book, then enjoy reading them, knowing
that you know God's truth.
Now I know that
some Christians, have said we shouldn't read the books at all, because
it may lead to the occult.
But let me ask
these questions. Do you go to McDonalds? Do you have a glass of
wine with your dinner?
If your answer
is yes to those questions, then I could say to you, 'Well going
to McDonlads could lead to gluttony, or drinking wine may lead you
into an alcohol problem.'
My point is
that everyone is different, in that if some people to have a weight
or drinking problem, that going to McDonalds or have wine with dinner,
may not be a good idea.
The same if
someone in the past has had bad experiences with things like the
occult, then maybe something like Harry Potter isn't good for you.
And as for your
children, well that is for the parents to discern and anyone outsiders
opinions should be kept to themselves, since most parents know their
own children, and what is best or isn't best for them.
I think when
it all comes down to it, let's stop debating over the Harry Potter
issue, and just accept that some like Harry and some don't.
Stop giving
satan a foothold into this, because I tell you, he is really enjoying
using Harry Potter to break Christian relationships.
And lastly,
I really respect amd admire those who have been able to bring others
to the Christian faith, by using Harry Potter as analogy. I bet
satan wasn't expecting that.
God Bless, Wendy
continued here
Harry
Potter main page -Reviews
HP more Reviews -Reviews by Hamm
and Wiertra
Harry Potter page 1 -Sol O Mann Top 10, Great HP Links
Harry Potter page 2 -Interview
with JK Rowling, Vision of Dark & Light
Harry Potter page 3 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 4 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 5 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 6 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 7 -Bulletin Board
(Comments)
Harry Potter page 8 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
Harry Potter page 9 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
Harry Potter page 10 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
Harry Potter page 11 -Bulletin Board (Comments)
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