Posted on 03/17/2008 7:44:22 AM PDT by Terriergal
By John-Henry Westen
EDINBURGH, March 12, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The newly released edition of the Edinburgh University Student newspaper, the oldest student newspaper in the UK, includes an interview with Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. In the interview Rowling claims to have received death threats from Christians opposed to her novels, calling Christian 'fundamentalists' "dangerous" and comparing them by inference to Islamic fundamentalists.
Asked if there were not some Christians who dislike the book 'intensely', Rowling replied, "Oh, vehemently and they send death threats." Questioned about the 'death threats', she added, "Once, yeah. Well, more than once. It is comical in retrospect. I was in America, and there was a threat made against a bookstore that I was appearing at, so we had the police there."
While she said she could stomach critics, she had little time for Christian criticism. "But to be honest the Christian Fundamentalist thing was bad," she said. "I would have been quite happy to sit there and debate with one of the critics who were taking on Harry Potter from a moral perspective."
Many Christians who have opposed the Potter series have done so after reading comments by Christian reviewers pointing out their moral and spiritual dangers. The opponents, who have been relying on the reviewers criticisms, have often avoided reading Rowling's lengthy Potter narratives, and Rowling uses such cases to paint Christians as if they were insane.
"I've tried to be rational about it," she told the paper. "There's a woman in North Carolina or Alabama who's been trying to get the books banned-she's a mother of four and never read them. And then- I'm not lying, I'm not even making fun, this is the truth of what she said-quite recently she was asked [why] and she said 'Well I prayed whether or not I should read them, and God told me no.'"
The interviewer notes that at that point "Rowling pauses to reflect on the weight of that statement, and her expression one of utter disbelief." Rowling then continued, "You see, that is where I absolutely part company with people on that side of the fence, because that is fundamentalism. Fundamentalism is, 'I will not open my mind to look on your side of the argument at all. I won't read it, I won't look at it, I'm too frightened.'"
"That's what's dangerous about it, whether it be politically extreme, religiously extreme...In fact, fundamentalists across all the major religions, if you put them in a room, they'd have bags in common! They hate all the same things, it's such an ironic thing."
Michael O'Brien, one of the most prominent Potter critics, has carefully read and analyzed the Potter books critiquing the spiritual and moral problems with Rowling's works. O'Brien commented to LifeSiteNews.com about Rowling's mockery of Christians who avoid her works.
"Regrettably, there is a strange new form of self-righteousness at work in the world-a psychological state of mind that is common to post-modernists such as J. K. Rowling," said O'Brien. "One of its symptoms is their inability to discuss on a serious level the truth or untruth of their cultural products. They avoid the real issues and instead take the 'ad hominem' approach-personal attacks against those who raise critical objections to the disorders in their books. From the vaccuum of real thought arises the dreary habit of classifying as a 'fundamentalist' any critic who bases his arguments on religious or spiritual grounds."
Added O'Brien: "This term is used against bomb-throwing terrorists, sweet grandmothers praying silently before abortuaries, and anyone who preaches the fullness of the Christian faith in church and media. It has become the utmost smear word, a weapon that is proving quite effective in silencing opposition. If you don't have an argument yourself, you just switch tactics and cry 'fundamentalist!' Supposedly all opposition will then collapse."
In previous interviews Rowling has said Christian criticism of her works come from the "lunatic fringe" of the church.
Prior to being elected Pope, then-Cardinal Ratzinger expressed an opinion opposing the Potter books. He sent a letter of gratitude to Gabriele Kuby who authored a work explaining the dangers of the Potter story, especially to young children. Made available by LifeSiteNews.com, Ratzinger's letter to Ms. Kuby stated, "It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly."
Father Gabriele Amorth, chief exorcist of the Vatican also condemned the books warning parents, "Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil." Father Amorth criticized the novels for glorifying magic, which he explicitly refers to as "the satanic art", and for presenting disordered perceptions of morality in the supposedly heroic main characters.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
Pope Opposes Harry Potter Novels - Signed Letters from Cardinal Ratzinger Now Online
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jul/05071301.html
Harry Potter Feature Page:
http://www.lifesite.net/features/harrypotter/
Ever read the Book of Leviticus?
So you are choosing to only read half a sentence?
There are Muslims who would take the same offense that you are because they would swear that when you say "Islamic fundamentalists", you're talking about all of Islam. This was not a comparison of all Christians, which is what you seem to be saying.
I agree, they aren't real Christians. No more than the Islamic fundies are Islamic. Can't have it both ways.
That and 2 francs will get you a cup of burnt coffee served by a surly waiter.
Both of my kids said they weren’t interested. Their choice and we don’t own bomb vests.
"Regrettably, there is a strange new form of self-righteousness at work in the world-a psychological state of mind that is common to post-modernists such as J. K. Rowling," said O'Brien. "One of its symptoms is their inability to discuss on a serious level the truth or untruth of their cultural products. They avoid the real issues and instead take the 'ad hominem' approach-personal attacks against those who raise critical objections to the disorders in their books. From the vaccuum of real thought arises the dreary habit of classifying as a 'fundamentalist' any critic who bases his arguments on religious or spiritual grounds."
Added O'Brien: "This term is used against bomb-throwing terrorists, sweet grandmothers praying silently before abortuaries, and anyone who preaches the fullness of the Christian faith in church and media. It has become the utmost smear word, a weapon that is proving quite effective in silencing opposition. If you don't have an argument yourself, you just switch tactics and cry 'fundamentalist!' Supposedly all opposition will then collapse."
This fellow may not have sold a bizillion dollars worth of books like Rowling but I'd submit that his IQ far exceeds Rowling's. He sums things up rather nicely.
LOL! I’ve never been to France.
Or like anything Ben, Matt, Brad, or George have ever been in.
Neither have I, but I’m willing to play to unattractive sterotypes whenever possible.
I'd wager that Islamic fundamentalists haven't bothered you yet either. Could it be because you are on the same side?
Or could it be that some Christian fundamentalists are ignorant whack-jobs?
That is quite obvious.
That is also quite a foolish belief to have, but you are entitled to it.
It is kind of silly to only believe things that you already have facts of, but, hey, that's up to you and your belief systems. I'm sure if you ask, she'll personally come to your house with the notes. Unitl then, she must be a liar.
:-).
No, Harry Potter is a kid. He doesn't wear (and can't grow) a beard.
What facts? Because she says it it must be true, now that if foolish.
I think Rowling made Dumbledore a homosexual from the beginning. She always had back stories on characters, and those back stories were frequently revealed as the plots went on. In looking back through the books, there are numerous clues to Dumbledore's sexual preferences, and I think Dumbledore's homosexuality actually drove the entire series.
Dumbledore was sexually attracted, IMHO, to Gellert Grindelwald, Tom Riddle, Sirius Black and Harry. His desires for Harry weren't consummated because of his advanced age (and, of course, because it would have tanked sales.) Several clues to his sexual attraction for Harry were given. He burst into tears upon finding out that Harry declared himself to be "Dumbledore's man, through and through." He told Harry he hadn't revealed his true destiny because he "loved him too much." During the entire seventh book, one of the sub-plots was Harry trying to figure out how Dumbledore really felt about him.
As to the other characters I believe Dumbledore was sexually attracted to, Dumbledore stayed locked up in his room with Grindelwald when they were teenagers. He allowed Tom Riddle to frame Hagrid for the death of Moaning Myrtle, although he knew, or strongly suspected, that Riddle was behind the death. When Sirius came back, he did not check the Shrieking Shack as a hiding place, although he had set the place up as a hiding place, and knew full well that there was a path directly into Hogwarts. Dumbledore declined to pursue Grindelwald, Riddle, and Sirius, I believe, because he had been sexually attracted to each of them.
In one sense, the Rowling books were sexually almost neuter. There are no sex scenes beyond a passionate kiss, and almost all attractions are portrayed as a romantic love. On another level, there are references to very perverse sexual relations. Hagrid's father was normal size, his mother was a twenty foot tall giant. Professor Flitwick is half Goblin. Dumbledore's brother was arrested for performing inappropriate spells on a goat.
In the sequence describing Tom Riddle's mother, I think there are undertones of sexual abuse by both her father and brother. Rowling is very deceptive. There are a lot of undercurrents in the books.
Islamic opposition to Harry Potter
Several imams have declared online fatwas against Harry Potter.
The Harry Potter books have been banned in schools in the United Arab Emirates.
The Iranian fundies have accused Harry Potter of being a "Zionist plot."
Looks like you're the one who's on the same side as the Islamic fundamentalists.
Since you have an interest let me ask you this-—
If your child has only two choices. To go to Church school or read Harry Potter books, which do you choose??
I’ve never read or seen Tolkien...have zero interest in it. In college the stoners read those (hash) pipe dreams
The worst thing about Harry Potter books and movies is that in secular nations and communities children pick up this stuff instead of solid religious tales and teachings. Children are vulnerable
AS far as adults reading Potter.....no big deal
Well, for one thing: "Potter Author JK Rowling Equates Christians Who Avoid Potter with Islamic Fundamentalists" Would you agree with that? Would you really?
Further, Rowling 'jumped the shark' when she claimed Dumbledore was a homo in front of an auditorium full of kids. No point in doing that except to cause a 'stir' and try to sell more books.
She's an idiot.
Oh, no. You too?
Have you read any of Cindy Holbrook’s Regencies? They are hysterically funny. I actually fell off my chair laughing at one. :)
I have a delightful Evanovich in my car I’ll let you read :)
There is absolutely nothing harmful about the Potter books, but she would do better just to shut up and say nothing.
She has always been hyper sensitive about this, which is stupid in view of the incredible success she’s had with the books.
I can brood about criticisms of my writing, but I try to do it in the privacy of my own home.
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