Posted on 11/02/2001 2:21:54 PM PST by Aquinasfan
I said that I read all of what she did, to prove a point; not because I am on the " defensive ". It was a subtle hint for you to follow, you who admitted to not living a particularly " good " life previously. Your now " HOLIER THAN THOU " attitude, is just the opposite head of the same coin .
A class in reading comprehension would help you. I said the I saw no Christian themes in the books , when I read them. Yes, you could extrapolate, that my child didn't either. I doubt that any of the children, in her class, saw it either. If you want to see Christian sermonizing , in a children's book, read the original version of " THE WATER BABIES ".
I think that all of this hysteria, over the Potter books, is silly. They are not any different than fairy tales,boos about the Arthurian legend, and any number of other books that children have read , or been read to, for 100's of years. This silliness is on par with the people who used to claim that cartoons made chidren violent. It wasn't Bugs Bunny that drove the monsters of Columbine,to murder !
They are not any different than fairy tales,boos about the Arthurian legend, and any number of other books that children have read , or been read to, for 100's of years.
You have ignored the fact that my main argument against these books is one of preference for superior alternatives, and that anything less than excellent is, as far as I am concerned, a waste of time and in the wrong direction. I note that the consistent apologies for the books that they are "not that bad," begs the question as to why they aren't that good. Meanwhile, I do think judging them as harmless before they are all written is a bit premature. Rowling has promised that they will get (in her words), "darker." As such, to conclude that they meet my standards of excellence would be logically foolish.
Most of the Potter's defenders on this thread are doing so from the perspective of adult readers, which is, in this market, specious reasoning, especially considering that the product is specifically targeted toward young children. Note that few have discussed a threshold of maturity before the material would appropriate. Such an oversight is indicative of their caution and diligence as parents.
As for whether I should follow your example, well, fuggeddaboudit. You assume WAY too much by judging my accomplishments from their harsh beginnings.
here, let me re-word that for you....
"Whenever Britain comes up with a good idea the Yanks either copy it and IMPROVE IT***
...and Yes Banning is a national pastime here!
***except for COMEDY
Don't tell me, did he put up a thesis on the Harry Potter Series on this thread?
It's amazing what one can do when you've never read the H.P. series!
I have said, and always say, that the Harry Potter books are very derrivative of other BETTER written, English books for children. That's why I don't enjoy readig Rowlings. I keep hearing the likes of Roald Dhal, and many others , who are / were far better writers. As far as age limits , no, no one has brought that up. I rather doubt that parents are reading HP books to 3,4,or 5 year olds. I wouldn't read " LITTLE WOMEN ", the Tarzan series, nor " HAMLET " to that age group either. Would you ?
You brought up your bad behavior, when you were young. If you don't want it thrown back in your face, then don't talk about it. It certainly was far from relivant, to this thread. : - )
In fact, according to my librarian, books about wicca, paganism, etc. are flying off the shelves every time a new Potter book is released, as well as an overall rise in readership throughout the year. I seriously doubt that the kids in my suburb are much different than kids anywhere else.
Besides, that's not the point. There's a number of things we avoid because we don't think it's pleasing to God, including a lot of junk on television and other assorted soft and hard core porn. :( There's nothing in scripture that says that we don't have to avoid something that goes against scripture just because it has entertainment value. We excuse an AWFUL lot in the name of entertainment these days. :(
Witchcraft is never "good", and shouldn't be portrayed as such. Just because Harry is the likable protaganist, doesn't make him a "good" role model in God's eyes.
Follow your own advice.
We don't do porn in our home because we don't think it's what God wants us to watch. We don't read Harry Potter because the book clearly presents witchcraft as good, and God forbids witchcraft. In our opinion, therefore, Harry Potter is not "just a book" just like porn is not just another movie.
God Bless
Yup, and they are never fooled by their own, just us evil demons. Quick, bring in Jan Couch, that paragon of Christian virtue.
In fact, ***most*** so-called book bannings are not bannings at all, but parents questioning the age appriateness of the material. And most accusers who like to throw such accusations around tend to believe in a lot of children's rights nonsense that conservatives don't. Please study the issue more carefully.
The comment was not directed at you sherlock, and "the banning" comment was a private joke actually...(not having to do with "book bannings at all)...the other kind.
BUT thanks for your enlightening imput!??? LOL
Larry Potter was an average, likeable kid. Average in all ways but one. He lived with some awful step-parents, the Dursleys. The Dursleys were witches, and they weren't the nicest witches. They used to make poor Harry sleep under the stairs. And worse. They used to hold their Wiccan rituals at all hours, keeping poor Harry awake most of the night. As you can guess, Larry was not very fond of them.
Then one day, a strange thing happened. There was a knock on the door, and who should be there but a giant! Without saying a word, the giant presented Larry with an envelope. Larry's eyes widened as he opened the letter. The letter said that Larry was a Christian! Not only that, but his real father was a Christian, and a very famous one at that. Apparently, at one time his father had battled another bad Christian named Walmart. Walmart used his position in the Church for personal gain. In fact, he embezzled a lot of money from the Church, money that was earmarked for the missions.
No one knew why Larry's real dad disappeared. But the note said that he was killed by the evil Walmart. Anyway, that explained the cross-shaped scar on Larry's forehead. It was carved there by... you know who!
But there was more. The note invited Larry to a school for Christian nuns and brothers. Deep in his heart Larry knew that he wanted to be a religious brother. So he packed his backs and off he went. He didn't even leave a note for those awful Dursley's!
_____________________________________
Harry spent the next several years training to become a brother. He met many wonderful, holy men and women. He also witnessed some amazing things. One brother levitated during prayer! Another bore the marks of the stigmata, the marks of "The Great One Who Calls Himself I AM."
Harry also spent a great deal of time in trying to track down old Walmart. He worked with the police in trying to bring about justice....
*****************************************************
The "Larry Potter" books are very popular in elementary schools these days. Children and teachers love the books. Of course, some self-proclaimed witches and ACLU types claim that the books glorify Christianity. Fortunately, they are in the minority.
The author, Aquinasfan denies the charge. "These books don't glorify Christianity," said Aquinasfan, thereby ending the debate.
Librarians have noted that books related to Christianity fly off the shelves whenever a "Larry Potter" book is released, and librarians have begun to make it a regular practice to stack copies of the Bible and The Catechism of the Catholic Church right next to the new "Larry Potter" books.
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