Posted on 06/20/2003 8:43:14 AM PDT by Antiwar Republican
Liar, blasphemer, heretic, false prophet I curse you with all my soul!
(Err, was that out loud? Nevermind I am all better now...)
OK, if I read you right your saying that evil prevails and muggles (non-magical people) are, by definition, evil in the Potter books? If so you really don't know anything about the books.
Muggles are portrayed as ignorant of the magical world around them (read that as "real world" within the context of the stories) and can sometimes be frightened or pig-headed about things because of that. They are most clearly not all evil. Harry's aunt and uncle are typical, money grubbing, materialists, but they are not inherently evil. In fact the family that represents "good" wizards, the Weasleys, is headed by a man whose life is devoted to understanding and protecting muggles. He's a little daft, but clearly a good guy.
The force of evil is reserved to Lord Valdemort and is represented by the Malfoy family of nasty wizards. They are the ones that preach the hateful doctrine of wizard purity and not mixing with muggles, etc. So far the forces of evil are 0 for 4, so they aren't exactly winning. They're 0 for 5 if you count Harry's initial defeat of Valdemort as a child.
Now, I understand that people are easily decieved and that the occult is a tempting path that has ensnared many unwary people. However, in the context of this thread, I have to agree that the Harry Potter stories have far more in common with CS Lewis' overtly Christian literature than it does with anything promoting the forces of darkness. Belief in miracles presupposes a willingness to accept supernatural forces exist. Setting a fictional story in a world where those things happen doesn't immediatly mean that the author is promoting satanism. Context and intent are important, though obviously sometimes difficult to discern and open to interpretation.
If you've never read C.S. Lewis' works I'd recommend, for adults who enjoy speculative fiction (also referred to as Sci Fi), starting with Out Of The Silent Planet, the first of his space trilogy. Imagine the War Of The Worlds written by a devoted Christian. He has also written some excellent non-fiction books which are very worth reading and thinking about.
If I misread your post... never mind.
I actually put it down to a (literal) vision arranged by Satan rather than some need for every kingdom in the world to be visible from one mountain. Why would you need to call that a "metaphor"?
There have been times in history when the church took this literally and argued the earth is flat.
True. Of course, I've read the Bible and I can show you exactly where it says that the earth is a sphere that "sits" on empty space. That just shows that there are theologians through the ages that have ignored much of the OT, not that you need to resort to metaphor where there is none in order to avoid a flat earth.
Regarding the subject of the thread: Despite my fundamentalism, I'm fine with Harry Potter, though I never started the third book and am not sitting on pins and needles waiting for the next. While I recognize that there is real power in the occult in the real world, I also recognize the difference between an obvious fantasy and the real world. Frankly, I wish that some of my bretherin would stop complaining and concentrate on writing works as good as the likes of Rowling, King, et al. We need some more C.S. Lewises in our generation.
Two reasons: first the seeing wasn't literal, and second you have made an interpretation that contradicts the clear and explicit words of the Bible. If anyone is allowed to read stuff into the actual words, how can you claim any authority for the original words at all. Here's a clue: does everyone agree with you?
I fear he will be Harry's Wormtail...
You see, if you had bothered to read what you're condemming, you'd know that, and wouldn't make such simple errors.
Oh really?! What error? Point out the post were I said there were? I recommend both reading and comprehending at the same time. It helps you to avoid blathering on about points that were never made.
It's "lev i osa" not "levi o SA!"
Of course I have more luck when I step on her tail, and I've the scratch marks on my ankle to prove it!
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