Defending Harry Potter

WorldNetDaily ^ | 6/21/03 | Joel Miller

[vin-one]

BB, I said the Bible was full of Parables, and Not all parables,
boy talk about taking a persons words the wrong way,
and I believe one other person in the bible tells us that, IN fact I believe J.C. himself said these things are parables
or something to that effect.

[Question_Assumptions]

If I suggested a ban, I suppose you'd be making an interesting point. So long as you try to frame this as an excluded middle argument, you'll be missing the truth as much as the book burners do. Saying that some children may be drawn to occultism through Harry Potter or Dungeons and Dragons simply will not make sense to you if you can only think in terms of all or no and absolutes.

If I tell you that you skiing is dangerous, I'm not saying that all skiers will die from that hobby. If I tell you that you should excercise caution while skiing or letting your children ski, I'm not saying that you should ban skiing or that no child should ever ski. Can you tell the difference?

[billbears]

IN fact I believe J.C. himself said these things are parables or something to that effect.

The Old Testament?!? Because I've had it explained by a Catholic monk that the majority of the Old Testament is just a parable. And I don't remember Christ saying anything of the sort

[ican'tbelieveit]

I am agreeing with what you said originally, not against you at all. But there are many out there that want to ban books, in particular, Potter books in libraries, etc.

I was using something you picked out to add additionally to your point.

It is my job as a parent to say what my kids come into contact with. If I don't want a book in my house, it is my job to not allow it into the house. But, it is not my job to dictate my beliefs on everyone else in our society. Otherwise, that allows for people I do not agree with (liberals) to dictate their beliefs on me, on how I choose to raise my children.

But once my children are grown, they should enjoy the freedom to choose for themselves, also. If they do choose to not follow in my beliefs, that is their right.

[Question_Assumptions]

Yes, religion can be dangerous, too. My point is simply that anything that is "powerful" and gathers a following can be dangerous in the wrong hands, including heavy metal music, role-playing, the occult, and, yes, even Christianity. Banning it isn't the answer but neither is claiming that there is absolutely nothing to be concerned about. Like anything, the solution is more difficult than a simple excluded middle slogan. You need to pay attention to what children are doing and how obsessed they are getting with the things they do.

[nmh]

Why does it bother Harry Potter fans that many disapprove of the books? I won't allow that book in my household, yet I don't spend oodles of time villifying those who do. I'll simply put in my two cents if a thread pops up on it and move on. Here I see quite a few threads dominated by supporters of Harry Potter and why those who don't support him are idiots. Sigh ... thankfully what others believe doesn't dictate my values and beliefs.

[Xenalyte]

Because the disapproval is based on absolutely nothing. If there were anything factual behind it, I'd be inclined to give it a bit more weight.

[discostu]

If they just said "I don't want to read the books, nor will I allow my children to" that would be one thing. But they don't. Their answer is to claim the books are evil and lead to paganism and satan and therefore those that read them are evil. Just look at the original article, there are people describing others as "handmaiden of satan"m that's not mere disapproval, that's a direct attack on people's character. Not to mention that the same song and dance gets played every few years about something and there's a a large group of us that are just damned sick of being told we're dupes of satan by clowns that can't find their rearends with both hands a map and a sherpa.

[Xenalyte]

Both hands, a map and a Sherpa - I like that!

[Only1choice____Freedom]

These 100 calls are the kids that are the reason that my son's cape on his "Batman" costume has the warning - "WARNING! Cape does not enable wearer to fly."

My kids know the difference between reality and fantasy. Most of the kids know the difference as well.

My sister is a Pagan because the chruch we grew up in failed. I can testify that it failed me too. I found what I was looking for, but I had to search. If churches cannot reach these kids, they will be lost no matter whose book they are reading.

[kevkrom]

Not to mention that the same song and dance gets played every few years about something

No kidding... I thought Armageddon was at hand due to Pokemon. Now it's Harry Potter. What'll be tomorrow?

[discostu]

They missed a shot to go after D&D again when the 3rd edition came out (and actually knocked Harry Potter off the top of the charts). Usually when they're inbetween targets they pick on heavy metal. I'm suprised they didn't go after Altoids.

[TheBigB]

BTW, where can I get me one a'them "Handmaidens of Satan?" My most recent girlfriend has developed a slow leak.

[Xenalyte]

BTW, where can I get me one a'them "Handmaidens of Satan?" My most recent girlfriend has developed a slow leak.

I know JUST the person to help you.

B, meet TC. TC, meet B.

[Xenalyte]

I've changed my mind.

I'm gonna form a band, and we'll be Devil Xena and the Handmaidens of Satan.

[discostu]

Hasbro sells them, in the Harry Potter section of the toy catalog of course ;)

[TheBigB]

If they have one that looks like Christina Aguilera (who better to represent a typical Handmaiden of Satan, really?), then I'll take several...

[discostu]

There's too much cheap plastic in Aguilera even for Hasbro.

[Xenalyte]

Oh, my Lord, she DOES look like Dee Snider.

[discostu]

But Dee sings better, he was actually classically trained you know.