"If there are though, they'd be mostly things like..."
And would include books that make the occult look attractive.
"That comes pretty close to the Puritan view, I guess."
You've interpreted my statement to mean, "Everything that's fun is bad," when my meaning was that some things that are fun are bad. Why did you do that?
"I think there is very likely an equal, probably greater danger, that the things that make us feel self righteous are the real traps set for us by Satan. Like condemning Harry Potter books as satanic."
Satan uses everything, including self-righteousness. What is startling about your statement is that you imagine those of us who see the danger are harboring feelings of self-rightousness.
Liberals, of course, take it as an article of faith that everyone who disapproves of anything they approve of is acting out of bad motives, like self-righteousness. It's frightening to see how many conservatives do the same thing.
I guess it's like Robert Bork said in "Slouching Toward Gomorrah," we're all contaminated by leftism to some degree.
Well, this is beating a dead horse, but saying that Harry Potter books make the occult look attractive is akin to saying the same about magic shows, etc., IMO. Do you also disapprove of those? Probably we should agree to not argue it anymore.
"You've interpreted my statement to mean, "Everything that's fun is bad," when my meaning was that some things that are fun are bad. Why did you do that?
Your interpretation of my statement may be the one that's false. But remember, it was you, not I, who associated fun with the Devil.
"Satan uses everything, including self-righteousness. What is startling about your statement is that you imagine those of us who see the danger are harboring feelings of self-rightousness.
I personally think that it could smack of self righteousness to go around condemning the books as satanic. And it is more the attitude with which it is said than the argument, I believe. However, I think I did finally say it was more silly than anything else. But I concede the point; I believe your motives are true. I will withdraw the sentence about self righteousness, except to acknowledge, as you do, its existence.
"Liberals, of course, take it as an article of faith that everyone who disapproves of anything they approve of is acting out of bad motives, like self-righteousness. It's frightening to see how many conservatives do the same thing.
Hey, Mr. DSC, you implied that those who enjoyed or approve of Harry Potter books are seduced by the Devil. Talk about an assumption of bad motives! No wonder I considered the possibility, perhaps wrongly, of self righteousness.
"I guess it's like Robert Bork said in "Slouching Toward Gomorrah," we're all contaminated by leftism to some degree."
Let me quickly say that I think it generally inappropriate for Freepers to label other freepers as liberals or leftists in place of actually arguing against their points. But I confess to rather liking the sound of that statement by Robert Bork. It is reminiscent of the classic 19th century statement by Sir William Harcourt, "We're all socialists now." It's worthy of its own thread, IMO. I plead innocent, btw...