Posted on 11/22/2010 10:08:57 AM PST by mlizzy
There are two key points in the sermon with which I agree:
1) It is profoundly deceptive to suggest that magic is acceptable, especially in the HP case where it is available to some by nature and not to most. That truly divides humanity into two dissimilar parts, making behavior acceptable for some that is utterly unattainable by others.
Note that this also applies in series like the Wheel of Time, where access to either the One Power (the good side) or the True Power (the evil side) is limited to those genetically empowered. The series somewhat amends the damage by making the limits of power the very argument of the books and showing how abuse of power is always destructive, first to the violator and then to anyone coming into contact with them in widening circles of damage (that is not the only theological problem with WoT, but the others don’t apply in this discussion).
2) Harry’s continual disobedience is a real and disturbing element for me. It is not a matter of being creative: he literally disobeys and then is generally rewarded by Dumbledore. This in some sense leads to Dumbledore’s death but the text never really connects the former with the latter. Only the spiritually-informed will draw the connection and will have to admit they are stretching the material to even suggest there might be linkage or causality in the case. The problem runs right through the books, and the difficulty is that one truly can take disobedient action when circumstances leave no other option. The implication is that the decision is left by the deity to the human, who must weigh obedience against positive action on behalf of another individual (such as in Chamber of Secrets, where the problem is most acute). Harry just gets in the habit of doing whatever he thinks needs to be done, breaks in whenever he thinks information needs to be ferreted out and overrules authority on his own say-so. This all implies that none of the adults involved has or would have any ability to intervene as Harry does. That reduces them to ciphers, unless they are actually evil, in which case they are made to look foolish when Dumbledore overrules them in Harry’s favor.
Note: Harry’s Triwizarding entry is the major exception to this observation. It is known that he did not enter himself and actually tried to get out of participating. The entry was made by one of the evil ones and everyone goes along with it.
I do not agree that the magic per se in HP is evil. Even when Barty Crouch Jr, acting as false-MadEye, is teaching the students about the three unforgiveable curses, he makes explicit why they are forbidden and it is clear that they partake of a power that is meant to be beyond human use. Only someone completely depraved (such as Voldemort) would even contemplate it and, of course, anyone who succumbs to his temptations also falls. So there is a right use in the HP universe and a natural order of obedience and right behavior that happens to correspond with what we interpret as right behavior.
Our family is devoutly religious, and fervent fans of Harry Potter, myself included.
If I really thought any significant number of readers were inspired (by the HP books) to try to actually become wizards and witches, maybe I’d take the OP seriously. I don’t. Some people have a looooot of free time on their hands, however well-meaning they are. Harry Potter and friends are the “good guys” who only use (fictional) magic for good, or so I understand.
What next? An essay on the evils of kids being exposed to C.S. Lewis’s space trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, et al.), or Tolkien’s LOTR books?
So long as the kid understands that its fiction ... I don’t see how the witches in Potter are any different from the Jedi in Star Wars or the fairies and witches Disney or The Wizard of Oz.
These are stories about good triumphing over evil. They’re just modern fairy tales (though I’ll admit to not having watched any Potter — the theme park ride in Florida was pretty cool, if a bit nauseating).
SnakeDoc
That comment is needlessly provocative and unrelated to the thread.
Just sayin’.
I take it you haven't actually read the books.
Plenty of Christian symbolism in Harry Potter books (even if they were unintentional by the author).
Have you actually read the books, particularly the last one?
I don’t watch them unless there is popcorn, buttered popcorn.
I find it hard to believe that my children watching “Casper the Friendly Ghost” puts them or me in the state of Mortal Sin.
I understand the current one is 2 1/2 hours. That’s a lot of popcorn. :)
I was more scared of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz. Some people tried to ban that too.
Yeah, they’ve been saying that for many many years now. It’s still not true. It makes for nice headlines but that’s it.
Harry Potter supported Mitt Romney.
Time to focus on the things that matter.
When we have beaten back the godless socialists, then we can spend out time and energy dissecting movies.
I don’t know anything about this but you mentioned something about going to a theme park? We pretty much restrict our kids’ entertainment to what we are familiar with.
I wholeheartedly agree and more. I was especially grieved when all the prayers after 911 turned to news about record breaking lines to see Harry Potter.
I skimmed the book years ago and was concerned that so many Biblical phrases were used and turned upside down. I think it was the second or third book.
I think you’re absolutely right about it, Obama might be a threat but Satan is after our children.
Same thing with Pokemon, I remember one of their posters had a big focus on a child and said something about THE POWER IS YOU
Total antithesis of Jesus Christ. It amazes me how many Christians seem to be blind to it. It’s a toxic poison pill to the soul.
I wholeheartedly agree and more. I was especially grieved when all the prayers after 911 turned to news about record breaking lines to see Harry Potter.
I skimmed the book years ago and was concerned that so many Biblical phrases were used and turned upside down. I think it was the second or third book.
I think you’re absolutely right about it, Obama might be a threat but Satan is after our children.
Same thing with Pokemon, I remember one of their posters had a big focus on a child and said something about THE POWER IS YOU
Total antithesis of Jesus Christ. It amazes me how many Christians seem to be blind to it. It’s a toxic poison pill to the soul.
Don’t punk your bunk. Chock full-o...
But what the heck ... if the good priest wants to go looking for the devil, the devil is more than happy to be found.
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