Some Thoughts on the Harry Potter Series

Michael D. O'Brien

[DelmarvaMike]

Excellent article and a great contrast to the ramblings in the original post. I can not believe the number of illogical rants against the HP series. If any one was to read these books, they would understand that they are pure fantasy.

For instance, one of the kids in the book finds out he is a wizard after his uncle drops him out a window and he bounces down the street. The "magic" in the book is often so unrealistic that only a total moron would attribute it to reality. We are a Christian household and love the books and are anxiously awaiting the movie in a couple of weeks.

Since many chicken littles are busy condemning the Harry Potter series, I would like to ask if the following should be banned/burned?

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

King Arthur

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Matilda

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Casper meets Wendy

Any Bugs Bunny with the witch with the hairpins

Peter Pan

A Wrinkle in Time

Cinderella

The Lord of the Rings

The list I have made above is not at all comprehensive, but I hope some people will get the point. Fantasy is just that, and helps expand children's imagination. As long as parents act like parents and monitor and discuss the books that your children read, there is little danger that they will attempt to turn their friends into toads. Could we please lighten up before we turn freerepublic into salemwitchtrial.com?

[jjbrouwer]

Have a peek here

[jjbrouwer]

[CheneyChick]

My wife and I have a strong Christian home and have read three of these books with our son. He knows it's fantasy, and we've discussed the 'magic' many times Rather than try to extinguish this, I think responsible parents ought to learn about it so that they can act responsibly. Like any other part of culture, your kid is going to deal with it sooner rather than later; better to be prepared..

So, if you continue to follow this logic, might as well start bringing home the porno magazines and showing them to your kids cuz "your kid is going to deal with it sooner rather than later". And the adults know that it's fantasy......

[Always Right]

Harry also learns a new vocabulary, including words such as "Azkaban", "Circe", "Draco", "Erised", "Hermes", and "Slytherin"; all of which are names of real devils or demons. These are not characters of fiction!

Names of real demons?

[CheneyChick]

I can not believe the number of illogical rants against the HP series. If any one was to read these books, they would understand that they are pure fantasy.

I don't have kids, and I've never had an opinion on this HP stuff - I never read it or even read about it. However, yesterday at the movies I saw the preview for the new HP movie. I made up my mind then and there that I did not like the dark message and if I did have kids, they wouldn't be watching this crap. This is not just "pure fantasy".

[jjbrouwer]

I am not sure you can really compare Harry with a porno mag. There are no glossy pics in the Potter books.

[tonycavanagh]

Do any of you know where the parody of the chick tracts are kept

[CheneyChick]

I wasn't comparing. I was saying that if you follow the logic trail, then that is where you could end up.....

Are you the kind that reads for the pictures? Or for the good articles? ha ha

[eno_]

Oh yes, of course, the Teletubbies! Marxist (from the U.K.), gay (Tinky-Winkie's handbag and tutu), collectist (obviously some kind of commune they live in), dialectical materialist (always solving problems about their toys), drug addled (what IS that pink goo they eat? And that pinwheel!), mind control! Damn, now I'll have to get my son deprogrammed! Even my wife and I do the Teletubby dances. I'm doomed for sure.

[Elenya]

Could we please lighten up before we turn freerepublic into salemwitchtrial.com?

Everytime I read the Harry Potter threads, I'm ashamed of being in the same chat group as the religious fanatics posting here. The Taliban comes to mind.

[Da_Shrimp]

Sorry mate, haven't seen them anywhere.

Would love to, though!

[tonycavanagh]

http://198.182.127.234/~weirdcrap//chick/

[tonycavanagh]

I would not have believed it if I had not read this article.

Its amazing people can take any subject under the sun and load it with menace and threats.

Cheers Tony

[jjbrouwer]

Jack T is not a relative of yours, CC?

[esoteric]

I love Harry Potter as does my son. We also love other books. Tons of books, action/adventure, historical novels, biographies, comic books, science books. You know what....my parents blessed me with the love of reading. I also have never joined in any occult activites. My son will be blessed with knowledge from the bible through several genres. He will emerge well rounded and grounded. Disciplined and able to discern trash from art. Or...you could get rid of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and all other fiction.

[HELLRAISER II]

Doesn't sound to extreme to me, it sounds like a Fantasy/Fiction novel which it is.

[CheneyChick]

Never heard of Jack T.

FWIW, I have never been on one of these HP threads and I have never read an HP book. I just saw the movie preview yesterday and did not like what I saw. I knew the topic was controversial to some, but I had nothing on which to base a personal opinion. Now I do, and I don't care for this "entertainment" at all.

[CharacterCounts]

Might as well add a few more:

The Wizard of OZ

Fantasia

Anything to do with Halloween

Count Dracula

[jjbrouwer]

Sorry, I was referring to the link on #73.

JK Rowling will be heartbroken by your snub...