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Harry Potter: 3 More Things I Learned
ExileStreet ^ | 8/1/07 | John Mark Reynolds

Posted on 08/01/2007 6:59:32 AM PDT by ParsifalCA

I am warning those who have not finished the series . . . and there must be still a few of them by now. . . that there are spoilers ahead. I have just finished the last book . . . having spent an enjoyable evening with it thanks to Sam’s Club and an indulgent wife.

I am done with Harry Potter and enjoying the literary aftertaste the way one enjoys a fine meal almost as much after it is done as when it is being consumed . . . though it is a bit sad that the series is finished.

And it is really finished . . .

Will one be able to re-read the books with pleasure?

I think the answer is only a tentative “yes.” If one knows the “puzzles” and “the secrets” of the book, it will not take away the charm of the characters or the fun of a good Quidditch match, but the first read will always be the best.

The strength of these books is in the plot and the second read, when everything is known, will be satisfying for finding all the clues to what happens . . . but I am hard pressed to know if I will want to re-read them a third or fourth time.

A really great book is as good on the fourth read . . . and some children’s books (Little White Horse) are better.

I deeply enjoyed the last book and thought the ending satisfying. For those who found them quite Christian, they will find much in this last book to give strength to their idea.

(Excerpt) Read more at exilestreet.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: childrensbooks; christianity; culture; deloresumbridge; harrypotter; hillaryumbridge; kidbooks; nooccultpractices; strictly4kids; threaddementorsalert; tinfoilwitcheshat
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To: Bear_in_RoseBear

“No, but if I told you why, I’d probably get a time-out.”

Then freepmail me.


621 posted on 08/01/2007 7:11:09 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: PetroniusMaximus
It's not important. Educating you is not my job.
622 posted on 08/01/2007 7:13:19 PM PDT by Bear_in_RoseBear (Loot it while it lasts)
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To: Cymbaline

” You haven’t produced a single bit of evidence that HP is occultism”

Exactly what kind of evidence would you require? Characters engaging in commonly known occultic practices?


623 posted on 08/01/2007 7:14:08 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: JenB; Corin Stormhands
Oh, MAN, I’m going to have to catch up on 600 posts?

Nah. There's never been an original Harry Potter thread. The participants may change, but the arguments are always the same.

624 posted on 08/01/2007 7:16:20 PM PDT by jude24 (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: JenB
Oh, MAN, I’m going to have to catch up on 600 posts?

Cliff Notes Version:

"Harry Potter is the devil."

No, he's not.

Nagini: "I hate muggles."

Now you're caught up.

625 posted on 08/01/2007 7:16:57 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

Interesting that you’d ping me when I haven’t posted on this thread at all due to being out of town all day. Though my husband has been keeping up our end I see.

I think we’re just offended by your sweeping statements at the beginning.

And again, I think the problem is we don’t believe Harry Potter is occultism, we believe it’s fantasy.


626 posted on 08/01/2007 7:17:29 PM PDT by JenB
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To: jude24; JenB
Nah. There's never been an original Harry Potter thread. The participants may change, but the arguments are always the same.

Now where have I heard that before?

627 posted on 08/01/2007 7:18:06 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
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To: JenB; PetroniusMaximus
Interesting that you’d ping me when I haven’t posted on this thread at all due to being out of town all day.

Actually Jen, I think that was a copy from a post I pinged you to.

628 posted on 08/01/2007 7:19:07 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
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To: Corin Stormhands; JenB
Now where have I heard that before?

Calvinism threads, homeschooling threads, any thread with the term "illegal alien," any thread involving Giuliani, or any thread involving Terri Schaivo?

629 posted on 08/01/2007 7:20:21 PM PDT by jude24 (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: JenB
“And again, I think the problem is we don’t believe Harry Potter is occultism, we believe it’s fantasy.”

It most certainly is fantasy.

But it’s heavily laced with real occultic imagery and themes. And, for the most part, it presents this material in a neutral, judgement-free way. Occultism is not a game - it can utterly ruin lives. I have seen it do so.

630 posted on 08/01/2007 7:23:14 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: jude24

I was being a ~little~ sarcastic.


631 posted on 08/01/2007 7:24:09 PM PDT by Corin Stormhands (I drink coffee for your protection.)
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To: jude24; Corin Stormhands; JenB
... CrEvo threads, LEO/Jackboot threads, etc., etc. Basically they all devolve into "I'm right you're wrong/No I'm right you're wrong" shouting matches. I usually try to avoid them, but sometimes I'm weak and give in to temptation. ;-)
632 posted on 08/01/2007 7:25:28 PM PDT by Bear_in_RoseBear (Loot it while it lasts)
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To: PetroniusMaximus

What real occultic imagery and themes? I mean really, not just what stupid D&D playing wiccans take from Greek mythology.

There is a difference between occultism and fantasy magic. One is waving a wand and yelling “Wingardium Leviosa” and the other is sacrificing virgins on a pagan altar. Neither accomplishes much but the second leaves more scars.


633 posted on 08/01/2007 7:26:51 PM PDT by JenB
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To: PetroniusMaximus; JenB; Corin Stormhands
real occultic imagery

No, it's mostly a mish-mash of Greek & Roman myths, Star Wars, and bad Latin.

634 posted on 08/01/2007 7:29:02 PM PDT by jude24 (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: Corin Stormhands
I strongly agree. I've really regretted how short-changed Molly Weasley and Minerva McGonagall have been in the movies. That scene should be filmed exactly as written, and not played for laughs.

The audience would be on its feet.

635 posted on 08/01/2007 7:33:47 PM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: JenB

“What real occultic imagery and themes?”

Mirrors as communication devices, automatic writing, astral projection, backfire curses, aura reading, generational witchcraft, spiritual posession etc.


636 posted on 08/01/2007 7:35:19 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: BibChr
I've really regretted how short-changed Molly Weasley and Minerva McGonagall have been in the movies.

I agree with you there. I hope we get to see Prof. McGonagall leading a squadron of desks into battle in the final movie! ;-)

637 posted on 08/01/2007 7:49:28 PM PDT by Bear_in_RoseBear (Loot it while it lasts)
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To: pesto
Exactly..If there was even one case, JK Rowling and her editors etc would have been sued..I hear she’s made pretty good money from these books.

You sir have the gift for understatement.

Pretty good money...
638 posted on 08/01/2007 7:56:43 PM PDT by DelphiUser ("You can lead a man to knowledge, but you can't make him think")
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To: Steelerfan; retrokitten; All
Here you go!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

I must say, this thread is very entertaining. Thanks for the ping RK!

639 posted on 08/01/2007 7:59:02 PM PDT by andyssister (That settles it then. I'm creepy!)
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To: andyssister
Ha! Very good!
640 posted on 08/01/2007 8:03:28 PM PDT by Bear_in_RoseBear (Loot it while it lasts)
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