Harry Potter: 3 More Things I Learned

ExileStreet ^ | 8/1/07 | John Mark Reynolds

[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.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Did you happen to notice I very specifically said: “Harry Potter magic is fiction”?”

“I have an idea for a wonderful series of children’s books. I’m imagining a delightful fantasy world. In my world, there is a secret: tucked away on the upper shelves of every home is a product that, when used the right way, can make children’s dreams come true: common rat poison, when mixed with orange soda, turns into an elixir that’s out of this world. When you drink it in one big gulp, not only does it taste heavenly, it also makes you happy, beautiful—and for 24 hours, it gives you the power to accomplish one wish. One shy, picked-on, but highly intelligent boy has discovered the secret, and he intends to use his new power to help the world. These books will be exciting adventures—easy enough for 8-year-olds but compelling enough to keep teenagers entertained.

What? Parents would worry that this “innocent fantasy” might spill over into the real world? Someone might actually try mixing rat poison and orange soda in real life?”

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october23/34.113.html

[TexasAg1996]

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october23/34.113.html

Hey look, it's yet another outdated website written by someone else. You must be getting good at searching the Internet looking for anti-HP stuff to post here. I bet it's probably easier than critical thinking, too.

[null and void]

Aw come on, you’ve already demostrtated that you can come up with better straw men that that!

I’m disappointed in you.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Hey look, it’s yet another outdated website written by someone else.”

I thought you would like the illustration better than the male-prostitute.

[TalonDJ]

I think I saw it move. Hit it again!

[TexasAg1996]

I thought you would like the illustration better than the male-prostitute.

Of course, most houses have deadly chemicals, and no house I know of has magic wands and broomsticks lying around. But go ahead and keep using those strawmen. Nothing shows how desparate you're getting.

By the way, you never did answer my question. If JK Rowling had called them Jedis and said they used the Force, would you be complaining about the story?

[TalonDJ]

Oh don’t know, that was a pretty good straw man. Now I can see that by liking HP I just want to poison all 8 yearolds. Makes perfect sense now.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“No he’s talking about Heliography”

No, I’m talking about mirrors as used in the occult - a very common practice.

[TexasAg1996]

No, I’m talking about mirrors as used in the occult - a very common practice.

Of course, every 8-year old who might read that would run and find the closest mirror, try talking into it, fail, and then go on to the next fun thing to do. At least in reality, anyway. In PM world, the mirrors might talk back, leading the 8-year olds into an eternity of hellfire.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“In PM world, the mirrors might talk back, leading the 8-year olds into an eternity of hellfire.”

These things only work as part of occult magic. Their use in HP is a special-effects version, but MIRRORS are actually used by occultists.

[JenB]

Our point is that Harry Potter magic is not “real” occultism. So it would be like a story where you mix Fizzing Wangdoodle Powder with orange juice. And then you’re complaining that kids are going to mix rat poison with orange juice and die and we say no, Fizzing Wangdoodle Powder is imaginary and not rat poison.

[Tijeras_Slim]

In PM world, the mirrors might talk back, leading the 8-year olds into an eternity of hellfire.

I'd settle for a mirror that shows me with a full head of hair and washboard abs.

[JenB]

That does it, I am smashing every mirror in our house. I had better stop brushing my teeth just to be sure I don’t catch a reflection of myself in the sink faucet. I hope my husband doesn’t mind.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Please don’t tell PM about the Skiving Snackboxes.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Of course, most houses have deadly chemicals, and no house I know of has magic wands and broomsticks lying around. “

The point is not what’s in your house but the idea of mixing a little poison with something fun and exciting.

[TexasAg1996]

but MIRRORS are actually used by occultists.

And by billions of (relatively) normal people worldwide.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“Our point is that Harry Potter magic is not “real” occultism.”

I’ve already give you a list of things in HP that are REAL occultic practices. The way HP portrays them is a Hollywood version - but the practices that underly the hollywood version are real practices.

[TexasAg1996]

I'd settle for a mirror that shows me with a full head of hair and washboard abs.

I'd settle for one that makes me look 20 pounds lighter!

All of this just reminded me of something. My little 4-year old was playing with grandma a couple months back. Grandma was pretending she could make a toy figurine in her hands disappear. When she left, my 4-year old tried to do it himself and couldn't. We explained to him that there's no such thing as magic. He couldn't make stuff disappear, and neither was Grandma, she was just pretending. The next time Grandma came over, my 4-year old mentioned how Grandma was just pretending to make stuff disappear.

If my 4-year old can understand that, I'm confident the HP series won't condemn an entire generation of children.

[PetroniusMaximus]

“And by billions of (relatively) normal people worldwide.”

Not for SPIRITUALISTIC purposes.

[js1138]

These things only work as part of occult magic. Their use in HP is a special-effects version, but MIRRORS are actually used by occultists.

Do you apply these standards to Narnia, Wizard of Oz and Lord of he Rings?