Posted on 12/26/2001 8:35:02 AM PST by massadvj
As I lurk about the various topics here on Free Republic I have noticed a paradox that I think I can explain, but I'm not sure. The paradox is this. Currently, there are two mainstream movies out about magic and sorcery: Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I have noticed that Freepers of the right wing Christian persuasion have lambasted Harry Potter for causing young folks to believe in sorcery and witchcraft; and also possibly causing hair to grow on one's palms. On the other hand, the praise for Lord of the Rings seems to be universal, in spite of the fact that it, too, features sorcery and the like. The question is why.
Personally, I liked both movies. Lord of the Rings was the better flick, in my opinion, because of its fantastic scope and special effects. Also, Lord of the Rings was a better story, which is where the question of the paradox comes in. If you think about it, Lord of the Rings is filled with Christian symbolism. One devil, the ring (original sin), a savior, there is even a resurrection at one point. So the movie appeals to Christian sensibilities at an unconscious level. This is nothing new to movies. Take a look at E.T. the Extra-Terrestial or The Abyss for two more obvious examples of tugging at Christian heartstrings.
Harry Potter, on the other hand, is more "New Agey" and relativistic, which rigid Christians find irreverent. And so, Potter gets slimed while Lord gets lauded.
That's my take, anyway. I'd be interested to hear whether others think this hypothesis of mine has any credibility. So flame away.
However, I'd encourage you to be cautious about who you lumped into the label "Christian."
EXTRINSIC so-called Christians tend to behave much as you describe. INTRINSIC Christians behave the least so of any reference group studied. Atheists/indiscrimminantly anti-religious indidividuals have consistently shown themselves to be the MOST prone to behave as you described in terms of hypocrisy, hostility, anger, rigidity, narrowness, punitiveness, racism etc.
GIVEN THE DOCUMENTED RESPONSES OF A HUGE CHUNK OF THE RELEVENT YOUTH POPULATION, IT IS *CLEAR* HP *DOES* TEACH WITCHCRAFT--AT THE VERY LEAST--TEACHES, ENGENDERS A DESIRE TO LEARN WITCHCRAFT AND TO GAIN JUST SUCH POWERS. Why is this so hard to understand? The connection is simple, logical, repeatedly demonstrated, documented. Why is it so hard to accept? Bias?
When you obviously speak from the ignorance of lack of experience with such forces, powers, it's not greatly impressive.
But in your lifetime, you will observe first hand the potency and horror of such forces. Increasing numbers and levels of them are being loosed on the earth to cause their brands of trouble in our era for the first time in the history of the planet. The first few times that happens, should you survive the first time--you will recall this thread. I hope it's then not too late for you to choose which side you'll be on.
And a final point: If and when Sauron's ring is unmade, the book makes it clear that the magic of the wizards, elves, and dwarves will fade away until Middle Earth is taken over entirely by men, for good or ill. It is a powerful theme in the book that was only hinted at in the movie: by aiding Frodo's quest, the elves are sealing their own eventual doom. (Or perhaps "exodus" or even "return home" would be more accurate.)
Or, more likely, "..at a conscious level."
Lots of LOTR fans can recall lengthy discussions along these lines, going back decades.
LOTR is appealing because it deals with big themes. As far as I can tell "Holly Batta" (as the Chinese call him) is pretty much limited to the theme of muddling through life, while trying to be an OK person, using what manipulations present themselves. So beyond the immediate fascination of an "alternate reality," I'm stumped to comprehend its attraction. Maybe I should push myself beyond chapter 2.
However, in my experience, the average person will focus on the tangible object as the source of evil rather than the intangible spirit residing in it or hanging around it.
And you've, ahh, actually seen these demons?
I agree; in essence, people focus on the symptoms rather than the disease. Unfortunately, treating the symptoms in this case, only makes people feel better, but does not cure the root problem.
W.K.
One can speak of seeing a wind, but it's not really the moving air we see.
Some folk of much experience in my association have "spiritual eyes" gifted at seeing such. I have rarely "seen" such though faintly at times. Mostly I "sense" them often enough in my body--certainly the typical hair on the back of the neck--but mostly I sense them in my spirit and hear in my heart/mind from Holy Spirit what is going on--what a given demonic force's focus, influence is.
But mostly, I don't get caught up in dialogue with such. I don't like talking with or arguing with forces, entities in league with the Father of Lies. What's the point. Just take the authority Christ has bought for us and send them packing. And teach the individuals involved how to stay free.
I suspect you value freedom. You likely haven't the same appreciation for FREEDOM someone who's been bound to/by demonic forces then delivered--experiences. Such freedom can feel incredibly liberating, freeing. If my observations of working with many bound individuals is any clue--Words are not adequate to well describe the different states of being--the bondage is so dark, narrow, restricting, overpowering. The freedom is such a contrast.
Incidentally, the book BONDAGE BREAKER (I think by Anderson) is great classic on getting and staying free of a variety of spiritual, habitual bondages.
Why was Harry good? Why was Valdemort bad? What moral choices underlay the distinctions between good and bad?
Rowling gives us no answer, whatsoever.
Are there any characters in the Potter books who struggle over moral issues in any way whatsoever?
Any sign of temptation? Or of remorse over yielding to it?
The Potter books aren't immoral books, they are amoral books - they include witchcraft in a world in which moral issues are not even mentioned in passing.
The LOTR are very much moral books - the issues of control, and relinquishing control, of temptation, and redemption, of moral choice and choices, are the core of the book. Without them, there would have been nothing.
So I don't think it's the magic, really, that has the fundamentalists up in arms. They may say that they are opposed to depictions of witchcraft, but there have always been depictions of witchcraft, even favorable depictions of witchcraft, that they have not opposed.
What I think really set them off is the idea that it is possible to live in an amoral world - a world without the need to make moral choices.
Harry Potter presents such a world, LOTR does not.
My favorite line from The Two Towers. Since it's descriptive only, it won't make the movie. But I'm betting that Peter Jackson is going to do a masterful job at recreating the emotional impact of that line.
You can add Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the list of "dangerous satanic films filled with witchcraft and evil spells". I am also heartbroken to know that the TV shows Bewitched and The Munsters have also contributed to the corruption of our children. ;p
Also interestingly no one notes that the all the Harry Potter books mention the celebration of the Christmas holidays, as most of the children at the "wizards school" go home to celebrate Christmas with their parents.
Sounds like terrorists versus those who harbor them.
The Iluvatar spoke, and he said: `Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'- J.R.R. Tolkien, "Ainulindale, The Music of the Ainur"
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