Why is Harry Potter Evil But Lord of the Rings Heroic?

self | massadvj

[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.

[Salgak]

"Harry Potter" was written as a clever story for commercial purposes.

Ahem. MOST books are written for "commercial" purposes, i.e. to sell copies. If the publisher thought it wouldn't sell, they would never have accepted the manuscript, but allowed it to molder on the "slush pile" instead. And on top of that, WHAT IS WRONG WITH DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE A BUCK ??? I thought support of free-market capitalism was a cornerstone of the Conservative Movement. . .

[Overtaxed]

I do have a little gripe with how they elevated Arwen to a "player"--she was supposed to be Mysterious and Unattainable--Aragorn's eventual trophy bride. But, I can see the need for a little romance and another female character.

Arwen has to have a bigger part so Aragorn won't look like a total jerk in that Eowyn business.

[Salgak]

Do the Angels on "Touched by an Angel" have wings ? Heck, where is it written that Angels have ANY wings ?? Or that all do ? How DO you tell a Cherubim from a Seraphim ?

[Salgak]

As I understand it, Harry and company didn't go about murdering people who disagreed with them. Voldemort did. Sounds like a fairly easy test to figure who was good and who was evil. . .

[massadvj]

I thought support of free-market capitalism was a cornerstone of the Conservative Movement. . .

It is a cornerstone of the libertarian movement and the constitutionalist movement. "Conservatives," especially religious conservatives, would place moral issues above commercial considerations. Not that I wish to speak for them, but I think they would support the notion that government limitations on free speech and property are justifiable as a device to prevent society from becoming corrupted by evil.

Within the Republican party there are a number of issues, such as drugs and abortion, that separate the libertarian wing from the religious wing. But without the marriage of convenience, the party could never muster a majority, so they pretty much tolerate each other and unite over their common hatred of liberal ideology.

[RussianBear716]

Never watched Touch by an Angel... it comes on the same network as Dan Rather. But to answer your question , in my religious upbringing, Angels do have wings. If the ones on Touched by an Angel don't have wings, its not my fault. Maybe its a plot by CBS to degrade Angels. Or maybe they just have something against Della Reese.....

But seriously ...

Hebrews 13 1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

[Restorer]

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

They didn't notice the wings?

[docmcb]

Yes, the wizards are incarnate angels. See UNFINISHED TALES.

[JoeMomma]

Harry Potter is just the 'Crusade of the Day' for christians. Last year it was Magic the Gathering that was taking kids away from the church. The year before it was D&D (based on Tolkiens Lord of the Rings ironically). Never do christians look to themselves for the reason that kids seem to rebel and leave the church, it's always some outside evil influence.

Well said!

Some well-meaning folks merely use Harry Potter, LOTR, D&D, and other works of fiction as a scapegoat to blame for their children's rebellion to the church.

Christian parents are seemingly never at fault. The prayers of Christian parents are seemingly never enough. The raising of children by Christian parents under the admonition of God's Word seeimingly isn't enough.

It can't be our fault our children are rebelling.

Instead, it's them -- Harry Potter, JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis. They're responsible!

To blame Harry Potter for children turning their back on the church is lazy. The sole blame goes to parents who can't control their own children or refuse to take responsibility -- for good or bad.

[Kalamity]

Never saw any statistics on "D & D" did you? Like how many killed their friends or their parents, how many ended up in mental institutions and the list goes one. Just because you don't know anyone seriously affected doesn't mean it didn't happen. Also I am one of those unbearable Born Again Christians and I don't like either LOTR or HP. I don't refer to anyone as "Lord" except my Lord Jesus.

[Irish Queen]

I couldn't have said it better. Are you a kindred spirit?

[RussianBear716]

Apparently not, maybe is was like that John Travolta flick, Michael, in which he plays the archAngel Michael and hide his wings under a long raincoat...

[jdege]

Valdemort killed Harry's parents.

Why? We don't know.

Why were Harry's parents good, and Valdemort evil? Because they were Harry's parents.

[Kalamity]

Check with the Bible, it gives you the answer.

[Salgak]

Why don't you quote it ?? A "Field Guide to Common Angels" sounds like a best-seller (g)

[Kalamity]

From someone who holds a Bachelors in Biblical Prophecy and has studied demonology at length I can only say "Your mind is totally void of any logical information on either of these subjects"! You need to study up on these topics before making such rediculous statements.

[RussianBear716]

Well, there were millions of kids playing D&D and still do today, I don't think the ranks of mental institutions or the Wiccans are that large. I heard of one verified case and it was in California, need I say more?

As I stated before, Dungeons and Dragons, other role playing games, Harry Potter, LOTR, video games etc. are nothing more than diversions, entertainment, ways to kill time, fiction. My prayers go out for those who want to assign them some nefarious or Satanic purpose

[Brett66]

Here's a great article that explains it.

Harry Potter vs. Gandalf

[XJarhead]

That was a great article -- thanks for linking it. The article does an outstanding job of explaining the distinction between LOTR and HP on a magical/religious level.

[Kalamity]

My references to logical information was not the way you responded, it was for you to quote your knowledge of Biblical prophecy or demonology back to me. I see you weren't able to.