Pastor Decries Harry Potter message

Alamogordo News | 12\23\01 | James Matise

[netman]

but I thought such puritanical thinking was long dead

Php 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

[Khepera]

Refer to my post in #40

[Logophile]

You are correct. There are people on this thread who actually don't understand the difference between this book burning and a governmnet book burning.

I cannot speak for others, but I do understand the difference. The government has no legal right to burn books; and citizens have every legal right to burn books that they own.

However, I am not questioning the legality of burning books, but the wisdom of doing so. The book-burning preacher is obviously trying to make a point. Unfortunately, the method he has chosen -- book burning -- has negative and distasteful associations that will distract from the point he wants to make. There must be a better way.

[Phantom Lord]

Why are you unable to just come out and say what you think... that the thoughts and ideas of non-christians are not worthy of any consideration and frankly, they shouldnt even be allowed to express them. That is after all what you think.

[Nate505]

I see this book burning as a simple symbolic rejection of the Harry Potter stuff. This act of defiance (Book Burning) is not "Evil" like you try to make it out to be but it is an expression of opinion by this congregation on this subject.

You are in the minority. The rest of the world that hears this thinks the pastor is a loon and an idiot, and in most people's mind, book burnings conjur up images of Nazi Germany, even though there are differences (ie a private citizen burning a book, although announcing it to the public, and the govt. burning books) that's what the public thinks of when they hear this.

[Khepera]

Musically instruments are often the tools of satan. Especially the banjo from what I hear.

Men have said that.

[dfrussell]

>Where will the ACLU and other libertarians come down on this issue?

Libertarian: if it's your book and you want to burn it, it's your business. There is no law against stupidity.

If we conclude that you're a fringe rightwing cracker with the tinfoil on a little too tight, don't be surprised.

There are lots of books out there a *lot* worse than Harry Potter -- Naked Lunch for example.

Burning something you don't agree with -- be it Harry Potter or the US Flag -- does far more to damage any cause you believe in than it does to further it.

[Khepera]

The path to hell is wide and heavily trodden. The path to God is narrow and faint traveled by few.

[to the core]

Practicing the faith would inded have a greater impact. However, it is much easier to blame and burn a book than it is to submit your will to God to the point where you tell the truth, avoid lust, practice kindness, exchange generosity for greed, and forgive rather than seek revenge. Unfortunately, many sinners have found themselves in the hands of an angry church -- and it has little appeal.

[Nate505]

What about the freedom to burn books? The government isn't censoring Harry Potter. If someone wants to exercise their freedom to burn a book, why isn't that free speech? The ACLU and most liberaltarians favor flag burning, but are whining about this pastor's freedom to make a statement about Harry Potter.

I consider both flag burning and book burning to be idiotic, but consider it a right as a citizen to do so (provided they own the flag/book)....there is a difference between calling the pastor a misguided idiot and saying he doesn't have the right to be a misguided idiot..

[Phantom Lord]

I think my post #28 is a pretty accurate assesment of the situation and Mr. Brock.

[TightSqueeze]

Musically instruments are often the tools of satan. Especially the banjo from what I hear.

I have heard it bandied about that where Khepera lives, if a banjo was to fall outa the sky, anybody that caught it would be able to play it.

[Logophile]

Now why would that be? Because of a hatred toward Christians? Why is it the liberaltarians and ACLU rush to the defense of flag burners, but condemn the freedom of a pastor to burn books? It's called hypocrisy. Use the issue to bash Christians -- even though 99.9% of them aren't burning Harry Potter books -- but cry freedom when it's some left-wing malcontent burning an American flag.

That is pretty much the way the world is: hypocrisy and hatred of Christians are rampant. We must learn how to deal with it.

[Khepera]

So you know what people think? Why don't you just come out and say so? You're a mind reader or palmist and portend to know what is in the minds of men!

[Khepera]

OK let use hear you play it.

[Nate505]

The path to hell is wide and heavily trodden. The path to God is narrow and faint traveled by few.

Ahh, the path to God is taken by burning books and making a complete jackass out of yourself to most of the country.....makes perfect sense....no wonder it's a narrow path traveled by few.

[Khepera]

And where does Khepera live?

[Phantom Lord]

I know what you think because you said what you think, the thoughts of non-christians are of no importance and do not warrant any consideration.

If you did not say that correct me and show me how your post #25 does not say that.

[Khepera]

Your trying to hurt my feelings but your words are of no matter to me.

[Seruzawa]

Sometimes burning a book can be an uplifting experience. I recently threw all my old psychology text books in the woodstove. It was very cheering to destroy such hideous pseudo-scientific rot as "I'm OK, You're OK". Doing it publicily is a bit of a stretch though.