"Harry Potter"

Ayn rand Institute ^ | 11/13/02

[RJCogburn]

The movie adventures of child-wizard Harry Potter will continue on November 15. Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

"It is true that Harry lives in a magical, fantastical world, but what's important is that he is a hero who wins through intelligence, effort and courage," said Dr. Yaron Brook. "Throughout the series, Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident. He has friends who share his values and he earns the respect of his teachers. Aren't these the character traits all parents want their children to possess? I know they're qualities I actively try to instill in my two boys."

Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential. What is fundamental is the abstract meaning being conveyed during the course of Harry's magical adventures. "The books are, in short, fuel for a child's maturing mind. As vitamins and minerals are essential to a child's healthy physical development, so literature with this view of the world is essential to a child's healthy mental development."

[Billthedrill]

What, no goat sacrifices? No nekkid orgies? No praying to Satan?

Well, I'm awful glad this was posted before I wasted eight buckadingdongs on some boring kids' movie...

[BCrago66]

"...through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident."

Wish I could say the same for the "scholars" at the Ayn Rand Institute, who never actually produce anything.

[Irish Eyes]

Agree completly, can hardly wait to see the movie. Loved all the books and really enjoyed the first movie.

[Prodigal Son]

It's already out on this side of the Atlantic- even in my small village. Maybe one of the few times I will be able to get the drop on my fellow freepers.

[r9etb]

Wish I could say the same for the "scholars" at the Ayn Rand Institute, who never actually produce anything.

LOL!

I'm waiting bewathlessly to hear how the Ayn Rand Institute is will justify Lily Potter's altruistic sacrifice for her son....

[r9etb]

bewathlessly

Er, "breathlessly".

Note to self: don't hold breath waiting for ARI justification -- lack of oxygen impairs ability to spell and type....

[KarlInOhio]

Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident

I was wondering why the DNC was protesting the movie.

[50sDad]

DragonRaid Inn Your Old Dad played a lot of Dungeons & Dragons in his youth, which some people at the time had an absolute tizzy over, and I haven't seen D&D as the scapegoat for bad parenting in a dozen years...now they are out trying to find another one.

I am a FarRight Fanatic(tm) and born again Christian, and folks, hear this God is smart enough to tell the difference between fantasy fiction and worshipping Satan and if your kids aren't, then you better get to work. My nine year old loves them, and she's sharp as a whip, and loves God better than most adults.

The books are wonderful and portray honesty, honor and intelligence as positive things, and the movies are excellent translations of the books.

I wish some of my Christian brothers and sisters who are so hep to attack Harry Potter for corrupting the Youth Of Today were half as devoted to proclaiming the murder of babies on the alter of convenience as wrong. Folks, there are more important things to protest!

If you want fantasy fiction on the order of C.S. Lewis's Narnia in a role-playing game, incidentally, check out DragonRaid, the "Christian D&D."

http://my.oh.voyager.net/EF/5C/abartmes/dr/

[bvw]

More good stuff from the Ayn Rand Instutute. If they keep this up, I might one day have a good word for her.

[Cicero]

You are correct. The Harry Potter books are basically sound. They understand the difference between good and evil, and they encourage a selfless devotion to good. IMHO they are very unlikely to lead Christian children astray, while they will have an excellent effect on educating secular kids who have never been taught anything about God, religion, or traditional morality.

I have seen several scholarly articles written by Evangelicals making these points, including a very persuasive one that appeared last year in Christianity & Literature.

Dungeons & Dragons and the games that derive from it are a little more questionable, because so many of the games make little distinction between good and evil. But here, too, I'm unable to see that they did anyone much if any harm.

[SouthernFreebird]

Your right......I loved the Narnia books and I now love the Potter books. I am a Christian and these book are pure fantasy right up front. I watch Santa Claus is coming to town and Frosty the Snowman every year, both of those use magic also and we don't hear an uproar over them.

[mamaduck]

she's sharp as a whip

So are you, Dad! I agree completely with your post!

[FryingPan101]

My daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter are at the 3:45 showing now. Can't wait for a report.

[Billthedrill]

God is smart enough to tell the difference between fantasy fiction and worshipping Satan...

LOL! Yeah, one would hope so. I really think that needs a little BTT here...

BTW, I never did play Dungeons and Dragons - it was for kids (sob! sniffle!) younger than me...I do remember Pong...OK, I'll just go off and kill myself now...

[Notforprophet]

A D & D Bump!

I played AD&D for years, read all manner of fantasy fiction and science fiction, and I turned out all right.

[Woahhs]

I played AD&D for years, read all manner of fantasy fiction and science fiction, and I turned out all right.

You just don't understand because of your stunted spiritual condition that came as a direct result of trafficing with demonic forces.

Sure, you feel exactly the same, but your not! Just because nobody notices how you've become corrupted, doesn't mean you haven't. So your reasonably well adjusted...it's only because you are drawing your power from Satan, and he knows you have to act normal to be able to infiltrate the Godly. You may even read the Bible, but you won't understand it.

(Dang...that was way too much fun.)

[thinktwice]

Wish I could say the same for the "scholars" at the Ayn Rand Institute, who never actually produce anything.

I wonder, who produced the text you are referring to?

[Woahhs]

My nine year old loves them, and she's sharp as a whip

It's nice to know an apple doesn't fall far from the old block ;)