Posted on 11/15/2002 2:23:23 PM PST by 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."
Great. You can also ask my co-worker about his career in the SEALS. He'll spin yarns for you of his classified training, covert ops, and combat heroics. Maybe he has even come to believe some of it himself after years of repetition and embellishment.
It still doesn't change the basic fact that regardless of what he may say or believe, he WASN'T A SEAL. The words coming from his mouth are just that. Words.
I have no doubt that some people may believe that they are actual witches. That they believe, or claim to, doesn't make it so.
Word to the wise: it is NOT a good idea to post a spell on FR.
Hair, I would advise you not to get too close to that stuff. You might find out the hard way what demons can do. No frogs into princes to be sure.
Yea, post it on DU and give us a link...
You haven't read the books at all have you??? Shame on you. A sorta bearing false witness thing.
If you read the stories you would know Harry respects "muggles" and Dursley aspect of his life is to highlight how he rose beyond his mistreatment. He didn't do the "victim" scenario, it made his character stronger.
Not quite. For instance, in one scene Harry Potter is alone with Professor Dumbledore and Harry asks if he should have been in Slytherin. (one of the four groups in which students are sorted) When Harry asked this he was according to the book, looking desparately at Professor Dumbledore. See Slytherin is composed of those, more mean, bullying and those that 'go bad'.
Dumbledore answers 'The Sorting Hat placed you in Gryffindor. You know why that was. Think."
Harry: "It only put me in Gryffindor because I asked NOT to be placed in Slytherin."
Dumbledore: "Exactly. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
Harry CHOSE/desired NOT to be placed with the 'bad guys'. He CHOSE/wanted to be placed among the 'good guys'. Choices. It's about making the proper choices in our lives and they POINT THIS OUT IN THE BOOK AND MOVIE.
If one is only receptive to bad then I guess that is all that that person will see....... but there is much good if one reads or watches with an open mind, and heart. Let us not forget that the Spirit works in mysterious ways.
You mean to tell me there was a plot to that film?
I'll have to watch it again and pay closer attention!
Yup, that's what I'm gonna do. Watch it again until I get it right.
And that would be what exactly?
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