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"Harry Potter"
Ayn rand Institute ^ | 11/13/02

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."


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To: HairOfTheDog
CROWD: A witch! A witch! A witch!

The answer for a thousand Alex is "What is Hillary?"

381 posted on 11/15/2002 9:49:44 PM PST by NeoCaveman
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Where do the Leprechauns fit into all of this?

382 posted on 11/15/2002 9:49:44 PM PST by Maneuver Damage 1
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To: RJCogburn
I did not see the first one and saw the new one today. I thought Harry used his mind mostly 9-1 over any magic.
I also thought they stayed away from the occult as in the DEVIL.
It was more a fantasy adventure with effects like Mary Poppins. (Flying car - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).

It was mysterious, but I did not feel this movie would turn a kid away from God. But, parents or elders should be quick to point out to kids you don't attempt magic and that what they saw is NOT REAL. Just like if they jump off a building, they WILL NOT FLY!

I found it long and very book like as a movie. It was cute, the affection of Potter and his two friends were heart tugging and the special effects were not near as special as I thought they would be.

No harm, no foul!
383 posted on 11/15/2002 9:50:03 PM PST by A CA Guy
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To: HiTech RedNeck
Just so I'm clear, do you consider the Wizard of Oz and Fantasia to be "rank manifestations of evil"?
384 posted on 11/15/2002 9:50:08 PM PST by proust
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To: proust
I personally do not watch the Wizard of Oz any longer for the same occultic objections mentioned previously.

No regrets.
385 posted on 11/15/2002 9:52:54 PM PST by Jael
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To: proust
A scene of self animated brooms is a manifestation of good? Or is it simply a prophecy of the Hoover (beats as it sweeps as it cleans)?
386 posted on 11/15/2002 9:52:55 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: HiTech RedNeck; proust
No personal offense to people such as yourself, but this Roman Catholic thinks you have a tendency to take harmless fantasy and turn it into rank manifestion of evil.
387 posted on 11/15/2002 9:53:59 PM PST by FreedomAvatar
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To: Jael
I personally do not watch the Wizard of Oz any longer for the same occultic objections mentioned previously.

Maybe the same should go for the "witch web sites" too

388 posted on 11/15/2002 9:54:52 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: FreedomAvatar
What's powering the brooms? Something purely physical like a Tesla coil?
389 posted on 11/15/2002 9:55:27 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: HiTech RedNeck
lizma didn't imply or say that Harry Potter said 'Do unto others'.

Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. (Confucianism, Mencius VII.A.4 )

390 posted on 11/15/2002 9:55:56 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
have you ever seen the true catholic web site. (I am not catholic but came across the site. ) It has a photo of the Pope kissing the Koran.

http://www.truecatholic.org/nop/jp2koran.htm
391 posted on 11/15/2002 9:56:03 PM PST by Jael
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To: ET(end tyranny)
Don't give up on the Hardy Boys. Wholesome stories with challenging vocabulary.

Get dad to do a few read out loud and maybe it will catch on.
392 posted on 11/15/2002 9:57:16 PM PST by lizma
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To: Jael

"Gee, that book smells funny"

(OK, it's getting late and I'm getting punchy)

393 posted on 11/15/2002 9:58:32 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: Denver Ditdat
I've never even heard of the Three Investigators! LOL

He's never at a loss for books. Reads on a lot of different topics. But, I agree that he'd probably like them. Oh well, perhaps in time. He's into ancient civilizations at the moment.

394 posted on 11/15/2002 9:59:05 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
"Maybe the same should go for the "witch web sites" too


People of different religions post there. But I no longer post there. :-)



395 posted on 11/15/2002 9:59:23 PM PST by Jael
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To: HiTech RedNeck
The movie projector.
396 posted on 11/15/2002 9:59:26 PM PST by FreedomAvatar
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To: RJCogburn
Would Jesus drive an SUV to the theater to see Harry Potter?
397 posted on 11/15/2002 10:01:24 PM PST by woofie
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To: FreedomAvatar
In the 'fantasy world' that is. Why brooms? Why not Electroluxes or mops? Brooms have anything to do with witches (in popular mythology that is) huh?
398 posted on 11/15/2002 10:01:36 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck
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To: FreedomAvatar
It's that pesky little Bible issue!

Philippians 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.


9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
399 posted on 11/15/2002 10:02:21 PM PST by Jael
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To: lizma
Get dad to do a few read out loud and maybe it will catch on.

You've GOT to be joking. Dad's books are auto mechanic bibles errr books. And that's about the extent of Dad's reading material! LOL

400 posted on 11/15/2002 10:03:55 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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