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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."


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
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Comment #481 Removed by Moderator

Comment #482 Removed by Moderator

To: Lurking2Long
So you rely on the scripture to balance your checkbook? Decide on your groceries? Where you kids go to school?

Sorry, I feel you have lost the ability to deal with the rest of humanity.

Your reality is dangerous and archaic. By you defining what we can THINK and do as man, you promote yourself to be equal with God....that is blasphemous.

And I see you finally grasp the premise that HP is FICTION......and not the message of Satan as you have posted here.

As I said. Our judgement will be in the eyes of God...not by you.

483 posted on 11/16/2002 2:57:05 PM PST by Pistolshot
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Comment #484 Removed by Moderator

To: Cocoagirl
Gee, you think? Seriously?
485 posted on 11/16/2002 3:05:25 PM PST by JenB
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To: Lurking2Long
If you can't follow simple instructions, don't blame me...

Look jerk! You're the one that didn't cite what you were whining about, so don't blame me!

486 posted on 11/16/2002 3:27:34 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: Pistolshot
Keeping your children closed off from society will not help them later in life when reality hits them.

You mean like the islaminazi's who have such a closed and narrow view of the world?

487 posted on 11/16/2002 3:30:37 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: Lurking2Long
Funny, I don't remember any scriptures where Jesus says we need to think for ourselves...on the contrary, He tells us to adhere to the scriptures and to rely on the Holy Spirit.

Since the only scriptures in existence at the time of Jesus were the Old Testament (Jewish Tanakh), I guess you are reading those only.

488 posted on 11/16/2002 3:34:24 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: ET(end tyranny)
Bingo.
489 posted on 11/16/2002 3:36:00 PM PST by Pistolshot
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To: ET(end tyranny)
I love these religious discussions where everyone ends up wanting to kill each other
490 posted on 11/16/2002 3:37:37 PM PST by woofie
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To: woofie
LOL I just like to see some flail, twist and spin themselves into a hole! Makes things interesting.
491 posted on 11/16/2002 3:43:56 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: 50sDad
Well said. I just hope the movies don't rob the imaginations of those kids who have not read the books yet. I was astounded at how closely the Lord of the Rings first movie (except for the hobbit features) mirrored my own imagination's upon reading the books-but ya know-there really IS nothing like a good book. And like you said-there isn't anything more important that good winning over evil. As far as I can tell-having seen the first potter movie but never having read the books-mr potter is a young man who is determined to use his wit and courage to win the day.
492 posted on 11/16/2002 3:52:03 PM PST by Republic
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To: ET(end tyranny)
Jesus IS the Word!

You people just don't believe in Jesus, admit it...
493 posted on 11/16/2002 4:03:27 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: woofie
Show me where I posted any desire to kill anyone...
494 posted on 11/16/2002 4:04:18 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
There you are! Come on. What was it I said that got your panties in a wad? Which post caused you to whine so much in #444?
495 posted on 11/16/2002 4:06:33 PM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: ET(end tyranny)
Try posts 222 and 155...
496 posted on 11/16/2002 4:12:30 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Republic
Perhaps these movies help develop the child's mind.

I am a conservative Republican, but everytime these insane (and generally stupid) members of the religious right start calling for banning "Harry Potter" it makes me ill. The religious right has more in common with the left with the exception of the abortion issue; they don't respect individual rights in many cases and want to burn books like the socialist of the 20th century (Hitler, Stalin, etc.).
497 posted on 11/16/2002 4:13:19 PM PST by TonyS6
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To: ET(end tyranny)
You can't even remember what you have posted and you say MY panties are in a wad...yours are apparantly constricting your brain...
498 posted on 11/16/2002 4:14:04 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: TonyS6
Here, have a barf bag...
499 posted on 11/16/2002 4:14:49 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: TonyS6
Never said anything about burning them, just trying to let people know what inherent dangers lurk in them...(who said this was a free speech country, anyway...?)
500 posted on 11/16/2002 4:16:09 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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