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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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To: Woahhs
So it would seem...
41 posted on 11/15/2002 4:17:31 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
This does have to do with the subject of the thread...

Ummm... Harry Potter, abortion, abortion, Harry Potter. Nope. You're pulling things out of your hat.

42 posted on 11/15/2002 4:17:52 PM PST by Woahhs
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To: Lurking2Long
Read your Bible (if you have one) and get back to me...

From Exodus 20/8 (partial) -- the third commandment.

No work may be done then either by you, or your son or daughter, or your male or female slave, or your beast, or by the alien who lives with you.

Would you be upset if Harry Potter had a slave or two?

43 posted on 11/15/2002 4:19:09 PM PST by thinktwice
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To: Woahhs
Poor kid...in total avoidance mode, aren't you?
44 posted on 11/15/2002 4:20:52 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: thinktwice
Harry Potter IS a slave...of Satan...
45 posted on 11/15/2002 4:22:23 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
Not at all. I'm just not going to let you dictate the terms of the debate. I also have no intention of letting you take anything for granted. Make a specific charge, and I'll address it.
46 posted on 11/15/2002 4:23:29 PM PST by Woahhs
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To: Charles H. (The_r0nin)
I and my kids really enjoyed it. Kenneth Branagh did a great job.

Now all I have to do is wait for December 17th to come around.
47 posted on 11/15/2002 4:24:03 PM PST by lizma
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To: Lurking2Long
The bottom line is, you either believe your Bible or you believe the Harry Potter books...

If it is the latter, then God help you...
48 posted on 11/15/2002 4:24:12 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
Harry Potter IS...a character in a children's book
49 posted on 11/15/2002 4:24:39 PM PST by Woahhs
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To: Woahhs
You have no concept of how TO debate...
50 posted on 11/15/2002 4:25:06 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
Harry Potter IS a slave...of Satan...

Who then, is Voldermort?

51 posted on 11/15/2002 4:25:45 PM PST by thinktwice
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To: Woahhs
Satan IS...a figment of you imagination?
52 posted on 11/15/2002 4:25:47 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
The bottom line is, you either believe your Bible or you believe the Harry Potter books...

That is utter nonsense. The Bible is the revealed word of God. Harry Potter books are children's fiction.

53 posted on 11/15/2002 4:26:39 PM PST by Woahhs
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To: thinktwice
Also a slave of Satan...as is the writer of the series...
54 posted on 11/15/2002 4:27:34 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Woahhs
I ask again then...which do you believe?
55 posted on 11/15/2002 4:28:08 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Lurking2Long
How about if I put it this way...does God approve of witchcraft?
56 posted on 11/15/2002 4:29:21 PM PST by Lurking2Long
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To: Woahhs
or you believe the Harry Potter books

Harry Potter IS...a character in a children's book

Thank you. It's pretty hard to "believe" the Harry Potter books, since they are works of fiction. F*I*C*T*I*O*N. As you pointed out, a character in a children's book. We haven't had a knock-down-drag-em-out Harry Potter thread now for quite some time. These get quite, um, er, interesting. I'm waiting for the charges of anarcho-syndacalist (a term I saw thrown out in the earlier threads, can't spell it) to be thrown out against those who believe Harry Potter books are what they are - fiction.

57 posted on 11/15/2002 4:30:18 PM PST by .38sw
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To: Lurking2Long
You have no concept of how TO debate...

I suppose not. I'm too busy laughing.

58 posted on 11/15/2002 4:30:19 PM PST by Woahhs
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To: Lurking2Long
There is a difference between witchcraft and fantasy. I know the difference. It's a matter of the heart. God knows the difference too.

Do you?
59 posted on 11/15/2002 4:30:32 PM PST by JenB
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To: thinktwice
Voldermort?

The anti-christ?

60 posted on 11/15/2002 4:30:35 PM PST by lizma
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