"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."

[Lurking2Long]

Accidently replied to myself...I ask you then, does God approve of witchcraft?

[thinktwice]

That is utter nonsense. The Bible is the revealed word of God.

A classical example ... of a syntax problem.

[Woahhs]

How about if I put it this way...does God approve of witchcraft?

Now we're getting somewhere. No, God does not approve of witchcraft.

[Lurking2Long]

How is Harry Potter NOT witchcraft, but only fantasy?

[RJCogburn]

Harry Potter IS a slave...of Satan...

Wow! You are really over the edge, at least my edge. Good luck to you.

[Lurking2Long]

Children do not find it as hard to "believe" as adults do...

[Lurking2Long]

Is Harry Potter engaged in witchcraft?

[JenB]

Um. Well, for one thing, Harry Potter isn't magic. Nor does it glorify Satan. If any of the "magic" depicted in the series worked, you'd have a point. But it doesn't.

Look, go pick on Philip Pullman's series instead. That one is evil and nobody ever talks about it.

[thinktwice]

Voldermort?
The anti-christ?

I'm not up to speed in foreign languages. Does "voldermort" mean "anti-christ"?

[RJCogburn]

does God approve of witchcraft?

Hi-ho, hi-ho, it's off to Salem we go.....

[Woahhs]

How is Harry Potter NOT witchcraft, but only fantasy?

Have ya tried casting one of his spells?

[Lurking2Long]

What is the source of Harry potter's "magical" powers?

[JenB]

It's an inate ability. It's fictional. He doesn't sacrifice to demons or use dark magic. The evil wizards are clearly defined as such. In fact there's a better distinction between good and evil in the Potter books than in most children's literature out there.

[Lurking2Long]

I wouldn't even begin to ask Satan to respond to a spell, even if it didn't work...

[Lurking2Long]

So God is behind Harry's "powers" then...?

[Lurking2Long]

Having a hard time responding to the question I asked in post #67...?

[Woahhs]

What is the source of Harry potter's "magical" powers?

There is no "source" of Harry Potter's magical powers, because he's a character in a fairy story.

[mathluv]

Thanks for the suggestion. My grandchildren may like this. The two oldest have read all the books. I bought the books on tape for me to listen to once I found out that they were unabridged. I enjoyed all 4. My daughter plays them in the car so the two youngest kids can enjoy them too. (If you have a Chick-fil-A in your area, their tapes on character, etc, are enjoyed by my grandchildren as well.)

[Lurking2Long]

If there is no source then, the whole premise of the book is a sham...

[JenB]

Let's suppose you're writing a story. It's completely made up. Can you not create, within your story, a magic that is not supernatural?

Put it another way. If magic was real, it would be evil. That's clear enough. But is it not possible, within the realms of fiction, to have magic that is not evil?

Or should we burn Mary Poppins too?