[cantfindagoodscreenname]

They help children understand the difference between good and evil

I haven't read these books, but I was wondering who does the "good" in the books and who does what is "evil"? Is the good done by the wizards, sorcerers, etc? Inquiring minds...

[sockmonkey]

I haven't read these books, but I was wondering who does the "good" in the books and who does what is "evil"? Is the good done by the wizards, sorcerers, etc? Inquiring minds... There are good and bad in all camps in the books. And as I recall those who do evil or bad make a choice to take that path.

[Loyalist]

Pingus!

Harry Potter is probably near the bottom of the Vatican's priority list, and this official represents no one's opinion except his own.

But don't Catholic children have better literature from which to learn how to distinguish good and evil than these tales of witchcraft?

[wideawake]

The off-the-cuff remarks of a single priest at a news conference do not constitute an official endorsement by the Holy See.

I can just imagine how these reporters operate:

Reporter: I'm here in Rome . . . oh look, there's a guy sweeping up in front of a church - sir, sir?

Lay Brother: Yes, ma'am?

R: Are you a priest?

LB: No, ma'am, I'm a lay brother.

R: But you're officially employed by the Vatican?

LB: I suppose so.

R: It's very hot out here, would you like a Pepsi?

LB: Sure! Thank you very much!

Minutes later, across the Reuters wire:

VATICAN ENDORSES PEPSI: "COCA-COLA DRINKERS ARE SINNERS" - SAYS UNNAMED SOURCE CLOSE TO SITUATION

[dead]

What does the Vatican think of Scooby Doo?

[HumanaeVitae]

Here we go...yet another potential "Northern Ireland" thread. I'll take the high road...

[joesnuffy]

Bird's of a feather.......

[Puddleglum]

I don't know much about Harry Potter but I do know electrolysis is supposed to be working wonders these days...

[nmh]

REfusing to see victims of Priest molestation is acceptable, I'm not surprised Harry Potter is okay with him too. Goes together.

[nmh]

REfusing to see victims of Priest molestation is acceptable, I'm not surprised Harry Potter is okay with him too. Goes together. Oh forgot, when lawsuits happen the "church" files for bankrupsy to avoid paying damages. Yeah, I'm not suprirsed ... when it comes to kids ... and what's best for them.

[Brytani]

I'm an adult Harry Potter fan and can't wait for the next book to come out. I also enjoyed both movies that have been made.

The battle between good and evil are not the only "lesson" in Harry Potter, there is also lessons in friendship, standing up for what is right, supporting ones friends, learning to say you're sorry for hurting a friend etc.

If you get a chance, pick up one of the books in paperback and make up your own mind about them. That really is the only way you can decide on this subject.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Vatican: Harry Potter's OK with us

"In fact his books are one of the most effective ways of luring young boys into the rectory."

[ZULU]

"I don't think that any of us grew up without the imaginary world of fairies, magicians, angels and witches,"

HEY, I didn't grow up with any FAIRIES!

[T Minus Four]

Good grief, read the books. I have read every one the second I could tear it away from my 10-year-old, who by the way is in Catholic school, where this has been a NON-ISSUE!!

It's no more teaching our kids satan-worship than other fanciful tales such as the Wizard of Oz or the C.S. Lewis books.

Please read at least one book before you post an opinion!

[SamAdams76]

I've read all the Harry Potter books (as my kids have read them repeatedly) and the so-called "witchcraft" that all the critics rail about is benign. Anybody reading the Harry Potter books to learn about "black magic" will be as frustrated as one who watches a Gilligan's Island marathon to learn how to survive on a deserted island.

It's nothing but fantasy. Like J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling creates an imaginary world. Obviously Rowling is not anywhere close to being the literary equal of Tolkien, after all, these are kids books, but it is obvious that Rowling was influenced by the works of Tolkien to some extent. There are definitely parallels between Sauron of LOTR and Voldemort of HP, for just one example.

In my opinion, the books impart good conservative values for kids. The characters Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, Dumbledore (and a few others) are are good role models for kids. The kids take their studies seriously and try to do the right thing. They find themselves in adverse and dangerous situations that they usually handle with aplomb. It's classic good vs. evil.

The irony is that some of the santimonious twits who bleat about how harmful all this "wizardry" is for our kids can be found on the LOTR threads lavishing praise on the recent movies being made of it.

While I realize that the works of Tolkien are masterpieces and not even in the same literary ballpark as the Potter books, they certainly are "wizard-wise" and "magic-wise." The Potter books are for kids after all and only stepping stones to the works of say, C.S. Lewis and Tolkien.

[Dajjal]

Vatican: Harry Potter's OK with us

Great! I suppose now we'll see a photo of John Paul II kissing a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!!!!

[Dajjal]

Harry Potter : Pampered jock, patsy, fraud.
By Chris Suellentrop

[tonycavanagh]

Cheers for posting, this Harry Potter threads are always good for a laugh. I was recalled to the colours last year, and so dont get to read FR as much as I used to, and since I get Iraq all day and night its nice to go on one of my fave sites and have a bit of a laugh.

Cheers Tony

[HamiltonJay]

Both good and bad are done by "wizards"... They are portrayed like any other people, good and evil. HP is a very clear cut Good V Evil books, no greys, at least not in any I have read.

I am glad to see the Vatican made a stand... won't stop the fundamentalists from screaming dark arts... but at least it shows some official counter to the madness.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

ping!