Harry Potter

[naomi24]

Christian friends won't read Harry Potter because their church minister has told them it's all about witchcraft, it's evil and it may lead them astray. What's your view?

[Mammar]

What worries me is how people purporting to be Christian can have such closed minds?
If the people who lived at the time of Christ had closed minds there would be no Christians. Who would have believed a story like that of Jesus Christ?

[Theland]

luna-tic - Good points. C. S. Lewis wrote "The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe," and he claimed to be a Christian and wrote several Christian books, (Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters are two I remember reading years ago), so we're getting down to splitting hairs here. Fantasy or occult? That's a worthwhile subject but surely too big for this thread.

Hey Manni - Glad you cooled down. Watch out for the next custard pie and duck, but keep smiling!

[chimpanzee]

I'm mocking Mani's views and I'll admit it! I'm mocking them cos they're ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS!

Harry Potter has encouraged children who didn't read before, to read! How on Earth can this be a bad thing?! The 'Wizardy' in the books are fantasy and magical and will really capture a childs imagination. I can't see a negative yet. Children who hate reading may want to be a part of the Harry Potter 'magic' and so if these books are making them want to read, how is that a bad thing?

More importantly...NONE OF THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS BRING RELIGION IN AT ANY TIME. So, why the hell bother to bring it in? It's just people who are up themselves and think they're superior, who decide to make such a COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS point! I mean COME ON, get a LIFE! It's stupid, immature, petty and quite frankly PATHETIC to label Harry Potter as religious! What drugs are you on to think this?!

Finally, Mani, seeing as you've read NONE of the books, you don't have ANY RIGHT to pass judgement (hardly christian is it, to pass judgement?) or make STUPID ASSUMPTION and LABEL the themes of the books WITHOUT HAVING READ THEM! Who do you think you are?!

Mani you are not allowed to make such STUPID, RIDICULOUS and DOWNRIGHT IDIOTIC comments without having read a Harry Potter book, please be quiet. Stating opinions on books you've never read is, to be honest, small minded, sad, pathetic and weak.

[mibn2cweus]

Ummm, banana creame!

You were right Theland! Next time I duck sooner . . .

unless it's chocolate custard next time, Yumm!

[naomi24]

Theland, you say "Anything that pushes open the door a little to the occult is dangerous". By that reasoning, the bible should surely be included in this category? It's a book in which the Devil is a major player, unlike Harry Potter where the Devil is not on the cast list at all. Additionally the bible includes accounts of hundreds of supernatural events; of possession; of ghosts, and of what can only be described as magic tricks, but unlike Harry Potter, people like you believe the contents of bible to be indisputable fact, so by your yardstick that has to be far more dangerous.

As far as I know, one Christian, who has actually read Harry Potter, has contributed to this debate, and he seems to think there is no harm in it. Had he read it and come to the same conclusions as you and Mani, he would, of course, have had a valid argument.

To those who have read the books and know what they contain, the tolerance and 'anything goes' you mention isn't an issue, but your bigotry is. Had you taken the trouble to read Harry Potter, you may well have agreed with Luna's findings, because the books do not deal with the occult - the basic theme running throughout is one of love, and of the fight between good and evil. You and Mani may have seen adverts for Harry Potter, but I seriously doubt that this is why you have formed your opinions. To call for books first to be banned, and then to be given an 18 rating without having read them is illogical and unreasonable. Shall we go back to book burning? I wouldn't dream of commenting on the bible unless I had read it, and therefore I feel your argument is groundless - and completely irrational.

[mibn2cweus]

Now that was your custard pie, umm umm good!

[Theland]

The Harry Potter books do deal with the occult. I have not read them, as you say, but do I have to to know what lies within the pages, when it has been so widely advertised, and the films of course.
It would appear that these books put an acceptable face on what I consider an unacceptable subject.
Like ouija boards, supposedly harmless fun, but precisely the opposite. Dangerous.

[WaldoMcFroog]

That's the Bible you've got confused with, Theland. Harry Potter's never killed anyone.

[naomi24]

Yes, Theland, to take part in a debate on any book, and maintain your credibility, you do have to know what's in the pages. How else can you speak with any authority on the subject? Your argument is branding almost everyone taking part in this debate as either liars or fools, and we are neither. I suspect your views on Harry Potter are not entirely your own, so do us, and yourself, a favour - read the books and then get back to us with your own thoughts. Whether you maintain the opinion you have now, or change your mind, only then can we have an adult discussion on the subject.

[Theland]

With respect, I do not consider any of you liars, and certainly not fools. Quite the opposite in fact.
Do I have to read porn to take an opposing view on that muck? I don't think so. Similarly, to become qualified to pass an opinion on the Harry Potter books, it is suggested that it's not good enough to be acquainted with the theme, but I have to know also the characters and the plot in some detail.
In that case, I would have to withdraw my opinion, and retire from the debate, and just sit here sipping my pint of mild, and eating my crisps.

[naomi24]

Theland - the point that everyone is trying to make is that you're not acquainted with the theme - you only think you are.

[Theland]

I thought that I was aquainted with the theme, having seen the advertisements for the films, trailers etc. But maybe not, as you say.

[chinlady67]

It is fiction. Harry Potter is make-believe. Why is the church so worried about it? Same thing with The DaVinci Code. The Catholic Church got their nose out of joint on that one.

Why are they so afraid that their parishioners will be led astray. Just goes to show you that there is something wrong there. Sorry, that is how I feel.