Benedict XVI-New Pope Hits Out at Harry Potter Books

Contact Music News ^ | 4/24/05

[Not A Snowbird]

Of course. Without parental involvement, everything out there in the world can be dangerous for the young skulls. Even with parental involvement, it's a minefield.

Given a choice between my daughter reading Harry Potter and watching MTV, I'll take Harry Potter.

[avg_freeper]

I found this at the Author Gabriele Kuby's website:(google translated)

Resonance

Joseph cardinal Ratzinger, Praefekt of the Glaubenskongregation, letter from 7 March 2003
"thank you for the instructive book. It is good the fact that you clear Harry up Potter in things, because these are subtle seductions, which work imperceptibly and straight thereby deeply and which decomposes Christianity in the soul, before it could grow at all quite." (cardinal Ratzinger refers to my contribution in the book in the meantime out of print: The Gabriele Kuby and Michael Hageboeck: Harry Potter  the master of the rings. Distinction does emergency. It wrote me 27. 5. 2003: "I permit you gladly to appoint itself to my judgement over Harry Potter.")

This is a link to the google translated page

[Antoninus]

So are the3 Sherlock Holmes plots, and most of Dickens. Shakespeare is littered with cliches.

I have a hard time comparing JK Rowling to Shakespeare. As for the other two, I see them fading as time marches on, to be honest with you.

[donbosco74]

I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders.

[kevkrom]

Is that next to the Build A Bear in the mall?

"Build A Bear" is a "gateway" organization to prepare young children for assimilation into the "Build A Burger" society.

[Killing Time]

Personally, I can't wait for 'The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe' to come out on film.

There is a lovely animated version from (I think) the 80's. Played very straight with a haunting soundtrack. In fact I may just go and look it up on Amazon now.

[HungarianGypsy]

Perhaps if she had just stated it was a school of wizardy people wouldn't freak out as much. Maybe it was adding the word witchcraft that brings out the doomsayers. Just a theory.

[Bigh4u2]

"Given a choice between my daughter reading Harry Potter and watching MTV, I'll take Harry Potter."

That's good because you have control over what she is exposed too and I'm sure have pointed out that it is fiction, and not truth.

But, like I said, many parents are not involved in the rearing of their children and the children are left to be raised by society. Mostly in the form of peer pressure and review.

That's where the danger lies.

[Mark in the Old South]

Allow me to point out you are an adult (I assume) The books are marketed for children (minds full of mush). The point people are making is: these books are not suitable for CHILDREN.

It isn't all about you my dear.

[TheBigB]

Is that next to the Build A Bear in the mall?

Now, you wanna talk about EVIL! THOSE SOBs scare the hell outta me...

[HungarianGypsy]

How about The Hobbit. One of the most influential and good characters of the book was a wizard. So, how is that different? I still don't see it.

[gopwinsin04]

It's already starting!

[js1138]

I was kidding about Shakespeare. The chances of Dickens and Doyle fading with time are slim to none. I could envision a pendulum swing, but not a fade.

[HungarianGypsy]

If there are any homeschoolers who are also evil Harry Potter followers, you might want to be reminded of the Hogwarts summer school. Freepmail me for more info. Good for anyone who wants to do something fun while their kids are off of school also.

[Eepsy]

I've read the first four (I enjoyed the series, but gave up on it when it became clear JKR wasn't going to start listening to an editor anytime soon), and think they're harmless to any child with a basic foundation in faith, and continuing parental support of that faith. I can see, though, how it might lure children without that sort of foundation on a darker path than Tolkein and Lewis could ever lead to.

Much more dangerous, in my opinion, are Phillip Pullman's fantasy novels, and the way they are often pushed in library and school sponsored YA book discussion groups. It worries me, sometimes, how few complaints I hear about this as opposed to the tame-in-comparison Harry Potter books. I fear uninformed parents may let them slip through their radar due to the numerous awards they have won :(

[kevkrom]

many parents are not involved in the rearing of their children and the children are left to be raised by society. Mostly in the form of peer pressure and review. That's where the danger lies.

In that case, the content of books like Harry Potter are the least of their worries. Parents who fail to actually do parenting are dooming their children to be rudderless, amoral, and unable to exercise self-restraint.

[TheBigB]

OTOH, the craze -has- brought about some good things. ;)

HARRY POTTER VIBRATING BROOMSTICK

Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. Box Size (in inches): 6.1 x 4.2 x 35.8 Shipping weight: 1.45 pounds. Note: Giftwrapping not available for this item. ASIN: B00005NEBW SKN: 154291

Reviewer: Ashley from TX
My 12 year old daughter is a big Harry Potter fan, and loved the part with the Nimbus 2000, so I decided to buy her this toy. I was afraid she would think it was too babyish, but she LOVES this toy. Even my daughter's friends enjoy playing with this fun toy. I was surprised at how long they can just sit in her room and play with this magic broomstick! A great buy for any Harry Potter fan! :)

Reviewer: poola13 from Ohio
When my 12 year old daughter asked for this for her birthday, I kind of wondered if she was too old for it, but she seems to LOVE it. Her friends love it too! They play for hours in her bedroom with this great toy. They really seem to like the special effects it offers (the sound effects and vibrating). My oldest daughter (17) really likes it too! I reccomend this for all children.

[retrokitten]

LOL!!! On the weekends ours has a giant bear who "welcomes" (indoctrinates) kids into their nightmare-ish ways.

"Oh come on in! Look at our cute stuffed animals! Prepare for world domina- I mean, look! A stuffed kitty wearing sunglasses!"

[Miykayl]

I played D & D and read fantasy while I was growing up, in a mostly non-religious household.

My parents never went to church… taught me very little about God. I do remember going to Sunday school a few times when I was very very young, but my parents did not go.

I spent some time in early adulthood exploring occultism, I knew some wiccans (dated a witch, briefly), was myself very new-age... Oddly enough… studied the Illuminati briefly, too. People who recognize these references are likely also to be familiar with Bob. Like many folks, I went through a period in my life where drugs were a staple of everyday life.

But, there is something about THE TRUTH that obliterates these flights of fancy of youth, and sets you free. I always believed in God, but departed for some time as I was coming of age.

That being said, I think parents should take a very active role in defining and developing their children’s worldviews and theology. I certainly have no intention of having any cultural phenomenon have free-reign over my children. I must meet my responsibilities to my children and my God, and “Bring up my children in the way they should go.”

You said, “You probably made your decision to be Christian based on the teachings of your parents and church.”

That does not apply to me, clearly. Non-Christians sometimes take this tack with me as they try to explain that I have been “brainwashed” by my church and family… when in fact God came to me where I was, as an adult… in the midst of depravity and filth, and He delivered me.

[jimt]

I thought he had more sense...