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Harry Potter and the Chair of Peter (Lead us not into temptation has meaning to Benedict XVI.)
The American Prowler ^
| 7/14/2005
| J. Peter Freire
Posted on 07/13/2005 11:29:36 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway
I read DVC and found it a fast read witha somewhat interesting mystery tale.
The fact that Dan Brown says that it is historically true don't make it so.
There is no evidence whatsoever of Leonardo being connected to the "Priory of Zion" , no evidence whatsoever that the figure next to Jesus in the Last Supper was Mary Magdalen. The figure is a conventional depiction of the time of James, the disciple, who is always portrayed with long hair and is slight and sensitive looking.
The reality beyond DVC is a lot of hooey.
Foucauld's Pendulum by Umberto Eco, on the other hand, is a masterful work. I am sure that Brown lifted a lot from it.
21
posted on
07/14/2005 12:52:35 AM PDT
by
Cincinna
(BEWARE HILLARY and her HINO)
To: PhiKapMom
Yes, that's true. But your children are grown and have already formed their positions on faith through your guidance.
I didn't particularly like the first book, so therefore haven't read the series, although the movies were pretty good tales. I can see why people like the books.
On the other hand, I have twice been in borders when children with their mothers were buying Potter books AND books on Wicca, witchcraft, etc. There ARE people who are influenced unduly by books, and I suspect more of them are children.
I don't believe Rowling wrote an intentionally anti-Christian book. As I understand it, she was mostly writing to get herself off welfare (an admirable ambition) and simply made up a good story. Awarning that the books can be difficult for a young person to handle is not a cry for censorship.
22
posted on
07/14/2005 12:56:59 AM PDT
by
Miss Marple
(Karl Rove is Plame-proof.)
To: PhiKapMom
I do not know enough about the Harry Potter books, seeing as I have never read them, to address the books themselves. But from what I've heard, which may be lies from the "thought police" as you call them, I would not compare a book about witchcraft (harmless as it may be to you) to a book about a teenage girl trying to fight crime. I am very glad that your obviously very smart and very talented (Go NAVY!) children are into the books. I wish I had a book right now that captivates me the way Harry Potter has for so many people, but fantasy books just aren't my thing.
But that's neither here nor there. In no way am I attacking the books. As someone who has never read the books, I have no place to criticize them. However, I do not see how a Pope issuing a warning about Harry Potter books merits his being put into the column of the thought police. Here is the leader of the Catholic church, in effect, warning people about the Harry Potter books. It is good that your children can handle the books. As college students, I'd be worried about their future if they couldn't handle the books. But what about the 4th and 5th graders that read the books. I don't want to make this about the books themselves, but about the leader of a church coming out and issuing a statement warning his congregation about a very popular book that has been reported to have Wiccan elements. Maybe there is nothing to that and for some reason that I cannot fathom, conservative Christians are making up lies because they do not like British authors. I don't know.
But what I do know is that anytime someone stands up for principles, convictions, and absolutes, it is a good thing. We are on a road to moral relativism in this world and it is refreshing to see someone stand up against it. This isn't about the books, this is about convictions, truth, and standing up against the cultural tidal wave.
23
posted on
07/14/2005 12:57:14 AM PDT
by
dmc8576
To: nickcarraway
bttt
Need to come back and see the fireworks after the anti-potter crowd shows up.
24
posted on
07/14/2005 1:26:02 AM PDT
by
SoIA-79
("The plans differ; the planners are all alike." – Bastiat)
To: endthematrix
VIBRATING Potter Nimbus 2000And Mom likes it, too!
25
posted on
07/14/2005 2:23:17 AM PDT
by
Caipirabob
(Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
To: endthematrix
Stop the presses everyone, the CONSPIRACY has been uncovered!! </sarc>
To: little jeremiah
re "selfish power tripping"
Almost all children books (at least where the protagonist is a child) are about kids having power over their world, something they don't have in real life. So kids want to pretend they can get things done.
To: PhiKapMom
What's with Catholics and books -- should clean up their own house and quit worrying about what book someone is going to read. The Harry Potter books have gotten some kids to read that didn't like to read and now they have gone on to other books. From the letters posted on the other thread, some woman who wrote a book (Harry Potter -- Good or Evil) sent a complimentary copy to Ratzinger, who thanked her, said some polite things and advised her to send it to someone at the Pontifical Council on Culture. Doesn't sound like he ever read the books, and it certainly wasn't a spontaneous statement. But she got what she wanted and wrote again to ask if she could make his first letter public.
28
posted on
07/14/2005 3:41:34 AM PDT
by
maryz
To: DefiantZERO; Caipirabob
ROTFLMO!
You should see the "naughty" nunchucks...
29
posted on
07/14/2005 3:43:50 AM PDT
by
endthematrix
("an ominous vacancy" fills this space)
To: DTogo
I don't think anyone demonized HP. I think they did say that HP can blur the lines between good/evil. And it is true. The worldview of the HP series is different than our own. It's a world of witches, demons, magical powers, darkness, etc. In short, it is an occult worldview.
And if I simultaneously teach an occult worldview is both good and bad, have I not blurred something?
30
posted on
07/14/2005 4:27:44 AM PDT
by
xzins
(Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
To: nickcarraway
Note: If you run out of material, write a Harry Potter vs The Church article. People will fawn all over you like you are a genius.
To: little jeremiah
not only are they very poorly written, they inculcate amoral selfish power trippingI'm rereading them now. They are a comic book without art. Not bad or nefarious. Just not great literature as some believe.
To: nickcarraway
Pope who was a Hitler youth Bears repeating, especially when he starts labeling literature as subversive.
33
posted on
07/14/2005 4:43:26 AM PDT
by
Ace of Spades
(Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
To: nickcarraway
Sadly I'd be more concerned over my child coming in contact with a priest than a HP book. Just what the heck do they think sexual abuse does to a childs soul...alot more damage to the victims spirituality than a fairytale book on magic. And yet they put more effort into keeping a book from a child than a queer pedophile....go figure.
To: SouthernFreebird
Has everyone on this thread lost their mind?
All the Church (Benedict) said was not to put your faith in something other than God (i.e witchcraft). This has been a policy for centuries.
I'm so glad the Navy recruits recognize fiction as such but I would like to point out that young impressionable children could find the idea of casting spells, etc. very enticing.
Such activity if introduced to kids could become a lifelong devotion (Wicca) and therefore exclude the Christian message - or include only parts of it as their liking.
I know people who embraced Wicca (former non practicing Christians - all adults) they 'cast spells' and buy herbs (and other weird stuff) to make potions. Consult tarot, etc...
It all had to do with power- they became their own god in that sense. Believing they 'controlled' forces and commanded nature.
So if full grown adults looking to find answers are drawn to witchcraft it would be just as easy for kids to find the idea enticing.
Now I'd like to reiterate the church did not
a. ban/burn the book
b. tell people not to read it
c. put a fatwa on Rowlings head
They merely reminded the public that this is a piece of FICTION.
SO quit your histrionics Navy Mom and I'll thank the rest of you to can the Catholic bashing......Mr Freebird.....I can't believe some of you people.....
To: k2blader; DTogo; PhiKapMom
My husband tried to substantiate the then-Ratzinger quote--he found it hard to believe that the Cardinal had anything to say about HP. The only source he could come up with--just one--was some wacky filmmag or website. The quote was never substantiated elsewhere.
I'm betting he never said any such thing.
36
posted on
07/14/2005 6:25:23 AM PDT
by
grellis
To: nickcarraway
"Harry Potter and the Chair of Peter."
When does that one come out? :^D
37
posted on
07/14/2005 6:37:14 AM PDT
by
dangus
To: Fawnn
I have this theory that this is one Pope who will never escape his birth name, at least in the secularist community. RATzinger is simply too delicious for insult and parody.
38
posted on
07/14/2005 6:42:30 AM PDT
by
johnb838
(Dominus Vobiscum)
To: PhiKapMom
Wow! What an amazing leap of logic. Whereas the article points out that Benedict merely voiced an opinion that the books may not be beneficial, you leap to imagining him leading a global book-burning orgy of hate.
Next time, wait 'til those meds kick in before you resume writing.
39
posted on
07/14/2005 6:42:58 AM PDT
by
dangus
To: PhiKapMom
I was just going to say that while these books may not be Christian they have a double helping of good vs evil, and I certainly don't have a problem with that.
I WISH they had some religion because it saddens me that Harry can have no hope of ever meeting his parents or Sirius Black (his Godfather(how can you have a godfather, or Christmas for that matter, without God?)) in Heaven. It leads to a lot of depression on his part IMO.
40
posted on
07/14/2005 6:46:28 AM PDT
by
johnb838
(Dominus Vobiscum)
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