Posted on 11/22/2010 10:20:36 AM PST by null and void
Never read the books have you? Rowling manages to make magic look dull to learn and just plain awkward to do to accomplish what we muggles do easily with our ‘magic’ - technology.
Christians never get possessed? Source please?
Oh, and FWIW, I never allowed a Ouija board in my house.
“Do you think watching or reading a work of fiction about characters doing something is the same as actually doing it?”
Nope. But any simpleton should realize that reading or watching something can create a desire within the person to go out and become involved in that activity. Else wise corporations wouldn’t spend billions on advertising.
The point is that there are more worthier texts for study whether its an elective or not. Based on the excerpts of HP that I’ve looked at, it isn’t remotely literary. Harold Bloom wrote good article about the books. He started reading one and lost count of the cliched turns of phrase.
Ah! Excellent! That I can respect, that you speak from knowledge rather that uninformed bias.
I don't agree with you, but my hat's off to your willingness to actually investigate before condemning.
Two questions:
Are you approaching this topic as a committed Christian?
Do you believe that demons are real beings?
My point to jerry557 was that even though something is for children (i.e. the ouija board) it can still have a negative spiritual effect.
Perhaps you should read the books instead of excerpts and others’ criticisms. Then you will be qualified to make a comment about the worthiness of the class. During lunch a future HP Lit student and I discussed Chekhov’s Gun and the snitch that Dumbledore left Harry in his will. 42 minutes later we had not ended the discussion. Last week she and I also had a lovely conversation about about religion and the lack of it in the series. It is interesting how Rowling doesn’t include religion, but yet Harry sacrificed his life so that others might live.
What does fantasy literature have to do with either of those questions?
Why do they celebrate Christmas in the wizarding world?
Oh, and I really believe that broomsticks are capable of transporting me from point A to point B. Do you have an imagination at all?
“So people who watch/read material with murder in it then have a desire to commit murder?”
Yes, that might very well be true - statistically speaking.
Could our murder-themed entertainment have any effect of the rise in violent crime over the past 100 years?
Might people that read about adultery might be more inclined to cheat on their spouse?
Might young people that read of the glories of drug use in the 60 be more inclined to try drugs?
Religion as well. Benny Hinn probably has a whole host of demons pulling the strings.
By that same token, wouldnt a Christian (or any religious person) be more vulnerable to possession than an atheist?
A Christian participates in prayer. They believe in an afterlife and believe in a paranormal existance beyond our understanding. So doesnt that open themselves up to contact with a spiritual realm?
An atheist on the other hand pretty much closes themselves off to all of that.
“What does fantasy literature have to do with either of those questions?”
It’s directly related.
So what are your answers?
How many of us at one time or another, perhaps when no one was watching, stood over a broomstick and really tried to fly?
I’ve been mulling that one for a few years now. I don’t think they are anti-religion, I just think that Rowling didn’t want to deal with the intricacies of how to include religion. Plus, even more exorcists would be up her butt about it. She is really walking a fine line: Include religion and the religious think she is evil for suggesting magic and religion go together, or don’t include any religion and the religious think that she is promoting Satan. I don’t know what the answer is, but I’m looking forward to a discussion about it next semester!
HARRY POTTER DIES?!? Awe, you ruined it for me. I'm in the camp of staying away from anything that is not of G-d. Other people's curses also can harm innocent people.
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