Harry Potter...

[Hessian]

Oh I know what is coming..."How dare you narrow minded conservative attack such an entertaining, innocent movie?"

Ask yourself a few questions...
Who gets rewarded for breaking rules, lying, and situational ethics? Huh?
Who's exploration of spells and witchcraft has sparked a wave of interest in black magic?
Who's imagery and methods mimic the real thing and is void of true right and wrong?

This is one huge deception...witchcraft made playful, funny and amusing. Ask anyone who has sunk so far into it that they can't see daylight:
Ask them how they got started,...
Ask them how much fun and amusement they are having when they feel paranoid, trapped, can't sleep, have nightmares, are dependent on drugs etc.
Parent's...for the love of GOD, don't buy into this image that its innocent fun. I'm not saying your kids will be possessed, I'm saying its opening a door that leads into nihilism, fears, moral relativism, and a lifestyle you DON'T want them to emulate.
Paganism and Wicca has surged in parts of Europe and especially England...Why bring it here? Ask the police what its like to deal with satanic rituals and mutilated animals.
Don't fall for the deception.
Veritas.

[Jimmyrich]

Hessian,

Are you kidding????? I'm starting to think that maybe you're not actually like this and you start these threads as a joke because that's the most ridiculous string of statements I've seen since....well...you're last post about Gays.

Not ONE PERSON I KNOW has "fallen into drugs, black magic, nihilism," or any of the other terrible ends you seem to think follow reading Harry Potter....And I know MANY MANY people, Adults and Children alike, who have read the book.  It's fantasy; no different from watching Star Wars or Star Trek.  And if some kids are acting it out, and wishing they had some magical powers or lived in that world, what's so wrong with that? It's fantasy. It's like pretending to be your favorite superhero. Or reenacting historical battles. It's an escape into a ficticious world where, yes, they are referred to as wizards and witches or what-not. But they don't embrace disobediance, black magic and SATANISM!!!  It deals with more common themes of adolescent aingst and confusion; loss of one's parents; feelings of carrying a great weight upon your shoulders. And on top of that, it's really well written and enjoyable. Show me someone who has turned to Satanism because of Harry Potter.  I'm not even gonna say anything about the "narrow minded conservative attack such a..." blah blah blah. Because this has to do with your buying in to the ultra-conservative uprising against this book simply because more kids enjoy reading IT than the Bible.  It's a phenomenon and it's for ALL people to enjoy, seperate from racial, political, and religious differences.  Have you even read the book? Or just excerpts from the flier at your local church?

[Hessian]

Hey Tool,

try this:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=306029&in_review_text_id=250010

The documentation is growing: Children pursuing paganism and the occult thanks to today's media and Harry Potter.
There is nothing "innocent" about it...open your soul and let the dark side in Jimmy,...there is plenty of room and you seem ready to embrace it.

try this quote:
"Christianity simply doesn't fit, and Mr. Norfolk of the Pagan Federation thinks he knows why. The Christian Church has failed to provide "the right degree of spirituality for young people," he explains. In contrast, paganism involves "direct communication with the divine."
Sounds like you paraphrased this pagan...wanna send an application?
     
Veritas.

(Edited by Hessian at 7:15 pm on Nov. 15, 2001)

[Frank]

Maybe I read the article wrong. Seems to me, the whole point of appointing a youth officer was to answer questions. They made it clear they don't admit anyone under 18. He goes on to say, that most of the interest is a passing fad.

I *really* think you're reaching on this one. Stories of fantasy have fascinated children for centuries, from Homer, Virgil, Grimm's fairy tales, to stories of Arthur, to the Wizard of Oz, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tolkien - to today's mix of comic books and sci-fi adventures. You are reacting to the introduction of *magic* in a story, as somehow the gateway into satanism and human sacrifice. An awful lot of today's sci-fi is just magic with bad science "explaining" it.

To my observation, it's had one very solidly good effect - kids are *reading*. They are turning off the TV, and picking up a book. I know you have your opinions on the matter, but it seems to me that until recently, kids weren't reading books, because no one wanted to tell them a story they wanted to hear.

When I was a kid, "Superman" was bad, because kids were jumping out windows with bedsheets for capes. #Fantasy and imagination are part of childhood. And how I so wish I had a little of that back, again. Didn't you read Jules Verne and H.G. Wells growing up? Why is all this so terrible to you? Does an evil force lurk between the pages of these books, waiting to seize young minds as its prey?

[Jimmyrich]

No, Frank, I don't think you read it wrong at all.  Sure there's bound to be some interest drumed up in kids who are looking for answers in their lives and may not be finding them in the Christian church.  But, again, even the HEAD of that organization says that it's most likely a passing fad. They are not trying to recruit or witness or evangelize to anyone. These kids are seeking them out and most of them will NOT find what they are looking for.  The ONLY voice speaking to the "dangers" of Potter-inspired-Paganism is from Youthworks, a Christian magazine. Surprise?
So, Tool, thanks for the article that really doesn't do anything to prove your assertion that kids are truly buying into paganism and being damaged by these books and this movie.
Frank brings up wonderful points about Tolkien, Grimm, Comics and Sci-Fi.  These have been staples of the lives of young children and do nothing but encourage an exploration of their imaginations.  And I find it hard that someone who reenacts war battles, finds fault with exercises in fantasy and imagination...
"Open your soul and let the darkside in, Jimmy"....thanks, Darth, I'll take that into consideration...Your leaps in logic are remarkable to me.  You see children becoming interested in Magic or Paganism or any other life-style that doesn't fit with yours and you assume that it MUST mean that they are engaging in ritual sacrifice and Satanism.  
I can't imagine, other than it's popularity with children, any reason that you think this SPECIFIC book is so dangerous.  A book that appeals to children and adults alike regardless of religious, economic, or racial background---and you think it's dangerous.  Well, I'd write more, but I watched the "Hobbit" last night and I gotta go fill out an application...D.A....

[daniel]

WOW, Hessien, you wrote some of the most ignorant stuff I have ever laid my eyes upon. You, sir, are an A$$.
The Harry Potter series has gotten more kids to put down their play station 2's and start reading. But I guess I can see why you think that is bad. If kids start to read, they will learn to think for themselves and realize what a rediculous nazi you and your kind are. It will be harder for your conservative, prejudice, anti semitic, anti gay, anti everything good in life views to be embraced by new generations. I am shocked that people that think like you are still around. I guess you are such low life scum that I simply don't see you down there in your white robes and hooded masks. What do you think Harry Potter will do to our society? Will kids start ritual sacrifices in the woods, will they become satanic druggies? Your ignorance is beyong belief.
Before you start a crusade to have the books banned in all schools and librarys, let me just say that extreme right wing christian crusades do nothing but ruin this nation. Prohibition started organized crime, banning drugs lead to kids killing kids in the sreets. For the love of christ I don't think our country can take many more of these "in the name of god" crusades. Stop finding scapegoats and open your eyes. Realize that the problems with our society came from poverty and prejudice. It comes from 200 years of greedy, hate-filled people like yourself stepping on the poor and making money on their lives and dreams. The evils in society are the blind A$$es like yourself, not innocent books that are teaching a generation of kids raised on tv and videos game, the joy of reading. # #

[andwhat]

God Bless you ORZO.
I couldn't agree more.
Ignorance and the internet are a dangerous mix, thank you Hessian for proving my point.

[Jimmyrich]

Wow...I'm finally not outnumbered by conservatives in a thread!

Daniel, harsh, but effective...It'll be interesting to see how Hessain responds to your pretty clear distates for his opinions...

And "andwhat" I agree about the internet comment. Every one of Hessians posts seems to be in "sermon" format attempting these grand declarations and stunning closers; Using these posts almost to push the conservative agenda. Instead of reacting, he seems to be agressing on subjects like Gays, and Immorality in Potter etc...And that is some of the point of these threads, but every post seems more accusing and prematurely defensive.  They are all these sweeping, uninformed, generalized arguements. Yet, when you start to cut to the heart of the issue, he decrees you a "wayward soul" and shows pity or spite.  Interesting to see someone else come in here and give the same to him...

[Christy]

Hey now Jimmy!  I'm a conservative!!!!

The Harry Potter books are just incredible.  I've read every single one of them.  I've got them in hardback and on audio tape.  There is nothing evil or satanic about Harry Potter.  If anyone is going to start pointing fingers at the Harry Potter books, someone ought to start pointing fingers at the "Narnia Series", more specifically, "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis (who's a renowned Christian writer).  It's the same exact types of books.  Children's fantasy.

I've been sent the ridiculous "testimonials" about "Harry Potter has made me see that Jesus is stupid and Satan rules".  These supposed testimonials are so poorly written and so far fetched they are easily disproven.  People just gotta find Satan in everything.  Oh well, at least the flack is now off the purple teletubby!

[Jimmyrich]

Sorry Christie :-)  I meant Religious Fundamentalist Ultra-Conservative, members of the Christian Right....not just "conservatives".

It's also very refreshing to hear a conservative point out how ridiculous this labeling is...Good to see another Potter fan buck up for the poor Scar-headed young lad...I, for one, can't WAIT to see this movie!!