Harry Haters and the Lack of Proof

[Steve]

I'm going to try one more time. My original post, of which a portion
is included here, was shot down my the MODS for excessive sarcasm and
biting wit. Or perhaps because I was just a little too obnoxious which
I admit I was.

So here are the main points of what I can't tell you (did that make
sense?).
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, Ripleywriter at a... wrote:

>> 
>> Let me first just say that this post is for research purposes, ....
>> 
>> I'm searching for proof to prove the people right who put down
>> Harry Potter as promoting witchcraft or Satin or being against the 
>> Bible, or whatever they're saying next; basically I'm looking for 
>> a good reason to want to ban HP books as much as some people want 
>> to. 
>> 
>> ...edited...
>> 
>> So, I'm looking for evidence. Can anyone point me to an article or
>> anything that shows actual, factual proof? 
>> 
>> ...edited...
>> 
>> So any info will help immensely! All I need is one story, one
>> report,  anything.
>> 
>> Thank you, 
>> 
>> Melly


bboy_mn (tries again):

Referring to the people who protest against HP.

"They are such pathetic sheep, who are so afraid to think for
themselves, that they will eagerly follow the loudest voice in the
crowd regardless of what that voice is saying."

I know that's harsh, perhaps bordering on mean-spirited, and I
certainly don't mean it to include all people who have taken a stand
against HP, but there really are a significant number of people in
this world who are desparate for someone else to tell them what to
believe in. That very thing is, in fact, something the Bible warns us
to watch out for. "Not all those who call my name will enter the
kingdom of heaven."

"Some people like the sound of their own voice so much that they
will say anything to get their face on TV or their picture in the
paper. Personally, I am convinced that a significant number of the
so-called moral protests are nothing more than publicity stunts made
by people who are trying to grab a little more money, power, and fame."

Again, a very harsh statement to make, but one that I believe is
completely true. I will ammend that by again adding that I don't think
that statement encompasses every person who speaks out against HP, but
it certainly covers a substantial number of them. Especially those at
the top who are instigating these protests. Can you really say that
people like this don't exist?

The Bible truly does warn us to watch out for people who speak God's
name just a little too loudly, and warns us to be wary of people who
claim that they alone know what God truly wants. These are people who
trade on the name of God for, as I said, money, power, and fame. And
the Bible tells us that they are a form of evil in themselves.

Again, I temper that statement by adding that it doesn't include all
people who speak out against HP. But as we decide who is the real
arbiter of morality and who is the false arbiter, let's remember that
the offical spokespersons for every major religion have endorsed HP.
More on that in the next part. 

Surely, you can see the pattern here. Alleged moral leaders who stand
to profit in someway, speak out against an aspect of popular culture.
Official moral leaders who have nothing to gain, speak out in favor of
it. 
-End this part- 



DumbleDad added:

>>>I've nothing against witchcraft and wizardry (other than that 
it doesn't really work) but those who do, on religious grounds or
otherwise, would find the lack of judgement against witchcraft and
wizardry a problem with the HP series. <<<


bboy_mn respond (now trying to surpress his sarcarm):

In really life, witchcraft and wizardry (also know as Wicca) are
perfectly valid benevolent belief systems. They are in no way Satanic
or evil, and therefore do not need any defending and there is little
or no judgement that needs to be made against them or about them.

The other form of witchcraft and wizardry is storybook, fairytale, TV,
and movie witchcraft and wizardry which is completely fake and only
exists to get us to part with our money for the priviledge of feeling
our adrenaline flowing heavily for a period of time.

Frequently, in this fairytale variety, you will find clear
distinctions between good witchcraft and wizardry, and bad witchcraft
and wizardry, or more accurately, since witchcraft and wizardry in and
of themselves are not good or evil, good witches and wizards, and bad
witches and wizards.

Occassionally, people of limited intelligence combined with
considerable mental instability will try to bring the fairytale
witchcraft into the really world. Like most people who pervert
doctrines to suit their own ends, these people are perverting the
concept of witchcraft to justify the evil the intend to do. They do
not serve a doctrine but twist a doctrine to serve themselves. That's
standard practice for psychotic people, and this pervertion of
doctrine in the name of some cause or diety is the classic means by
which these psychotic people gain control over the mindless sheep who
make up way to much of the population of most societies (sad but true).

Now off my soapbox and onto my collector's edition Harry Potter's
defenders podium (available in oak, walnut or maple finishes; I have 
oak).

Harry Potter does make a judgement ABOUT witchcraft and wizardry; a
very clear distinct judgement. That judgement is that evil people are
evil, and good people are good; although it's kind of hard to tell who
is who at times.

Again, there is no judgement that needs to be made against the 'craft'
because the 'craft' is morally neutral. It is the people and the use
of their 'craft' that need to be judged. Voldemort perverts doctrine
and magic in dark ways that do not serve the true craft but serve as
tools, weapons, and justification for the things he wants.

There is a clear and undeniable sense of good and evil, right and
wrong, just and unjust in the Harry Potter series. That's not just my
belief, but the OFFICIAL spokespersons of every major religion has
endorsed these books as having a solid moral foundation; Archbishop of
Canterbury, Church of England, Catholic Church, major Protestant
religions, and given the live and let live attitude of Eastern
religious, I have to assume Buddhist, Shinto, Hindi, etc....

I think you will not find the proof you are seeking because it doesn't
exist. The best you will be able to find is people's perverted
twisting of truth and doctrine to meet their own ends.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

bboy_mn

PS: I never object to people evaluating and making judgements for
themselves regardless of whether those judgements go against my own
beliefs. I do object to people who try to speak for God, and demonize
an aspect of popular culture, when they are so obviously doing it for
their own ends. If a mother investigates and personally objects to the
HP series and doesn't want her children to read it, I'm fine with
that. If that mother is blindly following the proclaimation of some
self-proclaimed arbiter of morallity, then in my opinion, she is
failing in her moral duty to her religion, her children and herself. 

Any time we discuss religion, we tread on very shake ground. I hope in
doing so, I haven't stepped on any toes.