[HPFGU-OTChatter] The morality question

[Shaun Hately]

On 18 Mar 2003 at 0:27, jrober4 at bellsouth.net wrote:

> The issue of lying is certain something I have wrestled with.  I don't believe in the
> concept of "the end justifies the means", which seems to be what's involved in the HP
> books.  I mean, if Harry lies so that he can do something that results in something 
> good, that should be okay, right?  Sorry, but I have a problem with that.  I'm not naive 
> about this -- I wrestle with the  question of what would I do if I were hiding Jews in 
> Nazi Germany and soldiers came to my door?  To this day, I don't have the answer to 
> that.  Is this a fair comparison with what happens in the HP books?  I don't know the 
> answer to that, either.  If this is not an old and worn out issue, I would be willing to 
> discuss this with anyone who is interested, who can offer reasoned and intelligent 
> comments about it . . . and who can be respectful of *both* sides of the issue.  I think I 
> have an open mind about discussing this, without imposing my beliefs on anyone but 
> not compromising the moral foundation that is a very important part of who 

Hi,

I can understand the issues you are raising - but I think you need to remember that the 
Harry Potter books aren't there to be a morality play. They're not there to teach children 
morals, they are there to entertain. Now, I personally think that Harry and co are highly 
moral kids in general terms, and I think the books can be useful in raising discussions of 
many moral issues with kids - but that's not what they are there for.

Harry is not a totally moral person. He's not a saint. He's a kid, and he's a kid who has 
had a moderately rotten life. He is a flawed person, like all people are. And his flaws 
make him *real*. Morality (for what of a better term) involves many different areas and 
aspects of a persons life. He would not be a realistic person if he was entirely perfect 
morally. So, basically, if he didn't lie - well, he'd do something else. There will always be 
at least some moral flaws in his character.

Personally, I think Harry is a pretty good example to kids of how to lead a basically 
moral life - not a perfectly moral life - but the basics are there and obvious. And because 
he does have flaws, he's also easier to live up to. Practically perfect people don't make 
good role models for kids, IMHO.

He does lie - and I can understand the desire to see him face consequences for that. 
But... well, frankly, I'd like to think that now, today, I'm a moral person - again, not 
perfect, but fundamentally and basically a moral person. At Harry's age... I was on my 
way to that, but I wasn't anywhere near as far along the path as I'd like to think now. And 
I lied. And *most* of the time, I got away with it. To me, what we see in Harry Potter is 
realistic.
 
> As for the "witchcraft" aspect of it -- I do not find this threatening to my religious 
> beliefs, and I can keep it in context.  However -- at the risk of outraging some of you -- 
> I believe that parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit (as long as it 
> doesn't break basic laws), including those who don't like the witchcraft in the HP books 
> and movies and so deny their children access to them.  Once those children reach the 
> age of 18 and go out on their own -- if they decide to read HP *then*, they are adults 
> and have that right to choose.

And I agree - unfortunately, though, on occasion, the argument has spread well beyond 
what parents want for their own children. I fully support the rights of parents to make 
their own decision, within reason, as to how those children are raised, even if I totally 
disagree with those decisions. But I expect those people to give other parents the same 
respect, and sometimes they haven't. There's a world of difference between deciding 
you will not allow your child to read a given book - and to agitate for its removal from the 
school library.

I also believe there is a real difference between what parents have a fundamental *right* 
to do, and to what they should do. I believe for example that a parent who chooses to 
prevent their 17 year old child reading just about any book is probably making a *very* 
unwise choice - but I would do everything I knew how to do to ensure that the choice 
remains theirs.

Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately |webpage: http://www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       |email: drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200

                       "Almighty Ruler of the all;
                 Whose power extends to great and small;
                 Who guides the stars with steadfast law;
                   Whose least creation fills with awe;
                     Oh grant thy mercy and thy grace;
                     To those who venture into space."