The morality question

[yalithb223]

jrober4 said: 
> > 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'tlike 
> the witchcraft in the HP books and movies and so deny theirchildren 
> 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 Melpomene said:
> I absolutely agree with you here HOWEVER I must add that it would 
> help immensly if these parents knew what they were doing before 
> they made these 'choices'. There are some very ill-informed people 
> out there telling outright lies about these books and thus denying 
> a lot of people a very enjoyable reading experience. ALSO please 
> note that I think that while these people are certainly entitled to 
> raise their children the way they see fit and to guide their 
> children's reading choices they are NOT entitled to raise MY 
> children and may not deny my children access to reading material. 
> Just because a book is on a library shelf doesn't mean it must be 
> checked out!


Me:  I agree with both of you.  But the issue really is people's 
misunderstanding of the books entirely.  I have been interviewing all 
my Christian friends (among whom I'm now known as the HP nut) about 
the things they have heard or believe about the books.  One of them 
says the spells are real spells, that do real magic.  Umm, no.  I can 
point at my sister and say Rictusempra all day and there is no way 
she's going to have a tickle fit.  And no matter how many times I say 
Alohomora, I still locked my keys in my car and have to call AAA.  
Yes there are some factual (mythological) items in the stories.  Such 
as the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone hails from Medieval 
alchemists.  But I find nothing about consorting with the devil or 
any other such nonsense.  

Personally I don't believe in magic and fortune telling.  And I think 
the Bible warns against it only because it was a way of defrauding 
people.  (Much like Ms. Cleo today).  You give me a thousand dollars 
and I'll tell you what's going to happen to you or I'll cure your 
dying child.   

Some people think it's brainwashing children into entering witchcraft 
and cults.  I find no religious references in the HP books.  Nothing 
JKR writes contradicts my religious beliefs in any way. 

People are mainly just ignorant of the truth behind these books. They 
need to read them before they decide whether or not they are 
appropriate for their own children and I will do the same.  I as a 
child was forbidden to watch certain cartoons, and I didn't do it out 
of respect for my parents.  They gave me a logical reason for not 
being able to watch it, and I understand now (even if not then) why.  

And now I must leave having put in my zillion knuts worth
Jessica I 
The HP Knut!