[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: The morality question

[jrober4 at bellsouth.net]

Melpomene wrote:

Re: Lying

The issue of the heros lying and breaking rules and getting away with 
it or even being rewarded for it has been discussed quite a bit here 
and you'll find valid arguments on both sides. I happen to be in the 
camp that thinks that although their hearts are in the right place 
they could indeed use some more firm handed direction. I'm also STILL 
waiting for Harry to thank Snape for saving his skin on more than one 
occassion. I won't hold my breath. But hey, as I've said here before 
I make my kids write Thank-you note for gifts so some folks here 
probably think I have a little office right off Snape's dungeon where 
we think up awful, unfair things that kids should have to do to be 
considered civilized.


Me:
Though it's asking a *lot* to expect Harry to thank Snape, I am of the opinion that common courtesy is a *good* thing to teach children . . . and is decidedly lacking in much of the young generation of today (I work for a movie theater and see a lot of children as customers, so I am in a position to comment about this).  But,  Harry is only human, and it would be torture for *me* to be nice to someone like Snape.  I think it's quite amazing how well-behaved he is, and I have to believe that this is a legacy of his parents.  Hope that makes sense.  


> 
> 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 will grant you that during the height of the controversy over HP, there were some anti-HP rantings that were over the top, and not constructive in putting the point across that the more reasoned in their objections were trying to express.  You are certainly right that the "anti" crowd have no right to make these choices for *you* or any parents who think it is okay for their children to read HP.  God gave us a free will for a *reason*.  

Judy




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