Oy. Let's hope this ends it...

[Ripleywriter at aol.com]

This is in reply to the whole "Harry Haters" thing. 

So, I went and reread my original post and looked at it with the thought of 
how it could be misinterpreted. That post went through a lot of editing before 
I sent it, and I can now see why people misunderstood me, yet I can also see 
why some people actually did understand me. 

I just want the subject dropped, and if my last post requesting just that was 
discourteous, well, it wasn't meant to be. I've looked at things from your 
perspective, now look at things from mine: I thought my original request was, 
and in some cases it was, clear. But to some it was not and it was my error for 
not using a sledgehammer. 

Wouldn't I have to be learning deficient to ask the list an easy question 
like why religious people (or any others) have a problem with Harry Potter? I 
know about all the books, I did quote a review of one, after all. And I've read 
tons of articles, all saying or repeating the same things. I wasn't looking for 
books or accusations or passages from the HP books or comparisons to the 
bible, or so on and so on. That's not *proof* for goodness sake. That's words. 
Easy to disagree with, easy to have a different opinion of, words.

Facts, proof is a seemingly sensible young girl throwing away her bible and 
refusing to go to church with her family anymore because she wants to be a 
witch and practice magic just like in Harry Potter. That's a direct cause of 
reading the books. That gives all those Harry Haters a basis for their beliefs, 
factual proof to back them up. That young girl would not have done that if she 
had not read the HP books. And because she did, there will be negative 
consequences. 

What I was trying to say in my original post is that all these Harry Haters 
talk and talk about what reading Harry might and could do to children. I wanted 
someone to show me what it actually *has* done. 

Btw, I never said all people who don't want their children reading Harry want 
the books banned. I said 'some' in my original post and I'm quite correct 
with saying that. I actually agree with and heartily commend the responsible 
parents who only wish to inform other parents of the dangers they believe Harry 
Potter might present to their children. Whether or not I agree with them is not 
important. 

If I was unclear before, and if I have been unclear now, I meant what I said. 
I don't know. I can't know what everyone will make of my words. And I don't 
care anymore! I just want to drop it. I know what I need to know: you'd have to 
dig with a very large, supercharged shovel to find a shred of proof. I 
certainly haven't found it, and I don't think I will. 

Melly
P.S. I wasn't trying to be rude, before or now, and if I came off as rude 
then you're looking for me to be rude and that's your own fault.