AbanesRespondsMore ... FanaticsR-US

[catherine at cator-manor.demon.co.uk]

No: HPFGUIDX 17559

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., nera at r... wrote:
> OOPS! I thought, when I wrote my response, that I was in a "Harry's 
> choice... good or bad?" type of discussion. I did not realize that 
I 
> had stepped into the middle of a fanatical rant. 
> 
> Abanes ... go write your book. This group is for people who read 
the 
> Harry Potter books, enjoyed the Harry Potter books, and for the 
> ENJOYMENT of discussing the Harry Potter books. I do not see people 
> enjoying your line of debate. I do not know why people are 
bothering 
> to defend Harry Potter against religious fanatics. This is not the 
> place for it. Maybe "Religious Fanatics-R-US" would be a better 
place 
> for your fun poisoning commentary.
> 
> In other words, chill out! You have become to this list like dog 
poop 
> on our shoes.
> 
> Doreen

I've been watching this whole debate unfurl on my screen today and 
was determined not to get involved.  However, at the risk of being 
rude (and I know that it takes Doreen a lot to be the same) I would 
like to second everything Doreen has just said.  

I read these books because I enjoy them and they provide escapism for 
me.  Although I think that they are very moral books, I am quite able 
to accept that other people do not share my views.  However, I am 
certainly not prepared to get sucked into a debate about 
Christianity, as I think that it is largely irrelevant to discussion 
on HP.  For me, the books have a generic morality which transcends 
individual religions.

I do not understand what you are trying to achieve by being so 
negative on a site which is dedicated to positive views of Harry 
Potter.  Are you trying to convert us?   As the one thing everyone on 
this list has in common is their love of Harry Potter, you have set 
yourself a pretty hard task.  Love of Harry Potter notwithstanding, 
there are also many Christians (including ministers) on this list who 
are apparently much more open minded than you are. 

I get a strong feeling that the only reason you have decided to speak 
up is because Dave advised us not to buy your book.  I can understand 
your desire to defend both your book and your view point, but I 
reiterate, I think that you are fighting a losing battle here. - It's 
futile, particularly when your messages come across as being quite 
snide and illmannered.  That is quite unnecessary and isn't going to 
endear you to anyone.

Quite frankly, the whole thing has left me with a sour taste in my 
mouth.

Catherine