[HPforGrownups] Re: Harry PotterA Worthwhile series??

[Lucy Austin]

No: HPFGUIDX 33663

>>Kevin said

>> Second, respect for order is a part of a Judeo-Christian world > 

>jchutney said:

>I FINALLY realized why Kimball's essay totally turned me off.  It's 
not that its anti-HP.  I have several highly intelligent friends who 
don't like the books ---- not their cup of tea.  Some find HP silly 
or badly written or not in keeping with their personal beliefs.  And 
this is fine.  Vive la difference!  What troubles me about Kimball is 
that he is presenting HIS view of Christianity and trying to palm it 
off as gospel.  

>#1 What is "Judeo-Christian" in the context of this essay?  Judaism 
and Christianity have many similarities but some big differences in 
world-view.  If he means to reference ONLY the things Judaism and 
Christianity share in common, why does he not include Islam, which is 
EXTREMELY similar to Orthodox Judaism?  Either, Kimball is talking 
about CHRISTIANITY, exclusively, or he means to include all the 
Abrahamic traditions.  Please be clear.

>snip other comments re Christianity etc>

I agree entirely - Christianity is NOT the same as Judaism at all - a small difference of 'has the Messiah come or not' springs to mind! But my main objection to Kevin's post is that it is presenting Christians in a VERY poor light. Anyone who is loosely religious, or believes in God vaguely but doesn't know the Bible (or other religious book) off by heart, would be totally put off raising their children in a worldview like this, which just seems so restrictive and depressing for the children. I mean, forcing your kids to analysis their pleasurable reading book with pen and paper - poor things!

I think a true Christian, or Good Person of any religion, would be much more open-minded and willing to let children work things out for themselves. A good relationship with your children would mean you could discuss the books in a friendly way without banning them from reading anything that doesn't exactly fit your idea of Right or Wrong.

I belive in God, and plan to raise my children to know Him, but that in no way means they can't also have fun reading about other worlds, whether or not they are realistically like ours.

I agree with someone else who wondered why Kevin was on this list, not meaning anything rude by this. I know it is not specifically for Fans, but it does seem weird to join the list just so that you can throw mud at Harry Potter - you won't covert us to your worldview this way, I don't think!

Lucy the Drifty


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