Bang! You're Dead.

[Berit Jakobsen]

No: HPFGUIDX 86359

Carol wrote:

Carol, who firmly believes that the unforgiveable curses should not 
> >be used by the good guys 

North wrote:

I've never thought of that before, Carol.  But then again, if the 
> good guys don't use AK, then they are presumably handicapped in the 
> fight against evil, right?  Can the good guys afford that in a 
> situation when lethal force might be justified?
> 
> Now, I understand that the same goes for other Unforgivables.  If 
the 
> DEs use torture, which they undoubtedly do, then are the good guys 
> allowed to use it also?
> 
> I'm new around these parts, so be gentle.


Berit replies:

There seems to be some confusion as to why "good" guys can't 
use "bad" means to defeat their opponents. My answer is that it's 
about the very NATURE of the unforgivables. You just can't detach 
actions from the people that does them. It's not like people are not 
unaffected by their own actions. Action and mind/intent go hand in 
hand. Remember Dumbledore's words: It's your CHOICES that decides who 
you are. So, if you choose to use any of the unforgivable curses, 
what does that make you? What does it do to your mental and moral 
make-up? How can anyone sanctioning killing, torturing and denying 
people their right to a free will, remain good? If Harry later in 
life chooses to let his hatred steer his actions, how will he be any 
different from Bellatrix? 

Sirius's words on how "good guys" using the unforgivables makes them 
just as ruthless as the DE's has already been quoted. But I found 
another Sirius quote which is just as interesting. Sirius's words 
highlights very well how someone's ethics always is very closely tied 
to their choices and actions! The extract is from PoA p. 274-275 UK 
Edition:

Quote: (Peter speaking:)"'...I was scared Sirius, I was never brave 
like you and Remus and James. I never meant it to happen, He [Voldie] 
forced me... He... he was taking over everywhere... What was there to 
be gained by refusing him?'
'What was there to be gained by fighting the most evil wizard who has 
ever existed?' said Black, with a terrible fury in his face. 'Only 
innocent lives, Peter!'
'You don't understand!' whined Peter. 'He would have killed me. 
Sirius!'
'THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE DIED!' roared Black. 'DIED RATHER THAN BETRAY 
YOUR FRIENDS, AS WE WOULD HAVE DONE FOR YOU!'"

What is Sirius saying here? He is saying that one should stand by 
one's principles even if the end consequence is dire. And what's the 
principle: Loyalty. You just don't betray your friends. Ever. It'll 
probably get you killed, but it's worth it. Likewise, you just DON'T 
use an unforgivable curse. Ever. It might get you killed (like most 
of the members of the old Order were killed), but it's still worth 
it... If Sirius had been familiar with the Bible, he might have given 
Peter a little Bible verse :-): "What good is it for a man to gain 
the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?" (Luke 9,25).

By the way; in the same passage, there's a saying that almost sounds 
like Dumbledore could have said it: "Whoever wants to save his life 
[Voldie?] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for [someone else] 
will save it." Maybe this is how Harry will defeat Voldemort...

Berit