Harry's dream about the Turban - Slytherin Evil or Not?

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 108410

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "aboutthe1910s"
<aboutthe1910s at y...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "arrowsmithbt"
> <arrowsmithbt at b...> wrote:
> <snip>
> > How many clues do you need? Harry and Slytherin are key to the whole
> > series. And it probably isn't just Slytherin House we're talking
about 
> > here, but the concept of Salazar Slytherin as the embodiment of evil.
> 
> 
> 
> Me (aboutthe1910s):
> 
> I strongly disagree with the idea of Salazar Slytherin as the
> embodiment of evil.  ...Isomewhere in one of the books it says that 
> Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were best friends before the
> falling out--... specifically best friends.  
>
> ...edited...
> 
> aboutthe1910s

Asian_lovr2:

I've brought up the same point before, although I didn't emphasize the
point of Gryffindor & Slytherin being best friends. However, I do
think that is a very important clue. Logically, why would Gryffindor
be friends with someone who was the embodiment of evil? 

Another set of clues is the history lesson Prof. Binns gave on the
Chamber of Secrets, something he claims is verifiable fact. Slytherin
lived in a time of great persecution of witches and wizards,
consequently, he didn't trust muggles, and very rightly so. He wanted
to keep magical education in magical families. That doesn't mean he
wouldn't take a mixed blood. Just that it would have to be a mixed
blood who had, as much as possible, cut off all ties to the muggle
world. The closer the association between a student and a student's
family, and the muggle world, the great danger to the security and
safety of the school.

I'm sure during that period in history, ALL wizards hated muggles as a
broad general non-descript group because of their merciless and cruel
persecution of magical people. But just because you hate (insert
ethnic identity of choice), doesn't mean you don't like some (insert
ethnic identity of choice). 

Gryffindor, we may assume, took the position that muggles with magic
members in their immediate family were secure because they would not
betray their own son or daughter. A nice sentiment, but in reality, a
bit naive.

I think Slytherin original beliefs have been twisted to suit the
personal agendas of subsequent men who needed a platform to seek
personal power. This was done in much the same way that Christian
doctrine throughout history has been twisted and distorted in cruel
ways by power hungry men. And, much the same way the Islamic doctrine
is being twisted and perverted today.

Just a thought.

Steve/asian_lovr2