My own favor to ask, re christian allegory, alchemy, and Stoned!Harry

[Amanda Geist]

No: HPFGUIDX 108262

> Greg again:
> Where can I find more info about the process of making the
> Philosopher's Stone?  Preferably with reference to the world of Harry
> Potter?

Hans:
> Despite what Jo says about Flamel making the Stone, you'll find that no
> human being can do so. It can be made only by God himself. We all possess
> one in the heart and if we use it the right way, i.e. not for getting
wealth
> or extending our physical life, but by having our own inner Harry make our
> decisions for us, it will turn our being into the Gold of the Spirit and
> give us the Elixir of Life.


I would really have liked to see some phrases like "in my opinion" or "it is
my belief" in that above. Alchemy is a belief system that holds that the
Stone is achievable, albeit as a byproduct of the purification of the human
creating it. What you have posted above is an interpretation, a faith
statement, and should be qualified as such.

Hans:
> I know you're busy Greg, but may I argue that these things are not just a
> matter of literature and entertainment. In actual fact we're talking about
> the purpose of life. That's what Harry Potter is about. That's what the
> Bible is about.

Again, could you please qualify that statement? *You* may be talking about
the purpose of life. I'm not. In actual fact, I happen to consider Harry
Potter to be literature and entertainment. It provokes good discussion and
offers valuable insights, but I am not yet ready, even if you are, to
embrace the Harry Potter religion. Hold forth about your beliefs all you
like, but please identify them as your beliefs, and *not* as statements of
fact. The assumptions you are bringing to this discussion are not shared by
everyone.

~Amanda