What's wrong with being bad ?

[arrowsmithbt]

No: HPFGUIDX 101930

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" <delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> 
> I've found myself those days defending the bad character (namely
> Snape), which goes completely against my own beliefs, as I'm a Christian.
> 
> But I'm deeply aware that it is *because* I'm a Christian that I
> believe that bad is wrong. It's because I believe there's a God out
> there who will punish those who do bad and reward those who do good
> (simplified verson, but that will do for now). And I'm also deeply
> aware that those who don't believe in a Higher Force like me have NO
> reason to choose good over bad other than their own decision and
> preferences.
> 
> Snape seems to be one of those people. He grew up in the Dark Arts and
> seems to have adopted early on a "Dark Outlook" on life so to speak.
> He doesn't seem to like niceness and sweetness and light, and seems to
> prefer darkness and cruelty.
> 
> And I'm wondering : what's wrong with that ? Isn't he entitled to
> choose as he wants ? It makes his and others' lifes harder, but so
> what ? Isn't it still his right as a human being to live as he chooses
> ? If others disagree (and many do), it is their right to fight him and
> prevent him from hurting them. But if he likes darkness rather than
> light, and cruelty rather than niceness, what Higher Rule is he
> breaking, if he doesn't believe in a Higher Force ?
> 

He's entitled -  so long as he accepts responsibility for the consequences.
And this applies to *any* behaviour by *anybody*. A condition that some 
only apply to those they're not fond of. They change the rules for those
they like.
My tenets:
You are responsible for your actions.
You must accept responsibility for any consequences arising from those 
actions.

OK, that's the basic rules (or some of them) that I live by. How do they 
impinge on Snape?
What effect have his actions had? Any that are significant? Any effect at all?

He passes snide comments. So what? What are their effects? Minimal.
He throws  Harry out of the Occlumency teaching. With what effect?
Not much, Harry wasn't going to learn anyway. Harry had already decided
not to co-operate. Any action by Snape was icing on the cake - it just 
gave Harry *his* excuses - "It's all Snape's fault!" Wrong. Does not compute.

All religion is a form of social conditioning; it's function is to teach
right (you get rewarded)  from wrong (you get punished). The WW has
no religion. It is a society governed by philosophical principles (i.e. DD)
or pragmatism (Fudge). Philosophical principles do not promise retribution
for wrong behaviour; they only offer the theoretical 'best' option out of many.
Pragmatism offers nothing, except that 'this action' looks most effective, 
all things considered.

'Bad" is a value judgement; it is not objective, it depends on the prevailing
circumstances. An action or behaviour can be bad on one day, acceptable
the next.

Mind you, Snape doesn't give a toss anyway.
He is sublimly indifferent to the opinions of others.

There was a commentator who asked one of the activists for peace why
they lobbied the US President and not people like the Ayatollahs or Saddam
Hussein. Answer - "Because he listens and they don't." Guess which group 
Snape falls into? He wouldn't listen to  anything any of us have to say. The
only reaction that I can imagine would be ironic amusement.

Sure, lots want to  castigate him -  what effect will it have, except maybe
to wave some 'Oh so correct' opinions in public? None. Zero. Zilch.
Foam at the mouth if you will, it'll have no effect. Snape isn't listening,
JKR isn't listening. And you know it. So why  get so  agitated?

Del's right, everyone is entitled and allowed to be bad. It's one of those
choices that DD is whittering on about. Just so long as you accept 
responsibility for the  consequences.

Kneasy