[HPforGrownups] Re: Marietta and Hermione (and Percy) (and C.S. Lewis) and Tonks and Molly, oh my

[Barb Roberts]

No: HPFGUIDX 121036


> Eggplant:
>
>
>   I believe C.S Lewis is dead wrong;sincerity is a vastly overrated
>  virtue. If a person does the right thing for the wrong reason it's
>  still the right thing, and if they do an evil thing for a sincere
>  reason it's still an evil thing...

Barbara:
I remember learning that ethics (Christian world view) is best 
addressed from three different angles.  The first angle is the law(s) 
or principle(s) involved (and in real life the principals sometimes 
conflict.)  The second angle a person's motives (or "sincere reason.")  
The third, I believe, angle is the end results arising from the choices 
made or the situation.   Any choice which violates any of the three 
could be wrong.  Impossible? Messy? Yes, but traditional Christianity 
doesn't get to alarmed since it sees imperfect mankind struggling in an 
impure world. It doesn't place much faith in the idea that we will 
always do the right thing, so that's why Christianity has a savior.

I may be one of minority that doesn't completely discount that 
Dumbledore did leave Harry at the Dursleys so as to prevent him growing 
up to be a pampered little prince.  It's not the only reason, but it 
figures in the decision.  In OotP, we clearly see that Harry's father 
was spoiled.  In PS/SS Minerva M. who knew James well has only a little 
trouble with swallowing that Harry needs to stay at the Dursleys.  In 
all the books, Harry is repeatedly contrasted with two good examples of 
spoiled brats--Duddley and Draco. Harry, who is like his father, would 
be spoiled by too much admiration, so it was for Harry's own good to 
grow up with the Dursleys.  And some may not like this, but it also a 
Christian principle that bad things sometimes (not always) happen and 
that God uses sometimes for our own good.  Dumbledore seems to be 
divinely inspired from time to time, and makes decisions based on the 
larger picture.

Barbara Roberts, who must now hurry to work

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