A few random thoughts (long)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 123082


--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tyleradelphia" <gojunk at a...> 
wrote:

Ty:
> I sincerely hope that the power he is full of and that is lock in 
the
> MoM is not what most people believe is "Love"... That is so sappy 
> not to mention ridiculous...Love is a feeling, an emotion. I hardly 
> think that that is something you lock in a room.

> I'm hoping it is some sort of ancient magic or something that would
> explain how he can do things without a wand. We know that wands are
> not necessary and are purely a human item - look at elves.
 
Geoff:

This idea was expressed some months ago on the group and I wrote the 
following two replies at the time which probably encapsulate my own 
view. You might like to look at the original threads to get other 
contributors' take on this as well.

In message 110254 on 16/08/04, I wrote:

<quote>
Why the "ugh!"? Or are you interpreting love in the words of a 
sentimental song?

Love is the greatest force in the world. As a Christian, I believe
that it was sheer love that took Jesus to the cross and beyond and it
wasn't "ugh!", "icky" love. It was deep, sacrificial, strong and 
enduring.

Harry isn't Christ. But Christians are enjoined to follow the example
of Christ and, more than that, know the indwelling of his Spirit. So
Harry, who is an everyman similar to any Christian on a journey of
faith, discovery and love seeking to overcome evil, has every reason
to seek to be filled with love of that kind in order to finally
overcome Voldemort.
</quote>

and I wrote in message 110643 on 19/08/04: 

<quote>
I think this takes us back to the old question of what do we mean by
love? The word is a catch-all. "I love you", "I love strawberries and
cream", "Don't you just love the way he scores points over the other
guy?"

C.S.Lewis attempted to tackle this in his book "The Four Loves" when
he went back to the four Greek words: eros, philos, agape and storge
and shows that each reveals a different facet of the idea.

This is why I objected a few days ago when someone wrote something
like "That's why I don't want Harry to win by using (ugh!) love." I
pointed out that real love is the sort of love demonstrated by Christ
on the Cross - not love being crooned about but real, strong, deep
love unyielding in its aims to care for others and to put their needs
in front. "Greater love has no man...." etc.

Unless we can decide what we collectively mean by love when we talk
about Tom Riddle or Harry, we shall be airing our misunderstandings
from now until Book 6 comes out. :-)
</quote>