[HPforGrownups] The unforgivable curse argument

[Sherry Gomes]

No: HPFGUIDX 172911

Colwilrin
Many are upset that Harry used the Crucio curse.  I am not, for one specific
reason.  In the US (where I am from...and have spent the last 48 hours
taking the lawyer's bar admittance examination), the use of deadly force is
allowed, and justified when one is in a position of fear of imminent death
to oneself or another.  

When Harry used the Crucio curse, he was in a battle situation.  
Voldemort and the DE's were intent on killing both Harry and those who
supported Harry.  In any US court, Harry's actions would be justified under
Self-Defense. 

I was actually a bit happy when Harry finally got serious and fought fire
with fire.  I never wanted him to AK anyone...but he used the force
necessary to protect himself...and I was thrilled by it.  Just as I was
thrilled when Molly asserted herself enough to dispatch Bellatrix.  Way to
go girl!




Sherry:

As it was war, I could have accepted even Harry using the killing curse.
It's the Imperius and Cruciatus that bothered me.  Cruciatus is a torture
curse, inflicting terrible agony in every fiber of someone's body.  That
isn't self defense or fighting fire with fire.  We have soldiers facing
court martials for torturing prisoners.  Torture is wrong, in my opinion,
and I hated seeing the hero, the good guy using it.  I didn't mind molly
offing Bella, because it was war, and soldiers do kill in war.  That's their
job.  I didn't want Harry to have to kill, but that would have been far
easier to accept than cruciatus for me.

Sherry