Harry Potter and Religion

[Roxas is Hot]

Some other people's views on the book, if you're interested. (http://wis.dm/questions/28063-do-you-think-harry-potter-books-are-un-godly-and-inspire-children-to-experiment-with-witchcraft?gclid=CLvViLWpw40CFSBMGgodPEFqLQ)

fic·tion - [fik-shuhn]

–noun
1. The class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form.
2. Works of this class, as novels or short stories: detective fiction.
3. Something feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story


As some of you might have noticed, a lot of people seem to be BSing about the Harry Potter series, thinking that they will be "sent to Hell", it will "inspires their kids to perform witchcraft" and "condemn them for life" by reading one freakin' page of the damn book. I'm sick and tired of people complaining about these books, personally.

It seems a lot of people have also blamed Potter for school shootings, gay icons, Death Eaters supporting the KKK, ect. I honestly think this is the biggest bunch of bull**** ever. How can you possibly expect a BOOK to cause this crap?! Dear freakin' God, it's all in people's heads. Like I said in other posts, it's time to get your head out of the Bible, and think about reality.

I honestly think people are taking religion and this series waaaaaay too seriously. (As usual) The book, is FICTION, meaning it's not real. (See the definition above) If I point a wand at someone and shout "Avada Kedavra", they WON'T die. Apparently there are other people out there who think otherwise. If someone actually thinks all this stuff is real, they need a sit-down with someone to talk it all over.

Me, being more of an Atheist than a Christan, can't really see why someone would think about the books this way. I find the books are written for entertainment, not to burden people and their kids with witchcraft and such.

So what do you think about it?

(I hope you all know I wasn't trying to flame people's views on religion and crap like that. I'm just trying to get my point heard.)

[Gravity]

I'm Roman Catholic, and I find people who believe stuff like that to be completely insane. Almost 'hey-lets-go-to-the-people-in-white-coats' insane. It's not like it's real magic anyway, and it's a fictional story! It's not like J.K Rowling wrote it to start some sort of crazy youth rebellion. It's a great story, and I think some people are just afraid of it getting more attention than boring old classics like Treasure Island. *snore*

I think it's stirring up more trouble than the Da Vinci Code, if that's even possible.

(Lol, nice avatar, by the way.)

[Banana Split]

It's bull****. Just get that on everyone's head. If someone believes that a killing curse can really KILL on a FICTION BOOK made by an AUTHOR for nothing other than FANTASY. It kinda' makes the poeple retarded to think that.

[Roxas is Hot]

I'm Roman Catholic, and I find people who believe stuff like that to be completely insane. Almost 'hey-lets-go-to-the-people-in-white-coats' insane. It's not like it's real magic anyway, and it's a fictional story! It's not like J.K Rowling wrote it to start some sort of crazy youth rebellion. It's a great story, and I think some people are just afraid of it getting more attention than boring old classics like Treasure Island. *snore*

I think it's stirring up more trouble than the Da Vinci Code, if that's even possible.

(Lol, nice avatar, by the way.)

(Lol, thank you ^_^)

God calls wizardry an abomination in Deuteronomy 18. It's something he hates.

He doesn't hate the people who practice it. He loves people.

If we love God, we should hate anything he calls an abomination. So we shouldn't seek entertainment in things he hates. It's that simple.

Anything we love more than we love God is idolatry. Another god. Breaking the First Commandment. Look it up in Genesis.

We shouldn't say oh, but it makes kids read. Shame on the kids, their moms and teachers for encouraging kids to read what God hates.

We shouldn't say it shows us good things. Of course, bad things have an attractive side--this lures us in.

We should simply avoid doing what God hates. God hates to see us being amused by what he hates.

It breaks his heart.

Who cares what anyone else does or says about it?

What are you going to say when you face God yourself? My pastor said it's okay? What does the Bible say? What does God say?

If your kids, whom you gave everything--your life--for, sought entertainment in things you hate, wouldn't it break your heart?

It's people like her that seriously PISS ME OFF.

[Gravity]

Do me a favor and give little "Ms. Betty" a shot in the head. She's pius to the point of interpreting things wrongly to make a point. Idiot.

[Pure Beats~]

I'm Roman Catholic, and I find people who believe stuff like that to be completely insane. Almost 'hey-lets-go-to-the-people-in-white-coats' insane. It's not like it's real magic anyway, and it's a fictional story! It's not like J.K Rowling wrote it to start some sort of crazy youth rebellion. It's a great story, and I think some people are just afraid of it getting more attention than boring old classics like Treasure Island. *snore*

I think it's stirring up more trouble than the Da Vinci Code, if that's even possible.

(Lol, nice avatar, by the way.)

She practically said what I wanted to say.

I, myself am a Christian, yet I watch the movies. That doesn't mean I believe in it. I just watch it for entertainment...not for a lifestyle.

And I agree with you also, RIS.

[Gwen]

I think it's absolutly pathetic. Your first post pretty much said everything I wanted to (xD) but... yeah.

I mean, in my 5th grade class room we had to bring in notes from our parents if we wanted to borrow a Harry Potter Book saying that it was ok.

Thats just... ugh.

[xAXELxFIREx]

Why do people single out the Harry Potter books, if they're going to critisize something FICTIONAL, why not look at movies, or other books which are MUCH worse. I think its retarded to try to ban a book just because it mentions killing in such a NON REALISTIC way.

And, did anyone finish the seventh book yet?! The ending was AMAZING

[Gravity]

Why do people single out the Harry Potter books, if they're going to critisize something FICTIONAL, why not look at movies, or other books which are MUCH worse. I think its retarded to try to ban a book just because it mentions killing in such a NON REALISTIC way.

And, did anyone finish the seventh book yet?! The ending was AMAZING

I finished it the day I got it...meaning I finished it on the evening of the 21st. ^^ An excellent book, for sure.

That's nuts. I don't see why you'd have to bring a note. What you read is your choice, not your parents...and Harry Potter doesn't even HAVE any random Gods that people worship...so people shouldn't be picking on the series.

[Roxas is Hot]

I think it's absolutly pathetic. Your first post pretty much said everything I wanted to (xD) but... yeah.

I mean, in my 5th grade class room we had to bring in notes from our parents if we wanted to borrow a Harry Potter Book saying that it was ok.

Thats just... ugh.

...A note?! What the hell?

As ~Koneko~ said, what you read is your choice, NOT YOUR PARENTS.

As "Betty" might have mentioned, some people think that Harry Potter has insulted Christmas and Easter...which makes no sense whatsoever.

Damn, I wouldn't even SPIT in her direction...

[N]

I agree - why should people start foaming at the mouth because of a Harry Potter book? I'm a Christian and I read it because I enjoy reading fantasy, not because one day I'm going to try and find Diagon Alley, get some Galleons, buy myself a wand and curse someone.

[Yukai]

Well... I'm not a very religious person but I am a Christian that doesn't read Harry Potter because of restrictions from my parents.

It does get on my nerves when they say something is "Satanic" but it's just because of our religion. I try not to get bothered much...

My mom said that she doesn't let me read it because some of the spells in there were real spells they used in the past that actually called on demons from Satan. I just assumed that the spells were just for accuracy. I don't read the series anymore so I can hardly care less now...

HP is just targetted because of it's so called "accuracy" and it's theme being centered around witchcraft. It's almost specifically CENTERED around magic.

If you look around you don't see LOTR or some other famous stories being targetted because they don't center on magic but just have concepts RELATING to magic, not many incantations etc.

Several years ago, Pocket Monsters was targetted because of the theme song supposedly being satanic as well as the concepts in the show. I frankly don't believe in such exaggerations since I'd mix logic with religion to have it make sense.

I mean... Look. It's just a kids show that originated in Japan. Of course they don't have racists stereotypes in Japan (Jynx and her black skin) and they can handle alot more things that are deemed inappropriate to children because they learn it at a younger age (-Lost- Episode #018 - Holiday at Aopuruko AKA Beauty and the Beach - Aired in July of 2000 in the US).

That's just what I believe. I'm not a very religious person but I see what these people see as wrong and still think that you should mix in SOME degree of logic into what you're analyzing and just not get everything from the Bible. Even though the part that Betty said about the whole "witchcraft is against God" is true since I've read it. It still doesn't stir up anything in me that would make me go against the series since I don't read it.

[Soku]

Well the people who say they shouldn't read it because it's witchcraft, are the ones who look too deep into Harry Potter. They try to look at it in a different way, and not how it is. They try to turn it into something it's not, and judge it. It's a movie, no one shouldn't be allowed to watch it because it has magic spells in it.
It sounds completely ludicrous.

[Zexion of the Twilight]

If God hated wizardry, why the hell did he create J. K. Rowling?!

[Soku]

If God hated wizardry, why the hell did he create J. K. Rowling?!


He probably doesn't. It's like we sometimes create words that people say God says. It's kind of sad.

[Xemnas7355]

I agree - why should people start foaming at the mouth because of a Harry Potter book? I'm a Christian and I read it because I enjoy reading fantasy, not because one day I'm going to try and find Diagon Alley, get some Galleons, buy myself a wand and curse someone.

lmao! but i totally agree with you! A book shouldn't affect your faith! I mean, take the bible for example......Oh wait nevermind......

[Gravity]

Lol, no, I think bibles should be left out of that example. They pretty much define your faith.

[George Costanza]

Harry potter is a novel.

The story is not real.

The characters are not real.

It is for entertainment purpose only.

[Alpha Sonix]

I can't beleive people are saying that, it's fiction, if they say that then what about other books containing violence? It's not like it's real and being Christian myself I say this is utter foolishness and the people who are saying that should go to hell, just aswell as the other people who call movies racist.

[Roxas is Hot]

I can't beleive people are saying that, it's fiction, if they say that then what about other books containing violence? It's not like it's real and being Christian myself I say this is utter foolishness and the people who are saying that should go to hell, just aswell as the other people who call movies racist.

Agreed.

Harry potter is a novel.

The story is not real.

The characters are not real.

It is for entertainment purpose only.

This is exactly why irks me off. People who can't get their head out of the damn Bible don't have the freakin' eyes to see this. Good God...

[White_Rook]

Religious extremism at its best. By that logic, those who speak on the "church's" behalf regarding how Harry Potter is evil are against all thought.

[Repliku]

lmao! but i totally agree with you! A book shouldn't affect your faith! I mean, take the bible for example......Oh wait nevermind......

Darn it! I had the same thought. Any way though, to believe in God is a leap of faith so if people do believe in it, Harry Potter is a fictional tale about some kids and magic and it isn't going to stir people from their paths. Fanatics though do believe that anything that is not Christian in base is bad and a danger because the human mind is apparently weak and can be altered by the devil's works which equates to anything non-religious. Fanatics ruin it for everyone. The reason LOTR doesn't get slammed is because it is known that the author was a Christian and used 'some' Christian themes in it that he pointed out. That is the same for the Narnia Chronicles. Harry Potter gets it because it is extremely popular and there's no mention of God that can be recognized and we are weak simpletons with brains that can be exploited. If it wasn't so popular, it would be ignored too but children and adults love it. Now, I'm off to go play my fictional muggle quidditch game. *stomps off with a broom*

[Roxas is Hot]

Darn it! I had the same thought. Any way though, to believe in God is a leap of faith so if people do believe in it, Harry Potter is a fictional tale about some kids and magic and it isn't going to stir people from their paths. Fanatics though do believe that anything that is not Christian in base is bad and a danger because the human mind is apparently weak and can be altered by the devil's works which equates to anything non-religious. Fanatics ruin it for everyone. The reason LOTR doesn't get slammed is because it is known that the author was a Christian and used 'some' Christian themes in it that he pointed out. That is the same for the Narnia Chronicles. Harry Potter gets it because it is extremely popular and there's no mention of God that can be recognized and we are weak simpletons with brains that can be exploited. If it wasn't so popular, it would be ignored too but children and adults love it. Now, I'm off to go play my fictional muggle quidditch game. *stomps off with a broom*

Exactly.

I can't believe some people would rather slam Harry Potter than any other magicey type of story. Yeah, I understand Narnia and Lord of the Rings had some mentions of God in it, but Christ on a 2x4, that doesn't give anyone any rights to burn the book or send hate mail to Rowling. Like I said before, it's people like Betty in that quote that seriously PISS ME OFF.

[Sorax]

Appparantly, witchcraft and religion just doesn't mix

Ever since before all of us were even born, Religion and litertaure was always the question.

I remember I read a book about the middle ages saying about cencorship, where priests have to read the books first before it gets released to the public. If they don't like it, they tore some of the pages to make it not as fiction as it can be or sometimes they burn the whole thing.

Maybe the church wants to do something about it, but they can't.

^ I just wanted to point that out

[Roxas is Hot]

I've read articles where churches burn some of the books...which seriously piss me off...

They're like the HP KKK or something...

[Laurence_Fox]

Really, there are better things for the Church to be concerned with in this day and age than a work of Literary FICTION dealing with kids and magic.

If anything, the Church should be able to recognize the ever constant fight between Good and Evil in the books. Which should teach children to choose what is right. So as Harry and company fight Voldemort and company, they should know that good will triumph over evil in the end.

And burning books is a sad and outdated way for the church to react. It's not like a kid is going to go to school with a stick and start casting magic spells. Granted younger kids will have their fantasies but it is just that...children at play. If a grown man does this...well...something else may be wrong.

[Soku]

Lol, I like Saixs post.

But yeah,it's pretty weird how they react to a book about magic. It's not like it's a a book saying how to do spells, and telling children to blow somebody up with a stick they found outside.>_>

[Enigmatic Boy]

Personally, I agree with all people who think that the Harry Potter series does not affect religion. Honestly, I've read all the books and seen all the movies and played all the games and I still love God. Its not like the books ever say something like"Hate God, because he is bad". No, thats not what the book is about.

[Ramone]

Just because Harry Potter has witchcraft in it doesn't mean it's bad. I thinkall the people that think it's bad just because there's witchcarft should go to hell. Why would it be bad? It's just mental and stupid.

Besides. Not all wiches and wizards are bad.

[Laurence_Fox]

I'd explain how the witch became the evil persona we know of today but it would just be a long winded post filled with archaic references from mythos of various cultures. Maybe I will sometime in the future when I have a long span of time and nothing to do but type up such a thing.

Suffice it to say that it was one of the pagan traditions that were made evil to discourage new generations from taking up the practice.

I don't read the books myself. Most of the knowledge I have comes from the movies and from on-line. But I for one do not see the harm so long as the children know it's a book in the end.

Also, it is not just a book for children. I've heard of many adults reading the books when they're children are done. Or they read the books together. Can't imagine a parent reading The Lord of the Rings with their children. Maybe the Hobbit but not LOTR. Tolkien's a bit too winded for the average child's attention span.

[Roxas is Hot]

Exactly.

I honestly will lose my respect to those who say otherwise about this topic.

[N]

I think why people are trying to say Harry Potter is bad is because of the English and the supposed witches of Salem. The English started that witchcraft stuff with the Renissance, dragons and dungeons, and having people make 'potions' to cure their illnesses. There are a lot of people who still believe in that, and also, they might be doing it because J.K. Rowling has made millions of dollars off her books.

[Roxas is Hot]

I think why people are trying to say Harry Potter is bad is because of the English and the supposed witches of Salem. The English started that witchcraft stuff with the Renissance, dragons and dungeons, and having people make 'potions' to cure their illnesses. There are a lot of people who still believe in that, and also, they might be doing it because J.K. Rowling has made millions of dollars off her books.

If they're bashing Harry Potter just because Rowling has made more money than a damn church could every dream to make, they seriously need a slap in the face. Bashing a book just because of the money's terribly greedy; something I wouldn't expect a church to go through...

[Ghetto]

at my old skool when harry poter movie 1st came out i wuz gonna see it but the principal claimed harry potter promotes evil and dmons and all that. i ended up not seeing it at the theater but i watch them all on t.v. when they come on. i understand why they think it will take you to hell and promote witchcraft but most of us are smart enough to know reality from fantasy. i was hated at my skool cuz i wuz into yugioh and they said yugioh is from hell yet they let their kids play with pokemon?? i like fantasy stuff and all that buyt im not out casting "spells" and crap. honestly i dont like harry poter but i dont actualy think just for reading it or watching it u go to hell and all that crap.

If they're bashing Harry Potter just because Rowling has made more money than a damn church could every dream to make, they seriously need a slap in the face. Bashing a book just because of the money's terribly greedy; something I wouldn't expect a church to go through...

mopst churches have become corupt and greedy now days. im a christian and dont got to church every week bc i have b-ball games on weekends but i read my bible and get the smae lessons that u can get from church without all the "you read this so ur goin to hell!" stuff.

[Zandyne]

Well everything has practically been said in this topic....pious people take it to the next undesirable level of attention. Actually does their bible even mention anything about "lets all go on a crusade becasue there are books written by people who aren't dead yet....or haven't seen burning bushes" or whatever.

Random Tangent: The best part that I LOVE about the piety of strict Christians is the hypocrisy in that technically....all technology is the work of Satan, as knowledge and the fruits of this knowledge were born from the TREE of knowledge (lol, I used that word so many times), no? So really any Bible-launcher that isn't a secluded Omish (they do that avoid electricity thing) makes me laugh, up until they try to convert me or argue that gravity is the work of the devil or that science is "lucky numbers"- I MEAN FATE FROM GOD TO TEST OUR FAITH IN HIM over rocket trajectories.

[Roxas is Hot]

Well everything has practically been said in this topic....pious people take it to the next undesirable level of attention. Actually does their bible even mention anything about "lets all go on a crusade becasue there are books written by people who aren't dead yet....or haven't seen burning bushes" or whatever.

Random Tangent: The best part that I LOVE about the piety of strict Christians is the hypocrisy in that technically....all technology is the work of Satan, as knowledge and the fruits of this knowledge were born from the TREE of knowledge (lol, I used that word so many times), no? So really any Bible-launcher that isn't a secluded Omish (they do that avoid electricity thing) makes me laugh, up until they try to convert me or argue that gravity is the work of the devil or that science is "lucky numbers"- I MEAN FATE FROM GOD TO TEST OUR FAITH IN HIM over rocket trajectories.

I know. The only reason why I like strict Christians is because I love arguing with them. May sound weird, but I try to at least pop some sense into their heads.

I agree, I think they're terrible hypocrites sometimes.

[Mirai]

Oh yes; Harry Potter is teh Debil! Let's not teach our kids about bravery, equality, love, friendship, goodness, and that good will always triumph over evil! Yeah, we don't need our children learning all that crap!

*if noone figures out that this is sarcasm, they need help*

Harry Potter's main theme is not really magic. There are morals in there. Infact, the book is ABOUT bravery, equality, love, friendship, goodness, and that good will always triumph over evil. Voldemort (the villain) attempts to rid the Wizarding World of Muggle-Borns and Muggles, while Harry and his friends and allies uphold bravery, equality, love, and friendship and stop (with many casualties along the way, mind you. Farewell, ****, *****, *****, and ******. i r not spoiling, i swearz!)

[Roxas is Hot]

It's amazing how churches don't focus on those points you mentioned...bravery, friendship, ect. T_T

[Mirai]

It's amazing how churches don't focus on those points you mentioned...bravery, friendship, ect. T_T

Well many DO preach about good triumphing over evil. However, their version of "bad" is people who have different opinions than them. It's stupid, really. If I was God, I wouldn't burn someone with Hitler for having a different viewpoint.

[Roxas is Hot]

Well many DO preach about good triumphing over evil. However, their version of "bad" is people who have different opinions than them. It's stupid, really. If I was God, I wouldn't burn someone with Hitler for having a different viewpoint.

Same here.

I still can't understand them though. For God's sake, Harry Potter is about good triumphing over evil. That topic takes up more than a good half of the books. But, they can somehow figure out how it's 'magic magic magic' instead.

Basically, none of it really makes sense.

[Mirai]

Sorry for bumping a topic that was probably going to die, but "witch" was mistranslated in the Buybull! (http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/show/162/page/7) Use the Find function to find "poisoner."

[N]

Really, there are better things for the Church to be concerned with in this day and age than a work of Literary FICTION dealing with kids and magic.

If anything, the Church should be able to recognize the ever constant fight between Good and Evil in the books. Which should teach children to choose what is right. So as Harry and company fight Voldemort and company, they should know that good will triumph over evil in the end.

And burning books is a sad and outdated way for the church to react. It's not like a kid is going to go to school with a stick and start casting magic spells. Granted younger kids will have their fantasies but it is just that...children at play. If a grown man does this...well...something else may be wrong.

I totally agree with your post.

The church should be more worried about keeping their church together and keeping people in faith then bashing a FICTIONAL book. Like you said, children should be able to know GOOD AND EVIL. If the church thinks we children are stupid, brainless mutts running around believing the Sand Man is after us, that's as lame as trying to slap Satan with a copper pot. And burning books is SOOOOOO old timey it's prehistoric; the church should have left that when the came here from Europe.

[Roxas is Hot]

Sorry for bumping a topic that was probably going to die, but "witch" was mistranslated in the Buybull! (http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/show/162/page/7) Use the Find function to find "poisoner."

Goddammit, get me a gun! >:O

[HellKitten]

There you go. The church is an idiot in my view personally. However, it does make me wonder...

I only read the books because they are very entertaining. Worshiping it like Star Wars, is just retarted[No Offense]. If you noticed these books are like World War II, just with magic. If you look Voldemort kills Muggles for fun, Hitler killed Jews for fun.

So I think J.K. might've had a somewhat WWII theme to this. It is Fiction and the Church takes it too seriously,

"You'll got to hell, if you read it!"

Screw hell we should be aloud to read whatever the Hell we feel like without the freakin' Church and other religions coming and going

"Um, well Bobby is going to burn in hell with that book, once he's done reading it."

When that Church puts worse stuff in the Bible.

"Read it, and you're Sins will be forotten!"

They are just out to make you feel regretful on something that might not exist. A Father I know read Harry Potter and he said himself the church is too rough. The book isn't that bad. Father Scott talks about it sometimes when he comes in actually. And Again I got two weeks of detention for saying I like the books and reading them in school.

Fortunatly, my teacher the good person she is, got me off the hook.

[Repliku]

There you go. The church is an idiot in my view personally. However, it does make me wonder...

I only read the books because they are very entertaining. Worshiping it like Star Wars, is just retarted[No Offense]. If you noticed these books are like World War II, just with magic. If you look Voldemort kills Muggles for fun, Hitler killed Jews for fun.

So I think J.K. might've had a somewhat WWII theme to this. It is Fiction and the Church takes it too seriously,

"You'll got to hell, if you read it!"

Screw hell we should be aloud to read whatever the Hell we feel like without the freakin' Church and other religions coming and going

"Um, well Bobby is going to burn in hell with that book, once he's done reading it."

When that Church puts worse stuff in the Bible.

"Read it, and you're Sins will be forotten!"

They are just out to make you feel regretful on something that might not exist. A Father I know read Harry Potter and he said himself the church is too rough. The book isn't that bad. Father Scott talks about it sometimes when he comes in actually. And Again I got two weeks of detention for saying I like the books and reading them in school.

Fortunatly, my teacher the good person she is, got me off the hook.

You really are in the wrong school to speak your mind, Chocokitten. =:/ Seems anything you say that is contradicting things is a detention.

[Tonks]

I am a Christian. I may not be that strong with Christianity, but whatever.

I find it very dumb how some Christan's think that if you read Harry Potter, you'll go to hell.

"Ooh, it's witchcraft! Ooh!"

My friend believes JK Rolling went through the Satanic Bible and that's where she got all of the spells from.

So you're saying that if I get a wand, point it at someone, and shout: "Avada Kadavera!" (or however you spell it) that person will die? NO.

[Roxas is Hot]

I truely feel sorry for you ChocoKitten. That must really suck royal asz. I'd say scrwe it...I would never last a month in a Christian schoo....

Not too long ago, there was a lady who came to another forum I'm on, and tried to get every damn person on the forum to stop reading Harry Potter, read the Bible more, stand against gay rights, and so forth. Lol, we flamed her untill she begged to be banned. I even stated Harry Potter's my religion. *which it is, pretty much*

She said I'm the biggest sinner of all. XDDDD

I'd rather be a big time sinner than not read my HP.

[Nate_River]

any one that thinks harry potter is evil is a retard....no offence to the retards....its just rediculous to think that someone/some people that Harry Potter is evil....HP is my fave series and ive seen all teh movies, read ALL teh books and played all teh games...i dont run around pointing sticks at people shouting Crucio or Obliviate......hmmmmmmmmm.......... LOL....but seriously i saw a pic that had HP with 666 instead of the scar and the devil bhind him and they both had evil smiles on their faces....WHO SPENDS THAT MUCH TIME DOING STUFF LIKE THAT AGAINST KIDS!?!?!? i mean.....if u wanna think something is evil then complain about homework....not the greatest thing to ever happen to this generation!!!

[he's-got-a-heart]

There you go. The church is an idiot in my view personally. However, it does make me wonder...

I only read the books because they are very entertaining. Worshiping it like Star Wars, is just retarted[No Offense]. If you noticed these books are like World War II, just with magic. If you look Voldemort kills Muggles for fun, Hitler killed Jews for fun.

So I think J.K. might've had a somewhat WWII theme to this. It is Fiction and the Church takes it too seriously,

"You'll got to hell, if you read it!"

Screw hell we should be aloud to read whatever the Hell we feel like without the freakin' Church and other religions coming and going

"Um, well Bobby is going to burn in hell with that book, once he's done reading it."

When that Church puts worse stuff in the Bible.

"Read it, and you're Sins will be forotten!"

They are just out to make you feel regretful on something that might not exist. A Father I know read Harry Potter and he said himself the church is too rough. The book isn't that bad. Father Scott talks about it sometimes when he comes in actually. And Again I got two weeks of detention for saying I like the books and reading them in school.

Fortunatly, my teacher the good person she is, got me off the hook.

OK I am not a fan of the Church as an establishment myself but surely there was no need to come out and slander them like that by calling them 'idoits'. I'm sorrry but you have no right, how pathetic...


OK I think someone is doing a tad bit of exgerrating here. Please do quote me which part of the Bible this comes from as I would be interested to hear this.


I doubt it. Yes, maybe you got stick for it but I suspect that you are whining and not being truthful on the matter of detentions. Next you'll be telling us that they took the books from you and arranged a cermonial burning of all childrens' literature books from the library at your school.

[Repliku]

OK I am not a fan of the Church as an establishment myself but surely there was no need to come out and slander them like that by calling them 'idoits'. I'm sorrry but you have no right, how pathetic...


OK I think someone is doing a tad bit of exgerrating here. Please do quote me which part of the Bible this comes from as I would be interested to hear this.


I doubt it. Yes, maybe you got stick for it but I suspect that you are whining and not being truthful on the matter of detentions. Next you'll be telling us that they took the books from you and arranged a cermonial burning of all childrens' literature books from the library at your school.

The Church is an organized group as a collective and really instead of saying Church, perhaps the person should have used the term fanatical fundamental zealous idiots because those are the people who are insane and make the claims about Harry Potter being so evil in the first place and take action by forbidding children to read the books or watch the movies, sometimes rather violently. To spread lies such as the author read a Satanic book and copied spells for her books was pretty much calling Rowling a few things. I think fanatics can take being called idiots since they are busy telling everyone else they are going to burn in Hell and God will punish them, and we are the worst sinners.. blah blah.

You do realize that in the south books of Harry Potter have been stolen, yes stolen (thou shalt not steal..roight) and then taken out and burned? Seems to happen with every new Harry Potter book though this new one I haven't heard of anything yet. I'm waiting though. You just never know. Fundies often convince what kind of literary work is in the schools, and a Christian school is not going to have the same books as a public school. Magic is faux pas. Having an imagination seems to be that way too there. If you haven't been to a Christian school, go sometime and see their selections in the library.

Two weeks seems a while to be on detention but I can recall getting detention for some pretty stupid things in regular public school...oh yeah, that was because I didn't do the boring homework. However, I wouldn't just go about calling others liars because they called the Church idiots.

The Bible is chocked full of violence, bigotry and some of the worst traits of humanity. It grants the permission to kill in the name of God, seize women as property, slay men, and even off children that are not their own. That is why the commandment of 'Thou shalt not kill' is in error and it is actually a mistranslation of 'Thou shalt not murder'. Murder implies that if God didn't condone it, you are sinning. The Bible is one of the most violent books around telling about wars galore and then finalizing it all up with a nice Apocalypse view for the future. Harry Potter has nothing on the Bible. Probably no horror book or movie does, simply because people can say a horror movie is fake, but people insist the material in the Bible is authentic.

Also the second line he/she said that you highlighted is semi-true, isn't it? Believe the Bible, believe in God and Jesus and you are saved and gain entrance to the mighty kingdom in the sky. That, however, was an exaggeration.

[Zandyne]

This topic has always interested as it has irked me....

I also have a contradictory understanding of why the more...zealous believers of a certain religion take a book so seriously. No where in the book does it prophesize any sort of 'true' end or savior in RELATION TO REALITY (not directly, interpretation is dependent on the individual).

Taking the Harry Potter books as a sort of religious text makes little sense in many regards. As a simple parallel it would be saying to take every fable and fairy-tale literally- you don't take the characters seriously, but you give each and every moral a thought or two. (IE: King Midas and the Golden Touch)

And really, any person who says that the spells are "real", care to broaden your foreign language? Specifically LATIN, you will see similiarities in the words.

Now a part I DO NOT understand about the relgion bashing of Harry Potter is why OTHER fictional books are not bashed so massively on scale. Some examples would be Lord of the Rings (wizardry, enough said) and any of the Narnia (they have TALKING ANIMALS IN THERE and if you squint, minor pagan references) books, or any of HG Wells Books (albeit they're science fiction, but given how much religion seems to hate the concept of EVOLUTION among other things...) to this PRESENT day. Or did I miss a news memo on this?

Anyway, spontaneously back on topic: I think the reasoning for religion bashing that I somewhat understand is that Harry Potter was a world-wide phenomenon. However, because there were relatively no violent outbreaks of anything given its scale, its rather easy to dismiss as just another symptom of popularity. (Reference to how some zealous parents reacted to things like Pokemon- the non-seizure inducing related- apprehension to it.)

(Sorry if my post doesn't make enough sense, just got back from a trip and I'm not exactly in my right mind....)

[he's-got-a-heart]

The Church is an organized group as a collective and really instead of saying Church, perhaps the person should have used the term fanatical fundamental zealous idiots because those are the people who are insane and make the claims about Harry Potter being so evil in the first place and take action by forbidding children to read the books or watch the movies, sometimes rather violently. To spread lies such as the author read a Satanic book and copied spells for her books was pretty much calling Rowling a few things. I think fanatics can take being called idiots since they are busy telling everyone else they are going to burn in Hell and God will punish them, and we are the worst sinners.. blah blah.

You do realize that in the south books of Harry Potter have been stolen, yes stolen (thou shalt not steal..roight) and then taken out and burned? Seems to happen with every new Harry Potter book though this new one I haven't heard of anything yet. I'm waiting though. You just never know. Fundies often convince what kind of literary work is in the schools, and a Christian school is not going to have the same books as a public school. Magic is faux pas. Having an imagination seems to be that way too there. If you haven't been to a Christian school, go sometime and see their selections in the library.

Two weeks seems a while to be on detention but I can recall getting detention for some pretty stupid things in regular public school...oh yeah, that was because I didn't do the boring homework. However, I wouldn't just go about calling others liars because they called the Church idiots.

The Bible is chocked full of violence, bigotry and some of the worst traits of humanity. It grants the permission to kill in the name of God, seize women as property, slay men, and even off children that are not their own. That is why the commandment of 'Thou shalt not kill' is in error and it is actually a mistranslation of 'Thou shalt not murder'. Murder implies that if God didn't condone it, you are sinning. The Bible is one of the most violent books around telling about wars galore and then finalizing it all up with a nice Apocalypse view for the future. Harry Potter has nothing on the Bible. Probably no horror book or movie does, simply because people can say a horror movie is fake, but people insist the material in the Bible is authentic.

Also the second line he/she said that you highlighted is semi-true, isn't it? Believe the Bible, believe in God and Jesus and you are saved and gain entrance to the mighty kingdom in the sky. That, however, was an exaggeration.

OK for starters I was talking to ChocoKitten but thanks for stepping in and speaking for him/her.

As I said I am not the biggest fan of the Church in fact I oppose most of their views. Yes, I'll admit it is ridiculous of the Church to say HP is evil. I see nothing in the books that is explictly to do with satanism or any of the other ludicrous claims they have made about it. I also think it's silly how the Church will not even allow modern music or dance in the services and only the Priest is allowed to read from the Gospel. What it all comes down to is oppression and brainwashing. In which part of the Bible does it say 'Only by the lips of the Preist may the sacred Gospel be read?' None, in fact on the contrarary it calls on all to 'Spread the Gospel', not to go around condemning and planting fear into everyone's hearts but spread the good news that each and everyone of us has a place in Heaven. That's why I think the Church is doing the opposite of Christ's mission on Earth. It's just my take on it so don't be offended.

All I was saying is there was no need to stoop to their level by calling them 'idiots'. I thought it was being a little immature that's all. I wasn't defending them. Notice how s/he has also used slander like 'retards'.


Yes, I disagree with the burnings and things I just thought that Chocokitten, like the Church, was making a mountain out of a molehill. It is a fictional book so their is no reason why it wouldn't be on shelves even in Christian schools. I went to a Catholic school and yes they did have a copy of each HP book in English and in French, none of them in flames by the way. We also had copies of the Qu'ran in Arabic and English, the Vedas, the Torah any many more. Don't forget that all the books I've listed actually get burnt as well, whether it be by other religions or governments. People die for these books and it makes me angry when people like Chocokitten come along playing 'poor victim' over Harry Potter of all things.


Depending upon which way you look at it and which overall conclusion you come to the Bible can be a very violent book. I'll admit that yes, quite a proportion, in particular the Old Testament (which makes up much more than have of the Bible) consists of lots and lots of montrous acts. But let's not forget that it wasn't just people in the Bible who got upto these things this was a worldwide problem there was not single place on Earth you could have considered to be Utopia. The OT is basically about nations in crisis awaiting the arrival of a Messiah to sort out the mess they were all in. Then, with Jesus came the NT, and fora new aspect on God's Commandments.

When you talk of the Bible's finale I assume you mean Revelation. If you think this was written to scare us then I think you've missed the point that was given to the Christians. It was meant to bring hope and let them no matter what lay ahead in the world that there was no need to fear because God was with them and even though one day all things on Earth would be destroyed (which they will be, apocalpyse or not) that a part of them would live on forever. A happy ending if you asked me. Someone once told me that only sinners feel fear or anger from reading Revelation, I dunno if i believe that.

No, it was not semi-true in my opinion. I think there is a lot more to it than simply reading your Bible. Beliving in God is a big part of it yes, but Chocco didn't say that. S/he made out that all those naive Christains think that by reading your Bible your sins are forgotton when in actual fact Christains know full well that it takes commitment and action to be saved. I was saying that there is no part of the Bible which says you must read it to be saved. That's true, regardless of whatever opinion I may have.


Look I don't want to argue with you, I don't have a problem with what you said I was just annoyed by what Chocco said. S/he is perfectly entitled to his/her opinions but all I thought was that there was no need to so with impudence if s/he wanted his/her own opinion to be respected. That's forum rules, right?

[Repliku]

OK for starters I was talking to ChocoKitten but thanks for stepping in and speaking for him/her.

As I said I am not the biggest fan of the Church in fact I oppose most of their views. Yes, I'll admit it is ridiculous of the Church to say HP is evil. I see nothing in the books that is explictly to do with satanism or any of the other ludicrous claims they have made about it. I also think it's silly how the Church will not even allow modern music or dance in the services and only the Priest is allowed to read from the Gospel. What it all comes down to is oppression and brainwashing. In which part of the Bible does it say 'Only by the lips of the Preist may the sacred Gospel be read?' None, in fact on the contrarary it calls on all to 'Spread the Gospel', not to go around condemning and planting fear into everyone's hearts but spread the good news that each and everyone of us has a place in Heaven. That's why I think the Church is doing the opposite of Christ's mission on Earth. It's just my take on it so don't be offended.

All I was saying is there was no need to stoop to their level by calling them 'idiots'. I thought it was being a little immature that's all. I wasn't defending them. Notice how s/he has also used slander like 'retards'.


Yes, I disagree with the burnings and things I just thought that Chocokitten, like the Church, was making a mountain out of a molehill. It is a fictional book so their is no reason why it wouldn't be on shelves even in Christian schools. I went to a Catholic school and yes they did have a copy of each HP book in English and in French, none of them in flames by the way. We also had copies of the Qu'ran in Arabic and English, the Vedas, the Torah any many more. Don't forget that all the books I've listed actually get burnt as well, whether it be by other religions or governments. People die for these books and it makes me angry when people like Chocokitten come along playing 'poor victim' over Harry Potter of all things.


Depending upon which way you look at it and which overall conclusion you come to the Bible can be a very violent book. I'll admit that yes, quite a proportion, in particular the Old Testament (which makes up much more than have of the Bible) consists of lots and lots of montrous acts. But let's not forget that it wasn't just people in the Bible who got upto these things this was a worldwide problem there was not single place on Earth you could have considered to be Utopia. The OT is basically about nations in crisis awaiting the arrival of a Messiah to sort out the mess they were all in. Then, with Jesus came the NT, and fora new aspect on God's Commandments.

When you talk of the Bible's finale I assume you mean Revelation. If you think this was written to scare us then I think you've missed the point that was given to the Christians. It was meant to bring hope and let them no matter what lay ahead in the world that there was no need to fear because God was with them and even though one day all things on Earth would be destroyed (which they will be, apocalpyse or not) that a part of them would live on forever. A happy ending if you asked me. Someone once told me that only sinners feel fear or anger from reading Revelation, I dunno if i believe that.

No, it was not semi-true in my opinion. I think there is a lot more to it than simply reading your Bible. Beliving in God is a big part of it yes, but Chocco didn't say that. S/he made out that all those naive Christains think that by reading your Bible your sins are forgotton when in actual fact Christains know full well that it takes commitment and action to be saved. I was saying that there is no part of the Bible which says you must read it to be saved. That's true, regardless of whatever opinion I may have.


Look I don't want to argue with you, I don't have a problem with what you said I was just annoyed by what Chocco said. S/he is perfectly entitled to his/her opinions but all I thought was that there was no need to so with impudence if s/he wanted his/her own opinion to be respected. That's forum rules, right?

I hear what you meant and did point out that yes, she/he should have been more specific in her accusations, because the Church isn't all that 'banned' Harry Potter etc. There are some zealous protestant schools mostly that seem to have the biggest issues but in the end, it depends where you are. It would make sense to me more to target the actual targets instead of just saying "the Church". Also, I did catch the use of 'retards' too.

I only interceded because I saw where both of you were right and both of you were also hostile. Calling someone a liar is not a good thing. I've seen some pretty whacked up Christian schools, and others that were not so bad. I see how they brainwashed my cousins to being just plain dumb, just as one example, or reforming friends into something else.

And lastly, I did say that what was said by ChocoKitten was an exaggaration, to read the Bible all sins are removed.

So, no, I have no problems with you either, but I simply wished to come between and stop a flame war pointing out that both of you were rather hostile in your messages and I saw the errors and hoped to make peace out of it, rather than leaving something so nasty. I appreciate you clarifying things to me and others and taking the time to address it.

[Sara]

Drop the retard name calling of this debate, please. Next time it'll be a warning. Name-calling isn't allowed at this forum. People are allowed to have their opinions without being bashed by others.

And do note that the bible was written probably 2000 years ago. What our opinion of society today and what their opinion back then was two different things. It was written, plain and simple: By a bunch of guys, women couldn't write back then, and you either were taught by a tutor or in a monestary. That's very limited teaching.


People have different POV's about religion, life and etc. My dad prays over the Harry Potter movie, but treats my mom like dirt. My mom's fine with it and is pretty nice. So it depends on the person and their POV.

[Midnight Rose]

It's a fantasy novel, not a public protest against religion... seriously, there is no reason to fight about this kind of thing. It's like the da vinci code, it says clearly that it is a fiction, so why do people make such a big deal about it?

[Zandyne]

It's a fantasy novel, not a public protest against religion... seriously, there is no reason to fight about this kind of thing. It's like the da vinci code, it says clearly that it is a fiction, so why do people make such a big deal about it?

I am not one of these people, but I will try to rationalize it for you as best I can.

People make a big deal about it because they MAY believe it is "for the greater good", however this does not necessarily mean that they read the disclaimer print.

And forgive me for stating this if it falls under the catagory of name-calling, but people who REFUSE to acknowledge that it is a work of fiction are acting rather ignorant- especially if proof of this disclaimer is repetitively brought to their attention.

But yes, some people have literally gone on crusades in a way over something like this. It's sometimes amazing how much power a work of fiction could have over people...

[he's-got-a-heart]

I hear what you meant and did point out that yes, she/he should have been more specific in her accusations, because the Church isn't all that 'banned' Harry Potter etc. There are some zealous protestant schools mostly that seem to have the biggest issues but in the end, it depends where you are. It would make sense to me more to target the actual targets instead of just saying "the Church". Also, I did catch the use of 'retards' too.

I only interceded because I saw where both of you were right and both of you were also hostile. Calling someone a liar is not a good thing. I've seen some pretty whacked up Christian schools, and others that were not so bad. I see how they brainwashed my cousins to being just plain dumb, just as one example, or reforming friends into something else.

And lastly, I did say that what was said by ChocoKitten was an exaggaration, to read the Bible all sins are removed.

So, no, I have no problems with you either, but I simply wished to come between and stop a flame war pointing out that both of you were rather hostile in your messages and I saw the errors and hoped to make peace out of it, rather than leaving something so nasty. I appreciate you clarifying things to me and others and taking the time to address it.

OK cool.

It just seems with CK with those countless going-ons that the Catholic Church will stop at nothing to destroy him/her. And in addition to this s/he will stop at nothing to continue to bad-mouth them.

Yeah, agreed. This whole thing is better off left alone.