A Conversation for Ask h2g2

A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 41

The Theory

I just wanted to give my opinion on the Harry Potter books here quick.

I work a bookstore. It is fairly small (compared to Barnes and Noble), but well known in my area. Shortly after the Harry Potter books became popular, kids (about age 10-13 or so) started coming into the store. And they aren't looking for Harry Potter books. They come up to my desk and ask if we had books on how to do witchcraft. I tell them no (cause we don't) but inside I am breaking up because wichcraft ruins lives, regarless how it is portrayed in Harry Potter. And I ask myself "why?" And I wonder what happens if this little facination turns into more than that. Regardless of what you believe about "spirits" and all of that, it drives people to do things, whether it is real or not, like murder (sacrifises) or suicide.

I realize that the Harry Potter books aren't going to affect adults in that way, but parents need to communicate with thier children about these issues.

thanx for letting me rant and rave...

peace.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 42

GreyDesk

In times past my mother was a house mistress at a posh girls public school. Whenever I visited her from my home at University, I found her charges (up to and including sixth form age students) rather giggly and pointless.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 43

GreyDesk

Hmmm.. unfortunate simulpost there.

*note to self: Do not go off and get another smiley - ale before finishing typing post*


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 44

Arthbard

I guess that would be why Christians have such a problem with Harry Potter.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 45

The Theory

It helps... though I wouldn't pidgeon hole all Christians as "Potter Haters" I know a lot of Christians who read the Harry Potter books. Heck, there was a review the books in Christianity Today (a magazine) that supported the books. But there is deffinately a group of Christians who are conserned about them.

peace.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 46

the autist formerly known as flinch

ANd how many ritual murders have you actually witnessed, or watched verified documentary evidence of exactly? Not as many Christian lynchings as i have i'd bet.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 47

GreyDesk

Why are some Christians concerned about Harry Potter books? Can't they spot escapist fantasy when they see it?


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 48

The Theory

probably not... there have been a lot of Christian lynchings...

peace.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 49

GreyDesk

Multiple simulpost - but one that seems to work smiley - wow


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 50

The Theory



It is just that some children have problems decifering between fantasy and reality (I know it sounds silly.) At least that is the arguement. Frankly, I think that instead of banning the books, or whatever, parents just need to make sure that thier children recognize the difference between fantasy and reality.

peace.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 51

Arthbard

It's true that witchcraft is misunderstood by many people, probably due to the fact that many Christians (particularly those that lived a couple of centuries ago) had a tendency to believe that everyone who belonged to a religion other than their own was invariably evil. This led to many burnings and whatnot. In actuality, though, witches do not worship the devil or perform ritual human sacrifice. Those people would be Satan worshippers/stupid kids with nothing better to do.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 52

Arthbard

Talk about a simulpost! There are four new posts showing since I started writing that last one.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 53

The Theory



Human nature pure and simple. Being afraid of people different from yourself. Heck I'm guilty of it too, alot (unfortuanatley).

But I have been too involved in too many evil things to be comfortable in saying that there is no power in witchcraft or that it is harmless. I am, thankfully, free from that now. But it was not a good time in my life. And every day I wish I had never gotten involed.

peace.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 54

the autist formerly known as flinch

Its a shame that most Christians cant tell reality from fiction also. I'd sooner put Harry Potter, or the collected works of Alistair Crowley in the hands of an 8 year old than the Bible.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 55

Arthbard

Ahh, yes...Good ol' human nature. Not being a witch, myself, you may know a bit more about it than me. I have a tendency to think that some people's ideas of witchcraft are blown out of proportion, but I can certainly see why there is concern over children becoming overly interested in it.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 56

GreyDesk

*waves to autist*

Damn right. And mustn't it be a shame for the Christians that the latest holy war against the Muslim religion seems to have been won by, well, another bunch of Muslims.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 57

GreyDesk

Wow topic drift and a simulpost in one go.

I still don't understand how christians could possibly interpret the Harry Potter books as being a threat to their current position of power in our society?


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 58

Arthbard

Is this Harry Potter conversation going to turn into an argument about religion?

*hides away in a corner to avoid the coming battle*


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 59

Arthbard

More simulposting. Maybe I should refresh before I post, from now on.


A hot crumpet burning his cheeks with shame...

Post 60

The Theory

I never interperted it that way so I have no responce. However, christianity should not be about "position of power"... but that is just me being nieve again...

peace.


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