S
Shiann
Guest
It depends on your perspective…
I finished it Monday night.
Enjoy your read.
- Status
I finished it Monday night.
Enjoy your read.
S
seeker63
Guest
They’re very much in the tradition of the Edith Nesbit, Enid Blyton, and CS Lewis school of British children’s literature, where groups of kids go around having adventures and solving mysteries.
T
turboEDvo
Guest
Last book that came out, I simply read dawn to dusk for two days to finish. This time, I have work and a who mess of other things to do, and I haven’t even started it yet! Can you believe it?It depends on your perspective…
I finished it Monday night.
Enjoy your read.
Eamon
A
auppie
Guest
Absolutely love the series!
Bought the new book on the way home from a wedding on Friday, actually was about 12:30 am Saturday by the time I arrived. Began reading when I got home, and finished it Sunday late afternoon!
Bought the new book on the way home from a wedding on Friday, actually was about 12:30 am Saturday by the time I arrived. Began reading when I got home, and finished it Sunday late afternoon!
B
buffalo
Guest
Pope Opposes Harry Potter Novels - Signed Letters from Cardinal Ratzinger Now Online
RIMSTING, Germany, July 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews.com has obtained and made available online copies of two letters sent by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was recently elected Pope, to a German critic of the Harry Potter novels. In March 2003, a month after the English press throughout the world falsely proclaimed that Pope John Paul II approved of Harry Potter, the man who was to become his successor sent a letter to a Gabriele Kuby outlining his agreement with her opposition to J.K. Rowling’s offerings. (See below for links to scanned copies of the letters signed by Cardinal Ratzinger.)
As the sixth issue of Rowling’s Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - is about to be released, the news that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger expressed serious reservations about the novels is now finally being revealed to the English-speaking world still under the impression the Vatican approves the Potter novels.
In a letter dated March 7, 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger thanked Kuby for her “instructive” book *Harry Potter - gut oder böse *(Harry Potter- good or evil?), in which Kuby says the Potter books corrupt the hearts of the young, preventing them from developing a properly ordered sense of good and evil, thus harming their relationship with God while that relationship is still in its infancy.
“It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly,” wrote Cardinal Ratzinger.
The letter also encouraged Kuby to send her book on Potter to the Vatican prelate who quipped about Potter during a press briefing which led to the false press about the Vatican support of Potter. At a Vatican press conference to present a study document on the New Age in April 2003, one of the presenters - Rev. Peter Fleetwood - made a positive comment on the Harry Potter books in response to a question from a reporter. Headlines such as “Pope Approves Potter” (Toronto Star), “Pope Sticks Up for Potter Books” (BBC), “Harry Potter Is Ok With The Pontiff” (Chicago Sun Times) and “Vatican: Harry Potter’s OK with us” (CNN Asia) littered the mainstream media.
In a second letter sent to Kuby on May 27, 2003, Cardinal Ratzinger “gladly” gave his permission to Kuby to make public “my judgement about Harry Potter.”
more…
RIMSTING, Germany, July 13, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - LifeSiteNews.com has obtained and made available online copies of two letters sent by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was recently elected Pope, to a German critic of the Harry Potter novels. In March 2003, a month after the English press throughout the world falsely proclaimed that Pope John Paul II approved of Harry Potter, the man who was to become his successor sent a letter to a Gabriele Kuby outlining his agreement with her opposition to J.K. Rowling’s offerings. (See below for links to scanned copies of the letters signed by Cardinal Ratzinger.)
As the sixth issue of Rowling’s Harry Potter series - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - is about to be released, the news that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger expressed serious reservations about the novels is now finally being revealed to the English-speaking world still under the impression the Vatican approves the Potter novels.
In a letter dated March 7, 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger thanked Kuby for her “instructive” book *Harry Potter - gut oder böse *(Harry Potter- good or evil?), in which Kuby says the Potter books corrupt the hearts of the young, preventing them from developing a properly ordered sense of good and evil, thus harming their relationship with God while that relationship is still in its infancy.
“It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly,” wrote Cardinal Ratzinger.
The letter also encouraged Kuby to send her book on Potter to the Vatican prelate who quipped about Potter during a press briefing which led to the false press about the Vatican support of Potter. At a Vatican press conference to present a study document on the New Age in April 2003, one of the presenters - Rev. Peter Fleetwood - made a positive comment on the Harry Potter books in response to a question from a reporter. Headlines such as “Pope Approves Potter” (Toronto Star), “Pope Sticks Up for Potter Books” (BBC), “Harry Potter Is Ok With The Pontiff” (Chicago Sun Times) and “Vatican: Harry Potter’s OK with us” (CNN Asia) littered the mainstream media.
In a second letter sent to Kuby on May 27, 2003, Cardinal Ratzinger “gladly” gave his permission to Kuby to make public “my judgement about Harry Potter.”
more…
B
buffalo
Guest
http://www.mediawisefamily.com/mgmast.jpg
MOVIEGUIDE® Provides Best Antidote To Harry Potter Craze This Summer
In less than 10 days, copies of the new Harry Potter book, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, will deluge bookstores, but the new book, just like the other Potter books, promotes an evil occult worldview that is extremely dangerous, especially to impressionable children and teenagers.
Ted Baehr’s MOVIEGUIDE®, a biblical guide to movies and entertainment for parents and families, offers the best antidote to this perilous fascination with the occult. MOVIEGUIDE® is offering a special deal on the book FRODO & HARRY: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives, co-authored by Dr. Baehr using his many years of expertise as a media critic and communications scholar.
FRODO & HARRY illustrates the many dangers posed by the occult worldview in the Harry Potter books. It also gives practical tips to parents and families on how to make wise media choices.
As the book notes, the publishers behind the Harry Potter series use the series to lure young readers to Internet websites that encourage children to explore occult topics like witchcraft, divination and idol worship.
“These sites encourage children to write their own spells,” Dr. Baehr noted. "On one page on the publisher’s website 11- and 12-year-old children were writing prayers to pagan gods.
“The Harry Potter books are not just innocent little stories for children and teenagers to enjoy,” Dr. Baehr added. “They are a new way for the media to entice people away from the moral, biblical, spiritual, and Christian foundations of society.”
MOVIEGUIDE® is offering the FRODO & HARRY book for only a $10 donation, the best deal yet. For another $30 donation, we will also send you a 12-month subscription to MOVIEGUIDE® magazine, including our 2005 annual issue which will include short reviews of all the major movies released this year.
To take advantage of this special discount, please write to MOVIEGUIDE® at movieguide@bellsouth.net or call 1-800-577-6684.
Don’t lose out on this great offer! Your support not only will help your family battle dangerous occult phenomena; it will also help MOVIEGUIDE® continue to promote media-wise choices among families everywhere.
And, don’t forget to check our website at www.movieguide.org for news and reviews about other major cultural trends affecting your family for good and for ill.
Christian Film & Television CommissionTM
2510-G Las Posas Road #502
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: 805-383-2000
Fax: 805-383-4089
www.movieguide.org
MOVIEGUIDE® Provides Best Antidote To Harry Potter Craze This Summer
In less than 10 days, copies of the new Harry Potter book, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, will deluge bookstores, but the new book, just like the other Potter books, promotes an evil occult worldview that is extremely dangerous, especially to impressionable children and teenagers.
Ted Baehr’s MOVIEGUIDE®, a biblical guide to movies and entertainment for parents and families, offers the best antidote to this perilous fascination with the occult. MOVIEGUIDE® is offering a special deal on the book FRODO & HARRY: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives, co-authored by Dr. Baehr using his many years of expertise as a media critic and communications scholar.
FRODO & HARRY illustrates the many dangers posed by the occult worldview in the Harry Potter books. It also gives practical tips to parents and families on how to make wise media choices.
As the book notes, the publishers behind the Harry Potter series use the series to lure young readers to Internet websites that encourage children to explore occult topics like witchcraft, divination and idol worship.
“These sites encourage children to write their own spells,” Dr. Baehr noted. "On one page on the publisher’s website 11- and 12-year-old children were writing prayers to pagan gods.
“The Harry Potter books are not just innocent little stories for children and teenagers to enjoy,” Dr. Baehr added. “They are a new way for the media to entice people away from the moral, biblical, spiritual, and Christian foundations of society.”
MOVIEGUIDE® is offering the FRODO & HARRY book for only a $10 donation, the best deal yet. For another $30 donation, we will also send you a 12-month subscription to MOVIEGUIDE® magazine, including our 2005 annual issue which will include short reviews of all the major movies released this year.
To take advantage of this special discount, please write to MOVIEGUIDE® at movieguide@bellsouth.net or call 1-800-577-6684.
Don’t lose out on this great offer! Your support not only will help your family battle dangerous occult phenomena; it will also help MOVIEGUIDE® continue to promote media-wise choices among families everywhere.
And, don’t forget to check our website at www.movieguide.org for news and reviews about other major cultural trends affecting your family for good and for ill.
Christian Film & Television CommissionTM
2510-G Las Posas Road #502
Camarillo, CA 93010
Phone: 805-383-2000
Fax: 805-383-4089
www.movieguide.org
T
Tazgurl21
Guest
I don’t know I don’t really like the harry Potter movies and I haven’t read any of the books. I might just read one or two of them I don’t know.
L
lacoloratura
Guest
If someone else has already said this, I apologize - I just didn’t have time to read the entire thread. 
JK Rowling herself has said that Harry Potter wasn’t originally intended as a children’s story. Now, I admit I can’t give you a source for that information, but I am 100% certain I read it somewhere. Which means that the subtlety of right and wrong, human nature, God and the occult, etc. that you may or may not find in the books was intended for an audience capable of handling it.
There are many reasons why you might not want your children to read the books or watch the movies, not least of which is the fact that (especially from the 4th book on) there are some darn scary things in them! When I read book 4, I found the ending quite frightening. And I am, I suppose, an adult. :whacky:
As a number of people have already said here, the key is knowing whether or not your children have the understanding and maturity to discern the difference between fantasy and reality.
And finally, I take issue with those who have said the books are poorly written. I consider myself to be well read; among my favorite novels are A Tale of Two Cities, just about anything by Jane Austen, The Lord of the Rings, most of Shakespeare, and many others, naming which would make this post far too long. I also happen to love opera and the symphony, as well as good theatre and other commonly considered “sophisticated” pastimes - and I love the Harry Potter novels! Just look at them from a human nature standpoint. Does everything always happen fairly? No. Do the characters who act badly always get what they deserve? No. Do the good guys suffer, and even die? Yes. If these were merely “fluff” books, there are a number of things that Rowling would not have written the way she did.
Okay, I’ll stop now. I suppose, given the fact that 80% of the poll was favorable, I’m preaching to the choir, but still…Had to get that off my chest.
(Edit: wanted to clarify, I don’t think the books are necessarily the greatest lit of all time, but I do think they’re well done for what they are. I’d hate for anyone to lambast me for comparing Rowling to Dickens.)
JK Rowling herself has said that Harry Potter wasn’t originally intended as a children’s story. Now, I admit I can’t give you a source for that information, but I am 100% certain I read it somewhere. Which means that the subtlety of right and wrong, human nature, God and the occult, etc. that you may or may not find in the books was intended for an audience capable of handling it.
There are many reasons why you might not want your children to read the books or watch the movies, not least of which is the fact that (especially from the 4th book on) there are some darn scary things in them! When I read book 4, I found the ending quite frightening. And I am, I suppose, an adult. :whacky:
As a number of people have already said here, the key is knowing whether or not your children have the understanding and maturity to discern the difference between fantasy and reality.
And finally, I take issue with those who have said the books are poorly written. I consider myself to be well read; among my favorite novels are A Tale of Two Cities, just about anything by Jane Austen, The Lord of the Rings, most of Shakespeare, and many others, naming which would make this post far too long. I also happen to love opera and the symphony, as well as good theatre and other commonly considered “sophisticated” pastimes - and I love the Harry Potter novels! Just look at them from a human nature standpoint. Does everything always happen fairly? No. Do the characters who act badly always get what they deserve? No. Do the good guys suffer, and even die? Yes. If these were merely “fluff” books, there are a number of things that Rowling would not have written the way she did.
Okay, I’ll stop now. I suppose, given the fact that 80% of the poll was favorable, I’m preaching to the choir, but still…Had to get that off my chest.
(Edit: wanted to clarify, I don’t think the books are necessarily the greatest lit of all time, but I do think they’re well done for what they are. I’d hate for anyone to lambast me for comparing Rowling to Dickens.)
M
Marie
Guest
buffalo said:
Anyone who is serious about battling the evil of the culture we live in, would avoid it at all costs. Just like any evil, it is subtal and easily passes as just fun. Obviously Pope Benedict thinks otherwise, as well as Father Amorth, Romes chief expert on the matter.
The alcoholic wasn’t setting out to be an alcoholic…but it snared him into it’s clutches just the same within a short time. The same for the occult. Satan dresses up his evil to make it look innocent and just good fun.
M
Marie
Guest
**Rome’s Chief Exorcist Warns Parents Against Harry Potter **
NEW YORK, Jan 3, 02 (LSN.ca/CWNews.com) - In early December, the Diocese of Rome’s official exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, warned parents against the Harry Potter book series.
The priest, who is also the president of the International Association of Exorcists, said Satan is behind the works. In an interview with the Italian ANSA news agency, Father Amorth said, “Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil.”
The exorcist, with his decades of experience in directly combating evil, explained that J.K. Rowling’s books contain innumerable positive references to magic, “the satanic art.” He noted that the books attempt to make a false distinction between black and white magic, when in fact, the distinction “does not exist, because magic is always a turn to the devil.”
In the interview which was published in papers across Europe, Father Amorth also criticized the disordered morality presented in Rowling’s works, noting that they suggest that rules can be contravened and lying is justified when they work to one’s benefit.
Of note, the North American coverage of Father Amorth’s warnings about Potter significantly downplayed the warnings. The New York Times coverage which was carried in many other media outlets left out most of the information in the European coverage which is quoted above. It only quoted Father Amorth as saying, “If children can see the movie with their parents, it’s not all bad.” The Times report also fails to mention that the movie version has significantly cleaned up Harry’s image, making it less troublesome than the books.
NEW YORK, Jan 3, 02 (LSN.ca/CWNews.com) - In early December, the Diocese of Rome’s official exorcist, Father Gabriele Amorth, warned parents against the Harry Potter book series.
The priest, who is also the president of the International Association of Exorcists, said Satan is behind the works. In an interview with the Italian ANSA news agency, Father Amorth said, “Behind Harry Potter hides the signature of the king of the darkness, the devil.”
The exorcist, with his decades of experience in directly combating evil, explained that J.K. Rowling’s books contain innumerable positive references to magic, “the satanic art.” He noted that the books attempt to make a false distinction between black and white magic, when in fact, the distinction “does not exist, because magic is always a turn to the devil.”
In the interview which was published in papers across Europe, Father Amorth also criticized the disordered morality presented in Rowling’s works, noting that they suggest that rules can be contravened and lying is justified when they work to one’s benefit.
Of note, the North American coverage of Father Amorth’s warnings about Potter significantly downplayed the warnings. The New York Times coverage which was carried in many other media outlets left out most of the information in the European coverage which is quoted above. It only quoted Father Amorth as saying, “If children can see the movie with their parents, it’s not all bad.” The Times report also fails to mention that the movie version has significantly cleaned up Harry’s image, making it less troublesome than the books.
A
Antigen
Guest
Harry Potter is no more harmful than Cinderella, Snow white or the other fantasy’s we read or were read to as kids.
C
CanonAlberic
Guest
Hi! I’m Satan (but please, just call me “Scratch”), and I must say that I get a little annoyed when I’m accused of being the inspiration behind the “Harry Potter” series. I would much rather children watch television (especially the “FOX” News Channel") or play video games than read books. Reading encourages the usage of one’s mind, and this is not something that I like to see. I’ve already got a lot of adults on my side (witness thee hence, the popularity of the aforementioned “FOX News Channel” and such possibly unwitting spokespersons as Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingraham and Michael Wiener {Savage}, et al), so the last thing I want is for children to exercise a little brain power by shunning the mindless pablum of the MSM and actually becoming interested in the printed word. I just wanted to send this note, with love, from Acheron to let all of you know that I heartily disapprove of “Harry Potter”, and that I would appreciate it if someone would tell me what, exactly, “subtal” means? Thanks for reading, and please have a meaningful day.
(…Came to me in an inspirational dream…word for word…I’m serious!..)
Peace,
The Canon
C
CanonAlberic
Guest
:whacky:…look out, LOOK OUT, fundie lunatics on parade…:whacky:
Peace.
S
ShroudMan
Guest
Besides…Satan didnt have time to mess with Potter… he was too busy warping the minds of those video game programmers who placed a hidden porno movie in Grand Theft Auto. Now THAT is EVIL…not to mention the entire game itself…too bad the Church jumps on the yearly Potter bandwagon along with the fundies, and doesnt comment on much more serious types of childrens entertainment… I guess after 2000 years its hard to let go of the “books are evil” jazz… 
(hint: of course some are…but hello…its the 21st century…theres alot more that is offered to kids for evil than books)
Canon,
I agree…more and more it seems there is a fundie outlook creeping into Catholicism… is it right to dance the polka? Is chewing gum gluttoney if I aint hungry? Is dropping a few bucks into a slot machine gonna send me to hell? Can I kiss a girl and not be in mortal sin? Is watching anything but The Passion and Sound of Music upsetting to the Lord? In one form or another I have read such craziness here and much more. Its insane.
Big deal the Pope dont like Potter… would’ve been nice if he formed an opinion on it by actually READING the book(s) HIMSELF Instead of having someone else do it for him.
He also dont like rock music!
…newflash!..the Pope is entitled to have opinions that DONT have to be shared by Catholics. But it seems to many Catholics they must have the same opinions the Pope has in order to be “saved”
If one actually READ the Popes statement on Potter…(actually, his was a reply to another who actually TOOK THE TIME to read the book themself…yeah,…this peeves me that the Pope made a comment without reading the book…I think he was wrong for doing so) anyway…the Pope never says one cant read Potter…he is saying that it poses a danger for people who havent developed themselves spiritually…thats it…thats ALL that statement means. And I agree with that…but what the Pope did as a diservice (again by not reading it and making a comment anyway) was he should have ADDED… "that Potter is another in a long line of Fantasy books and as long as a parent has reared their child in Christianity and they have a solid foundation and be sure to explain to their children the meanings of good and evil, Potter can be as harmless as it can POSSIBLY be dangerous… but again…I guess to be clear and concise is hard as usual for the Vatican to do.
The Vatican needs to get off the kick of sending mixed messages and being ambiguous on things that call for ones personal judgement calls of how they live their lives and raise their kids… the Vatican knows FULL WELL that the Popes OPINION on Potter is gonna cause dissension…as well as his stance on rock music… they know FULL WELL that people hang on a Popes OPINION as if its some sort of DOGMA… and that is WRONG for them to do so. Its a form of mind control thru Catholic guilt, that if the Pope dont like Elvis or the Rolling Stones and thinks Potter is evil…then I may be damning myself to Hell for listening or reading this stuff! I dont buy this phooey.
(hint: of course some are…but hello…its the 21st century…theres alot more that is offered to kids for evil than books) Canon,
I agree…more and more it seems there is a fundie outlook creeping into Catholicism… is it right to dance the polka? Is chewing gum gluttoney if I aint hungry? Is dropping a few bucks into a slot machine gonna send me to hell? Can I kiss a girl and not be in mortal sin? Is watching anything but The Passion and Sound of Music upsetting to the Lord? In one form or another I have read such craziness here and much more. Its insane.
Big deal the Pope dont like Potter… would’ve been nice if he formed an opinion on it by actually READING the book(s) HIMSELF
Instead of having someone else do it for him. He also dont like rock music!
…newflash!..the Pope is entitled to have opinions that DONT have to be shared by Catholics. But it seems to many Catholics they must have the same opinions the Pope has in order to be “saved”If one actually READ the Popes statement on Potter…(actually, his was a reply to another who actually TOOK THE TIME to read the book themself…yeah,…this peeves me that the Pope made a comment without reading the book…I think he was wrong for doing so) anyway…the Pope never says one cant read Potter…he is saying that it poses a danger for people who havent developed themselves spiritually…thats it…thats ALL that statement means. And I agree with that…but what the Pope did as a diservice (again by not reading it and making a comment anyway) was he should have ADDED… "that Potter is another in a long line of Fantasy books and as long as a parent has reared their child in Christianity and they have a solid foundation and be sure to explain to their children the meanings of good and evil, Potter can be as harmless as it can POSSIBLY be dangerous… but again…I guess to be clear and concise is hard as usual for the Vatican to do.
The Vatican needs to get off the kick of sending mixed messages and being ambiguous on things that call for ones personal judgement calls of how they live their lives and raise their kids… the Vatican knows FULL WELL that the Popes OPINION on Potter is gonna cause dissension…as well as his stance on rock music… they know FULL WELL that people hang on a Popes OPINION as if its some sort of DOGMA… and that is WRONG for them to do so. Its a form of mind control thru Catholic guilt, that if the Pope dont like Elvis or the Rolling Stones and thinks Potter is evil…then I may be damning myself to Hell for listening or reading this stuff! I dont buy this phooey.
M
Marie
Guest
All well and good that you are quite capable of discerning good and evil and all of your children are quite above falling into a trap of the occult. But, there are many children who do not have guidance that will read Harry Potter, and go on to delve into the realms of the occult and end up in trouble.
Having taught children for many years, I have run across more than my share of sad and deeply disturbed children. One such craze was the “Dungeons and Dragons” game of the 90’s. In a class of 30 children, 2 of them were so wired from the exposure to this so called harmless game, that they had to have serious physiological treatment. Two others went even farther off the rails. One 12 year old in the class tried to commit suicide…and another one actually did commit suicide. I stand by my caution that Harry Potter can cause harm. It can be entertaining true. But it can lead to serious problems in children who already have more problems than the average bear.
I suggest you watch children deteriorate week to week while the parents stand idly by, saying “It’s just a fantasy. It’s harmless.” I suggest you attend the funeral of one such child and then tell me how harmless it is.
An August 1994, Gallup Survey reported the following beliefs of American Catholic teens (ages 13-17):
Which of the following do you believe in?
Astrology – 58%
Ghosts – 43%
Witchcraft 24%
Vampires 6%
Less than 30% of American Catholics teens believe that the Eucharist is more than a mere symbol. Why would anyone want to expose young Catholics so unsure of their faith to things like: blood-drinking, werewolves, vampires, potions, spells, sorcery, demon-like characters, and witchcraft as found in the Harry Potter series?
Will every child reading Harry Potter get burned? Of course not. Will some get burned? Just as 4 out of 30 children in my class had serious consequences from Dungeons and Dragons, in all likelihood there will be thousands of children worldwide who will suffer. I suggest you look at the Harry Potter online bookstore web pages advertising additional books for kids interested in related works. Harry Potter is just one of the many entry points into a world where the fascination with wickedness creates an addiction that perverts the innocent mind and obscures what is good.
Having taught children for many years, I have run across more than my share of sad and deeply disturbed children. One such craze was the “Dungeons and Dragons” game of the 90’s. In a class of 30 children, 2 of them were so wired from the exposure to this so called harmless game, that they had to have serious physiological treatment. Two others went even farther off the rails. One 12 year old in the class tried to commit suicide…and another one actually did commit suicide. I stand by my caution that Harry Potter can cause harm. It can be entertaining true. But it can lead to serious problems in children who already have more problems than the average bear.
I suggest you watch children deteriorate week to week while the parents stand idly by, saying “It’s just a fantasy. It’s harmless.” I suggest you attend the funeral of one such child and then tell me how harmless it is.
An August 1994, Gallup Survey reported the following beliefs of American Catholic teens (ages 13-17):
Which of the following do you believe in?
Astrology – 58%
Ghosts – 43%
Witchcraft 24%
Vampires 6%
Less than 30% of American Catholics teens believe that the Eucharist is more than a mere symbol. Why would anyone want to expose young Catholics so unsure of their faith to things like: blood-drinking, werewolves, vampires, potions, spells, sorcery, demon-like characters, and witchcraft as found in the Harry Potter series?
Will every child reading Harry Potter get burned? Of course not. Will some get burned? Just as 4 out of 30 children in my class had serious consequences from Dungeons and Dragons, in all likelihood there will be thousands of children worldwide who will suffer. I suggest you look at the Harry Potter online bookstore web pages advertising additional books for kids interested in related works. Harry Potter is just one of the many entry points into a world where the fascination with wickedness creates an addiction that perverts the innocent mind and obscures what is good.
T
TarAshly
Guest
I am enjoying this book SO much! i even got my husband to start reading the series, got the new one when they were released on Saturday, and havent put it down since! JK Rowling is an amazing writer! cant wait to see what happens in it.
S
ShroudMan
Guest
Ah…“polls” 
What does believing in something have to do with PRACTICING something…here, in that poll words are used to possibly construe a false message. Does that poll become consise in meaning that their word “believe in” stands for practicing or praying to? BIG DIFFERENCE.
In effect…I also “believe in” witchcraft…not in the sense of I PRACTICE it…but I believe it exists and know people practice it…see…big difference. I would bet the farm that this Poll FAILED to take into consideration the meaning of the word “believe IN”
There are also people who practice vampirism as well as those who are afflicted with the actual blood disease of being sensitive to light and being anemic…so I believe in vampires as well.
And the word “ghosts” encompasses many meanings as well… in fact today…its almost hard to find people who HAVENT had some sort of experience with supernatural enitities…so again…I also believe in ghosts…but what I mean is I believe there ARE ghosts… they are either under the guise of demons or souls from purgatory…but polls NEVER go into the depth of word meanings… so…I really dont see what the big deal of the poll is… its rather pedestrian in its approach.
Its a lazy way of saying…do you believe there ARE…instead, people say, do you believe IN…
What does believing in something have to do with PRACTICING something…here, in that poll words are used to possibly construe a false message. Does that poll become consise in meaning that their word “believe in” stands for practicing or praying to? BIG DIFFERENCE.
In effect…I also “believe in” witchcraft…not in the sense of I PRACTICE it…but I believe it exists and know people practice it…see…big difference. I would bet the farm that this Poll FAILED to take into consideration the meaning of the word “believe IN”
There are also people who practice vampirism as well as those who are afflicted with the actual blood disease of being sensitive to light and being anemic…so I believe in vampires as well.
And the word “ghosts” encompasses many meanings as well… in fact today…its almost hard to find people who HAVENT had some sort of experience with supernatural enitities…so again…I also believe in ghosts…but what I mean is I believe there ARE ghosts… they are either under the guise of demons or souls from purgatory…but polls NEVER go into the depth of word meanings… so…I really dont see what the big deal of the poll is… its rather pedestrian in its approach.
Its a lazy way of saying…do you believe there ARE…instead, people say, do you believe IN…
M
Marie
Guest
It means dislexia…ever heard of it?
And shuccky darn…that old a and e just got away. Happens sweet pea… Aynoen who is seirous about battling the evil of the culture we live in, would avoid it at all costs. Jutt like any veil, it is subtle and easily passes as just fun. Boviously Poep Ebnedict thinks otherise, sa wlel as Father Maorth, omesR chief epert on the atterm.
Gives my editors fits…but they manage. I notice you have nothing to say about the children who end up dead or mentally wiped out. Nice!
More and more each day, people willingly accept Acts of secular hero’s & Movies as Gospel over teachings of the church.
T
turboEDvo
Guest
Have you been reading The Screwtape Letters lately?
Eamon
D
Dr.Bombay
Guest
Gee, maybe the Pope is saying something about Harry Potter that’s worth listening to, or at least pondering in our hearts. Perhaps we’d all do well to listen to our Holy Father and ponder when he speaks about things like Harry Potter as well as war, the death penalty, secularization, etc. He may not be speaking about Dogma, but maybe, just maybe, he’s still worth listening to.
But I guess it’s easier to indulge in the knee-jerk American response of feigned outrage and insinuate fascism, book-burning, inquisition and so forth. “Those Papists want to drag us all back to the Dark Ages!” Oh, the horror! :bigyikes:
Throughout history, one of the common traits most all saints share is humility, submission to authority, a recognition that maybe they don’t have all the answers and perhaps they could learn more by listening instead of jacking their jaws constantly. Sadly, humility seems to be totally absent from our culture today. We’re Americans, after all. We’ll do what we want to do. We can’t let a bitter old German who hates rock music get in the way of our fun, now can we? :tsktsk:
But I guess it’s easier to indulge in the knee-jerk American response of feigned outrage and insinuate fascism, book-burning, inquisition and so forth. “Those Papists want to drag us all back to the Dark Ages!” Oh, the horror! :bigyikes:
Throughout history, one of the common traits most all saints share is humility, submission to authority, a recognition that maybe they don’t have all the answers and perhaps they could learn more by listening instead of jacking their jaws constantly. Sadly, humility seems to be totally absent from our culture today. We’re Americans, after all. We’ll do what we want to do. We can’t let a bitter old German who hates rock music get in the way of our fun, now can we? :tsktsk:
- Status