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Harry Potter vs. Religion
Jan. 16th, 2004 01:39 amSomeone is just being waaaaaaaay too serious. Admittedly, religion is a very serious thing to many people, and they shouldn't be scorned for their beliefs. But isn't it going just a little too far to say that a book like Harry Potter is going to cause you to burn in Hell for eternity?
Well, maybe, maybe not. The author, Berit Kjos, makes some rather interesting points. While he does go the route of "The Bible says that God says that "witchcraft, spells, sorcery, etc." is evil, evil, bad, bad, bad!," he (I'm assuming the author is a he...) also states that "The movie's foundation in fantasy, not reality, doesn't diminish its power to change beliefs and values" and "Each occult image and enticing suggestion prompts the audience to feel more at home in the dark, paranormal setting" are rather valid points. Being a Christian would mean avoiding temptation and sin and all that right? Which would mean, if you go by those two points above, avoiding works like Harry Potter.
This is actually something I don't disagree with, if you're a truly devout Christian. Nor, is it really the bone of contention with me. What really gets to me is a question that I've been pondering for quite some time:
Why are Christians completely intolerant of other religions? There have been wars over beliefs which strikes me as about as unChristian as you can get!
Now, if I recall correctly from Sunday school and Bible Class (whoo, that was a long time ago...), Christians are told to basically bring everyone on the dark side to the light. Which, OK, most religions are like that. Everyone wants you to believe what they believe in, be it Judaism, Christianity, or whatever. But why, oh why is it that everytime I read an article like this, I feel like they're trying to brainwash people? Bah. I don't have enough grounding in theology to try to make arguments even remotely intelligent. Not to mention it's very late...er, early.
Oh well, the Pope says Harry Potter is OK, and you can't argue with the Pope.
And did anyone else notice that the actor who plays Draco is unbelievabely cute? He grew up fine! Although, I feel kinda weird saying that because he's still JAILBAIT!!!
Well, maybe, maybe not. The author, Berit Kjos, makes some rather interesting points. While he does go the route of "The Bible says that God says that "witchcraft, spells, sorcery, etc." is evil, evil, bad, bad, bad!," he (I'm assuming the author is a he...) also states that "The movie's foundation in fantasy, not reality, doesn't diminish its power to change beliefs and values" and "Each occult image and enticing suggestion prompts the audience to feel more at home in the dark, paranormal setting" are rather valid points. Being a Christian would mean avoiding temptation and sin and all that right? Which would mean, if you go by those two points above, avoiding works like Harry Potter.
This is actually something I don't disagree with, if you're a truly devout Christian. Nor, is it really the bone of contention with me. What really gets to me is a question that I've been pondering for quite some time:
Why are Christians completely intolerant of other religions? There have been wars over beliefs which strikes me as about as unChristian as you can get!
Now, if I recall correctly from Sunday school and Bible Class (whoo, that was a long time ago...), Christians are told to basically bring everyone on the dark side to the light. Which, OK, most religions are like that. Everyone wants you to believe what they believe in, be it Judaism, Christianity, or whatever. But why, oh why is it that everytime I read an article like this, I feel like they're trying to brainwash people? Bah. I don't have enough grounding in theology to try to make arguments even remotely intelligent. Not to mention it's very late...er, early.
Oh well, the Pope says Harry Potter is OK, and you can't argue with the Pope.
And did anyone else notice that the actor who plays Draco is unbelievabely cute? He grew up fine! Although, I feel kinda weird saying that because he's still JAILBAIT!!!
