I don't like to be excessively critical of our Catholic friends but if you have someone whose main job is removing evil spirits from people condemning a work of fistion as 'the devil', does it not suggest that the musty halls of the Vatican aren't getting enough oxygen?
Do you think that the cause of Catholicism is helped or hindered by 'chief exorcists' getting worried about Harry Potter instead of, I don't know, a million other things he could be doing?
Here's a link for the link-lovers:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/09/03/harrypotter-exorcist-pope.html
2006-09-03 23:31:59 · 9 answers · asked by XYZ 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well it tells me he can't distinguish fiction from reality. They've not gotten the concept yet of the more you denounce something, the more people will be curious to see what is going on with it. Not that I particularly always agree with her, but Madonna uses that concept very well to her advantage.
Harry Potter has a popularity that has not been seen in a long time. When I was a child I cannot remember any book series coming out that had the impact that this has had. Because of the subject matter, religion (it's more than just Catholicism there are many Protestants here in America just as against it) digs in and takes the stance for teaching evil. If they actually sat down and read the books as I have they'd see it teaches tolerance, true friendship, cooperation and a wealth of other good attributes.
Given the problems that are currently going on in this world I'd say Harry Potter is really the least of anyones worries.
2006-09-03 23:43:10 · answer #1 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow...this really opposes what the last Pope said. Pope John Paul II actually said the books were edifying for kids.
His saying this (and other Christians jumping on this bandwagon) is more of a commentary on the decline of literature than anything else. People don't understand symbolism, imagery, and allusions the way that we used to. Educated Christians are reading Harry Potter and loving it, because it is so full of these things.
JK Rowling is a Christian (Protestant, though, which might be part of this guy's grudge), and her faith resonates throughout the books. Anyone who denounces the books based on religion needs to go back to high school lit class and learn a bit about how to understand imagery!
It hurts the church when people make statements like this, because it makes them look uneducated.
Here's a selection taken from this website:
http://www.ev90481.dial.pipex.com/harry_potter_granger.htm
The Christian Meaning: The Harry Potter books do not offer a generic 'good over evil' message. Ms. Rowling writes the powerful, spiritual answer in story form to mankind's larger questions in the only language even a post Christian culture can understand: she writes in the symbols and doctrines of the Christian faith. Harry Potter fans enjoy a resurrection experience in every book and are awashin word pictures and images of Christ and souls in pursuit of perfection in Him. Without this specific meaning, Rowling could not have achieved her unprecedented popularity in a culture that only knows of God in these forms.
2006-09-04 09:51:02 · answer #2 · answered by crazyperson1972 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Harry Potter. I think they are more Catholic in nature than Wiccan. I know a lot of religious folks (of varying beliefs) that are quite upset by the books, but I don't think the magic is really about magic. It's about learning to use those other "powers" (responsibility, authority, influence, self-control, etc...) kids have trouble figuring out how to use in life.
I guess I can see the Vatican being upset about something as influential as the Harry Potter series (it has infiltrated other media) and its appeal to young children. But I don't understand modern-day exorcism (and even if I did, how would one exorcise a fictional character?) and disagree with the assessment that Harry Potter is demonic.
2006-09-04 17:52:25 · answer #3 · answered by Contemplative Chanteuse IDK TIRH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Clearly Harry Potter is the main threat on the planet. I'd be more worried aboutAids terrorism etc. But no, that little boy wizard clearly has a lot to answer for. I think the Vatican needs a reality check.
2006-09-04 06:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by Lex 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
dead right. He could be going out and getting a job to help the economy instead of being paid out of the collection plate for fostering primitive superststion.
It's part of the reason why the church (catholic or otherwise) is becoming a laughing stock.
2006-09-04 06:38:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
He did not say so.
BTW it's his opinion and he's not the pope.
actually the Harry Potter books could be troubling from many viewpoints-it can get children stuck in magical thinking.
2006-09-04 06:56:40 · answer #6 · answered by carl 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
harry potter is not the devil so when is the pope s exorcist gowing to start work on the pope he is the devil
2006-09-04 07:29:24 · answer #7 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
u need to get hold of some reality
i am not Catholic
but harry potter is evil
people want to be like harry
witch craft is a sin
a Christean is to say it is a sin rebuke it
i rebuke it and harry potter in Jesus Christ Holy name
2006-09-04 06:50:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
SORRY FOR NOT ANSWERING UR QUESTION DIRECTLY, BUT DID U KNOW THAT POPES CONCIDER THEMSELVES AND ARE CONCIDERED BY THE CATHOLICS AS EQUIVALENT TO GOD ON EARTH????!!!!! IT'S CRAZY!! THEY NEVER READ THE BIBLE PROBABLY, OTHERWISE THEY WOULD NEVER SAY SUCH A THING!!!
2006-09-04 06:46:17 · answer #9 · answered by Stella 5 · 0⤊ 6⤋