Harry Potter?

Question

Is my favorite book series and undeniably one of my biggest passions on this Earth..

I loved the 7th book and whilst I'm sad it's all over, I have something on my mind.

I keep seeing this **** on the news about all these religious groups protesting Harry Potter and calling it devil work and **** like that, because it's so dark.

I am 100% atheist, I could care a **** less about religion or any of that stuff but I have to say- THAT BOOK WAS PRETTY DAMN DARK.

I would be reading parts of it and think about all the protesting and what not, and think it was justified.

If I was an emotionally or morally unstable person I could see myself very easily being overwhelmed with the books darker points and evil undertones, but, as it is, I just found it lovely.

We go from soul-splitting, to serial murder, to talking to dead friends and family, to actually bringing the dead back to the living plane of existence, to becoming "the master of death..."

Thoughts? Protests-Justifiable?

Answer 1

A lot of folks take offence at the Harry Potter books because they think it promotes witchcraft, which to them is the same as worshipping satan or demons. Once you read the books it's clear that these witches and wizards are not devil worshippers, they're just humans with various talents (like being able to move things around in the air).

However, just like in the real world, some people use their skills and talents for the wrong things. (someone who's good at numbers can fudge the bookkeeping for a multi-national company, a lawyer gets a murderer back on the streets by using some legal loophole, Cornelius Fudge doesn't want people to think Voldemort has returned so he uses his influence to spread lies about Harry, Voldemort fears death so he makes everyone fear him instead, etc.)

Whether it's considered "dark" or not is beside the point - life itself can be pretty dark. The HP books promote the good things in life, and demonstrates how taking the "bad" side can turn out REALLY bad.

All of this just goes to show that the religous nuts protesting the HP books simply don't understand how the books actually mirror their own doctrines - be good unto others, etc.

Answer 2

This book should be protested (and preferably burned) merely because it is a horrible work of fiction.

FACT ONE : The RavenClaw item is actually a delicious ham and cheese sandwich and everyone should eat ham and cheese sandwiches so that they do not accidentally become vegetarians.

FACT TWO : The 7 Horcruxes, on the other hand, are more of a dessert arrangement which should be reserved for special occasions, holidays, and birthdays.

However, none this important information is given in the latest Harry Potter book. Ron is an idiot and Harry dies in a very boring and typical way but then he very boringly and typically undies and you realize that you have never, ever, seen so much chicken scratch. The story is boring and uneventful. There is almost no character development and the storyline draws heavily from the previous novels. The majority of the "plot twists" and "surprises" are trivial and the character's motivations seem genuinely uninspired.

Not a very good book, wait for the movie

Answer 3

well. i am a big fan also. I honestly don't think protesting is right. firstly, Harry Potter has nothing to do with religion...it is a book..form of entertainment. Rowling didn't mean for it to offend religious groups. Also, why choose this book...just because it is famous. I felt the same anger when the DaVinci Code came out....there are a lot of other books talking about stuff like Jesus and Mary Magdalene being together....then why choose this book...just because it's famous and controversial...so honestly i think it is just a way to get attention...because really there a lot of other books that are dark and depressing...and filled with magic and things like that...i would just ignore people and let them do their talking...atheists don't tell religious groups that their religious works disturb them, so why do they even bother.

Answer 4

I don't think that it is justafiable to protest the book and slander it in the name of religion. That being said it was dark but moreso, it did have religious untertones. The majority of the book was comprable to a religious story, as JK Rowling hinted to on more then one occasion. Everthing from harry dying for his friend and coming back in the chapter called Kings Cross (the cross he had to bare, king of kings, etc.) to being sent into battle by his father figure, Dumbledore and meeting him after death. The book is filled with little things like this and you would think the religious community would embrase it, not condem it.

Answer 5

Evil is as evil does. The book had to end and head in a specific direction to make it viable.

The parents who are concerned about the books undertones must have bigger issues to worry about - because apparently they don't have either the time or the relationships with there kids to discuss what is being read.

Answer 6

well i dont hink people cant exactly copy it because its magic and from my knowledge it doesnt exist. i am christian but i'm not a strong believer. but this book shows courage against evil and shows good over evil so isnt that a good thing and isnt that what is taight in the bible - good overcomes evil? and its just like lots of stories especially disney stories in the movies like Lion King and Jungle Book and Bambi shows horrible events to kids most are of charaters dieing and shows good over evil its just that this book goes into it much deeper and in a more mature way and like someone said its only a story and no one can do that stuff in real life - i dont think lol anyway i agree with you and thats my thought and all i gotta say to them is dont get involved in things you dont understand lol

Answer 7

just a fun fact,most of those people who claim harry potter "promote witchcraft","devil's work" etc etc actually never read any of the books...it was quite foolish to say such stuff about harry potter,as they are just story books,a form of entertainment...and if you've read the book,you'll realize how much moral values j.k rowling has inserted inside the so -called "devil's work",such as the strengh of friendship,importance of choice,so on and so forth...really,what a stupid thing,to accuse harry potter for being evil and nasty...

Answer 8

I am a Christian. I went to a Christian and Catholic school, i went to church every Sunday with my family, and yet i read these books . They are for pure enjoyment and entertainment. I've read the books ever since the came out. Dark Shmark it all matters for your opinion. God isnt going to punish the people who don't take it seriously because its not a book you're supposed to take completely seriously. It's just for enjoyment and entertainment

Answer 9

some religious groups probably do look at the soul splitting thing as bad but actually the book is against it and makes it sound very bad and that murder is the worst thing someone could do so i dont think they should be mad thats stupid...the books are amazing...

Answer 10

Well, I am a Christian and so is everybody else that I know who has read the book. I don't see any problems, it is just a story book.