The Town Hall Archives

The Phantom · Junior Member Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 248

Here's something that might flare up a few feathers. Now I've posted the same kinda thing that I'm posting here on a totaly different message board (the Down Gilead Lane MB) and it got to the point where it seemed like I was being judged.

Now without any further blah blah blah, here's the topic; What do you guys think about Harry Potter and why

Dont be afraid to speak your mind yaw'll

The Phantom

Ferder- · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 6:20 pm Post subject:

This topic has been brought up countlas times and most of us are all sick to death of discussing it. Please, if you want to generaly talk about the books or movies in the Harlequin, go ahead but no more debating.
(BTW I like Harry Potter.)

JM91 · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject: Re: Another topic to reply to

I really am not sure about Harry potter because I haven't read or seen it
however, my dad told me that they aren't good and I respect that

Christian Cowgirl · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 6:52 pm Post subject: Re: Another topic to reply to

Gandalf · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 6:55 pm Post subject:

Hmm, my opinion is not listed in the poll, therefore I'm not voting. I do not believe, under any circumstances, that the books are healthy for children to read. However, my opinion is not based on the witchcraft content, but the attitudes displayed by Harry and his friends. I have read all 5 books and plan on reading the other two when they come out. Harry and his friends are far too often disobedient, lying, plotting, wrathful, vengeful, disrespectful, immature, untrustworthy, mean, rude, and irreverent. Not attitudes or actions I would want my children reading.

However, they are fascinating mysteries. I don't view the witchcraft as genuine, though it does cross the lines in more and more places as the series progresses.

I personally read them because I felt it was important for me, as I work closely with children of all sorts of backgrounds, to have a basic knowledge of the books. Would I have chosen to read the books otherwise? Absolutly not. And I would never encourage anyone to read them. But I don't neccesarily think they are of the devil or anything either.

skygazing · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 8:06 pm Post subject:

I read the books because I find the plots interesting, and I enjoy the unexpected twists. As an amateur writer who has read quite a bit, I enjoy finding books in which I cannot anticipate the ending. JKR is a terrible writer (although she has been getting better), however.

Agreeing with Gandalf--Harry and his friends are disgusting. Actually all of the characters are on most levels.

The issue of witchcraft is a very sticky one, imo. I don't know where exactly I stand on it. However, I think one could argue that in HP the wizards are essentially in a different world than we are. Even another race or species if you want to get dramatic. I don't think there are honestly a ton of kids who have been impacted to start practicing witchcraft by these books. At any rate...the much more widespread (I think...) Wicca does not really resemble what is portrayed in the HP books. So comparing the two would seem (to me...correct my errors those wiser than me lol) like saying someone became a Christian by reading the Book of Mormon or something like that. The two are connected--but in a very remote way.

Not everyone should read Harry Potter...and with any luck all the hype will die after the seventh book is published and all the HP lover/LOTR haters will realize what they're missing out on and read Tolkien Very Happy

Amadeo · Senior Member Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 1207

The Phantom · Junior Member Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 248

amazing I've never got responces quite like the one's posted above before. normaly if someone think's it's bad it's because of their opinion of magic and what not. I myself like the books just because it's the type of stuff that I'm into, Fantisy.

Sorry I didnt realize that someoen brought this up before. So if you dont feel like posting then dont allright I'm not forceing yaw'll to post...........much *gun cocks*........lol

Oh I tried READING LOTR and I couldnt suffer past the 4th chapter. Hobits are nto that interesting. Though the movies are allright.

Shadowpaw · He Lies in Shadows Joined: 23 Nov 2002 Posts: 927

I really enjoy the Harry Potter books and I wasn't aware of all the controversy until long after I had read the first 4.

Though the only time I was really bothered by the way Harry and the gang acted was book 5, as Harry was a huge jerk to his friends for most of it and never really got punished. I hope he smartens up in book 6, because it's tough reading through something where you are disappointed in the way the main character is acting.

Regardless, I'm eagerly anticipating July. And I agree that JK Rowling isn't the best writer in the world (as far as pacing and general writing goes) but she's great at the big twists and revelations. Every book has had some major development in the over arcing story and I really look forward to those... she places hints all over the place, but it's often hard to piece them together in time. Besides, the books are still written well enough that I've never been bored while reading them and you can't deny that her books are a huge driving force in turning kids onto reading. People will always find things to complain about (and in this case perhaps they have an argument), but I was far more offended by The Chronicles of Narnia when I was a kid than I was by Harry Potter. It wasn't until I was probably 15 that I found out the Narnia books were an allegory and that they weren't trying to get me to worship animals Wink

.

And, like you Phantom, I couldn't get very far in the LotR books... the movies I enjoyed, but the books were so long winded and wordy that it was hard to care enough to read them when I knew the movies were coming out.

Shadowpaw

Simbelmyne34 · Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:23 am Post subject:

I don't like Harry Potter because of the Witchcraft and the childrens bad attitudes. Also, J.K. Rowling has admitted that she does do Wicca and the sort.
I don't like it because there is no disipline at Hogwarts, Harry and his friends do bad things and don't get punished!
Athough I DO think that the story itself is interesting. I've read "Harry Potter and the Bible" (A very good book) and it gives me enough information to know what I'm talking about. Also, the books have bad languge.
I agree with everything that Gandalf has said on the subject. Some Christians don't think it's bad (I know quite a few) and they have a right to their opinion. We just agree to disagree.

And since many children have read these books (which endorse witchcraft), they get other books that show you how to do spells and witchcraft. Which is demonic.