for Svenska, JL & other HPotterites

[Marsipanne]

I think one problem with your theory regarding Harry performing Avada Kedavra on Voldemort is that it seems that magic without wands doesn't have any visual representation. Also, Avada Kedavra is quite specifically green in colour, so it would suggest that that curse is being performed. However, would this be possible by a baby without a wand?? I think that's a little too much of a stretch, really. What could be is that:

1. Voldemort attacks Lily who's protected Harry with her love
2. Voldemort attacks Harry, and the curse rebounds.
3. The power of the curse rebounding destroys the house around.

I mean, how would one know the effects of a rebounding curse? It hasn't been stated that a curse rebounding wouldn't cause a house to collapse. I would think that a great deal of energy would be released a) by the curse rebounding and b) with Voldemort's 'death'. You can imagine this cinematically: Voldemort is becoming like a vacuum a la Witch King of Angmar.

 

[sweetnpetite]

On the site, they did go a little more into why they *didn't* think that it was the rebound curse, but I can't remember exactly what was said.

I'm not convinced that it wasn't, I just thought it was an interesting theory. (not mine, someone elses)

I do kind of think that there is probably a special reason why the house was in ruined. And then, there is that comment, "I won't blow up your house" in the first book. Harry has never known his own power. (he's shrunk clothes, grown hair, levatated and made glass disapear without either a wand or concious effort.)

I think one problem with your theory regarding Harry performing Avada Kedavra on Voldemort is that it seems that magic without wands doesn't have any visual representation. Also, Avada Kedavra is quite specifically green in colour, so it would suggest that that curse is being performed. However, would this be possible by a baby without a wand?? I think that's a little too much of a stretch, really. What could be is that:

1. Voldemort attacks Lily who's protected Harry with her love
2. Voldemort attacks Harry, and the curse rebounds.
3. The power of the curse rebounding destroys the house around.

I mean, how would one know the effects of a rebounding curse? It hasn't been stated that a curse rebounding wouldn't cause a house to collapse. I would think that a great deal of energy would be released a) by the curse rebounding and b) with Voldemort's 'death'. You can imagine this cinematically: Voldemort is becoming like a vacuum a la Witch King of Angmar.

 

[Marsipanne]

I do kind of think that there is probably a special reason why the house was in ruined. And then, there is that comment, "I won't blow up your house" in the first book. Harry has never known his own power. (he's shrunk clothes, grown hair, levatated and made glass disapear without either a wand or concious effort.)

Thing about all those things Harry's done wandless is that there were no obviously magical effects like lights and sparkles etc. The Sorting Hat did say he was very talented though.

 

[sweetnpetite]

There's a theory, that Harry *IS* Voldemort- same person, different choices, something to do with time travel and dark magical rituals to render himeself (Voldemort) truely indefeatable.

It's a facinating theory, and if I can find more about it, I'll cut and paste it.

 

[sweetnpetite]

Harry's mom was a redhead, so I do think he'll end up w/ Ginny. Also, it's kind of like Friends, Chandler falls in love w/ his best friends sister and has to convince him that his intentions are good

 

[sweetnpetite]

my innitals, sNp, almost spell, Snape!

I am reading, right now about weather or not Snape intended for Harry to see 'his worste memory'

http://community.thinkpotter.com/showthread/t-1267-p-1.html

I've started to think that it *really* has to do w/ Harry's fear that he's really evil. (not slytherine, not slytherine) ANd his previous certainty that his father (whom everyone compares him to) was one of the good guys.

Also, either it was *not* Snape's worst memory (he was a Death Eater for pete's sake!) OR he was in love with Lily. Only being in love w/ her would have made this memory so bad as to be his worst.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Harry's mom was a redhead, so I do think he'll end up w/ Ginny. Also, it's kind of like Friends, Chandler falls in love w/ his best friends sister and has to convince him that his intentions are good

My father is caucasian with brown hair and blue eyes. Hubby is black, with black hair and brown eyes.

Yor point?

 

[sweetnpetite]

My father is caucasian with brown hair and blue eyes. Hubby is black, with black hair and brown eyes.

Yor point?

HP isn't real life, it's a novel. Therefore we can expect literary devices such as forshadowing and patterns to indicate future action. JK also has red hair. I think that the girl she has in mind for Harry has red hair as well.

Also to the point, Harry looks and behaves very much like his father. this point has been driven into the ground. It would stand that they would have the same tastes in women and also, I think there will be a sort of literary parallel. (I see several happening in the HP books.)

In the Order of the Pheonix, harry sees his mother stand up for snape when Harry's father is teasing him. In Chamber of Secrets, Ginny showed the same spirit when she got in Malfoy's face and told him to "Leave him alone!"

IN addition, *after* formulating this theory, I found the following essay online: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/essays/essay-harry-ginny.html

Amoung the highlights:

(empahasis is mine)

The fecund Weasley family have more than enough children to run the whole gamut of human emotions and personalities; why bother even to create this last-born enigma and to make her a girl if there were not some valid reason for her existence? These books are Harry's tale and ergo this character must have some role to play opposite him in the plot.

Having created Ginny, Rowling then goes to the trouble of bringing her to King's Cross and deliberately -- perhaps tantalisingly -- showing the reader a glimpse of her. That most poignant and evocative pseudo lover's scene on the platform where the little red-haired girl runs after the train (SS6) is perhaps the most telling foreshadowing for the fate of this character.

Then what? A more skillful and effective smoke screening of this character could scarcely have been achieved...our eyes are deliberately led away from her.

Ginny is at one point possessed by Voldemort and then rescued by Harry, but we are never allowed to consider the consequences of this action. Even though she must now share a life-saving bond with the hero as well as a brush with the Dark Lord, this bond is never referred to except obliquely and out of context, by Dumbledore in The Prisoner of Azkaban when considering Peter Pettigrew's escape.

We see Ginny at the start, then we are subsequently deliberately misled as to her personality and attitude with Harry. With Cho, Parvati, Hermione, and now Luna, Rowling is happy to show them as they really are and to allow Harry to react to them. However, we are constantly diverted away from Ginny and Harry is never given leisure to consider her as there is always something else going on.

In fact, Ginny shares more with Harry than any other character. They have a close shave with death and an escape from Voldemort in common, but perhaps more importantly they have both shared the Dark Lord's thoughts; Ginny exchanged confidences though the diary and in his words he poured himself back into her, while Harry has his scar connection leading him to appear to think with Voldemort's mind. In addition to being able to quell the worst excesses of Harry's black moods in Order of the Phoenix, Ginny is able to jump in quickly and take the words out of Harry's mouth. This level of perception is a true lover's trick and as they have both unwontedly shared Voldemort's innermost thoughts, could it perhaps also point to Legilimency at some later stage?

In Order of the Phoenix, to the shock of the shallow reader, Ginny literally bursts upon the scene with a mane of red hair. Although referred to as the youngest, the 'small' tag is fading and she is revealed in her true colours with a lively, sharp-witted personality, both Quidditch-loving and talented at Defence against the Dark Arts, with a unique ability to silence an angry Harry. However, we are now led to believe that she has 'given up on Harry' (OP16) and that she is playing the field. Other concerns occupy Harry including a brief disastrous love affair, new characters are introduced upon the scene, and multiple love triangles are mooted. Neville loves Ginny loves Dean, Harry loves Luna who loves Ron, Ron loves Hermione loves Krum; there is much scope for relationship intrigue in book six to keep the reader guessing. Carefully, again, we are never allowed to see Harry thinking of Ginny or considering her. We are encouraged also to believe in several statements that Ginny is a glib liar...but what lies beneath?

In Order of the Phoenix, our hero spends much of his time in Hermione's company, that's true. However, this we are allowed to see as there is no ulterior motive involved. There is no attempt at concealment and qualification, as they are and always will remain best friends. Hermione shows that she is able to offer impartial advice and the pair can work as a team, but their personalities do not match and at times Hermione is unable to manage Harry's angst. There is much talk in fandom about romance for Harry and pairings, and indeed in many cases couplings, abound. At this stage, though, it might be more appropriate to pull the names from a hat; these are teenage years and Rowling is making a convoluted trail.

Bear in mind if you will that what we are seeing here is what JK Rowling wants us to see and almost certainly, we will not see what is significant until the dying breaths of the series. She is very good at red herrings so we need to look at what is not on the surface very carefully. In fact, we must look at what she skilfully leads our eyes away from.

 

[Marsipanne]

I truly hope that Ginny (short for Ginevra in case you didn't know) shows some real personality in book 6. In 'Order' she seemed a bit 'tokenistic'. In my opinion, Rowling was setting the scene for Harry and Ginny to get together, and to please the G/H shipper (and to justify a future H/G relationship) she put in some cool factors for Ginny such as quidditch, being good at DADA and such. And yeah, I think Harry and Ginny are going to get together. Otherwise there would be very little reason for Ginny to be in the book other than her presence in Chamber of Secrets (and let's face it, anybody could have done it--in fact, the vector being Ginny was quite contrived in my opinion).

 

[sweetnpetite]

In summery-

Reasons that I think indicate Harry and Ginny will end up together:

1. Rawlings freqent use of red-hearings and misleading the reader seems in evidence both in Ginny's character, and in the nature of Harry's feelings toward or consideration of her.

2. Foreshadowing at the train station.

3. Both have been mentally linked to Vodemort.

4. Both have had close nearly fatal encounters w/ Vodemort that few others their age can identify with.

5. His looks and personality match his father's, her looks and personality match his mother's.

6. Ginny has more in common w/ Harry than any other character.
-escape from Vodemort
-shared Vodemort's thoughts
-love of quiddich
-tallented in the defense against dark arts

7. Ginny can finish his sentances (obviously shows intense syncrinosity)

8. Ginny can calm him down when no one else is able to, and can handle his worst moods. She can deal effectivly w/ him at his worst.

9. Hermione is a strong and fast friend, and I think she will remain in that capasity. She also dosn't have the connections that Ginny shares w/ Harry.

10. The hero (Harry) saved her life in the Second book, from a Serpantlike creature no less! What happens when the knight frees the damsel in destress and slays the dragon? Probably in or before the end, if Harry is to survive, the tables will be turned and she will save Harry. That's just the kind of twist that I think JK would relish

 

[sweetnpetite]

The Real Nicholas Flamel

THE STORY OF NICHOLAS FLAMEL
In the whole history of alchemy surely one of the most interesting stories is that of Nicholas Flamel (1330-1 418), the most successful and most celebrated of France's adepts, and I am accordingly giving in his own words the account of the discovery which proved be the turning point in his life:

'I, Nicholas Flamel, Scrivener, living in Paris in the year of our Lord 1399 in the Notary Street, near St. James of the Boucherie, though I learned not much Latin, because of the poverty of my parents who, notwithstanding, were even by those who envy me most, accounted honest and good people: yet by the blessing of God I have not wanted an understanding of the books of the philosophers, but learned them and attained to a certain kind of knowledge, even of their hidden secrets. For which cause's sake, there shall not any moment of my life pass wherein, remembering this so vast good, I will not render thanks to this my good and gracious God. After the death of my parents, I Nicholas Flamel, got my living by the art of writing, ingrossing and the like, and in the course of time there fell into my hands a gilded book, very old and large, which cost me only two florins. It was not made of paper or parchment as other books are, but of admirable rinds, as it seemed to me, of young trees; the cover

p. 31

of it was brass, well bound, and graven all over with a strange sort of letters, which I took to be Greek characters, or some such like. This I know, that I could not read them; but as to the matter that was written within, it was engraven, as I suppose, with an iron pencil, or graven upon the said bark leaves; done admirably well, and in fair neat Latin letters, and curiously coloured.

'The book contained thrice seven leaves, so numbered at the top of each folio, every seventh leaf having painted images and figures instead of writing. On the first of these seven leaves there was depicted a virgin who was being swallowed by serpents; on the second a Cross upon which a serpent was crucified; on the last a wilderness watered by many fair fountains, out of which came a number of serpents, running here and there. On the first written leaf the following words were inscribed in great characters of gold "Abraham the Jew, Prince, Priest, Levite, Astrologer and Philosopher, unto the Jewish nation scattered through France by the wrath of God, wishing health in the name of the God of Israel."

'Thereafter followed great execrations and maledictions, with the word Maranatha repeated over and over, poured forth against anyone who should glance within, unless he were priest or scribe.

'The person who sold me this book must have known its value as much and as little as I who bought it. My suspicion is that it was either stolen from the miserable Jews or found hidden somewhere in the old place of their abode. On the second leaf the said Abraham consoled his people, praying them to avoid vices and idolatry more than all and await with patience the Messiah to come, who would vanquish all kings of the earth and thereafter reign, with those who were his own, in eternal glory. Without doubt this

p. 32

[paragraph continues] Abraham was a man of great understanding. On the third and rest of the written leaves he taught them the transmutation of metals in plain words, to help his captive nation in paying tribute to Roman Emperors and for other objects which I shall not disclose. He painted the vessels on the margin, discovered the colours, with all the rest of the work, but concerning the Prime Agent he uttered no word, advising them only that he had figured and emblazoned it with great care in the fourth and fifth leaves. But all his skill notwithstanding, no one could interpret the designs unless he was far advanced in Jewish kabalah and well studied in the book of the Philosophers. It follows that the fourth and fifth leaves were also without writing but full of illuminated figures exquisitely designed. On the obverse of the fourth leaf there was shewn a young man with winged feet having in his hand a caducean rod, encompassed by two serpents, and with this he stroke upon a helmet which covered his head. I took him to represent the Greek God Mercury. Unto him came running and flying with open wings a very old man, having an hour glass set upon his head and a scythe in his hands, like the figure of death, with which scythe he would have struck off the feet of Mercury. On the reverse of the fourth leaf a fair flower was depicted on the summit of a very high mountain, round which the North wind blustered. The plant had a blue stem, white and red flowers, leaves shining like fine gold, while about it the dragons and griffins of the North made their nests and their dwellings. On the obverse side of the fifth leaf there was a rose bush in flowers, in the midst of a fair garden, and growing hard by a hollow oak tree. At the foot bubbled forth a spring of very white water, which ran headlong into the depths below, passing first through the hands of a great concourse of people who were

p. 33

digging up the ground in search of it, save one person only, who paid attention to its weight. On the reverse side appeared a king carrying a great faulchion who caused his soldiers to destroy in his presence a multitude of little children, the mothers weeping at the feet of the murderers. The streams of blood were gathered by other soldiers into a great vessel, wherein the sun and moon bathe. Now, seeing that the history appeared to depict the slaughter of the innocents by Herod, and that I learned the main part of the Art in this book, it came about that I placed in their cemetery these hieroglyphic symbols of the Sacred Science.

'I have now described the content of the first five leaves, but I shall say nothing of all that was written in fair and intelligible Latin on the other pages, lest God should visit me for a greater wickedness than that of him who wished that all mankind had but one head so that he could cut it oft at a blow. The precious book being in my possession I did little but study it night and day till I attained a fair understanding of all its processes, knowing nothing, however, respecting the matter of the work. I could therefore make no beginning and the result was that I became very sad and depressed. My wife Peronelle, whom I had married recently and loved as much as myself, was astonished and concerned greatly, endeavouring to comfort me and desiring earnestly to know whether she could not help me in my distress. I was never one who could hold his tongue and not only told her everything but showed her the book itself, for which she conceived the same affection as my own, taking great delight in the beautiful cover, the pictures and inscriptions, all of which she understood as little as I did. There was no small consolation, however, in talking with her about them and in wondering what could be done to discover their meaning. At length I caused

p. 34

the figures on the fourth and fifth leaves to be painted as well as I could and had them put up in my workroom, where I shewed them to many scholars in Paris; but these also could throw no light upon them. I went so far as to tell them that they had been found in a book about the Philosophers' Stone, but most of them made a mock of it and also of me. An exception however was one named Anselm, a licentiate of medicine and a deep student of the Art. He desired earnestly to see my book and would have done anything to have his way in the matter, but I persisted in saying that it was not in my possession, though I gave him a full account of the process described therein.

'He declared that the first figures represented time, which devours all things, while the six written leaves shewed that a space of six years was required to perfect the Stone, after which there must be no further coction. When I pointed out that according to the book the figures were designed to teach the First Matter he answered that the six years coction was like a second agent; that as regards the first it was certainly shewn forth as a white and heavy water, which was doubtless quicksilver. The feet of this substance could not be cut off, meaning that it could not be fixed and so deprived of volatility except by such long decoction in the pure blood of young children. The quicksilver uniting with gold and silver in this blood would change with them, firstly into a herb like that of the fair flower on the reverse of the fourth leaf, secondly by corruption into serpents, which serpents, being dried and digested by fire, would become Powder of Gold, and of such in truth is the Stone.

'This explanation sent me astray through a labyrinth of innumerable false processes for a period of one and twenty years, it being always understood that I made

p. 35

no experiments with the blood of children, for that I accounted villainous. Moreover, I found in my book that what the philosophers called blood is the mineral spirit in metals, more especially in gold, silver and quicksilver to the admixture of which I tended always. The licentiate's interpretation being more subtle than true, my processes never exhibited the proper signs at the times given in the book, so I was ever to begin again. At last, however, having lost all hope of understanding the figures, I made a vow to God and St. James that I would seek their key of some Jewish priest belonging to one of the Spanish synagogues. Thereupon, with the consent of Peronelle and carrying a copy of the figures, I assumed a pilgrim's weeds and staff, in the same manner as you see me depicted outside the said arch in the said churchyard where I put up the hieroglyphic figures, as also a procession representing on both sides of the wall and successive colours of the Stone which arise and pass off in the work, and the following inscription in French: "A procession is pleasing to God when it is done in devotion." These are the first words, or their equivalent, of a tract on the colours of the Stone by the King Hercules, entitled Iris, which opens thus "Operis Processio Multum Naturae Placet." I quote them for the benefit of scholars, who will understand the allusion. Having donned my pilgrim's weeds, I began to fare on the road, reaching Mountjoy and finally my destination at St. James, where I fulfilled my vow with great devotion. On the return journey I met with a merchant of Boulogne in Leon, and to him I was indebted for acquaintance with Master Candies, a doctor of great learning who was Jewish by nation but now a Christian. When I shewed him my copy of the figures he was ravished with wonder and joy, and asked with great earnestness whether I could give him news of the

p. 36

book from which they were taken. He spoke in Latin and I answered in the same language that if anyone could decipher the enigma there was good hope of learning its whereabouts. He began at once to decipher the beginning.

'To shorten this part of the story he had heard much talk of the work but as of a thing that was utterly lost. I resumed my journey in his company, proceeding from Leon to Ovideo and thence to Sareson, at which port we set sail for France and arrived in due time, after a prosperous voyage. On our way to Paris my companion most truly interpreted the major or part of my figures, in which he found great mysteries, even to the points and pricks. But unhappily when we reached Orleans this learned man fell sick and was afflicted with extreme vomitings, a recurrence of those from which he had suffered at sea. He was continually in fear of my leaving him, and though I was ever at his side he would still be calling me. To my great sorrow he died on the seventh day, and to the best of my ability I saw that he was buried in the Church of Holy Cross at Orleans. There he still lies, and may God keep his soul, seeing that he made a good Christian end.

'He who would see the manner of my arrival home and the satisfaction of Peronelle may look on us both as we are painted on the door of. the Chapel of St. James of the Boucherie hard by my house. We are shewn on our knees, myself at the feet of St. James of Spain and she at those of St. John, to whom she prayed so often. By the grace of God and the intercession of the Holy and Blessed Virgin, as also of the Saints just mentioned, I had gained that which I desired, being a knowledge of the First Matter, but not as yet of its initial preparation, a thing of all else most difficult in the world. In the end, however, I attained this also, after errors innumerable through the space of some

p. 37

three years, during which I did nothing but study and work as you will see me depicted outside the arch at the Chapel of St. James and St. John, ever praying to God rosary in hand, engrossed in a book, pondering the words of the philosophers and proving various operations suggested by their study. The fact of my success was revealed to me by the strong odour, and thereafter I accomplished the mastery with ease indeed I could scarcely miss the work had I wished, given a knowledge of the prime agents, their preparation and following my book to the letter. On the first occasion projection was made upon Mercury, of which I transmuted a half pound or thereabouts into pure silver, better than that of the mine, as I and others proved by assaying several times. This was done on a certain Monday, the seventeenth day of January 1392, Peronelle only being present. Thereafter, still following--word for word--the directions of my book, about five o'clock in the evening of the twenty-fifth day of the following April I made projection of the Red stone on the same amount of Mercury, still at my own house, Peronelle and no other with me, and it was duly transmuted into the same quantity of pure gold, much better than that of the ordinary metal, softer and more pliable. I speak in all truth. I have made it three times, with the aid of Peronelle, for she helped me in all my operations and understood the subject as well as myself. She could have done it alone without doubt, had she desired, and would have brought it to the same term. The first occasion gave me all that I needed, but I took great delight in contemplating the wonderful works of Nature within the vessels, and to signify that I made three transmutations you have only to look at the arch and the three furnaces depicted thereupon, answering to those which served in our operations.

'For a considerable time I was in no little anxiety

p. 38

lest Peronelle should prove unable to conceal her happiness and should let fall some words among her kinsfolk concerning our great treasure. I judged of her joy by my own, and great joy, like great sorrow is apt to diminish caution. But the most high God in His Goodness had not only granted me the blessing of the Stone, He had given me a chaste and prudent wife, herself endowed with reason, qualified to act reasonably, and more discreet and secret than other women are for the most part. Above all she was very devout and having no expectations of children, for we were now advanced in years, she began--like myself-- to think of God and to occupy herself with works of mercy. Before I wrote this commentary, which was towards the end of the year 1413, after the passing of my faithful companion, whom I shall lament all the days of my life, she and I had already founded and endowed fourteen hospitals, had built three Chapels and provided seven Churches with substantial gifts and revenues, as well as restoring their cemeteries.'

Nicholas Flamel died eventually in 1415 at the age of one hundred and sixteen years. Some evidence of his house, dating from 1407, is still to be seen in the building of 51, rue de Montmorency in Paris, and in the Musée de Cluny there is an inscribed tablet from his tomb in the old Church of St. Jaques-la-Boucherie, now demolished. This tablet, which is quite unique, had an interesting and somewhat chequered career. Lost for many years, after the demolition of St. Jacques-laBoucherie in 1717, it was eventually found in a shop in the rue des Arias, where the owner, a greengrocer and herbalist, had been using the smooth marble back as a chopping block for his herbs.

The tablet itself measures 58 x 45 centimetres, and

p. 39

is four centimetres thick. At the top is a carved representation of Christ, St. Peter, and St. Paul, and the inscription records that Nicholas Flamel, formerly a scrivener, left certain moneys and properties for religious and charitable purposes, including gifts to churches and hospitals in Paris.

I have retailed this account of Flamel's experiences in full as it seems to me to be of no mean interest, despite the fact that certain authorities have doubted its veracity. My own feeling about it is that the history is a true one; that the book of Abraham the Jew to which Flamel refers is evidently an allegorical writing of the whole process, and that the corresponding pictures are, to anyone versed in alchemical language, representative of the different phases of the work. Some writers and critics, certainly, have held these allegories up to ridicule as the outpourings of religious visionaries, but here I think they demonstrate their ignorance of the whole process. One of the greatest proofs of the truth of this history is, in my opinion, the point at which Flamel refers to the attainment of the First Matter. Of this he says 'The fact of my success was revealed to me by the strong odour,' and this fact I myself have demonstrated in the laboratory; the odour is unmistakable, and the gas of such a volatile nature that it pervades the whole house. In the theoretical and practical sections I shall refer to this more fully.

http://www.sacred-texts.com/alc/arr/arr06.htm

from: ALCHEMY REDISCOVERED AND RESTORED
By Archibald Cockren
[1941, copyright not renewed]

http://www.sacred-texts.com/alc/arr/index.htm

 

[Svenskaflicka]

*shakes popcorn out of bra*

The latest movie, PoA, was GRRRRRRREAT!!! (pun intended, for those who get it...)

 

[Marsipanne]

*shakes popcorn out of bra*

The latest movie, PoA, was GRRRRRRREAT!!! (pun intended, for those who get it...)

Explain?

 

[sweetnpetite]

What is a Witch?

Witch: a follower of Witchcraft. It has so many conflicting meanings that it should be used with great care (or preferably never at all) in order to avoid confusion. 18 common meanings are:
A Gothic Satanist; a worshiper of Satan who, during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, was believed to use black magic to harm others, by involving the aid of Satan and his demons. They didn't exist
A Wiccan; a follower of Wicca, a recently created, benign, Neopagan religion which is largely based on the some of the symbols, deities, seasonal days of celebration of an ancient European Celtic religion. Wiccans are prohibited from using magic to harm others; they do not believe in the existence of Satan or demons.
A woman of such incredible beauty that she bewitches others.
A woman of incredible ugliness; a hag.
A person who practices benign Magick to influence the world through rituals.
A magician with unusual knowledge who can apparently perform miracles during ceremonial magic rituals.
In ancient Native American usage and the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament): an evil person who secretly uses evil sorcery (black magic) to intentionally harm others.
In the Christian Scriptures (New Testament): a criminal who murders people by administering poisons.
A follower of modern-day Religious Satanism, recognizing Satan as a virile pre-Christian, pagan entity.
A wizard who inhabits an alternate world of fantasy and magic, filled with good and evil people with magical powers, flying broomsticks, invisibility cloaks, dragons, talking animals, magical quills, etc. e.g. Harry Potter™ books.
A person, usually a woman, who was born with supernatural abilities and is capable of performing miracles by waving a wand, wiggling their nose, etc. This is often seen in TV programs, like Bewitched or Charmed. They don't exist either.
Followers of a group of Caribbean religions which combine elements of tribal African religions with Christianity; e.g. Santeria and Vodun.
In some African Aboriginal religions, a person who unknowingly has supernatural powers capable of hurting others. Witch doctors attempt to counteract these evil energies.
An expert, as in: "She is a witch of a writer."
A person who uses a forked stick or other instrument to locate sources of underground material -- typically water.
A woman who is not submissive to her husband.
A general "snarl" word for a nasty, vicious person, typically female.
A follower of any religion other than Christianity (e.g. of Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Native American Spirituality, etc.).


Note: The first and second definitions are mutually exclusive; the third and fourth definitions are also mutually exclusive.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/gl_w.htm#witch

 

[sweetnpetite]

Possibly of Interest

Charming stories,
OR
a demonic plot?
Reviews, bannings, attempts at
censorship, and other muggle* matters

http://www.religioustolerance.org/potter.htm


Quotations:
"...tampering with the occult is potentially far more dangerous for children, often leading to spiritual confusion, psychological problems and, in all too many cases, suicide...The Potter books, under a cloak of innocence, are infecting the minds of millions....I believe the Potter books represent something dark and sinister under the guise of entertainment for children." Daniel Zanoza 1
"The world of imagination and fantasy can help pass on to the child cultural and social messages [and] function as a way to experience vicariously things an individual could not do first-hand." C. Aminadav, International Journal of Adolescent Medicine & Health. 1995 APR-JUN, 8: Pages 103-106.
"The Bible is clear about issues such as witchcraft, demons, devils and the occult...they are real, powerful and dangerous. Throughout it insists that God's people should have nothing to do with them." Carol Rookwood, Principal, St. Mary's Island School in Kent, UK
Comments from kids about the fourth volume: "I like the books because they're magical, with things that don't happen in real life. Most books aren't like that." Lauren Crane, East Islip, LI. (12)
"Intensely awesome." Nick Pesce, Golden's Bridge, NY. (10)
"It was really mysterious at the end of the first chapter. It made me want to read more." Lily Applebaum, Golden's Bridge, NY. (9)
"I'm glad it's so long. There's more to read." Michael Zhang, Greenwich Village, New York, NY. (10) 2




Overview:
Harry Potter is a fictional young wizard. He is the hero of a series of books written by a previously little-known British author, Joanne (Jo) K. Rowling. The full set of seven books will cover Harry's life from aged 11 to 17; it will be complete in 2003. A movie is planned. As of 2000-JUL-9, there are four books in the series:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, (called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England and Canada), 309 pages, (1997). It costs about US$10 plus shipping. Review or order this book safely from the Amazon.com online bookstore

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, 341 pages; same price. Review/order this book

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, 435 pages; same price. Review/order this book

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, 752 pages; $15.17 plus shipping Review/order this book

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (Not yet published.) It had been scheduled for 2001-JUL. However this date will probably be missed.

These books have been enormously popular. They are something of a publishing sensation. As of 1999-SEP: "...the first two Harry Potter books have sold almost 2 million copies in Britain and more than 5 million in the U.S. The novels have been translated into 28 languages, including Icelandic and Serbo-Croatian." 3 By mid-2000, over 35 million books had been sold worldwide. 4 The print runs in the U.S, Britain and Canada for the fourth book in the series total 5.6 million copies. Amazon.com and FedEx organized a massive program to deliver volume 4 on the day of issue: 2000-JUL-8. Chapters.ca in Canada scheduled a most unusual Saturday delivery with Canada Post. Many bookstores will open at one minute past midnight on Saturday morning for clients who just can't wait to get their personal copy.

As of 2000-JUL-3, Amazon.com lists the first four books among their five most popular books, from among the over 1 million titles that they sell. They were at the top of the New York Times best seller list for 38 weeks, as of 1999-SEP. Harry even made the cover of Time, Newsweek and Maclean's. 5 "First, the Scottish Arts Council gave her a grant to finish the book. After its sale to Bloomsbury (UK) and Scholastic Books, the accolades began to pile up. Harry Potter won The British Book Awards' Children's Book of the Year, and the Smarties Prize, and rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Book rights have been sold to England, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Greece, Finland, Denmark, Spain and Sweden." 6 Rowling has won the 1997 National Book Award (in the UK), the 1998 New York Public Library Best Book of the Year, and Parenting Book of the Year for 1998. Droves of young children, who had previously been poor readers, have excitedly read the Potter books and asked for more.

A description of the four books and sample chapters can be read at the American publisher's web site. 7

However, because of some of the themes in the book (spells, Witches, Witchcraft, sorcery, divination, etc.), some conservative Christians have raised objections to these books. According to the Boston Globe: "The American Library Association placed the 'Harry Potter' books at the top of its list of the most-often challenged books last year, saying that critics had sought to ban the books for occult, Satanism, and antifamily themes." 8 These attempts at censorship do not seem to have been particularly successful in North America.



About the author:
Joanne Rowling (1966-) was raised in a middle-class family in western England. "The urge to be a writer came to her early during what she describes as a 'dreamy' internal childhood." 3 She started writing at the age of six. "She had been a storyteller as a child...and never really stopped." 9 Her series of seven books was started after a divorce, when she was otherwise unemployed. "She was writing a novel for adults when, during a 1990 train ride, [she said that] 'Harry Potter strolled into my head fully formed.' For the next five years Rowling worked on Book One and plotted out the whole series, which will consist of seven novels, one for each year Harry spends at Hogwarts [School]. 'Those five years really went into creating a whole world. I know far more than the reader will ever need to know about ridiculous details.' " She was living on welfare at the time in Edinburgh. A rumor that she lived in an unheated apartment is not true. She did much of her writing in local cafes. Ms. Rowling is now an unusually successful and rich writer. She earned more than 20 million U.S. dollars in 1999.; Estimates of her eventual income from the series ranges from 100 to 270 million. She still stores her notes in a pile of cardboard boxes and writes longhand without benefit of computer. She has developed the reputation of being reclusive. She claims that she has been so busy that she cannot afford time for interviews with the media.

Four or five publishing companies rejected her first book. One advised her that any novel about a boarding school would never sell. Even if it was produced, publishers predicted that it would never sell very many copies. They all said that the book, at 309 pages, was much too long for children to read; her fourth book tops 750 pages! She finally found a publisher, who attempted to conceal her gender by listing the author as J.K. Rowling. They were concerned that boys would be biased against a book written by a woman. Sales of her original book in the series built up quickly, due largely to word of mouth advertising among children; there was essentially no advertising budget.

About Harry and his world:
Harry Potter has had an eventful life. He became an orphan at the age of one when the evil "wizard" Lord Voldemort murdered his parents. Voldemort (a.k.a. "He-who-must-not-be-named") tried to kill Harry as well, but succeeded only in scarring Harry's forehead with a thunderbolt symbol. The evil wizard lost much of his power at that time. Harry went to live with his uncle in London, England. He was unhappy there. His guardians, the Dursleys, were cruel; his spoiled cousin bullied him. Harry is "a skinny kid with glasses, green eyes and an unruly shock of black hair." 3 Shortly after his 11th birthday, Harry found out that he "is a wizard of great fame, someone who once conquered death and crippled a devilish foe." 11 He was accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, headed by headmaster Professor Dumbledore. This is a residential school located in a 1,000 year old castle somewhere in the north of England. The school teaches a seven-year course in magic to a handpicked group of young people that they feel have great magical potential. The dark Forbidden Forest surrounds the school. Nearby is Hogsmeade, an all-wizard village where older students are allowed to visit. Potter lives in a world where muggles (non-Witches) either don't believe in Witchcraft, or hate it as evil, dangerous and demonic. Harry has two close student friends at Hogwarts: Ron and Hermione. There is a lovable giant Hagrid with his baby dragon Norbert. There are also many non-humans in Harry's life: Buckbeak, a bird-horse capable of flying; Crookshanks, a feral cat; Dobby, a house elf; Hedwig, his owl and messenger courier; Scabbers, a pet rat, etc. 12 The world of wizards is very much low-tech. "Light is provided by torches and heat by massive fireplaces...a squadron of trained owls flies messages to and from the school." 11

Harry Potter was inspired by a childhood friend of the author, Ian Potter, who lived just four doors away. Ian, his sister Vikki, and Jo Rowling used to play together.



About Harry's lightning-shaped scar:
Harry picked up a thunderbolt or lightning-shaped scar on his forehead when he was only one year of age. It resulted from a violent encounter with the evil "wizard" Lord Voldemort. Some critics of the Harry Potter book series have suggested that the scar was derived from the double lightning bolt symbol used by Hitler's SS. This is extremely doubtful.

Hitler's SS adopted a double lightning symbol for their own use. Harry's scar is a single lightning bolt. It is unlikely that they are related.

The single lightning symbol is derived from the Germanic Sigrune -- one of an ancient alphabet of runes. It represents the sound of the letter "S" in the English alphabet. It was associated with military power, battle and warfare. None of these themes are seen in the book series.

The symbol is used by professional engineers to represent a heat source. Enclosed in a box, it is used to refer to a heat or melting oven.

It is used in some military organizations as a symbol for radio communication. Harry's scar seems unrelated to communication. It seems that the technology in Harry Potter's wizard world was pre-scientific in nature. They used owls, not radio transmitters, for communication.

Computer programmers use the symbol to indicate a communication link -- e.g. a modem and a telephone connection. 14

My personal cell phone battery charger has a Sigrune symbol, indicating a source of low voltage electrical power.

An almost identical symbol is a Sigrune with a small arrow at the bottom. It has been used to refer to:

A lightning strike

A high voltage power source.

A general symbol for mythology in some dictionaries

A flashlight or flash bulb in photographic applications

When inverted, the symbol for a TV transmitter on some maps.



There are so many meanings associated with the Sigrune, that it is unlikely that the author meant that Harry's scar be associated with Nazism. Just as Freud said "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar," it would seem likely that Harry's scar is just a harmless lightning bolt symbol. To know the truth, you would have to ask J.K. Rowling



About the movies:
The first movie, of ''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,'' was released in America on 2001-NOV-16. It had been released earlier in the UK. It was reported on NOV-11 that its gross income reached a new record for movie releases in England. By DEC-24, it had grossed $260 million in the U.S. 15

The movie follows the book very closely. This was probably necessary, to prevent a revolt on the part of loyal Harry Potter fans. One item missing was a statement by Professor Dumbledore who said in the book: "To the well-organized mind, death is just the next great adventure." The quotation tells nothing of the professor's belief about life after death -- whether he believes that when we die, we go to a heaven and hell, or are reincarnated, or go to live in an alternate universe, or to reach nirvana, etc. But some conservative Christians assume that it refers to reincarnation; the next great adventure is simply to return to earth after death in the body of a baby and to live another life. Such beliefs, common in Eastern Religions, Wicca, other Neopagan beliefs and even early Christianity have been abandoned by modern-day Christianity in favor of heaven, hell and perhaps purgatory as the only possible destinations after death.

Focus on the Family, a Fundamentalist Christian ministry, takes a generally negative view of the movie. Reviewer Lindy Beam states that the players did not "subscribe to a consistent [conservative] Christian worldview." Beam also notes that: "we live in a culture that glorifies and promotes witchcraft and the occult. No matter what the essence of Harry’s magic, the effect of it is undoubtedly to raise curiosity about magic and wizardry. And any curiosity raised on this front presents a danger that the world will satisfy it with falsehood before the church or the family can satisfy it with truth. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone definitely raises those curiosities. That, accompanied by violent and scary scenes, a few mild profanities, and hints at moral relativism should be enough to keep [conservative Christian] families from shouting hurrah for Harry." 16

 

[sweetnpetite]

HARRY POTTER IS THE DEVIL!


Some responses by conservative Christian organizations:
Very few, if any, Evangelical Christian bookstores stock these books. But a number of conservative Christian organizations have commented on them. There seems to be a common thread running through the statements of many Christians groups and organizations about the Harry Potter™ books. They say that many different groups have practiced "Witchcraft":

The modern religion of Wicca.

A group of religious traditions called "Paganism" or "Neopaganism."

Characters in the Harry Potter books

Satan worshipers during the late Middle Ages and until 1792.


Therefore, many conservative Christians believe, Wicca = Paganism = the Harry Potter imaginary world = the world of the 15th to 18th century Witch Burning Times.

But Wicca and other traditions of Paganism are actual, benign religions. The Harry Potter books refer to an imaginary, fantasy world of unicorns, flying broomsticks, invisibility cloaks, etc. The so-called Satan worshipers centuries ago were heretics that the Christian church said had they engaged in human sacrifice, selling their souls to Satan, and casting evil spells, etc. They never existed. But the church and civil courts at the time rounded up and charged tens of thousands of people with "Witchcraft."

The root core of the problem is that there are at least 17 different, almost entirely unrelated activities, that have been called "Witchcraft." If each of these activities were differentiated from each other by having a separate name, the problem over Harry Potter books would probably largely disappear.

Some comments by conservative Christian groups:

Book burnings: Pennsylvania: Members of the Harvest Assembly of God Church in Butler County, PA. had a book burning at their church on 2001-MAR-25: Thirty-five people brought books, CDs and tapes that they felt were not in keeping with their faith. Included were videos such as Pinnochio and Hercules, CDs by Pearl Jam and Black Sabbath CDs, pamphlets from Jehovah's Witnesses, and lots of Harry Potter books. Rev. George Bender said: "There's no such thing as a crusade to deal with other people's things. That's their business. We believe in the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and the First Commandment and Second Commandment." He objects to the Harry Potter books: "We believe that Harry Potter promotes sorcery, witchcraft-type things, the paranormal, things that are against God...That is really bad." Judy Corman, a spokesperson for Scholastic, the books' publisher, said they are more about a child who feels powerless in the world understanding that he can take some control of his life. She said the message sent by burning books is more dangerous than any fable about sorcery could be. Corman said: "I think burning books is shameful. The message is very clear by inference. I think he's saying something very strong." 13

Maine: A group of Christians in Lewiston, ME, the Jesus Party had planned to hold a book burning in a local park on 2001-NOV-15. However, they were denied a fire permit by the Fire Department. So they held a "book cutting" instead. Church leader Doug Taylor said: "Everybody’s going to have scissors and we’re going to cut those four books up right into the trash. We’re Bible believers. We’re Christians. We think these books are dangerous." Counterprotestors were present. 15

New Mexico: Pastor and members of the Christ Community Church in Alamagordo NM plan a "holy bonfire" on DEC-30 to burn Harry Potter books. Pastor Jack Brock, 74, has not actually read the books or viewed the movie. However, he believes that the books teach Wicca, a rapidly growing Neopagan religion. He is certain that: "These books encourage our youth to learn more about witches, warlocks, and sorcerers, and those things are an abomination to God and to me...Harry Potter books are going to destroy the lives of many young people." 14 He is expressed a concern that children will read some Internet web sites about the Potter books which are linked to Wiccan web sites. There, they could about Wiccan practices, which he termed an abomination. He appears to confuse Old Testament witchcraft (the sayings of spoken curses to harm people) with modern-day Witchcraft (called Wicca, a religion that prevents its followers from harming others) with fantasy witchcraft (as in the Harry Potter books, which deal with an imaginary place with invisibility cloaks, unicorns, flying broomsticks, etc.) 16 The bonfire consumed more than Harry Potter books. Also destroyed were Ouija boards, Maxim magazines, Pokémon cards, and personal problems written on pieces of paper. It is hard to imagine this happening, but somebody burned a statue of the Buddha. This brings back memories of the desecration and destruction of the giant Buddha statues in Afghanistan, motivated by the intense religious hatred and intolerance of the Taliban.



CBN News, a fundamentalist Christian news service within Pat Robertson's broadcasting organization, published an article on the Harry Potter books. This was in 1999-OCT, at approximately the time that Book 3 in the series was published. Pamela Newby quoted parent David Williamson from Columbia, SC who said that the stories about sorcery are just too dark for their nine year old to be forced to listen to in class. The books teach "the overall context of the occult -- witches and how Harry is being trained through this school he goes to to be a better wizard." They quoted Deuteronomy 18:10-12 which ends "For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD...." 2 Their group has asked their board of education to review the Potter books for what they say is violent content. Elizabeth Mounce, a group leader said: "Our child came home; it was being read in his class. The concern we had with the books was the violent tones in here: There's evil, there's death, there's lack of respect for human life, and there's the occult." Stephen Mounce suggests that the use of these books as a teaching school in public school is unconstitutional because it violates the principle of separation of church and state: "The witchcraft, the occult, satanism, all the dark side that we see in these books -- the part about it that disturbs us the most is we believe it's religious. The U.S. Supreme Court has said it's religion." In an apparent reference to his child being ritually killed because of his involvement with the imaginary witchcraft in the Harry Potter books, Stephen Mounce said: "It's better to be pro-active rather than re-active! I don't want to go pulling a white sheet on my kid, screaming and crying on national TV, and saying, 'Why didn't somebody do something?.' " 3

World magazine: World is a national evangelical Christian newsmagazine. Publisher Joel Belz commented: "We know that what's in the Harry Potter books is not all bad and that lots of Christian families will read them and enjoy them. No one wants to be reactionary. But we have to take issues of good and evil seriously and we just can't endorse the kind of moral ambiguity that we see in these books." World's book division no longer sells the Harry Potter books.

World's 1999-MAY issue was reasonably positive. Their book review stated that: "Magic and wizardry are problematic for Christian readers. Mrs. Rowling, though, keeps it safe, inoffensive and non-occult. This is the realm of Gandalf and the Wizard of Id, on witchcraft. There is a fairy-tale order to it all in which, as (G.K.) Chesterton and (J.R.R.) Tolkien pointed out, magic must have rules, and good does not -- cannot -- mix with bad."

However, a cover story later in 1999 argued that in the third book in the series, Rowling's work has evolved and now resembles the "tangled terrain and psychology of Batman." While the Harry Potter books may seem innocent, this "safety, this apparent harmlessness, may create a problem by putting a smiling mask on evil. A reader drawn in would find that the real world of witchcraft is not Harry's world." [It is not clear what World means by the "real world of witchcraft."] 6
Focus on the Family, another fundamentalist Christian agency, published an undated article by analyst Lindy Beam that was copyrighted in 2000. Beam has some positive remarks about the Potter series: "...a standard tale of good vs. evil, and good always wins in the end."

"Harry...often triumphs because of his upright character and pure motives."

"Unconditional love and courage are held as ideals"

"...glimpse of true loyalty and friendship, as well as self-sacrifice."



But there are some concerns as well: "Magical characters--witches, wizards, goblins, werewolves, poltergeists" appear.

There are violent battle scenes at the end of two of the books.

There are references to blood, murder, death.

There are several references to swearing, including a few "damns."

The use of alcoholic beverages is excused on occasion. 7



The reviewer expresses a concern that children might become interested in the charms and spells which appear in the books and later explore witchcraft and the occult -- an activity which the reviewer believes "is neither harmless nor imaginary."

The Boston Globe reported in late 2001-DEC that Focus "offers a lengthy analysis of the Rowling...debate on its Web site, concludes that the 'Harry Potter' books pose 'serious dangers,' saying that: 'No matter what the essence of Harry's magic, the effect of it is undoubtedly to raise curiosity about magic and wizardry. And any curiosity raised on this front presents a danger that the world will satisfy it with falsehood, before the church or the family can satisfy it with truth.' '' 8,9

Family Friendly Libraries: Although FFL describe themselves as a "non-sectarian organization," it is obvious that they are a conservative Christian group. 10 Their criticism of the Harry Potter books is based on a literal interpretation of the Bible. One of the main featured articles on their web site deals with "Homosexual Ideology within the library system." Their article on the Harry Potter book series was provided by the Freedom Village USA ministry. 11 The latter attacks the book series and its author on eight points: The article quotes a portion of the Prisoner of Azkaban which says that if your brain and heart are still working, you can continue to exist. But without your soul, you have no sense of self; you are just an empty shell. The author appears to refer to a commonly expressed thought that a person can lose their soul as a result of a devastating experience. The article contrasts this popular belief with 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 which says that when we die, we are present with the Lord. (The passage does not mention soul or spirit; only body; it appears to be unrelated to the excerpt from the Potter book)

The article quotes another passage of the Prisoner of Azkaban which describes the death of a loved one -- Harry's father in this case. The book suggests that we can recall them "more clearly than ever in times of great trouble." Apparently referring to Harry's memories of his father, the book continues: "You found him inside yourself." The author of the article seems to interpret the book literally by implying that it means that the spirits of our dead loved ones and friends actually inhabit our body. He criticizes this as non-Christian. There is every likelihood that the author intended that this is to be interpreted symbolically.

The author of the article states that the Potter books are disseminating "witchcraft philosophy." As shown in our companion essay, there are six main, unrelated, activities that are commonly called "witchcraft." The Potter books discuss one of them: an imaginary, nonexistent form of witchcraft found only in novels. It is unrelated to the other types of witchcraft. He also attacks Rowling because her "very favorite" time of the year is Halloween. He states that Halloween is a High Holy day for Witches -- apparently implying that Rowling is a Witch. Actually, Halloween is a secular holiday; Samhain, not Halloween, is a Wiccan Sabbat. It is the trick-or-treat celebration that Rowling enjoys, not Samhain. (The claim that she celebrated Halloween as a child is probably public relations hype without any foundation. Halloween was not widely celebrated in the 1960's and 1970's when she was a child.)

The article criticizes Rowling for an incident in which Harry has a conflict between taking the honorable action or following the instructions of his teacher. This is an apparent reference to an incident in which a student is injured during broomstick-flying lessons. The teacher told the class to not practice with their broomsticks while she took the student to the nurse. One student stole an object and flew away with it, threatening to damage it. Harry disobeyed the teacher and retrieved the stolen item. The author of the article apparently believes that teacher's orders must be obeyed under all circumstances.

Muggles are portrayed as people who have an inferior knowledge of magic. Freedom Village USA criticized this portrayal of non-witches.

The book's discussion guide is criticized because it implies that we can find out truths about bravery, loyalty and the power of love by reading imaginary fiction.

The Sorcerer's Stone states that "there is no good and evil, there is only power" That is, power is a basic element of the universe that can be used either for good or for evil. The author of the article states that "This presents "good" (the weak) as losers." However most reviewers disagree, stating that the main theme of the book is the war between good and evil -- that the book always has good triumphing in the end.

The Sorcerer's Stone has a professor telling Harry that "after all, to the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." The quotation tells nothing of the professor's belief about life after death -- whether he believes that when we die, we go to a heaven and hell, or are reincarnated, or go to live in an alternate universe, or to reach nirvana, etc. The article author assumes it is reincarnation and links it to the Wiccan belief in reincarnation.



Other essays on the FFL mistakenly associate the Harry Potter books with Wicca. They point out that Wiccan covens have been granted IRS status, and that the Army has appointed Wiccan chaplains. Thus, Wicca is a formal religion. They assert that to read these books in the public schools is to violate the separation of church and state as defined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The FFL authors are confusing Wicca with imaginary witchcraft. The Harry Potter books are fantasy novels; they do not teach the Wiccan religion. The army did not appoint Wiccan chaplains; they have appointed existing Christian chaplains to oversee the activities of Wiccan covens on base.

Church of England: Officials at the Canterbury Cathedral rejected Warner Brothers' request to photograph some of its Harry Potter movie inside the cathedral. Spokesman Rev. John Simpson said that: "For ourselves, we did not think the books posed problems. But other people might take offence and so we had to say no." The Toronto Star newspaper headed the article with the caption "Beware of Muggles with narrow minds."

Jeremiah Films: Filmmaker Caryl Matrisciana has produced a 60 minute video called: Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged - Making Evil Look Innocent. It attacks the Harry Potter books from a Fundamentalist Christian perspective. More details.

Chick Publications: Jack Chick has created a pair of cartoon booklets, one in English and a translated Spanish version. 17 It is titled "The nervous Witch." It implies that: modern-day Wiccans,

Sorceresses mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and

the "woman who has a familiar spirit" from Endor (also mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures,



are all following the same spiritual path. In fact: Modern-day Wiccans follow an earth-centered religious tradition which prohibits harming others;

Witches in the Hebrew Scriptures were people who used verbal curses to harm others, and

The woman at Endor specialized in being able to make contact with the dead.



There is no real connection among the three. The booklet states that two teenage Wiccans were being controlled by indwelling demonic spirits -- a view not shared by mental health professionals. One of the Wiccans, Samantha, is exorcised and the demonic spirit leaves her. She immediately asks Jesus into her heart and is saved. Later, she explained that she got into The Craft (i.e. Wicca) "Through the Harry Potter books! We wanted his powers...so we called for spirit guides. Then they came into us." In reality, spirit guides are unrelated to the Witchcraft in the Harry Potter books and are not sought by Wiccans. They are a New Age phenomenon. Her uncle said: "Samantha, the Potter books open a doorway that will put untold millions of kids into hell." This is a common belief among some conservative Christians that if an individual engages in certain behaviors then it can open a "door" which allows Satan or his demons to take over their body. Such behaviors include Wicca, playing with Ouija boards, crystals, tarot cards, runes, etc. Some even believe that having a pentagram symbol in the house gives the Devil the legal right to attack and indwell the occupants of the home.

 

[sweetnpetite]

This is good for a laugh

Filmmaker Caryl Matrisciana of Jeremiah Films has produced a 60 minute video called: Harry Potter: Witchcraft Repackaged; Making Evil Look Innocent. It attacks the Harry Potter books and movies as being dangerous to children's spiritual health. She claims that she was once involved in the "occult" but later converted to conservative Christianity.

She states that: The broomsticks that Harry and his fellow students ride are "a phallic symbol and it's very important in feminine cult worship." Wiccans do occasionally use broomsticks to sweep a floor in preparation for a circle ritual. But they regard the broomstick as an instrument of cleaning and purifying, not a phallic symbol.

"The same with a pointed hat." We have never seen Wiccans wear a pointed hat during a ritual.

The lightning bolt on Harry's forehead is "a mark of power from the god Thor...This lightning bolt was considered so important in occult mythology that Hitler used it on his uniforms...it is half of the swastika." The lightning bolt is also used on electronic equipment to indicate a power source, and in many other applications. It has no significance to Wiccans. 1



In the documentary film, she equates the fantasy world of sorcery and magic in the Potter books with the religion of Wicca. There is no real connection between the two, other than sharing the name "witchcraft" which has at least 15, mostly unrelated, other meanings.

A ShopNetDaily review reports that hosts Robert S.McGee, author of The Search For Significance, and Caryl Matrisciana, author and occult researcher, link the following factors to "Witchcraft:" Mother Goddess, reincarnation, seasonal nature celebrations, divination, meditation, and spells. But the movie hosts also include the following factors which are unrelated to Wicca: communing with the dead and spirit world, sorcery, curses, occult symbology, black magic, demon possession, "dark" aspects of Witchcraft, and more. They also connect Wicca with a belief in the theory of evolution. Some Wiccans do in fact also believe in naturalistic or theistic evolution; but others do not. Evolution and creation science are not an integral part of Wiccan belief. 2

Conservative Christian reviewer Julie Foster writes: "The video documentary details numerous similarities between the spells and magic used by Harry Potter and those used in the witchcraft of the Wiccan religion. Such striking similarity, said Matrisciana, is evidence that the author has meticulously researched Wicca and included its tenets in her children's books." Ms. Matrisciana is quoted as saying: 'Alarmingly, the Potter books are engaging in pagan discipleship, disciplining our children to spiritual alternatives and also turning them away from the biblical principles and God's protection'...My greatest concern is that godly fear that protects mankind from dabbling in the spirit world is being taken away from children who read these Harry Potter books. The terrors and horrors of black magic and occult practice, rituals, ceremonies and demon possession are being normalized," she said. "Alarmingly, the Potter books are engaging in pagan discipleship, disciplining our children to spiritual alternatives and also turning them away from the biblical principles and God's protection." 3

On the Amazon.com web site, the video received very bad reviews. Five reviewers gave the video a rating of 1 out of 5. Two mentioned that they would have assigned a 0 rating if one were available. One reviewer gave the video the maximum rating of 5.

Some ratings and comments: 1 Spreading Hate: "I would never consider making public such horrible and unfounded statements against another person's religious beliefs. I hope that those that watch this film are inspired to seek the truth about other cultures and belief systems instead of allowing someone else to spoon feed them hatred."

1 Even Christians hate this garbage: "If other Christians spent less time fearing and hating "witches", homosexuals, and anyone who has "different" ideas, and more time following the teachings of Christ, I'd be less inclined to agree with the ever-growing numbers of "Christian-haters" in the world. Don't buy this video..."

1 Stupid, beyond belief: "...Harry Potter and real witchcraft are... NOTHING alike. We do not use lightning, or say funny words to make things happen instantly. Our rule is 'an it harm none, do what ye will,' a pretty basic rule. This video teaches your child to dislike pagans, witches, and others alike. ...Do you really want to raise your child as a bigot? "

1 Will we ever learn?: "This Video harkens us to heed blind phobia. The distasteful belief that what is not mine is evil. I don't begrudge them their attitude, but the conclusions reached are silly at best."

1 This video tells a tale of the times: "I am troubled by this video...It is more fictional and disillusional than Harry potter....This video is another crackpot conclusion as ridiculous as believing that TeleTubbies have a sexual preference."

5 WOW! A MUST SEE VIDEO!!: "I thought this movie was fantastic! What an eye-opener! I thought Harry Potter wasn't all that bad. What I found out in this video changed my mind. This video shows how Hollywood can take a fantasy fairy tale type of story and subtly blend in witchcraft and curiosity. The two don't mix for children. It is so easy for kids to dabble in things they think is harmless....I highly recommend this to any and every parent to see -- Christian and non-Christian alike."



The OCRT, the agency that maintains this web site, has a Wiccan on staff who has read the first two books in the Harry Potter series, and has attended the first two movies. They found no points of similarity between Wicca and the spells and magick in the Harry Potter books. Wicca is a religion which is very much tied to the real world. Wiccans do not commune with the dead and spirit world, or engage in sorcery, curses, black magic, or demon possession. The Harry Potter books are fantasy; they describe a non-existent imaginary world of unicorns, candles floating in the air, flying broomsticks, curses, automobiles that fly through the air, magick, cloaks of invisibility, etc.

 

[sweetnpetite]

But some Christian Groups like Harry

Breakpoint radio program:
Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship said in 1999 that although the books contain dark themes, they show the difference between good and evil -- and good always wins. He said that the characters "develop courage, loyalty, and a willingness to sacrifice for one another. Not bad lessons in a self-centered world." He referred to the practices described in the books as: "purely mechanical, as opposed to occultic. That is, Harry and his friends cast spells, read crystal balls, and turn themselves into animals—but they don't make contact with a supernatural world…. [It is not] the kind of real-life witchcraft the Bible condemns." 5



Editorial in Christian Century:
In a 1999 editorial, they stated: "Rowling is not the first fantasy writer to be attacked by conservative Christians. Even the explicitly Christian writer Madeleine L'Engle has taken heat for the 'magic' elements in 'A Wrinkle in Time.' Such critics are right in thinking that fantasy writing is powerful and needs to be taken seriously. But we strongly doubt that it fosters an attachment to evil powers. Harry's world, in any case, is a moral one." 6



Christianity Today:
This is North America's most popular Evangelical Christian magazine. Its 2000-JAN editorial recommended: "We think you should read the Harry Potter books to our kids. The literary witchcraft of the series has almost no resemblance to the I-am-God mumbo jumbo of Wiccan circles. Author Rowling has created a world with real good and evil, and Harry is definitely on the side of light fighting the 'dark powers'...Among the laugh-out-loud scenes are wonderful examples of compassion, loyalty, courage, friendship and self-sacrifice." [Author's note: In the 'I-am-God mumbo jumbo' intolerant comment, the editor appears to have confused Wiccan theology with New Age beliefs]

Comments by Alan Jacobs:
He is a professor at Wheaton College. He believes that the books promote "a kind of spiritual warfare…A struggle between good and evil…There is in books like this the possibility for serious moral reflection…[and] the question of what to do with magic powers is explored in an appropriate and morally serious way." 7



Review of the first Harry Potter movie by Mike Hertenstein
Mike Hertenstein is a conservative Christian who is an investigative reporter for Cornerstone Magazine. He reviewed the movie Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone:

As it happens, I'm generally pleased with the quality of the writing and I think the occult-cops have bigger problems than not knowing the difference between a film and a book, among them not knowing the difference between fact and fiction....

Ms. Rowling...seems to have no end to imaginative invention — which is why the Potter books will always have something more and different to offer than the films, and why kids will keep on reading them....

Critics make much of Harry's rule-breaking. And while I, too, am uncomfortable with the easy resort by Potter kids to fibbing as a means of covering their various shenanigans, I recognize that most of their behavior fits into that tradition of schoolboy rule-breaking of which Huck Finn is the prime exemplar. I also understand that within the grammar of myth, especially myth involving young people, the adventure lies outside the established order, and you may have to break some rules to get there. Finally, much of Harry's rule-breaking, it should be noted, involves the principle of disobeying a lower law to keep a higher one — not to say he's Rosa Parks, but who could criticize Harry's violation of the no-fly rule to broom his way over a bully and stand up for his friends?...

Harry Potter is to the "real occult" what Fred Flinstone is to real anthropology — and what the Lucky Charms leprechaun is to the ancient Celtic god Lugh. If the Potter critics were consistent, they'd give us charts connecting sugary stars and moons to ancient Babylonian symbology. But critics fix on just such surface phenomena — in the case of Harry Potter, terms like "divination" — without a clue as to what's going on below the surface. What is going on below the surface of the Harry Potter stories — to use Tolkien's phrase — "is at the furthest pole from the vulgar devices of the laborious, scientific magician." Meanwhile, the laborious and scientific efforts to divine the secret evil origins and meanings of a fairy story like that of Harry Potter is (along with End Times "prophecy") the closest contemporary equivalent of "divination" I'm aware of....

Jeremiah Films in particular is making a heroic effort to perpetuate The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind 2 in their Pythonesque connection of Harry Potter's thunderbolt scar to the Nazi SS. What makes such efforts less laughable than genuinely scary is the real connection they make with the tradition of Medieval witch-hunting, an even more scandalous tradition of religious ignorance — one accompanied by violence. 3




Review of the second Harry Potter movie by Mike Hertenstein
Mike Hertenstein is a conservative Christian who is an investigative reporter for Cornerstone Magazine. He reviewed Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets:

There is a conscious contrast in this film of those who are willing to sacrifice self and those who refuse because they are too much in love with themselves — notably Malfoy and Gilderoy Lockhart, a fraudulent and fame-hungry teacher of Defense of the Dark Arts who has no defenses to offer. Despite its slower and darker story, the film picks up at the climax as Harry's identification with classical images of Christ figures shows the moral center of this series is dead-on, faithfully offering up mythic furnishings no moral imagination can do without. The monomyth is in play, the hero of a thousand faces this time out is Harry Potter, and he continues to learn Hogwart's most important lesson: that the evil power which must first be defeated is not in the Other, but within oneself. That Mr. Lockhart can be cured of his vanity only by forgetting himself demonstrates that ignorance can be Divine, and why self-centered Muggles 1 know so little about wonder....There was a poignant moment in Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets in which beloved-actor Richard Harris as the Merlin-like headmaster, spoke in his final on-screen moments to a newborn Phoenix, just hatched from the ashes of his aged and immolated self. It's impossible not to think of the phoenix legend as a Christian symbol, which it has been since the early church fathers recognized this ancient pagan myth of death and resurrection as an image of Christ. Likewise, the not-so-ancient myth of Harry Potter reminds us that innocence is preserved only by self-sacrifice and rebirth. Harry's lessons at Hogwarts continue to fulfill the ancient and worthy task of mythic education; the stakes will only rise as adolescence continues to unfold its dangers and temptations. One hopes the Harry, his stories and films, are up to the task of preserving wonder and goodness as they face even greater dangers ahead, along with greater possibilities for choosing the right. 4



Recommendations by the UK Evangelical Alliance:
On 2002-NOV-21, the Evangelical Alliance, a British conservative Christian group, published an article on the Harry Potter phenomenon. They suggest that "Christians to view the Harry Potter phenomenom as a significant opportunity to engage with society and present the enduring Christian world view as a positive alternative to the fantasy realm of Harry’s world." Director, John Smith, said that the books and movies contain expression of Christian values, such as love, loyalty, trust and sacrifice. He said: "As Christians we should avoid the knee jerk rejection of this piece of fantasy literature outright without thinking through the implications. Rejection on the basis of using magic as a literary device must also call into question 'Lord of the Rings' and the 'Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' – not to mention much that our children watch unsupervised on TV. Neither is it consistent to reject Potter whilst retaining Gandalf and the White Witch, simply because their creators were professing Christians. In doing so we run the risk of reinforcing the stereotype of the Church as negative and completely disengaged from modern living." The Alliance recommends that parents and teachers read at least one of the books and then "exercise careful, indeed prayerful, judgement." The also recommend that Christians should not "ignore the potential dangers of the stories as an unintended apologetic for the occult."

 

[sweetnpetite]

A great Harry Potter story.

We received an unsolicited Email...
The following Email came from "C," a 17 year-old big sister:

I was actually quite disturbed on why people can possible claim that Harry Potter leads children to devil worshipping, or whatever nonsense they were talking about. The editors of this website might want to add this to their article. These Harry Potter books produced a near miracle. I encourage you to read this article of mine--for it has saved my little brother's future and reputation as a person.



I am almost 18, and I have a younger brother that just turned 11. He always seemed to struggle in school, especially in reading. He would never pick up a book, or even listen to them with audio tapes. The thought of reading scared him. He was just plain horrible at it. Kids at school teased him because he couldn't read, some even attempted to beat him up. Teachers kept him after school for detentions because he wouldn't turn in his reading homework assignments. Not that he didn't want to do them, he just couldn't. This led to his low self-esteem and poor grades.

Then, one day, after a day with RIF (Reading Is Fundamental), he came home with a paperback version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. He did something that he has never done before in his life. He sat down on the couch, turned off the television, and started to read this book. It turns out that he already finished two chapters of this book at school and couldn't put the book down. His best friend even said that he read the book while walking home. So, two months and four books later (the last book being 37 chapters long), my younger brother Mitchell flew past this series and many other books. His reading level has hit the roof and he loves to read now. He no longer is picked on, and he is the first to volunteer to read in class. Actually, instead of being picked on, he now has a group of friends that he can talk to and play with that he met through Harry Potter.

All in all, these books helped him so much!! Not only in school, but also with his self esteem. If it hadn't been for J.K. Rowling and her writings about Harry Potter, my brother wouldn't have a good future ahead of him as he does now. Neither would he have such good friends and grades. So if Harry Potter is being accused of leading children to practicing witchcraft, I would like to see some kind of story to back that up. Neither my brother, nor any of his friends have even THOUGHT of practicing witchcraft. They all know it is make-believe, and they know it is just a story. Children are not as ignorant and naive as many adults think they are. The only thing Harry Potter has done to children I've seen so far is help them with their reading skills and give children a reason to have fun and use their imagination! If that is such a bad thing, then i suppose childhood isn't the happiest time of our lives after all. I would like to thank, once again, J.K. Rowling for writing Harry Potter, and saving my little brother's future.

Thank you also for your time,

"C"

*******note, the same thing happend to my son

 

[sweetnpetite]

Urban Legends ABT Harry Potter

Two urban legends have been widely circulated by E-mail about Rowling's books. Both were apparently started by conservative Christians and are based on satirical articles that were intended to amuse readers, but were never expected to be taken seriously: A satirical feature titled "Post Morten" was published by the National Post, a conservative Canadian newspaper. It described an imaginary interview between a fictional Post reporter, Massimo Commanducci, and J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. In the article, Rowling was quoted as saying that she is an avowed Satanist. She decided to give herself "...body and soul, to the Dark Master. And in return, he will give me absurd wealth and power over the weak and pitiful of the world. And he did!" She said: "I worship the Devil, Beelzebub, Satan, Lucifer -- in all his unholy forms. And I owe all my success, all my glory, all my power, to my sweet, beautiful Lucifer." She said that "...the books are designed to corrupt young minds. That's what Lucifer demands of us -- all of us [Satanists]!" This fictional article has been picked up, portrayed as truth, and distributed widely. 1
An Internet humor/satire site, The Onion®, specializes in writing sensational stories of fiction to amuse their readers. They publish a disclaimer on their website, stating that they use "...invented names in all its stories, except in cases when public figures are being satirized. Any other use of real names is accidental and coincidental." One of their works of fiction involved interviews of children in Lock Haven, PA, who had been reading the Harry Potter books. One Christian, going by the name of Roger Lynn, circulated an E-mail quoting The Onion's article as if it had reported an actual event. He writes that J.K. Rowling's series of books: "...openly blasphemes Jesus and God and promotes sorcery, seeking revenge upon anyone who upsets them by giving you examples (even the sources with authors and titles!) of spells, rituals, and demonic powers. It is the doorway for children to enter the Dark Side of evil." Lynn did not reveal that it was a satirical work of fiction.

The article and E-mail quoted some children as making the following comments: Craig Nowell, a recent convert to the New Satanic Order Of The Black Circle allegedly said: "The Harry Potter books are cool, 'cause they teach you all about magic and how you can use it to control people and get revenge on your enemies. I want to learn the Cruciatus Curse, to make my muggle science teacher suffer for giving me a D." (A muggle is a non-witch).
"Ashley" allegedly said: "I used to believe in what they taught us at Sunday School. But the Harry Potter books showed me that magic is real, something I can learn and use right now, and that the Bible is nothing but boring lies."
High Priest Egan of the First Church Of Satan in Salem, MA allegedly said: "Harry is an absolute godsend to our cause. An organization like ours thrives on new blood - no pun intended - and we've had more applicants than we can handle lately. And, of course, practically all of them are virgins, which is gravy."

Of course, neither the New Satanic Order Of The Black Circle nor the First Church Of Satan in Salem exist. Neither do Craig, Ashely and Egan, nor their comments.

Lynn quotes a fictional interview of Rowling by a London Times reporter in which she was supposed to have said: "I think it's absolute rubbish to protest children's books on the grounds that they are luring children to Satan. People should be praising them for that! These books guide children to an understanding that the weak, idiotic Son Of God is a living hoax who will be humiliated when the rain of fire comes,... while we, his faithful servants, laugh and cavort in victory." Lynn writes that since 1995, the number of applications to become Satanists has increased from about 100,000 to 14 million. In reality, the number of religious Satanists in the U.S. has probably dropped from about 20,000 to 10,000 over that interval. 2



The original articles in the National Post and The Onion are obviously fictional works of satire. It is difficult to conceive how the original authors of the hoax E-mails could have circulated them in good faith. Hopefully, the readers of these E-mails will realize that they are works of humor and are not accounts of actual events.

The original "Onion" article 3 is no longer online. However, TruthOrFiction.com reports that it is one of the stories that has been published in a compilation of Onion articles in their book "Dispatches from the Tenth Circle." 4

 

[sweetnpetite]

Harry Potter 3 has been a tremendous success during its first weekend. It grossed U.S. $92.65 million. This is the third largest three-day opening weekend of any movie in history, behind $114.8 million for Spider-Man and $108 million for Shrek 2. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for the movie's distributor Warner Bros. said: "I guess audiences are still crazy about Harry....What's fabulous about the series is, I think, as the actors have aged, so has the audience, and that's created a bond between them. The other thing is, as the actors have gotten older, they've gotten better, so the performances are the best yet." The movie "reunites Daniel Radcliffe as Harry with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as his allies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as they unravel the mystery of an escaped sorcerer (Gary Oldman) linked to the deaths of Harry's parents."

 

[sweetnpetite]

to read about efforts to ban Harry Potter books:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/potter3.htm

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

...There are plenty of over-30 to 50+ year old actors (male and female) portraying under-20 year olds ...

There's an Andy Hardy movie in the local video store.

Mickey Rooney had to be 35 and on his third wife, when he played someone who is supposed to be attending college.

I could be wrong. Maybe Andy Hardy was supposed to be about a moron who couldn't graduate.

At least that would explain the retarded hat!

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Explain?

Two of the characters in the film is a werewolf and a man who can transform himself into a big, black dog.

 

[Classical_Wizard]

Re: Is Snape a Vampire?

Why Snape may NOT be a vamp

From a online transcript with J.K Rowling
Megan: Is there a link between Snape and vampires?
JK Rowling replies -> Erm... I don't think so.
March 4, 2004 site Mugglenet