Act Acting » Acting Agency » What do you think of the Harry Potter book burning on Sunday?

What do you think of the Harry Potter book burning on Sunday?

Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think we should burn all of the "wizard of oz" material, as well as a few of shakespeare’s works, since Macbeth contains witches etc. Heck just think of all the people that watched the wizard of oz. Didnt they all become witches and satanic?? In seriousness, I saw the movie before it became the rage of whomever, and found it a refreshing children’s fantasy story. Im sure some warped kid could watch it and go home and become some kind of sorcerer wanna be, but if not that the same kid would likely do something else in response to some other kind of input. For the millions of normal kids that watched it, its simply a fantasy story that teaches teamwork, respect for others, and that nothing comes easy in life. If these same kids end up in the library reading books, that would be the worst sin they would be guilty of. BRAVO to the movie. Its a fantasy, not real witchery. Get over it. Its time to pay attention to religion, not the church or extremists and fundamentalists that want to burn kid movies. Some local pastors have gone overboard already telling parents not to condemn their children and let them see this movie. Its utterly ridiculous. Well said for the most part, but I think there does need to be a measure of caution when dealing with these types of subjects. Speaking from personal experience and after doing some research, I know that the occult, when presented in things like games and entertainment, can have a strong impact on children and teens.  Kids don’t need to be "warped" to be influenced by these things.  Not only that, but there are always people who try to ride on the success of things like "Harry Potter."  In some bookstores, you can now find many occult-related books aimed specifically for children and teens. The solution?  Parental involvement in a child’s life.  Be aware of what they are watching, what they are reading, what they are doing and with whom.  Make sure they have a strong spiritual foothold and don’t let them become obsessed with anything that can jeopardize it.

  I quite agree. Once they are solidly planted in the truth, the external influences will hardly effect them in a negative way. My view of "Harry Potter" has softened a little, but I still think it has the potential to be a dangerous influence on young people (and sometimes older people too).

This is a possiblity. On the other hand, the good lessons from the stories can also be a positive influence to a limited extent.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s pretty funny.  They either stole these books (and are sinning) or they bought them in which case they’re stuffing the coffers of their enemies. Harry Potter is a fictional character, and they are getting worked up over it. If they have the right to burn books, then so do I. I can burn any book I want by that logic, whether it is a religious book or not. It’s within my legal rights to do so.  If they don’t get prosecuted for book burning, I can’t either. You can’t only have it one way. Either you can burn all books, or you can’t burn books at all, no halfway measures here. Everytime there is a controversy in the entertainment business or otherwise, those doing the protest will only spur greater sales. I don’t know if Madonna’s book Sex generated any controversy, but I know certain Muslims were furious about The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie, and there was an uproar over the Last Temptation of Christ as well, which came out also in the late 1980s. Were these represented as fictional works or non-fictional works, is the point I’m driving at? Why should certain religions or religious figures be above criticism, while non-religions or non-religious figures aren’t held to the same standards? It sounds like a double standard to me. You hold all people to the same standard, with regards to religion, or you don’t have any standards at all.

 Not all Christians are getting all worked up about these books. The more conservative evengelicals are willing to accept the folks from both camps of this issue. There is no reason to inflict legalism on those who feel they have the liberty to see the movie and read the books. My personal opinion on the writings is that the books aren’t the best literature I have ever read. I am somewhat baffled by their popularity. The author lacks immagination in that an obvious opportunity to wind up the series was missed. If I were the author, I would have transitioned the series into linking it to that other Harry of history that we know as a magician. This would allow the younger readers to continue to enjoy the series when they outgrew the books in their present form. I could think of several scenarios about how Harry became the escape artist in his later years that would blend nicely with this story line. I see this as an opportunity missed on the part of the unimaginative author.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think we should burn all of the "wizard of oz" material, as well as a few of shakespeare’s works, since Macbeth contains witches etc. Heck just think of all the people that watched the wizard of oz. Didnt they all become witches and satanic?? In seriousness, I saw the movie before it became the rage of whomever, and found it a refreshing children’s fantasy story. Im sure some warped kid could watch it and go home and become some kind of sorcerer wanna be, but if not that the same kid would likely do something else in response to some other kind of input. For the millions of normal kids that watched it, its simply a fantasy story that teaches teamwork, respect for others, and that nothing comes easy in life. If these same kids end up in the library reading books, that would be the worst sin they would be guilty of. BRAVO to the movie. Its a fantasy, not real witchery. Get over it. Its time to pay attention to religion, not the church or extremists and fundamentalists that want to burn kid movies. Some local pastors have gone overboard already telling parents not to condemn their children and let them see this movie. Its utterly ridiculous.

Well said for the most part, but I think there does need to be a measure of caution when dealing with these types of subjects. Speaking from personal experience and after doing some research, I know that the occult, when presented in things like games and entertainment, can have a strong impact on children and teens.  Kids don’t need to be "warped" to be influenced by these things.  Not only that, but there are always people who try to ride on the success of things like "Harry Potter."  In some bookstores, you can now find many occult-related books aimed specifically for children and teens. The solution?  Parental involvement in a child’s life.  Be aware of what they are watching, what they are reading, what they are doing and with whom.  Make sure they have a strong spiritual foothold and don’t let them become obsessed with anything that can jeopardize it. My view of "Harry Potter" has softened a little, but I still think it has the potential to be a dangerous influence on young people (and sometimes older people too).

Response:

Church plans Harry Potter book-burning ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico, (Reuters) — A New Mexico church plans to burn Harry Potter books because they are "an abomination to God," the church pastor said Wednesday.

<snip I don’t like these kinds of ideas.  They’re just sensationalist tactics akin to what the Pharisees did (and what Jesus admonished). Personally I think this is nonsense, like Tipper Gore’s music campaign.

Tipper Gore burned CDs?  When did I miss that?  I thought she just campaigned for a sensible ratings system. Rational people don’t take entertainment, which Harry Potter books fall under, literally.

I don’t think it’s the story they are taking literally so much as the dangers of people being lured into witchcraft and the occult (which has happened). Only mental midgets take it literally, which apparently the pastor of this New Mexico church is.

Of course.  You disagree with someone and resort to demeaning them childish names.  It’s a shame you are so judgmental of people. If you don’t like it, no one’s forcing you to read it, or go see the movie.

If you don’t like what they are doing, no one is forcing you to do it or read the article about it. This is a democratic society, where freedom of choice is applicable in this case.

Please apply that standard to the side of the pastor and the church in this story. However, it doesn’t give one group of people, whether it is a political group, social group, ethnic group or religious group the sole authority to impose their values or beliefs on everyone else.

Okay, how is this pastor and church doing that?  They are making a choice based on their beliefs.  If you don’t agree with that choice, that’s fine.  Just don’t make absurd claims that they are "imposing their values or beliefs on everyone else." I hate censorship in general.

So do I, but this isn’t censorship.  The books are still available and the movie is still in theaters.  J.K. Rowling is not in prision for writing these books (and she is no doubt writing another one).  One person or one group choosing to do what they wish with their property is not censorship.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think we should burn all of the "wizard of oz" material, as well as a few of shakespeare’s works, since Macbeth contains witches etc. Heck just think of all the people that watched the wizard of oz. Didnt they all become witches and satanic?? In seriousness, I saw the movie before it became the rage of whomever, and found it a refreshing children’s fantasy story. Im sure some warped kid could watch it and go home and become some kind of sorcerer wanna be, but if not that the same kid would likely do something else in response to some other kind of input. For the millions of normal kids that watched it, its simply a fantasy story that teaches teamwork, respect for others, and that nothing comes easy in life. If these same kids end up in the library reading books, that would be the worst sin they would be guilty of. BRAVO to the movie. Its a fantasy, not real witchery. Get over it. Its time to pay attention to religion, not the church or extremists and fundamentalists that want to burn kid movies. Some local pastors have gone overboard already telling parents not to condemn their children and let them see this movie. Its utterly ridiculous.

*Hearty applause* DGS

Response:

LOL… ;) DGS

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I think we should burn all of the "wizard of oz" material, as well as a few of shakespeare’s works, since Macbeth contains witches etc. Heck just think of all the people that watched the wizard of oz. Didnt they all become witches and satanic?? In seriousness, I saw the movie before it became the rage of whomever, and found it a refreshing children’s fantasy story. Im sure some warped kid could watch it and go home and become some kind of sorcerer wanna be, but if not that the same kid would likely do something else in response to some other kind of input. For the millions of normal kids that watched it, its simply a fantasy story that teaches teamwork, respect for others, and that nothing comes easy in life. If these same kids end up in the library reading books, that would be the worst sin they would be guilty of. BRAVO to the movie. Its a fantasy, not real witchery. Get over it. Its time to pay attention to religion, not the church or extremists and fundamentalists that want to burn kid movies. Some local pastors have gone overboard already telling parents not to condemn their children and let them see this movie. Its utterly ridiculous.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Church plans Harry Potter book-burning ALAMOGORDO, New Mexico, (Reuters) — A New Mexico church plans to  burn Harry Potter books because they are "an abomination to God," the  church pastor said Wednesday. Pastor Jack Brock said he would have a "holy bonfire" on Sunday at  the Christ Community Church in Alamogordo in southern New Mexico to torch books  about the fictional teen-age wizard who’s wildly popular with young people. It’s pretty funny.  They either stole these books (and are sinning) or they bought them in which case they’re stuffing the coffers of their enemies.

Or, more likely, the books were donated by people who didn’t realize at first the dangers the books posed.  I’m not surprised you left that possibility out, seeing as you ant to paint Christians in the worst possible light.

Response:

cool… does that mean the Xtians can’t get upset if I buy thousands of bibles and have a "holy" public bonfire at their expense? <dripping with facetious sarcasm DGS

<snip Source URL:

http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/News/12/27/showbuzz/index.html#2 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Personally I think this is nonsense, like Tipper Gore’s music campaign. Rational people don’t take entertainment, which Harry Potter books fall under, literally. Only mental midgets take it literally, which apparently the pastor of this New Mexico church is. If you don’t like it, no one’s forcing you to read it, or go see the movie. This is a democratic society, where freedom of choice is applicable in this case. However, it doesn’t give one group of people, whether it is a political group, social group, ethnic group or religious group the sole authority to impose their values or beliefs on everyone else. I hate censorship in general. It’s not censorship.  It’s a free country.  They have a right to purchase as many of those books as they like, as fuel for their fire. It would only be censorship if some governmental authority were doing this. It doesn’t appear to be hurting the movie standings, and it’s certainly not harming the sales of the book. Sunny

Response:

HAHAHA… thanks… DGS

Response:

cool… does that mean the Xtians can’t get upset if I buy thousands of bibles and have a "holy" public bonfire at their expense?

Of course they can get upset.  You still have a right to do it.  If you want to spend the money, go for it. <dripping with facetious sarcasm

Have another glass of champagne and stop dripping.  It’s unbecoming, and will dampen your bonfire. Sunny – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -DGS <snip Source URL: http://www.cnn.com/2001/SHOWBIZ/News/12/27/showbuzz/index.html#2 Personally I think this is nonsense, like Tipper Gore’s music campaign. Rational people don’t take entertainment, which Harry Potter books fall under, literally. Only mental midgets take it literally, which apparently the pastor of this New Mexico church is. If you don’t like it, no one’s forcing you to read it, or go see the movie. This is a democratic society, where freedom of choice is applicable in this case. However, it doesn’t give one group of people, whether it is a political group, social group, ethnic group or religious group the sole authority to impose their values or beliefs on everyone else. I hate censorship in general. It’s not censorship.  It’s a free country.  They have a right to purchase as many of those books as they like, as fuel for their fire. It would only be censorship if some governmental authority were doing this. It doesn’t appear to be hurting the movie standings, and it’s certainly not harming the sales of the book. Sunny

Response:

It’s pretty funny.  They either stole these books (and are sinning) or they bought them in which case they’re stuffing the coffers of their enemies. Harry Potter is a fictional character, and they are getting worked up over it. If they have the right to burn books, then so do I.

Um…you Do have that right, so why is there an issue? I can burn any book I want by that logic, whether it is a religious book or not.

Yes you can. At least in the US you can (not sure where you are posting from). You can light up a US flag, for that matter, as protected speech. I don’t know if Madonna’s book Sex generated any controversy…

Don’t know if you are dating yourself or not – but since I was a sales clerk in a bookshop when it came out, I can affirm that it did (g). It was a bastard watching for people dumb enough to try and shoplift it too, though it’s coffee table size made that difficult to do. I don’t think they had burning it in mind, though. but I know certain Muslims were furious about The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie…

I think Rushdie might have preferred that they burn copies of Satanic Verses to issuing a contract on his life, which is in essence what the Iranian government did. Were these represented as fictional works or non-fictional works, is the point I’m driving at?

Fictional (except maybe Madonna’s sex life?). Why should certain religions or religious figures be above criticism, while non-religions or non-religious figures aren’t held to the same standards?

Um…you are posting this in a public forum, and qre quite freee to burn a bible if you wish, and are probably exempt from legal reprisals. Why do you say that religious works are under different standards. If this were so, wouldn’t the Inquisition or someone be forcing your ISP to release your RL name and address and coming after you? It seems to me you are setting up a straw man? Paul

Response:

It’s pretty funny.  They either stole these books (and are sinning) or they bought them in which case they’re stuffing the coffers of their enemies. Harry Potter is a fictional character, and they are getting worked up over it. If they have the right to burn books, then so do I. I can burn any book I want by that logic, whether it is a religious book or not. It’s within my legal rights to do so.

That is Not completely true. The book doesn

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