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SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 at 8:29 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: CBC via YubaNet via Moreover
Additional controversy seems to be popping up once again in reference to the Harry Potter books and the Vatican. This time, chief exorcist, Rev. Gabriele Amorth states
that fictional character Harry Potter is the “king of darkness, the devil” in an interview with Vatican Radio last week.
Rev. Amorth goes on to compare the Potter characters to Stalin and Hitler, and says:
You can tell by their behavior and their actions, from the horrors they committed and the atrocities that were committed on their orders. That's why we need to defend society from demons.
You may remember that last year in another interview on Vatican Radio, Monsignor Peter Fleetwood, an expert on New Age and former official at the Pontifical Council for Culture said that:
...I remain firmly convinced that the Harry Potter novels are very well written. They are written on the classical plot of good versus evil in the standard way that the old myths were written. The characters are built up around that: the goodies and the baddies so to speak, and I can't see that that's a bad thing for children, when goodness, and the people on the side of goodness are portrayed as the ones who will eventually win. Harry's enemies resort to all sorts of evil things, and they are the ones who loose in the end. I don't see what's wrong with that, and I can't see that does any harm to children.
It would seem that personnel from the Vatican cannot agree on Harry Potter.
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Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1601
Truska says:
Since when was the good side going to lose...do they really think that JKR would do that. They obviously have no idea about the Harry Potter Universe. Voldemort is going to die...good will win.
You can tell by their behavior and their actions, from the horrors they committed and the atrocities that were committed on their orders. That's why we need to defend society from demons.
I mean, get real! There are no demons in Harry Potter. Try reading the Darren Shan books...then they'll find demons. How dare they insult Harry Potter.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 4:19 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 340
deathly-hallows says:
I'm a Catholic and I think thats complete rubbish. If there was a book about witches and wizards that wasn't as popular it wouldn't cause this much contreversy. And If it was really a bad book possesed by the devil. Why has no one done anything bad because of the book.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 4:34 PM EST
Yoda's love child
Points: 3618
Dementywhatsit says:
Harry Potter the devil??!! That guy's tripping something fierce! Hey buddy, better lay off the incense; too much of that stuff'll go to your head.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 4:39 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 413
Josephine L. Granger says:
I suppose it would be out of the question for people who believe such things to actually read the books. God forbid...and i mean the pun. It is sad that our religious officials see the need to condemn such a wonderful tool for unity. Seeing as though most of the young population read the books it seems sad that they are not only condemning the book but our right to read them and be accepted in faith. I wonder where they are getting these far fetched ideas from? It makes me sad...
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 4:44 PM EST
Squib
Points: 189
Deidara says:
I'm sorry, but calling Harry Potter the "King of Darkness" is hilarious.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 4:45 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 452
I heart HP92 says:
HAHAHA........the devil.
That is too funny......
The devil...yea right.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:03 PM EST
Witch
Points: 755
Sm7 says:
Oh my god! How can they say that? They are just too religious, and not open-minded enough! Harry Potter can't do any harm on children. May obsessive compulsive disorder, but that isn't a bad thing in this situation, am I not right?
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
Rev. Amorth goes on to compare the Potter characters to Stalin and Hitler, and says
Has he even read the books??? Who would relate Harry to Hitler... maybe Voldermort but not Harry, and in the End Voldermort will most likely fail... I respect him for his oppinon, but read the book before you judge it. Just because it is based on magic doesn't mean it is evil!!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:09 PM EST
Squib
Points: 173
R2krw says:
What the poop crap! Geez..ok so um how is it demonic? Oh well..say what they want..its not changing my opinion! So um they can kiss all of our bootays! Hmph!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:11 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 302
Regulus Alphard Black says:
Oh my God, I hate people like this. He probably hasn't even read the books,just assuming there is exorcism and devilry. There is no proof for this, and if anyone makes accusitions like this, they should have at least read one of the books and then have excerpts to back up their argument.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:18 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 453
sparkle_fairy92 says:
HAHAHA!!! That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard! "Harry Potter is the “king of darkness, the devil" A year ago one of my Cathlic news letters said, Harry Potter is a good example to how love can over power evil!!! Hmmm... I guess things have changed...
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 739
The 4th Champion says:
I wonder if he even read the book??
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
Squib
Points: 129
Danny'sgurl4ever says:
He is not the devil!
I disagree with him!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 5:56 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Heh, I think that should be 'lose' and not 'loose' in the end of that quote. Harry Potter's only that cool. I'm sorry for saying this, but what a loser. How is magic a turn to the devil? WINGARDIUM LEVIOSA! REPARO! ALOHOMORA! What? Does that sound anything like blasphemy to you? I mean, we already KNOW it's not real. Hang on, is Cinderella's fairy godmother the devil's child too? Hmm, I'm Catholic. I love God, and I also enjoy Harry Potter. It hasn't made me a bad person at all, if I do say so myself.
I wish they'd at least TRY to expoun a little bit on what exactly they're trying to say. Harry's not like Hitler. Voldemort is, and has't JK Rowling said that already? Gah.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 6:18 PM EST
Student
Points: 205
jerb123 says:
Thats weird. But I dont think htey have read the books becuase Harry and his firends are not evil.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 6:36 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1234
Krum says:
Dudeeee the pope on something...I am christian and lovvveee harry pottter!!!!! Its fictionnnn daaaaa. Come on now you nut case.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 6:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
Yay, go Geri, I totally agree with you. I wouldn't be surprised if that guy hasn't even read the harry potter books, and if he has, then I bet that he'll end up reading them all. I don't agree with him in the slightest bit, go JK Rowling!!!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 6:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1872
Potter Luver says:
Um. Yeah. OK. I hope they have fun with that.
I mean, I respect religion and I have no problem with Christianity and stuff, but I wish people would stop making these dumb comments about Harry Potter. They do this with Pokemon too. You should all see the things they write...
<.<
Weird stuff, I tell ya.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 510
HermioneG101 says:
I can't believe that someone would say that about Harry Potter. Harry Potter is trying to protect his friends and the wizarding community. Why would should he be considered the devil? Just because he has done some bad things doesn't make him the devil. Everyone makes mistakes. Harry is no different.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:03 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
felixfelicis14 says:
The Vatican needs to stay away from novels...first the Da Vinci Code, now Harry Potter?
Give me a break!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:04 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 346
short and cute says:
I think that people need to realize that It's just a book written to entertain kids. It plays on the ideas of witchcraft in most of the fairy tales and then goes on to put in the creatures worthy of the best of myths.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 527
daniel_radcliffe_lover736 says:
Those people need to think about the movies and the books before making un-necassary comments that are mean to us fans of all Harry Potter stuff.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:20 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1252
Angelina blu Johnson says:
THAT IS BLOODY LUDACRIS!!!! How dare they compare Harry Potter to the Devil. Bloody Fools! I cant believe that its an outrage. I bet they are just jealous because they aren't getting any money out of the whole Harry Potter craze!
Goddess those people at the Vatican really annoy me sometimes! And im Catholic so that's saying something!!!
Harry Potter has absolutely nothing to do with them so why the hell are they getting involved?!
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:20 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3159
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
Three guesses who I agree with... I kind of wish these people would make up their minds, though. That is, of course, as long as it's the right decision, and we all know which one that would be.
*The MRS*
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:23 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2223
Pheonixflames says:
I dont know where the proof would be for someone to say that the "fictional" character Harry Potter is the "king of darkness, the devil" as there is nothing to back up this statement in any of the 6 books so far! Its atrocious! And how can a childrens "fictional" book be compared to stalin and Hitler? who clearly the two have nothing in common...next your going to see the "fictional" characters of HP commiting genocide or something - yeah right! Come on people, get over saying HP is evil...cause I know good is going to prevail, and correct me if Im wrong but I would say that HP is on the good side. Case settled
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
That story is abunch of rubbish.
Posted Sep 6, 2006 at 7:29 PM EST
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