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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, 1st Class
Points: 1989
AncientJoy says:
I hesitate to even respond to this display of ignorance, but in defense of my Christianity, I have to remind others that not all Christians share the Rev. Amorth's opinion. And that includes all denominations [cmenges] (Catholic, Baptist, and Lutheran included) In fact, I personally see more of Jesus in Harry, than I do the Enemy (who, I can't help but believe, truly enjoys it when he gets more credit than he is actually due. Especially from those who should know better!!)
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 2:45 AM EST
Student
Points: 292
Kristylynn says:
I agree with you all. I think that "certain" people
should read before critising. And that Harry is in no way the devil,I think the Vatican got bored and had to put there two cents in. But also they need to remember(no offense to anyone)that it is a fictional story, we who are not weak minded know this...(Even though it does not hurt to be imagintive!)Yes there are wizards,witches,spells,curses mystical creatures etc..but its not about that.I am ashamed that Grown Catholic Priests are being so narrow-minded.. Its funny how not long they were fine with the books and now this... ridiculus! Anyway I think they should keep their noses
out of things that they know nothing about!
Kristylynn
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 4:29 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 708
gildavis says:
I find it fascinating that clerics within the Catholic Church pay this sort of attention to JK Rowling's work.
Perhaps it's just the fact that witch craft is the catalyst for the story that makes some of them nervous about it all?
But I also wonder where all this was when JRR Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings?
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 5:14 AM EST
Student
Points: 276
d1zzy521 says:
They obviously have not read the books or seen the movies if all they can pull from them is that Harry POtter is bad. Where is the mention of Voldemort?? Give me a break.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 9:31 AM EST
Witch
Points: 622
Hermison says:
The Vatican should not stick their noses where it doesn't belong, the only good thing that has happened in the last few years is Harry Potter. HP brings hope to people all around the world. I haven't seen that from the vatican, just condenming, not helping. The exorcist instead of saying dumb things, he should be watching the news and critising what politicians around the world are doing. Leave HARRY Potter alone!! In the mist of all the darkness in the world HP has been the only character that many can relate to and enjoy life for a while, not caring about anything else in the world.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 10:48 AM EST
Prime Hunter
Points: 4355
Orbster says:
I do understand that some people have to hate the books,but i mean you need common sense to come with the excuse though...and witch craft isn't real no matter how people try...IT IS NOT REAL!..its just in books and myths...so the Vatican should get over it..or they can just keep embarassing themselves.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 11:19 AM EST
Student
Points: 202
Potterfan77 says:
oh come on, i think the Pope needs to consider getting a new exorcist, this guy wouldn't know a demon if it hit him in the head. And comparing Harry to the likes of Hitler, come on now this person needs to educated and maybe do some reading before making comparsions like that.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 11:53 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 335
FrederickHPFan says:
Glad I am not catholic!! I love Harry Potter! Glad I live in he USA. It is just a book why can't people understand and for them to diss Harry Potter. I mean we have so many priest that are EVIL in the USA, i think the Vatican should focus on those idiots!
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 12:42 PM EST
Nightingale's Song
Points: 3578
Angel Lei says:
Ok I think that's taking things a bit far, I mean at the end of the day, it's just a fictional character! Has this bloke even read the books!
Comparing Harry Potter to Hitler is just laughable, they're is no possible comparison to be made!
Harry Potter is not evil!! (it's just that simple)
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 12:50 PM EST
Comedy Princess
Points: 3398
Ginevra M. Weasley says:
I think it should be taken as a personal opinionmore than the Vatican's point of veiw...I am Roman Catholic and I think that Harry Potter Rocks...and a lot of preist, Bishops, etc thinks the same...and only close-mind people dont.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 1:54 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2391
Oddment Tweak says:
This is classic. I mean, seriously-- who compares Harry Potter to Hitler? This is just another example among many of blatant ignorance. However, at least the "former official at the Pontifical Council for Culture" had something reasonable to say about it. ... though I hope that his reason wasn't what made him "former" rather than "current"; of course, it wouldn't really surprise me, what with the exorcist thinging that JKR needs an exorcism and all.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 3:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
Well, I must say, that is absolutely ridiculous. Ha, the devil. Very comical, indeed. In what manner is this, might I ask? So, yes there are characters that are ungodly. But, in the end, they are just that- characters. Harry Potter is not about the bad characters in general. It is about Harry Potter, building friendships, growing to love these people around him, and then, slowly, coming to conquer the very one who murdered his parents and attempted the same on him. Bloody ridiculous, that this man would base his oppinion on the bad, rather than the good. He must not have knowledge of "Seeing", in the words of Trelawney, I guess. You have to be able to appreciate the love, and the hatred, and the friendship. Harry Potter is ingenius, that much will forever remain.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 3:38 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 55
xprettypixiex says:
My goodness! This is sheer [b]poppycock![b] (sp?!) poppycock I tell you! Well...in my opinion...
But, I mean come on- he's a bloddy book character! Or does he mean the effect he has upon us all....? The spell Harry Potter has us under...I do suppose we are all kind of obbsessed...possesed even...like...zombies!
But truely- if Harry was a real person, he'd propbably be the most genuine person I know... It should be you-no-poo, that the nation should be focusing on!!! Teheeheehee
Any how I still think that is a leetle on the extreme side. But I suppose that's just me.
Oh and I think he should read the book before making judgement (because I'm almost certain he hasn't) but then he'll be possesed like all of us...
coooome join us....
join the dark side-we have cookies
x
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 3:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1294
loonylupinlover says:
I wonder if the priest ever read the books. I find most people with this opinion never have. I also find it interesting since there are other denominations that have used Harry Poitter in their church school material to bring the kids in and teach as well. If you look hard enough at anything you can find something evil---doesn't make it so. AND this time the exocist is wrong.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 4:22 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1771
Patronus** says:
I respect their beliefs, but i can not understand how they can make a comparison between stalin, hitler and Harry Potter!
Hitler and Stalin were truley evil men and they killed for no good reason, i don't recall harry killing inocent people, or anyone for that matter!!
I disagree with it, i think harry is a great role model for younger kids, granted he get's himself into trouble, but all kids do, in the end he does the right thing, which is what counts and which is what people will see, In that respect, he is someone a child can look up to!
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 4:43 PM EST
Queen of the Fae
Points: 4616
marauderette says:
well, everyone is entitled to their own personal opinion. I think they should just clarify that this is his opinion and not the churches. I don't see a problem with the books myself ^_^ I love HP.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 4:51 PM EST
Witch
Points: 881
Just Dance says:
Well.. I'd certainly have to disagree .. But i guess all are entitled to their own opinion .. however .. in no way shape or form do i believe that harry is either bit evil ... and i believe the books are indeed very well written..
- Nicole
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 5:37 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1251
padfoot'sgirl says:
I think that if anyone who says that harry potter is the devil, they really haven't read the books. Nothing that he does is Devil like unless they count magic. How silly.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 5:56 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1181
princess165 says:
It seems like Rev. Amorth either never read the books, or doesn't know how to properly comprehend the books. I appreciate that there is debate though about the books even in the Vatican- I would expect the Vatican to be in complete agreement with Amorth. At least there is progress with some members of the Vatican.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 6:00 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1574
Polgara7 says:
The only way I can even fathom this reasoning is if he is talking about Voldemort. He must be confusing the villain of the series with the hero.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 6:06 PM EST
Squib
Points: 132
The Lightning-Struck Boy says:
Has any one one ever heard of harry potter fans turned into devil loving freaks??? i thought not.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 7:15 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Emma#1fan says:
Ok, i am christan but , this man is WAy to harsh. Its just a book. Its not like its telling kids to do bad things.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 7:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2429
PHOENIX5625 says:
Harry Potter likey Hitler! That is crazy. Harry is a troubled teen who is just trying to save himself and his friends from some guy who killed his parents and wants to kill him. That does not make him the devil, he is a hero!!!
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 7:35 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 518
theduece says:
I don't know what it is but I always seem to injoy the things the catholic church condems. When they do it though it just makes me like it that much more.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 7:39 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
I just wish that these people would get over themselves and realize it's just a children's book.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 7:50 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2682
hplovergurl says:
Oh wow. I think he really needs to read the books before he calls Harry "the devil." I think it's crazy when people start bashing childrens books because they have things to do with witchcraft. Geeze.
Posted Sep 7, 2006 at 8:21 PM EST
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