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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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Professor
Points: 1174
Fleur Delacour* says:
I'm a christian, and i like Harry Potter because i know it is fake, so, i feel it is not a big deal, so, i love Harry Potter, i think the books and movies are amazing.
Posted Sep 8, 2006 at 10:39 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
It doesnt mean anything as long as you dont believe in it... Hahaha. I mean, its just fiction. It aint real.
~MP~
Posted Sep 8, 2006 at 11:30 PM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
That's where I really really disagree with the leaders of my religion... I mean - Come on! It's just a fictional thing! And what's more - Harry is GOOD! Argh... There are more books suggesting satanic acts than Harry!
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 1:20 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1787
Moaning_Mirtle says:
A comment like this always makes me laugh so loud my mom comes in the room to check I'm alright...
What a load of crap did that first person make up???
Oh my god!!! And then they wonder... Ah well...
At least they don't all share the same vision.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 5:00 AM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2875
Chogiiiirl says:
You can tell that the Rev. Armoth has never even read the Harry Potter books by his statement that Harry is the "king of darkness". Pretty pitiful. I would hope that a place as influential as the Vatican would make sure that they had people giving interviews on such matters who actually had done some research on their topic of discussion.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 8:40 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 79
Whiskey_Lullaby says:
Please, DO WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN?!?!?!?!
J.K. Rowling got enough crap from the christain chruches when Harry Potter was first released....
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 10:04 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 79
Whiskey_Lullaby says:
Besides, Hitler? Please, people, has society stooped this low?
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 10:06 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1122
PhoenixPatronus2 says:
I very much doubt that any of the people who condemn the books have read even one through completely. Even if they had they probably haven't read them all through completely so their judgement is silly. Sure you can decide without finishing a book that you don't like it but then you forfeit the ability to make wide judgements about to everyone else. You don't even know how it ends silly people.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 10:54 AM EST
Witch
Points: 849
mrs sirius black says:
Pretty sure I'm not taking anything serious that was said by an "exorcist" even if he is the pope's.
And 10 to 1 he's never read any Harry Potter.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 2:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 873
Luna*L 13 says:
He's free to have his own opinion but I think that's absolutely ridiculous. I'm Catholic too but for crying out loud just because it's about magic doesn't make them devil worshipers or whatever. And to compare them to Hitler and Stalin is just nonsense. If he had even read the books he should know there is absolutely no connection.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 3:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 828
Elphaba_Thropp says:
That's funny, I thought the king of darkness was Ozzy Osbourne!
If Harry's the devil then what the HELL is Voldemort!
Obviously the Rev isn't reading the same book we are!
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 3:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
mount holyoke girl says:
Thats just funny!! Its so unbelievable to me that people should think that. Oh well. They are the ones missing out on a great story.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 7:26 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
'Arry + Hermy says:
What can ever be wrong with Harry Potter? As long as people know it isn't real (though I wish it would be, the book is excellent for all ages... even the moldy chief exorcist!!
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 9:56 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
Mamaille says:
I think that absurd. But You have to notice every time JK us due to publish her latest book, thier are always these
controversies suround her book.
First- of all I belive these books are helpfull for children reading
Second- of all being a christian, I belive these books are fine, any way HP books are fantasy. Most fantasy has magic in it. Those who choose to do "demonic" things are thier fault! HP book does not encourage kids to do things like that, if that was the case, there would be millions of kids practicing "demonic" things.
Posted Sep 9, 2006 at 10:22 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 307
Harry's Echo says:
Really? All I can say is 'get over yourself!' It's a FICTIONAL book for goodness sakes, it inspires kids (and adults) to use their imaginations!
Some might say that Santa Claus is the work of the devil, seeing as how he's dressed in red, and bribes children all year long, and the very mention of 'you better be good- Santa's watching!' strikes fear into any kid. Sheesh.
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 8:49 AM EST
Student
Points: 251
Emily Rocks says:
Hey common its so riduculus.If it consists of witches and wizards does it mean its related to devils. I dont agree with him.In this fictious wizarding world some witches and wizards are good eg:Dumbledore,Hagrid,Lily and James Potter and Harry etc. But some are BAD like you know who.And one more thing thta i like to stress upon is that in these days children they do even touch novels but they are readind thick, thick books of Harry Potter!!!!!Do any one disagree with me?
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 12:13 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
I seriously don't understand these claims anymore. I just feel like I should ignore them. People should be more open-minded. JKR wrote these books because she thought of the idea of a young wizard whose gone through all these hardships. Not for any other reason.
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 12:48 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
That is sooooooooooo ridiculous. I agrre with the statement said a year ago, i have no idea how these stupid people can compare HP for Hitler or Stalin, uugghhh.
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 1:27 PM EST
Student
Points: 211
TeekiePie says:
Why??? He is just trying to get attention, Harry Potter is the biggest thing he could think about! HARRY POTTER RULES! If they talk about Harry Potter like that, why not say the same about Lord Of The Rings or any type of horror movie (you get what i mean...-_-).
Harry Potter is fiction, it makes children more imaginative and intellegent. It DOES NOT promote evil, or death and distruction! It promotes being good and doing good things. Nobody is dieing over this matter so I say to Chief exorcist, Rev. Gabriele Amorth, GET OVER YOURSELF!
(This post was my opinion and is not meant to harm anyones feelings)
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 1:48 PM EST
Student
Points: 205
S McGonagall says:
Im a Catholic....and i respect their beliefs....But i have to disagree with them.....Harry Potter doesn't promote bad and evil.......It promotes good and acting kindly...Harry Potter gives millions and millions of children happniess...
(if you do not agree sorry to hurt your feelings)
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 3:14 PM EST
Witch
Points: 792
blossom says:
It is interesting that Harry Potter was compared to Hitler, whom children of all ages are forced to learn about in schools.
I think there have been some very important lessons come from the books.
1. Do what is right , not what is easy.
2. Value your friendships.
3. Fight for what is right.
4. Treat all people well.
There are many many more.
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 8:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
That is really stupid!! He needs to get a life!! If he doesn't like the books/movies than he needs to not talk crap about them because there are plenty of other peeps to make up for his sorry tale!!
Posted Sep 10, 2006 at 10:11 PM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
What rubbish! I mean, a couple of years back, there were some parents who went to the extent of criticizing Jo for inducing the love for black magic in their children! How ridiculous can they be?
I just suppose they are jealous of HP's immense popularity.
Posted Sep 11, 2006 at 5:00 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1392
SiriusFan says:
It amazes me how organized religion can turn something like a book into something of great weight/importance as far as influencing the world's children and their fight against "evil." As if reading a Harry Potter novel will cause the world's destruction. It really boggles the mind.
Posted Sep 11, 2006 at 7:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1786
sis <3 says:
Oh please!
How lame is that! Actually I wouldn't comment at this, cause I thought it was so stupid!
-Christina
Posted Sep 11, 2006 at 12:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 149
Madam Marsh says:
This is a subject on which it would be possible (and tempting) to write VOLUMES, and I may post something more substantial later, either here or in the forums, but for now, a couple of comments:
--I RESENT being endlessly lectured by ignorant buffoons in positions of authority. They get there by nefarious means and proceed to issue decrees (numbered or not) designed to limit our access to information, ideas, and individual rights. You can probably think of several such people, both literary and actual. In the case of our exorcist pal and some of his ilk, it is no accident that such folk are sometimes referred to as 'shepherds' and their followers as 'sheep'.
--It is a popular tactic when someone in a position of authority is in trouble, to try to divert public attention from the issue at hand. Corporate, political and religious heads have chosen this route a zillion times. Sometimes it works. Much too often, in my opinion. Let me hasten to say that I do not judge entire groups of any kind based on the misdeeds of a few (especially on this most painfully historic date) but SOME in the Catholic Church are in big trouble , and have been for some years, because they are guilty of one of the greatest of crimes: the abuse of children of whose souls they are supposed to be the stewards. I will not get into my opinions of church officials who have let these abusers be shuffled off to other churches to repeat their crimes and ruin so many young lives. But I will say that if Mr Exorcist is so concerned about the souls of children and protecting them from evil, how about applying his energies to exorcising the demons masquerading as leaders and helpers in his own church?
Posted Sep 11, 2006 at 4:37 PM EST
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