Blog For Free!
Archives
Home
2008 April
2008 March
2007 April
2007 March
2007 February
2007 January
2006 December
2006 November
2006 October
2006 September
2006 May
2006 April
2006 March
2006 February
2006 January
2005 December
2005 November
2005 October
2005 September
2005 August
2005 July
2005 June
2005 May
2005 April
2005 March
2005 February
2005 January
My Links
Dovetailmyth
BIOMIMICRY
The Natural Step
Alliance For Sustainability
almsthvn blog
DeathbyGlitter's Blog
DanielMacDonald's Blog
dr forbush blog
enki blog
h2Opower blog
graceshaker blog
Howie Luvzus Blog
jerneedog
jt blog
kurtmaddox blog
nullfactor blog
pourquoi Pas? blog
Ruined's Blog
Rand's Blog
rosietulips blog
Shayno blog
surrogate blog
SweetSue
UserFriendly
TabooTenente's Blog
wil wheaton blog
Something Wicca This way Comes
WEST*MART ethical local partnerships Blog
* WORK LESS PARTY, comsume less, live more!
Witchcraze *Not so fun facts*
History of Salem Witch Trials
US Army Chaplain's Handbook RE: Wicca
tBlog
My Profile
Send tMail
My tFriends
My Images
Sponsored
Blog
Blog Posts of Note:
*Magic, Witches and the Bible
*A brief History of Wicca
*Wicca 101 part 1
*Wicca 101 part 2
*Spells and the Modern Witch
*Do Witches Worship Satan?
*Religious View
*Interview with a Witch
*A Witch's Story of Creation
*One Definition of the Divine
*I am a Witch
* Original Sin, from a Witches point of View
*Why a Witch Could care less about Harry Potter
*Satan is not my Sidekick
*The other people: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Bible
I put this link here.
Committee to Protect Bloggers
I feel so special right now, look Ma! I won an award!
| Why a Witch could care less about Harry Potter. |
| 07.26.05 (12:49 pm) [edit] |
Why a Witch could care less about Harry Potter. I swore to myself when the new HP book came out I would refrain from jumping to the Harry Potter is Satan, book burning-banning, insanity fray, but I just couldn’t stop myself. So I am here as the unofficial spokesperson of Witches and Wiccans to tell you how we feel about Harry Potter. (REMEMBER: I’m unofficial, I’m sure many witches/wiccan’s/pagans /etc out there will disagree, but most of the witches I’ve talked to do agree with what I’m about to say.) First off as a regular person walking down the street, I love the Harry Potter books. They are wonderful stories and I stick them on my shelf next to my other FANTASY books like the Greenmantle, Dangerous Angels, Dragons of Pern series, Narina series and Lord of the Rings. They are great works of FICTION. And I don’t take them any more seriously than I do the other NOVELS and fiction that I read. As a Witch, I bloody well hate them. No book in the last fifty years as done more damage to the truth about Modern Wiccan than HP. Now we’re got all these stupid little kids running around thinking that they can turn pin cushions into mice. The smart ones know the difference between fact and fiction, and that a rock from a goats stomach isn’t going to do squat against poison, but their parents are clearly idiots because: One, they think their kids are dumb and don’t know the difference between fact and fiction. And have to ban books to save their idiots children’s minds And/or Two, They are dumb because they don’t know, or bother to find out the truth between fact or fiction. Being a Witch in the HP world has absolutely nothing to do with the Modern Day Spirituality that is Wicca or The Craft. Thankfully J.K never refers to Wicca/paganism the Craft or any of the other terminology used by many Wiccan’s (see basic Wicca 101). She never refers to Christianity/Satan or Jesus either. In fact religion doesn’t play a role in the Novels at all, but I guess that’s another knicker twisting sore spot for the fundies, not a Pro towards the books. Yet still confusion about the Wiccan Faith reigns supreme and I am caught between loving the fiction and being pissed that there are even MORE misconceptions about Wicca because of these books. As a mum, I think these books are great. When the Ruler is old enough (I think he’ll be old enough when he’s the same age as the characters in the books) he can read them. In fact I’ll encourage him to read them. Why? Because reading rocks. I realized something when I was reading HP6 this past weekend. The True reason everyone one, especially the fundies, are getting their knickers in a knot about these books is not the witch and wizard references. It’s the simple fact that Harry Potter and the gang think for themselves. They are being instructed in the Morals of a specific society (i.e. the Wizarding World), yet when those morals would stop them from saving a friends life, or saving the world from an unmentionable evil (which the adults in the first books are too frightened/stupid/ignoran t to see) they very consciously question those morals and more often than not challenge them. These books in their own subtle way are teaching kids to think on their own, figure out for themselves the value of a societies morals and the difference between right and wrong, especially when what’s truly right goes against the societies perceived rights and wrongs. I’m not saying these books are teaching kids to break the law. We’re talking about morals or society, not legality. These kids are rabble rousers; the “change to world types”, and the people in power really like to suppress/repress them. It would seem to me the goal of the fundies in power is to have everyone one believe only what they want, to not have people question, or think for themselves. Having a bunch of bratty kids say, “no way, we’re going to do what’s right whether it’s the right YOU believe or not”, is just irksome. This is why I want my kid to read them. This is why I want all kids to read them. Kids need to experience for themselves that their thoughts, their decisions, have value and consequence. In Harry Potter the kids are challenging the status quo, thinking for themselves and creating personal values not based on what society THINKS is right, but what truly IS RIGHT. What’s more is that they take personal responsibility for their actions when they get caught, and stand up for what they believe in even when they know the punishment could be severe. The Adults in the book hate it and also try to quell it. HP shows kids that they have this power too, it’s magic to find out even at 13 you can think for yourself and do what’s right. It’s magic to realize that YOU can be your own personal authority, and man it gives you more power than a wand stuffed with unicorn butt hairs ever will. That’s why people love them. That’s why people hate them too. Don't forget to check out RedTigress's article "Harry Potter and the Finger that Points" http://www.tblog.com/template... |
posted by: Kupov (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (1:12 pm)
I ahve never understood this Christian obbsession with being more moral then everyone else, the Harry Potter books make witchcraft seem innocent? not really but even if they did so what, the bible tries to pass murder of as Gods love
posted by: gamerchick (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:06 pm)
you have some very interesting views. and i like them. (hehe unicorn butt hairs) anyways, nice blog btw. and why should a parent care what their kid is reading as long as a)its appropriate for thier age and b)they can tell the difference between fact and fiction.
posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:11 pm)
"another knicker twisting sore spot"
Hah! Great line! Most fundies think that if it isn't expressly about (sic. Pro) God and Jesus, then it's anti God and Jesus. There generally isn't any getting through - so trying to argue the point with them is like spitting into the wind. You know how self righteousness is... Funny, since it was one of the things Jesus got all up in arms about!
posted by: almsthvn (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:20 pm)
I love the HP books and can't wait to tear into the 6th book! But I can see your point since Harry => magic => witchcraft => Wicca (though I bet $20 if you said "Wicca" to most backward-thinkers who are grousing about HP, they won't know what you're talking about).
And I think "unicorn butt hairs" is one of my new favorite phrases. LOL!
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:25 pm)
Reply to: gamerchick
thanks for stopping by. I agree that a shouldn't be concerned about what their kids read, so long as it's age appropriate. I was raised to read that way, and my folks even tought me to figure out for myself what was age appropriate for myself. I still remember picking up clan of the cave bear, of all books and thinking, no not yet and putting it down again. I think I was 13. I read it at 15 (I think)
Kids are a heck of a lot smarter than we think most of the time. I'm going to trust my kids instincts when it comes to his reading material (though i'm creating a collection of "banned Books" for his 16th birthday :D)
FM
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:28 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
well said surrogate. i know that I'm not going to change one thing by what i wrote, but I had to get it off my chest and out there yah know?
I decided to leave out a sentance i wrote about Jesus being a rabble rouser like harry potter and how he challenged the conventions of his time, oops. *shrug* ohwell Witches don't know squat about jesus anyways right? so no one will pay attention to that slip of the tongue.
:D
FM
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:30 pm)
Reply to: almsthvn
so true, so many people get this really odd look on their faces when you say the word 'wicca'
I'm secrectly very proud of my unicorn butt hair line, the knickers twisting ones are special to my heart too. :D
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:31 pm)
Reply to: Kupov
2000 year (approx) of feeling that way does wonders.
posted by: aniebananie (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:36 pm)
nice post I am very glad to see someone is paying attention to what is happening out there (meaning peoples minds)...
Christianity has been twisted to suit those in charge it's so far gone from the original idea... and books are one of the best things in this world by censoring books you limit selfexpression and besides if you always tell your kids what to read how will they ever figure out for themselves what to believe, what will they do when you're not there.
posted by: sweetsue (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (2:44 pm)
Love your blog...and so much truth in what you have said...Hope to read more interesting ones here.
posted by: LeananSidhe (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (3:08 pm)
I agree. Everyone should be able to read whatever they want (age appropriet) and exercise their imaginations. As you said, these books are fiction. Also read your comments and love the line you ommited about Jesus being like HP going agaist the conventions of his time.
Your blog is good reading!
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (6:17 pm)
Reply to: aniebananie
I agree with everything that you said. I hope *crosses fingers* that when the Ruler is old enough to read 'controversal' books we have a good enough relationship that we can talk about them. He may choose to read stuff I won't want him too, but if I say "NO" he's going to figure out someway of reading anyways, behind my back and I don't want him to hide stuff like that from me.
FM
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (6:18 pm)
Reply to: sweetsue
thanks sweetie, go ahead and link to me, that's a nice compliment.
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (6:21 pm)
Reply to: LeananSidhe
thanks. glad that you enjoyed reading this post. I've sorta been expecting a bunch of 'bashing' but maybe i've become a lost cause. :P
yeah had to omit that one. but you know comments like Jesus being a rabble rouser and a ruler breaker, just keep popping up. I can't stop them. Go figure.
Thanks for the visit.
FM
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (6:42 pm)
i couldnt agree with u more that harry potter is evil, cuz i dont like it. lol. what i dont understand tho, is its just a story. a story about a man with a wooden leg killing whales doenst mean every man with a wooden leg kills whales. its not meant to, and never was to insult anything to anyone. its only a story
posted by: Kupov (reply)
post date: 07.26.05 (11:34 pm)
reply to farmoon) banned? like what? the bible?
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (3:49 am)
Reply to: senguthewolf
yup it is just a story, and i don't really get it either. why do you not like the books? just curious.
Theres lots of books out there that i don't like either, but you know me i always ask weird questions. :D
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (3:52 am)
Reply to: Kupov
no, books like Slaughterhouse five, Uncle Toms cabin, catcher in the rye, etc. Do a "banned book list" search in google, you'll find lists of books that for one reason or another, in one place of the other have been banned.
FM
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (5:06 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
i just hate cult favorite things. nightmare b4 xmas was an excellent movie, till the goth kids ruined it by marketing EVERYTHING
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (5:44 am)
Reply to: senguthewolf
yeah i agree the over marketing of stuff makes me nauseous. I always find the "hype" about movies, books etc really annoying. I probably would feel the same way about HP, but i read the first one before the hype and got hooked.
What books do you like to read?
FM
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (3:00 pm)
Reply to: Fairmoon
well, mostly manga. but il read just about any book, i like suspense alot tho. right now im readin one called Fell, for school. its very good.
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (5:31 pm)
Reply to: senguthewolf
so am i showing my age and how out of touch I am when i ask what's manga?
Fell, what's it about? I always hated getting assigned books to read in school. I always hated being forced to read something. The lame thing is that i'd probably read the books anyways, but being forced made me hate them. I've never looked at ernest Hemmingway the same since.
posted by: RedTigress (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (6:30 pm)
Totally awesome post!
"They are dumb because they don’t know, or bother to find out the truth between fact or fiction."
That is probably the most bothersome thing about this entire scandal. If anyone would stop, think, and learn something about the truth of what things are and are not, they'd not only see the books are harmless but they'd also learn a thing or two about the real world! And I'm talking about the adults here!
You covered this subject superbly. You said what I left out in my post and you did a great job :)
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (7:29 pm)
Reply to: RedTigress
thanks sweetie. You know i loved your article too. i agree with all you've said, i don't need to say it again!
FM
posted by: RedTigress (reply)
post date: 07.27.05 (8:29 pm)
Reply to: Fairmoon
heehee! Thanks fer the shoutout! :)
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (5:08 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
nbo ur not, manga is a japanese comic book, but unlike america the books are geared toward all ages (well, the age taht book is intended for), but its actualyl a novel with pictures. sometimes its calleda graphic novel
i like to read, but i wont really read anything unless im forced to, so school is good that way. Fell is about this kid who is offereed a deal to go to a really elite school, with an elite club that bacially runs the place. and he goes, discovers the guy who offered him the deal was a spy for another country, and Fell cant be expelled becuz he got in the club. then some kid dies, it could be a suicide or something else. its pretty good, 3 book series
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (5:22 am)
Reply to: RedTigress
same as what i said in your comments, but gotta keep the comments up huh?
You're welcome! teehee
FM
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (5:24 am)
Reply to: senguthewolf
both of those sound cool. thanks for the info on manga. I'd heard the name before, but never really knew what it was about.
hey! why are you reading for school in the summer? Summer school or over the summer homework?
FM
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (6:59 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
cuz its summer reading. u read, then wehn u get back u have a test on it. it used to be u have a work packet to do, but it changed.
there is ALOT of manga involving magic if ur interested. im not sure what kind ur all into, but japan is big with magic. and magical girls lol.
posted by: childish (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (10:02 am)
Interesting angle!
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (6:43 pm)
Reply to: senguthewolf
sounds cool. but i expect the magic in manga is a little different from My sort of magic. :D
FM
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.28.05 (6:44 pm)
Reply to: childish
thanks
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.29.05 (4:45 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
idk... theyve got everything. theres manga about playing Ping Pong!!! and its good!!!!
posted by: Fairmoon (reply)
post date: 07.29.05 (5:36 am)
Reply to: senguthewolf
Ping Pong! that's great! you know there's this really wacky movie out there thats all about math and pi. it's actually very suspensful and a bit scary in parts. Can you believe it a scary movie about math! it's called "pi" if your interested.
FM
posted by: senguthewolf (reply)
post date: 07.29.05 (5:54 am)
Reply to: Fairmoon
ive heard of that movie.
Demystifying Misconceptions
This Blog chronicles the journey of one woman as she attempts to define her faith and place in the universe.
I'm a geeky sort of Fae most of the time
Blog Posts of Note:
*Christian and Wiccan at The Same Time
*A Walk with Jesus’ Mom
*Finding God in Wicca
*Universal Myth and Personal Myth- Definitions in Consensus Reality
The Matrix: Systems Healing and Thinking, an Introduction
*Magic, Witches and the Bible
*A brief History of Wicca
*Wicca 101 part 1
*Wicca 101 part 2
*Spells and the Modern Witch
*Do Witches Worship Satan?
*Religious View
*Interview with a Witch
*A Witch's Story of Creation
*One Definition of the Divine
*I am a Witch
* Original Sin, from a Witches point of View
*Why a Witch Could care less about Harry Potter
*Satan is not my Sidekick
*The other people: Or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Bible