Pope disapproves of Harry Potter *groan*

Mari · #1 07-14-2005, 03:09 AM

Pope disapproves of Harry Potter, letters suggest

BERLIN (Reuters) - Pope Benedict believes the Harry Potter books subtly seduce young readers and "distort Christianity in the soul" before it can develop properly, according to comments attributed to him by a German writer.

Gabriele Kuby, who has written a book called "Harry Potter - Good or Evil," which attacks J.K. Rowling's best selling series about the boy wizard, published extracts from two letters written to her by Benedict in 2003, when he was a cardinal.

Kuby, a devout Catholic, had sent him a copy of her Potter critique and he wrote to thank her, according to a passage from one of the letters published in German on her Web site.

"It is good that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because these are subtle seductions which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly," Benedict wrote, according to the excerpt.

A Vatican official was not immediately able to comment on the remarks attributed to Benedict, who is currently on holiday in the Alps. Reuters was unable to reach Kuby by telephone.

The sixth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," is due to be published on July 16, with millions of copies already shipped to stores around the world.

After Benedict was named Pope in April, his own writings shot to the top of the German book charts and dislodged the most recent book in the Potter series from number one.

The Vatican had previously appeared to approve of the books, saying they helped children to understand the difference between good and evil.

Kuby maintains the opposite, listing among 10 arguments against Harry Potter: "The ability of the reader to distinguish between good and evil is overridden by emotional manipulation and intellectual obfuscation."

In one of the letters, Benedict gives Kuby permission to publicise his opinion.

"Somehow your letter got buried in the large pile of name-day, birthday and Easter mail," he writes.

"Finally this pile is taken care of, so that I can gladly allow you to refer to my judgment about Harry Potter."

Vatican officials earlier this year condemned Dan Brown's Catholic conspiracy bestseller "The Da Vinci Code."

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in March blasted the book as an absurd distortion of history, saying it was full of cheap lies and Catholic bookstores should take it off their shelves.

© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

Ah yes, let's burn some books, eh. After all, it's the 21st century.

Wild_Heart03 · #2 07-14-2005, 03:28 AM

Well, in this day and age, I suppose it's let's burn some e-books....

But seriously, what's so bad about Harry Potter? It's not like I'm going to go out and start trying to learn black magic or something.

DownOnRodeo · #3 07-14-2005, 05:07 AM

Speaking of popularity contests...

Quote:

After Benedict was named Pope in April, his own writings shot to the top of the German book charts and dislodged the most recent book in the Potter series from number one.

Have no doubt about it - the main reason that those fundamental religious groups (or at least their leaders) disapprove of the Harry Potter books is that they are more popular with children than any outmoded Church's ailing arm of influence could ever hope to be in this day and age.

(No offence to anyone here - but then I'd surprised if there's anybody on a Fleetwood Mac dicsussion board whose religious group has a problem with pretend witches.

)

The Pope doesn't really think that these celebs or the characters they portray are evil. He's just worried that they are (to varying extents) more popular than certain other (religious) celebs/characters.

Mari · #4 07-14-2005, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownOnRodeo

Speaking of popularity contests...

Good call!!!

I can just picture the Pope frowning because he can't be number one anymore, lol...

**mylittledemon** · #5 07-14-2005, 06:22 AM

Yeah well let the Catholic church start working on its reputation as a valid, moral entity. I don't anymore trust a Catholic priest than a bear *****s in a toilet. The people within THAT organization are doing much more harm than a Harry Potter book would ever do to a child's imagination.

**mylittledemon** · #6 07-14-2005, 07:48 AM

I hope I didnt offend any Catholics...I would never put down anyone with true faith in their hearts. I just have a complete lack of trust for leadership in ministries. This is just my perception of the Catholic Church as an entity, and not only the Catholic Church! I'm unbiased in my loathe for most organized religion in this country. =) *wink*

dissention · #7 07-14-2005, 07:56 AM

But I disapprove of the Pope.

SuzeQuze · #8 07-14-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

But I disapprove of the Pope.

Me too. The Pope believe that Catholicism is the only valid religion.

SomeKindaMother · #9 07-14-2005, 09:49 AM

Well, most religions believe theirs is the 'best'. I am Catholic, and no one I know thinks *only* Catholics are valid Christians. I personally believe that everyone who believes in God is equal...yes, including Jews. (Equal in the eyes of God....I don't mean equal in the 'universe', or better than those who don't believe...I don't mean to offend non-believers.) I can't imagine someone leading a good, helpful, responsible life and being turned away by *my* God at Heaven's Gate because of a 'technicality'. Most people are Christian/Jew/Muslim/Buddhist/whatever.. because their parents were. Those beliefs were instilled from birth, and we all think we are right. I hope not to offend anyone as well. It's just that I had a recent experience with a part time Prodestant preacher who really thought he was reigning himself in when he was *subtly* condemning my religion to me. I just let him.

As far as Harry Potter....my kids have all the books and movies that have been released...and plan to be in line at midnight tomorrow...

PLUS I vote Democrat.

Kelly

**mylittledemon** · #10 07-14-2005, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeKindaMother

I can't imagine someone leading a good, helpful, responsible life and being turned away by *my* God at Heaven's Gate because of a 'technicality'.
Kelly

do you feel in your heart that you are right about that? I am not a practicing Christian...I dont go to church, I lead a selfish life...I drink, I swear, etc. I honestly dont believe that just because I'm "good" and "helpful" that is going to get me into Heaven. My conscience wont let me believe that. Call that condemnation, or whatever it may be. I think you know whether you're getting into heaven or not. It's not like you get there and its a surprise or God gives you a 2nd chance. At least, thats how I feel about it.

DrummerDeanna · #11 07-14-2005, 09:59 AM

There actually WAS a book burning (of Harry Potter) in my home state a few years back!!! And it wasn't the Catholics - it was some other fundy Christian group.

Ugh - I hate that the Pope has to issue a damn opinion on things - who the hell listens? I guess really devout Catholics? The Pope doesn't even have a place in my life - he's a man plain and simple and I don't give a rat's ass (that one's for you Miss Vicky

about what he thinks...

Viva Potter!!!!

**mylittledemon** · #12 07-14-2005, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

There actually WAS a book burning (of Harry Potter) in my home state a few years back!!! And it wasn't the Catholics - it was some other fundy Christian group.

Ugh - I hate that the Pope has to issue a damn opinion on things - who the hell listens? I guess really devout Catholics? The Pope doesn't even have a place in my life - he's a man plain and simple and I don't give a rat's ass (that one's for you Miss Vicky

about what he thinks...

Viva Potter!!!!

What is this Nazi Germany?! Book burning? Good Lord. You know, if you dont like something...dont buy it. Dont let your kids read it. But you dont have to go out and take someone's life work (a novel) and burn it because you think it's evil.

SomeKindaMother · #13 07-14-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

do you feel in your heart that you are right about that? I am not a practicing Christian...I dont go to church, I lead a selfish life...I drink, I swear, etc. I honestly dont believe that just because I'm "good" and "helpful" that is going to get me into Heaven. My conscience wont let me believe that. Call that condemnation, or whatever it may be. I think you know whether you're getting into heaven or not. It's not like you get there and its a surprise or God gives you a 2nd chance. At least, thats how I feel about it.

I'm not sure I understand. Do you believe in God, but you think you won't get into Heaven? That would be terrifying for me. If someone doesn't believe, that's a different story...why would they care about Heaven? I would hope that anyone who is a believer would want to enter Heaven. (Although many will likely be shocked to see others there with them!)

I was basically referrring to the differences in specific religions...like I don't believe that only Catholics will enter Heaven. I'm sorry if I offended you.

Kelly

SomeKindaMother · #14 07-14-2005, 10:12 AM

None of the priests I know dislike Harry Potter...and in fact most of them LOVE the books. Our current priest loved The DaVinci Code as well. He must be a rouge.

Kelly

wondergirl9847 · #15 07-14-2005, 10:41 AM

Has the Pope read the Harry Potter books or is he going by what someone ELSE says about them? Perhaps they should ask kids what they have learned from HP.

I've never read them.