Update from my minister about the Harry Potter letters to the editor...

[Ilsa]

Some of you may recall that about a month ago I relayed my minister's letter to the editor chastising the fundamentalists for their rabid opposition to Harry Potter. He said something to the effect that the books are a great creative outlet for kids, the characters were correct to question authority, think critically, he had never met any real witches, and "I find it ironic that in the Harry Potter series, the Muggles are people who refuse to believe in any magic while in this world, the most Mugglelike people I know believe in the occult, the Easter Bunny, trickle-down economics and total harmony between U.S. foreign policy and the kingdom of God."

Well of course this drew one really nasty, name-calling letter in reply. The fundamentalist couldn't reply intellectually so he went on a name calling spree. Another letter chastised the newspaper for printing the name calling drivel.

My minister has decided to try one more time to get his point across, this time with a more philosophical letter as follows. He told our congregation that one of his purposes in writing the letters is to show that our congregation offers a strong, spiritual alternative to fundamentalist Christianity. We hope our newspaper will print it this week:

"The current controversy over Harry Potter demonstrates a basic rift in thinking about authority and truth. The Bible reflects a hierarchical society based on knowledge, i.e. you are an authority in your field only if you are knowledgeable. Our country is based on the belief that ultimate political authority (of, by and for the people) rests in a knowledgeable citizenry that questions the judgments of public officials who answer to us.

The Bible presents many truth claims that are far beyond the ability of science to affirm or deny. Yet many questions in life are more modest in scope and can be tackled by investigation. For example, many of us believe the Big Bang Theory best describes how God created the heavens and earth. But this is only a theory. New data always produces new theories. Sometimes religious and empiric truths simply have to sit uneasily side by side. For example, in my previous letter, I never challenged the Bible's accounts of the occult. I simply said I had never experienced witches first-hand nor met any credible witness who had.

Ideological folk see all their thoughts emerging from a central source, like a guru, a cult, or their interpretation of the Bible. That's why they fight you tooth and nail over every belief because if you call one of their beliefs into question, you challenge the authority behind all their beliefs. An empiric person's beliefs, on the other hand, are organized like bricks in a wall. If you get new information, you can exchange one brick without threatening the entire structure. The argument may be about Harry Potter, but under that is a clash of worldviews."

[molly]

1. Harry Potter is just good clean fun!

if you can't dream and let go of "normal" stuff - where's the fun and joy in life? Thumpers have a tendancy to want everything dark and gloomy and black and white. Do they ever laugh - do they ever enjoy a good movie - letting go of a "value" judgement. My husband and I both love Harry Potter and are anticipating the next release.

[wtmusic]

2. This occult thing will go on forever

however after reading every Harry Potter book except the last (the first seventy pages have taken an eternity) I think they're WILDLY overrated.

* Shallow, stereotypical characters
* Bitterness and seething throughout, as if that can carry a plot

HP makes the Hardy Boys look like Dickens.

[northofdenali]

3. Regardless of whether you like or dislike the series -

the books have gotten kids away from the video games and televisions and back into the printed word. I think they're fun, but wouldn't read the whole series myself. My husband has read every book.

Ilsa, your minister sounds truly like a man of God, and if more self-professed Bible-believing Xtians (I refuse to call fundies Christians) could think for themselves, instead of being led around by the nose by their fundy preachers, more of us would have respect for their beliefs.

His letter is superb. Thanks for posting.

[wtmusic]

4. North of Denali? Where you at up there? n/t

[Ilsa]

5. He shared this about his family:

His wife does periodic foreign missions work that is medical in nature. A couple of his kids are very deeply Christian, and plan on working in the Church.

But one of his grown kids has declared himself an agnostic. My minister says his son has initiated the deepest, most thought-provoking religious discussions with him. It would seem that his agnostic son has studied intensely to defend his philosophy, but is willing to entertain new ideas (move the bricks around).