What my minister says about Harry Potter

Over the last month, several strident letters have been written to the editor of our small city newspaper denouncing the Harry Potter literature. My vocal minister responded as follows (I've left the names out), and I thought the DU'ers might enjoy it:

"Editor:

Dick X's July 18 denunciation of Harry Potter might give non-Christians the impression that we Christ followers are a humorless lot who all believe in witches, obey all rules and condescendingly urge others who disagree with us to "study your Bible more."

Lighten up, Dick.

Many of us have bigger fish to fry. We're cleaning up from a devastating storm, and you're worried about schoolyard pranks.

XXX and neighboring counties have the lowest academic achievement level in the state, and you fear that some kid will curl up with a good book and escape to a wonderful world of invisible trains, living photographs and stuffy, repressed folk called Muggles.

Our servicepeople are being picked off daily in Iraq, and you're worried about kids questioning rules. We need more children like Harry Potter and friends, who, when they grow up, will question everything that authority figures tell them.

There may very well be witches, ghosts and goblins in the world, but in my 57 years on Earth, I've never met one. Yes, people run naked through the woods and look at chicken entrails and believe in their hearts that they are witches. But that doesn't mean they are witches; it just means they're off their meds.

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."

Thanks.

a rare breed!

but I read my grandmother's priest column I dont know the guy but he seems to have a nice personality and nice things to say doesnt seem like a southern evanglical minister would be I know that.

but I read my grandmother's priest column I dont know the guy but he seems to have a nice personality and nice things to say doesnt seem like a southern evanglical minister would be I know that.

but I read my grandmother's priest column I dont know the guy but he seems to have a nice personality and nice things to say doesnt seem like a southern evanglical minister would be I know that.

Maybe if I'd had a minister like him when I was a kid, I wouldn't have been turned off of religion for the rest of my life.

Of course, I still wouldn't believe a word of it. However, I'd have the social support of a church group and a minister with a grip on reality.

Humorless, narrowminded ministers seem particularly adept at producing young atheists.

I liked the trickle-down dig. Very nice, indeed.

He's always writing letters that cleverly blast the Mis-Administration in this country. Wrote several excellent anti-war letters, which in this town, can get you ridden out on a rail.

My favorite line is "total harmony between US foreign policy and the kingdom of God."

Just curious. What denomination?

where are you located? I have a couple of great PresbyUSA pastors of my own. We have the best sermons, thought provoking one minute and funny the next.

I am in clarks summit, Pa..

This story sounds like it was from a city near me except for one thing. There has been no local news recently of a preacher lynching.

That's something that surely deserves to be passed on. I am curious, though, if you think his outspokenness leads him to gain or lose followers?

Hello to another PCUSAer! :hi:

I love the Harry Potter books! It sounds like your minister has a great sense of perspective. Good for him/her.

My wife & I are Roman Catholics, Christians, and devoted Harry Potter fans who devoured the 5th book and are hoping against hope that J.K. Rowling doesn't take 3 years to get the next one out. People who see Satan hiding behind everything that kids like (Pokemon got this same reaction) are very adept at NOT seeing the evil going on RIGHT NOW in the "Christian" White House.

I liked the line about needing more kids like Harry & friends who Question authority.

By the way, Pope John Paul II has absolutely NO objection to Harry Potter.

This minister and harry Potter fan says "Right on! preach it!!"

As a Wicca, I have to say although it sounds like a lot of fun, I have never run naked through the woods. And the only time I have looked at chicken entrails, I was cooking sunday dinner.

I enjoyed his letter, although I feel a minister should at least have a rudimentary knowledge about differing religious beliefs, so you can compare them to your own and understand why you beleive differently.

O8)

Though the briars get to be a might tricky. :P

unless a keg and state troopers were involved! haha :)

:*

You sound like a fun gal!

Santoria, or whatever that chicken-sacrificing group is? In south Texas, it is more likely that or the bru-somethings, sort of an ethnic thing.

LOL. Describes alot of republicans I know.

They all thought it was well written and a hoot, too.

They, also, are big Harry Potter fans. :-)

I can assume Mr. Dick is a southern baptist most of the hard liners are. I will assume that your minister and you are Uniterian or something. He made great points too I must say.

Bravo!