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"Originality is the fine art of remembering what you hear,
but forgetting where you heard it."
-Laurence J. Peter
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"Read not to contradict and confute,
nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider."
-Francis Bacon
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Youīre bound to have heard of Harry Potter. The brainchild of British author J.K. Rowling, Potter
is the orphan child of two magicians, who is magically invited to be educated at Hogwarts, a kind of public
grammar school for wizards. His living with "Muggle" (= non-wizard) stepparents, his competitive relationship
with an evil wizard whose name should not even be mentioned, and his education at Hogwarts, lead to
all kinds of spectacular adventures.
Children all over the world absolutely devour Harry Potter books. And not just children - Harry also has
numerous adult fans. Quite a few adults have admitted to reading Harry Potter on their way to work (with or
without a misleading book cover). And since the Potter books are already such a big hit without
the series being completed, many first editions are sold out even before the books hit the shops.
(And if you are also keen on ordering the next book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
[Harry Potter, Book 5], donīt hesitate and pre-order it
here
for the UK and Europe [Amazon.co.uk / Waterstoneīs], or
here
for America, etc. [Barnes & Noble].)
Such an enormous success spreads discord, obviously. There are throngs of fans, but also many who oppose
this kind of literature. There have already been many warnings from people in the christian world that
the Harry Potter books invite children to disbelieve the gospel of Christ and that they promote participation
in witchcraft, satanism and paganism.
I myself didnīt know what to think of the books, until I read a little bit in them, and took my children to
see the film - the first one,
Harry Potter and the Sorcererīs Stone.
(I was proud of them: they refused to view the version that was brought out in their own language. Instead
they insisted on viewing the original with subtitles. True anglophiles. But thatīs beside the point.)
All I could see was an oppressed, humiliated boy who started to come alive in better surroundings. A
boy who wanted to be good and do good. Admitted, a boy who was in the process of finding out about his
magical skills and powers, but who chose to use those solely for doing good. And the fantasy world the
author created for Harry was so obviously and unmistakenly an imaginary world, that only the
extremely foolish and gullible might think they could imitate Harry by becoming a witch, a pagan or a
satanist. I didnīt see the objection to reading or viewing Harry Potter. I even enjoyed his adventures.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Pope John Paul II agrees with me. His spokesman in these matters,
the Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood, contradicted the warnings on 4 February 2003, rejecting the idea that reading or viewing
the Harry Potter stories would be dangerous. In fact,
he added that Harry Potter promotes good Christian morals. Good for you, Don Peter and John Paul!
I needed some good news about the Pope. Itīs not that Iīm a catholic and really care about the Pope. Not at
all. I have nothing to do with the Catholic Church whatsoever. But I had been very disappointed in the Pope
for a while, nonetheless. Why?
Well, I think that the head of such a big christian church should inspire both his own fellow members and
the rest of the world to believe in God, to have hope in troubled times, to trust in the Lord of this world.
And I used to think that the Pope was a staunch defender of these concepts. Until I read a statement he
made at the end of 2002. Speaking at a pre-Christmas audience, the Pope said that, although we face
famine and war in many parts of the world, "there is, in fact, a greater tragedy, that of the silence of God,
who no longer reveals himself, and seems to be enclosed in his heaven, as though disgusted by human actions."
Interesting, but sombre theme for a pre-Christmas audience! Over a thousand people from several countries attended the audience.
In a period of turmoil they had come hoping to hear words of comfort. Instead, they were given grim warnings, telling them of God's alienation.
Something with which I heartily disagree.
And itīs a statement that surprises me, since it came from the Pope. I thought his church preached the concept
of God being omniscient. If He really is omniscient (which I believe He is), then wouldnīt He always have
known how bad and evil mankind would eventually become? Of course He would! And you can read all about it in
the Holy Bible. Especially the prophetic descriptions of mankind given by the apostle Paul in the New Testament
leave very little evil to the imagination. Only one conclusion is possible: God knew that in advance! So why
would He now suddenly be disappointed? Why would He now suddenly retreat and refuse any communication? That doesnīt
make sense. And even if that would be his reaction to manīs evil ways, why doesnīt He even speak anymore with the person
who claims to be his representative on earth? Think of Sodom and Gomorra, for example. People there were very, very evil
indeed. But did God retreat into the heavens and refuse any communication whatsoever? No. At least not communication
with the righteous people who were left. So why would this situation be different?
No, I donīt agree with the Pope. I can only conclude that John Paul II has difficulties reaching the Lord, and
that he has come up with this explanation to justify himself. I donīt believe that the Lord could suddenly be disappointed
in mankind and refuse to communicate. And even in the worst of times, He has always kept in touch with the few righteous
people He could find. Besides, He said in Amos that He would always tell his servants, the prophets, what He was up to.
And I have never known God to break a promise.
I donīt know how good the Popeīs English is, but Iīd like to make a recommendation. Why doesnīt he read
God Is the Gardener and Profile of a Prophet. And then he just might justify again the subtitle
of his own biography:
Witness to Hope.
And if he canīt agree with me on that, perhaps he should just stick to reading Harry Potter. At least
it doesnīt do any harm, and it promotes good values and standards. His own spokesman said so.
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Disclaimer
This column is only for the purpose of entertaining, educating or
giving food for thought. Any persons, characters, countries, institutions or groups
mentioned are - as a matter of principle - fictional: any resemblance to existing ones is
purely by chance. ;-)
If the content of this column offends anyone, please accept the
columnist's apologies: no offense was intended.
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column noun
1a: a vertical arrangement of items on a page
b: a vertical section of a printed page
c: an accumulation arranged vertically
d: a department or feature (as of humor, sports,
literary reviewing, or gossip) in a newspaper or periodical, under a permanent
title and generally reflecting the writer's individual tastes and point of view.
2: a supporting pillar
3: a form, structure, or formation shaped like a column
(Webster's Dictionary.)
Relevant reads:
Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II
God Is the Gardener and Profile of a Prophet
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter #1)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter #2)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter #3)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, Book 5) [Barnes & Noble]
 Harry Potter 5 [Amazon UK / Waterstoneīs]
Harry Potter Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-4)
Harry Potter Poster Book
Harry Potter and the Sorcererīs Stone DVD Fluffy Gift Set
Discovering the Real World of Harry Potter
The Magical World of Harry Potter: The Unauthorized Story of J.K. Rowlings
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