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United States: The pastor of a New Mexico church declared that Harry Potter is the devil and he is destroying people
as he urged his congregation to join in a book-burning the Taliban would've been proud of. Pastor Jack Brock of the Christ Community Church in Alamogordo admitted he had never read the books.
As well as Harry Potter books, members of the church torched Stephen King books, ouija boards, recordings by Eminem and AC/DC and even a copy of Disney's Snow White, all of which they called the work of the Devil
. I hope they bought these legitimately rather than stealing them to deny the artists their royalties!
Counter-protestors wore witch hats and carried brooksticks. One of them carried a Third Reich War Ensign and placards included one reading Hitler - Bin Laden - Pastor Brock - what great company
. 'Satanic' Harry Potter books burnt - BBC News, 30th December 2001
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» Harry Potter is Evil from Opinion
I was wandering through the hallowed halls of the Pagan Prattle today and ran across an old article. It was about some loonie fundamentalist in New Mexico indulging in that favourite pastime of all nut cases who wish to keep their flock in the dark ... [Read More]
Tracked on November 6, 2003 8:59 AM
» Harry Potter is "evil" from Gavin's Blog.com
United States: The pastor of a New Mexico church declared that Harry Potter is the devil and he is destroying people as he urged his congregation to join in a book-burning the Taliban would've been proud of. Pastor Jack Brock... [Read More]
Tracked on November 8, 2003 4:13 AM
» Harry Potter is Evil from Opinion
I was wandering through the hallowed halls of the Pagan Prattle today and ran across an old article. It was about some loony fundamentalist in New Mexico indulging in that favourite pastime of all nut cases who wish to keep their flock in the dark R... [Read More]
Tracked on December 17, 2003 4:23 PM
Comments
1: Posted by: Amanda T. | March 17, 2003 1:44 PM
Ok, can you honestly say that Harry Potter is evil? I'm sure that J.K. Rowling did not intend to cause such a riot over her HARMLESS childrens novels. I am 15, and a highschool student, and one of my favorite book series are Harry Potter. They do not teach "the work of the devil" and they don't encourage me to go out and learn Wicca! They teach kids to open their eyes to their surroundings, to open their imaginations, to believe the impossible. I mean is Toy Story the work of the devil too? Because now when I look at my stuffed animals and think "are you alive?!" All this stuff about Harry Potter being evil is rubbish, and yes the movies sucked, but the books should be praised. J.K. Rowling is one of the best authors since J.R.R. Tolkien, and you can't say that Lord of the Rings is the work of the devil either.
2: Posted by: Amanda | April 24, 2003 7:09 PM
I see why you do not think the Harry Potter books are evil, but have you looked into it? I'm reading this book, Harry Potter and the Bible by Richard Abanes. He shows in his book how the 'fantasy' of Harry Potter is evil. You see, J.K. Rowlings uses actual examples of witchcraft in her "harmless children stories." I used to love the books myself, but then I was told they were evil. I didn't want to believe it at first, but after looking into it I realized that Harry Potter is sugar coated evil. I decided that *** was more important to me than any book or story, and that even if there was question on is Harry Potter evil, I would give it up for ******. I mean, what has Harry Potter done for you? He has done nothing, but ***** has. ******* ****** ***** So please consider what might lie beneathe the 'innocent' stories of Harry Potter. Thank you. *** *****!
3: Posted by: Feòrag | April 24, 2003 9:08 PM
If you read the article Harry Potter and the Fundamentalist's Mind, you will find that all the folklore and magic in the books can be found in another book. If you want to campaign to ban Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable...
By the way, please try not to use obscene language.
4: Posted by: Drew | May 6, 2003 4:23 PM
Truly we seem to have become a reactionary society. Harry Potter books are works of fantasy that come from a long tradition of literature. There is little new here. As for the charges that they sugar-coat evil? Well, I'd say the same for creation science and fundamentalist Christianity. Both deny God's power and ultimate knowledge beyond anything you'd find in a biology book or Lord of the Rings. In fact, if there is one thing that binds fantasy books together, it is the tradition that an unknown power benignly bestows upon mankind extraordinary gifts with which to fight evil. I will not convince those who believe that all mention of witchcraft and the occult is evil. They claim that just the notion of these ideas will corrupt and therefore must never be confronted. But that is what Harry Potter does. It confronts ideas. This is what literature is about. If the only piece of literature we need is the bible, then the human intellect is useless and must have been bestowed upon us by a tyrannical deity wishing us to doom ourselves. I happen to have a better opinion of God than that.
5: Posted by: andrew meaden | May 10, 2003 2:43 PM
Harry is the devil. he is evil he smokes crack and has rampent sex orgies in the domertries of hogwarts. this is why we should WORSHIP him and offer him sacrifies of blood and sinew. then we can all dance around burning beans like i do.
HA HA HA?
!!!!"""$"£%£w$exshds^$*sxsx$^w£eye*$em$$sdnx&%s£&
6: Posted by: ~WhereDaPetzAre~ | May 18, 2003 9:33 PM
Seriously, I can't believe this. Harry Potter may do the things that God tells us not to but it's not like if you read them you start going to websites on the devil and start worshiping the devil and asking him for power. Get real! It is just a great book that enhances the imagination.
7: Posted by: Jessica | May 26, 2003 1:49 AM
HP S PR VL!!! T SHLD B BNND FRM THS PLNT!! T GS GNST VRYTHNG N TH BBL, ND GD HTS T!! RD TH BBL!! WHT S THS WRLD CMNG T!! GSH PPL, WHY R W S BLNDD THT W CN NT VN S TH EVL N RDHG BK BT VL!! MY GDNSS,PPL PRVRBS 17:15 TH LRD DSPSS THS WH SY THT BD S GD ND GD S BD!!!!!! HLL, CN'T GT NY CLRR THN THT, ND FR TH XCS THT HP S NLY BK..... WLL TH BBL S NLY BK T!!! GD BLSS, ND PLS S WHT TH DVL S TRYNG T D!!
8: Posted by: Yugi | May 26, 2003 5:52 AM
EVERYBODY WHO SAYS THAT HP BOOKS ARE EVIL ARE IDIOTS! HP IS JUST A BOOK THAT CHALLENGES THE IMAGINATION! THEY ARE IDIOTS I TELL YOU!!!!
IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9: Posted by: Feòrag | May 26, 2003 11:55 AM
Jessica: I know it's fun to impersonate fundies to take the piss out of them, but if you go completely over-the-top like that, it isn't very convincing. The bit where you admit "THE BIBLE IS ONLY A BOOK" is a peach though.
10: Posted by: Eric A. | May 29, 2003 1:43 AM
ok, here is my shpeal, harry potter has been around for a long time and i know people who think harry potter is pure evil, my friend wanted to read it and she flipped out in the car and told him absolutley not and that if i ever wanted to hang out with him again i could not have the book with me. she acted like it was the book of shadows or something, i think that something with so little power has no meaning if you dont want it to. it only makes you fear it because you let it. i am a part or a christian based religion called unity and i have been told i am going to hell for it but i read the bible and qoute it. i do not bielieve in the devil or sin. i have seen many people who hate harry potter liking chronichles of narnia and they dont find that bad. sadly chronicles of narnia and lord of the rings are no "worse" than harry potter. i fear that many will think that j.k. rowling worships the devil or something. she wrote a book that saved kids everywhere from things like pokemon including me. harry potter made reading fun because it showed you the power of life and love esspecially the parental kind. those who critisize the book but dont read are the ones i have a problem with if you dont like it fine, but dont smash it until you have done your reading and dont be sucked into what others say just because they say it and you feel it must go that way. form your own opinion and think hard about if harry potter should be banned. by the way. harry potter does not have wild and crazy sex origys in his dorm room, he hasnt even kissed anybody. oh so he asked a girl to go to a school ball with him big deal. everybody does.
11: Posted by: KWL | May 29, 2003 11:02 PM
Harry Potter is a story about frienship, bravery, and magic. I think it's funny how people get so passionate over how much they hate it. It's a kid story (and a great book)--that's all. I love it and all, but honestly, it is just like any other fantasy book, full of fun and mystery. One can't expect to have a whole genre banned! Harry is a brave boy who has a lot of troubles and a strict sense of his morals. I never noticed him making animal sacrifices or worshipping the Devil in any of the books and I've read them all fifteen times!
~KWL
PS- If HP turns people on to Wicca, so what? Wicca is a perfectly fine religion. Do your research and you'll see.
12: Posted by: eric a | May 30, 2003 5:42 AM
thank you i tottaly agree and yes wicca is a perfectly fine religion i have many friends who are wiccan. yes i guess according to the divout haters that makes me go to hell....
13: Posted by: Lara | June 3, 2003 6:41 AM
Did someone say god hates Harry Potter? Really? Does anybody think he hates anyone? Well, ok mabey he does, but think of it this way. God is suposably all powerful, he can do ANYTHING right? Well if he can do ANYTHING then why doesn't he just totaly erase every person he (or she, who knows?) hates and be done with it. o wait, mabey he DOESN'T hate anyone or anything. he created us! It would be like if you drew a crapy picture and just kept it because you made it.
14: Posted by: Ivan | June 12, 2003 12:47 PM
I don't think Harry is an awful movie!!!Even there are few shots are quite horrible ,but i feel the whole story ,content is quite interesting.....
Even though the movie is not educational,it still quite suitable for children !!!
15: Posted by: jerel | June 21, 2003 12:04 AM
How about all the bigots out there just give up already? The more you try to get rid of something because you state it's evil, the more people will want to know about it. For the sake of it, doesn't "your" bible state: Judge not, lest thou be judged thineself?
I follow the principles of the Wiccan faith, and I find all of you to be completely pointless. Go Away!
16: Posted by: tan | June 22, 2003 11:05 AM
Evil, evil, evil, Harry Potter is not. Good, good, good, the Bible is not.
The Bible promotes intolerance of other religions, with all the "you are with us, or you are going to hell" crap. The business of the Jews owning Israel is the main cause of the Palestinian problem. You think that the Bible promotes a moral society? Well, not. There are many instances of breaking the rules, such as the case of Rahab, the prostitute. And the Bible is promoting the image of a vengeful, revenge-driven God, which he is not. Give God a little more credit. An all-compassionate being would not smite the enemies of the Jews, like the Egyptians, with death of first-born (doesn't God create all life?). In fact, the description of God in the Bible is something like a despotic, tyrannic ruler who rules by fear, punishing his own creations with eternal suffering in hell, far from the all-merciful, all-loving being he is supposed to be. And the Bible also condemned all other religions to hell, with Christianity the only religion. (implying that other religions can do no good). And the Bible gives a skewed account of the world. (the world was created in 6 days, totally wrong). Which is surprising that the Bible is a GOOD book while Harry Potter is somehow evil.
Harry Potter, on the other hand, is nothing more than a child's novel. Unlike the Bible, it doesn't seek to impose its morality others. And Harry Potter, is about the struggle between Good and Evil, something we all can identify with. It is a work of fiction, but unlike the Bible, does not claim to represent truth. (the Bible cooks up stories and force you to believe them) At most, we can make the case that Harry Potter doesn't do much, other than diversion. But evil? Harry Potter, to date has not caused any wars (the Bible was the basis for the Crusades, a terrible war between Moslems and Christians), nor has it caused any terrible state conflicts such as the Palestinian problem. It does not teach intolerance, unlike a certain book. Thank goodness we had the good sense of separating religion from politics. Otherwise, we would still be in medieval times, where people get killed at Inquisitions due to something said in an ancient book.
You'd think that the Bible would be denounced forever, condemned as sin, and burnt at book burning festivals, for all the hatred it has generated, for all the blood it spilt, and for all the intolerance it caused.
If the Bible can get away without being branded an EVIL book, why must Harry Potter suffer the title SATANIC book? Just because it claims to be HOLY, we shouldn't let it off the hook.
Encouraging the occult. Granted, Harry Potter is about witched and wizards, but there is nothing wrong about that. So what if magic is freely used?
God the Almighty couldn't possibly have felt threatened by fantasies of humans. Magic isn't real; only a whimsical hope to get things done at the pointing of a wand. Anything dangerous about that? And those saying it threatens the Christian life, well, there is a saying. "True gold does not fear a fire". If Christianity was really THAT powerful, and good, it wouldn't fear children's books, would it? Neither would God. Or is Christianity just one of those fake gold that is destroyed the moment it encounters the "real" world?
17: Posted by: skep | June 23, 2003 4:47 PM
Well, actually, the bible does not say that other religions are going to hell. In fact, the only mentions of hell in the bible are of a place where garbage and criminals bodies are burned i.e. a dump, and as the lake of fire where after christ has ruled for a thousand years (post apocalypse) those who rebel against his rule will be cast into to die "the second death" . There is no mention of eternal torment.
I think what you are trying to quote is actually the verse which reads "jesus is the way to eternal life, and the only way to father is through the son", big difference there.
Much the way people who haven't read HP should not comment on it, the same holds true for the bible. Having read both, I must say that there is much to be wary of in HP. Do not get me wrong, I have read all the books, and enjoyed them, as stories. However many people have been lead down a path into Satanism begining on the road with HP. The head of the church of Satan recentlly said "We love (HP Books) our membership applications a through the roof, and they are mostly virgins, which is great for us!"
Some Wiccan groups also are not healty practioners, and include aspects of Satanism. I listend to a Wiccan freind discourse on this no more than a year ago.
And any Wiccans out there will agree that someone practicing magick based solely on the HP books, and some website they found through a search engine, could get themselves into some serious trouble. As a Christian (devout) I fear for their souls. I pray that all readers of this list who read HP be careful of what they get out of it.
God Bless You
Skep
18: Posted by: Ieva Kasku | June 26, 2003 1:28 AM
HARRY POTTER ROX MY SOX!!!! Seriously, people, repeat after me: It. Is. Only. A. Book. Now see, that wasn't so bad! What is so evil about it? I've read all of 'em at least 10 times each, yet I don't dance 'round fires at the full moon chanting and wearing a mask! And so what if some of the spells are real? It doesn't really matter, she probobly just based hers of of them instead of bothering to make her own up! They're imaginative adventure novels. You say, 'What about the kids who now wish they could do magic?'. Who hasn't at some point? I, personally, have always wished that I could shapeshift and work magic, before I had even heard of Harry Potter. Y'all are seriously overreacting.
19: Posted by: Justin | June 26, 2003 1:43 AM
Wow, well. First off Wica is a religion that is practiced by nerds/outcasts who either a) practice it because their friends or b) because they think it's like d&d except for in real life. Now for Christianity, well orthodox Christianity, people that get upset about entertainment are morons. Just because you think that Harry Potter is evil and morally wrong dosn't mean that you have to get out the old soap box and preach about it to people who probably could give a rats ass. And besides, who's to say that Christianity is right anyway? Who's to say that the Bible is even right? You? Me? Nobody. In short believe what you want, hate who you want, just let the kids have their book. At least these kids are reading.
20: Posted by: Ruby | June 27, 2003 10:24 PM
OKAY,FIRST OF ALL-How the heck should you know what God hates?How do you know he even CARES?And if God is such a powerful being,why should he/it care what worships him/it or not?Don't tell me you have visited god.
Christians can be pitiful unless they have any sense at all,
Ruby
21: Posted by: Tessie | June 29, 2003 1:46 AM
Ok, first off, it's Wicca, not Wica.
Like it or not, Wicca is one of the fastest growing spiritual paths in the world. It is not a fad, or part of an RPG game. I'm sure if you open your mind and investigate, you can find a lot of information on the web and in bookstores that will allow you to understand what Wicca really is. Or you can continue to watch Buffy and believe that the answer is there...
Moving on...
There is no connection between the Wiccan path and Harry Potter. None whatsoever. None of the magic performed in the books is Wiccan in any way shape or form. No Wiccan spirituality is present in the books in any way shape or form.
If you really have read the books you will see that Christmas (Christian holiday) is celebrated at Hogwarts, not Yule, (Wiccan sabbath). That's just one example. There are many more
Free your mind and the rest will follow
Tessie
22: Posted by: Bush | June 29, 2003 8:19 PM
Hi
just a comment in the seccond post it goes
"He has done nothing, but ***** has. ******* ****** ***** So please consider what might lie beneathe the 'innocent' stories of Harry Potter. Thank you. *** *****!"
with the stars being swear words what does the bible say about swearing if you followed the bible then you wouldn't be swearing so by sound of it you don;t have a grasp on the Bible so before condeming HP using the bible as your reason learn the bible first.
cheers
Russell
23: Posted by: Warlord | July 2, 2003 11:57 PM
Little do the retards trying to ban HP know, they are helping book sales. if it was'nt for those people, I would have never read the books. KEEP TRYING TO BAN THE BOOKS RETARDS! SO THE AUTHOR CAN GET MORE MONEY TO MAKE MORE BOOKS!!!!
24: Posted by: Warlord | July 3, 2003 12:00 AM
P.S Wiccan is not evil. from what ive reserched they don't even know who the Satan is.
25: Posted by: Yo | July 3, 2003 12:14 AM
Harry potter needs to get laid. I hope Hermione and harry get into that 4 poster bed and pull the curtans down and lock the door. and have Ron Weasley get the camra and start filming. Its going to be magical!
26: Posted by: vilarane | July 3, 2003 7:42 AM
The only reason I ever read the books was because I heard some TV evangelist stating that Harry Potter says "Jesus Christ died because he's weak". So, naturally, I read the books to see if this is true. Of course, I never found any quotes that remotely sound like that. I also checked out the Church of Satan website and there is no evidence they even care about Harry Potter (check the Urban Legend websites and you'll find a thing or two about those so-called quotes!).
I did, however, find a Bible study based on the Harry Potter books. Instead of purchasing books she doesn't agree with, throwing them into a fire, teaching her children to be wasteful and that she has more important things to do instead of spend time with them, this mom is reading the books *gasp* WITH her children and helping them learn something from them. Those kids are getting in great bonding time with Mom and learning to relate their faith to pop culture all at the same time.
If everything is "for the sake of the Children", then lets stop wasting our time and resources burning books, stop listening to rumors (thou shalt not bear false witness!), and stop getting on high horses about which religion is good for everyone. Research things as best you can and tell the children why we think something is good or bad and back it up with evidence of your own behavior! If you raise them right, give them morals and values, they will follow the right path, regardless of the books they read. God reads hearts, not fiction.
27: Posted by: michael | July 9, 2003 1:02 AM
WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL OVER SOME BOOKS AND MOVIES????????????There good books and I dont see how its going to hurt anybody.I am a cristain and I love the books and all the other stuff.And besides its fantisywhats the WORST thing it could do.The stores are about being brave helpfull and caring so I thing it does more good than bad.They make kids want to read. Isnt that Good?J.k Rowling probubly dint intent for them to couses such a riot!!!!!!!!!!!1 she probubly intended them to be fun for people to read and the are.
28: Posted by: Kyra | July 9, 2003 2:37 PM
does anybody have a livejournal?
well if you do, join this great anti-harry potter community!
www.livejournal.com/users/fuckharrypotter
29: Posted by: steven | July 10, 2003 12:43 AM
what I would like to know is do the idoits that think the books evil hate it just because its populer or have they alwas hated it
Because i dont here much on Tamora Pierce who has wrote many storeies all fanticy with lots of gods and goddes in it
when harry potter has never said there is no god etc
P.S. tamora pierce RULES
30: Posted by: john | July 11, 2003 6:03 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Harry potter is nothing more than a book. It does not suggest that any child whatsoever should begin or try witchcraft. This commotion concerning Harry Potter being evil is nothing more than the ranting of a dull-minded, ignorant extremist. It is soo sad to see how people twist and sqeeze something that entertains millions of children and adults worldwide, and change it to something evil and of the devil. No direct quote from all 5 books support the assumptions that Harry potter promotes Satanism. It is just fantasy. Nothing more.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
31: Posted by: Hardcase | July 16, 2003 12:24 AM
Credentials (if they matter to anyone):
I am 47, male, and have read the Lord of the Rings cover to cover (9 times)since I was a boy, and The Hobbit 14 times. I have read all of the Narnia books and enjoyed them, as well as many other fantasy novels (and other fiction), Zelazny, Clarke, Anthony, Herbert, and Howard being among my favorites.
I majored in Religious Studies in college and am employed as a writer of nonfiction (sadly) today, although I have written creatively (and for profit) in the past.
I had given up on fiction for years because so much of it was formulaic. One tired derivative or imitative plot after another (I know there's a lot of good stuff out there still--I just haven't found it yet).
Then my wife influenced me to pick up Harry Potter. Juvenile though it was, I found it opened up a new and fascinating world for me. In addition to finding a surprise on nearly every other page and being introduced to a menagerie of magical creatures drawn from both familiar and unfamiliar mythologies, I was struck by the moral and practical dilemmas that complicated the lives of Harry and his friends.
The magical world of Harry Potter is but the beautifully crafted backdrop that keeps us entertained while we experience both the wonder and the pain that Harry experiences. He is young, naive, and blessed with special abilities, but also is cursed from birth and must live under a constant death threat. As readers, we watch him grow up in his world while facing both ordinary and extraordinary problems and wonder how he'll hold up in the end. He faces moral, practical, social, and supernatural dilemmas and must deal with his feelings throughout. Young readers can identify with him in these, and older readers like myself can recall our own experiences. The plot twists and turns, becoming more complex with every volume. Like most movies, books, and stories, there are good guys and bad guys, and we know the hero will come out all right in the end. But the details of Harry's every escape always surprise, if not thrill, making every book a terrific (and all too quick) read.
In conclusion, I like Harry Potter and I love J.K. Rowling for bringing him to us (Work faster, J.K.!). She is brilliant, amazingly imaginative, and writes simple but always interesting prose. I have been thoroughly surprised at my enjoyment of her books, and I can only look forward hungrily to her next two continuations of Harry's story.
Those who dislike the books, and have read them, are of course entitled to their own opinion. Those who dislike them without reading them, which appears to include the majority of Harry's critics, may look within themselves to discover why. Perhaps they don't like anything that's TOO popular. Or perhaps they are jealous of the author's talent and success. A good therapist might be useful.
And for those who believe Harry Potter is a work of the devil that encourages children to experiment with black magic, I have three comments as someone raised in the Baptist church:
1. Where is your faith? Do you believe so little that you fear so much? Your religion teaches you to trust in God and fear nothing but Him. Put your pitchfork and torch back in the shed and turn on the evening news. If you're going to fret, there are worse things to fret about.
2. Where is your faith in your children? Have you raised them to be so foolish as to believe they can wave a wand, speak an incantation, and something will happen? If so, they will fail and give up the idea, as you and I did when we stopped wondering if animals could really talk (per the Disney movies). Not many of us who dreamed of flying like Superman actually jumped off a roof. Even the slow ones knew better. Teach your children as you will and relax.
2. Don't be one of those Christians who sadly forgets that Jesus warned against casting judgment. He didn't run around trying to run the pagans out of town or condemning people right and left for their sins, and you're not supposed to either. You are forbidden to judge anyone, and commanded to leave that to God alone. Go back and read the Book again--read the Gospels twice. Then live as He did as you can. Unless you want to stay a Pharisee.
32: Posted by: blbs | July 16, 2003 6:03 AM
Harry Potter is nothing more than the Samantha Stephens of today. For those of you that have forgotten the 1960's T.V. show, Bewitched, it was about a mortal man married to a witch with some very peculiar parents. It was an extremely funny program and is still funny today.
I wonder if it stayed on T.V. so long because it was evil?
33: Posted by: Joshua Enos | July 18, 2003 1:01 AM
You "Christians" who condemn the Harry Potter books as tools of the devil are heretics who don't understand the Christian faith. The key word here is "motive". Your core and only motive in condemning the Harry Potter books and refusing to read them is nothing more than pretense, a way to make you appear more holy -not to others but to yourselves. By refusing to read the Harry Potter books on account that they are "evil" you are in effect no different than the Pharisees of Jesus day who considered themselves right with God because they washed their hands in the ceremonial way passed down by the ancestors before they ate. My Christian God has an extremely serious problem with people who consider themselves morally superior to others because they don't read or allow their children to read the Harry Potter books and meanwhile they treat others cruelly and have children all over the place.
34: Posted by: Becky L | July 19, 2003 8:47 AM
I'd just like to say that:
1. Harry Potter is a Fantasy Book
2. HP Does not promote Satanism
3. The Bible could be right about lots of things, but not HP
4. Judgement is for 'God' to do.
5. HP is a helpful, creative book, which has captured the imaginations of thousands of people all over the world and will probably encourage many more children to 'get into' reading and literature. HP may even mean that the world is a better place in years to come - reading is the foundation of learning.
Do not judge a book by its cover. HP is a very good book, and for this reason, I give praise to J.K Rowling. Note: Yes, I am Christian, and I do not think that Satan is the answer, but I do think as the ancient Hindu story of the elephant goes:
A blind man and his three blind companions had never seen an elephant before. So the people around them brought to them an elephant, so they could get an idea of what it looked like.
The first man touched the trunk, and though it was like a tree, the second man touched an ear, and thought it was like a fan and the third man touched its tail and thought it were like a rope.
Each man was touching the same thing, but understood different parts, each one thought he was right, but none had the whole answer.
Does the Elephant represent God? and the men, the religions? Or does the elephant represent the correct answer, and the men,those who ask the question?
Have your own opinion. Read HP before you judge it. You like it, okay, you don't, too bad. HP is not a false idol, nor is it something evil, but an innocent fiction, so enjoy it.
So, to J.K, congrats.
-Becky Lavelle
35: Posted by: Sue | July 25, 2003 4:38 AM
In all fairness, I don't think Amanda's asterisks were swearwords. If you read it, theyre clearly there in place of holy words, which must stem from the fact that you're not technically supposed to write the name of God down. I can't tell what the long string is, towards the very end, but I can't imagine why she'd need to blank out anything but "god" itself. Either way, from the tone of her post, it doesn't sound like she was swearing.
That's all. I'm not even going to debate my stance on Harry Potter not being evil, because it's too ridiculous.
. . ridikkulus even. Chee! Lupin forever. ^_~
36: Posted by: Feòrag | July 29, 2003 3:53 PM
*I* inserted the asterisks - the old policy for dealing with evangelical nonsense. The new policy is simply to remove all the vowels.
37: Posted by: Simone | August 3, 2003 4:10 AM
First i wanna say 2 things- 1. i am an Orthodox Christian and very proud, 2. I luv the Harry Potter book series and movies. Ok i can understand why some Christians mite think that Harry Potter is the devil or w/e, but he's not. If you've actually read the books like have hundreds of times you will see specific things such as Harry has a GODFATHER, meaning he was baptized, and that they celebrate CHRISTMAS and EASTER so they believe in the birth and the death and resurrection of out Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As for the spells they're probably just completely made up, that's basically the concept of this whole book fantasy and imagination. The last thing i want to say is that you should just read them and you will see that they're just fine.
To J.K, who deserves everything she has as she was poor single mom before writing these wonderful books, i say YOU GO GIRL!!
(Crude attempt to obtain free advertising at my expense excised)
Simone
38: Posted by: Joshua Reubens | August 4, 2003 6:03 PM
There are many books, movies, games ect out there that fundamentalists will jump up and call evil but you must understand that only those that are good TARGETS will be haunted by these people for any length of time. First came D and D then Smurfs, then Magic the Gathering and now Harry Potter. Whatever is in the spot light and will put them in the spot light is their chosen enemy. Think about it.
Josh
39: Posted by: Satan | August 6, 2003 12:48 AM
I fucked gods wife last night. What r u gonna do about it, bible thumpers!!!!!!!!!
40: Posted by: AC0402 | August 12, 2003 1:30 AM
"Pastor Jack Brock of the Christ Community Church in Alamogordo admitted he had never read the books."
If he's never read the books,it means he's completely ignorant to the subject, so I ask myself "then why listen to the asshole in the first place." I have my opinion and he has his, and until he physically stops me from reading what I like, I say, screw him.
HP fan 'til I die
41: Posted by: Erin S. | August 18, 2003 10:57 PM
What the fuck do you think you are doing that bitch Amanda is right who the hell are you.Your preist person can go fuck a donkey for all I care I think that Eminem rocks I don't give a fuck if that guy you think is a preist sais, he just does not apreciate good music! What next your mom also is from the devil. Lets torment your fukin' priest with "EVIL EMINEM RECORDINGS" until he dies.
PS Go fuck a cow! You bastard!
42: Posted by: Sam | September 11, 2003 5:04 AM
Honestly. Harry Potter is a book, and a damn good one at that. Look I am 13 years od and I think all the morons who think the book is dangerous should at least take the courtesy to read it before they start telling the world it's dangerous and harmful. It's not healthy for kids to be bought up around their parents if they teach them that crap. GOD get over it
43: Posted by: Samantha | September 15, 2003 5:04 AM
Harry Potter is not evil. No-one critisized The Wizard of Oz, Glinda is a witch and she is called Glinda the Good. No-one citisized The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, why because the guy who wrote it was CHRISTIAN!!! But you know there is no bised comments made. No-one critisized the Bible. You are supposed to see the best in people and give things ago. Children have the write to read whatever they want ( in reason) without their parent burning the books and plant crazy ideas in thier heads. You are ADULTS act like it.
44: Posted by: Kacy | September 26, 2003 11:27 PM
ok first of all Harry Potter is one of the best books i've ever read. second Harry Potter not evil, it's exactly the opposite the characters give some kids a role model for instance i personally look up to Dumbledore a man full of wisdom and knowledge. I quote : "It's our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."-Dumbledore. Now to me isn't that giving children the message to make better choices and to take into consideration the choices other people make so they don't hang around the "wrong" crowd. As to these parents whom snatch Harry Potter books out of their children's hands don't they realize that they might as well shove the remote and tv guide into their laps. What do these parents expect their kids to go do, get the bible and read that? now what kid is gonna do that?
45: Posted by: Kacy | September 26, 2003 11:42 PM
P.S. is it so bad that children think magic is real? Isn't that what being a kid is about? Let the kids believe in magic, let them exercise their imagination and create their own world to escape to.I just don't see what's so wrong with that.
46: Posted by: Rush | October 30, 2003 5:28 AM
Wow...book burning... If you all take any of these comments seriously let it be this one. Be afraid of anyone who burns books becuase it is these people who are trying to control you and make it so you cant make your only decision. Be wary of anyone who feels the need to burn a book. Yes and just like harry potter the bible is just a book also, believe what u want people but do not force ur beliefs on others.
47: Posted by: Nisa | November 6, 2003 4:03 AM
I agree Harry Potter should be laid, at least if Hermione doesn't theres always Hagrid and Dumbledore.
48: Posted by: Red Wolf | November 6, 2003 11:19 AM
Apologies for the multiple pings. Unfortunately MT at my end it notorious for it. I found a hack to prevent receiving duplicate pings, but haven't found anything to stop sending the damn things. Loved the commenting out of the 'swear words' on the delightful Amanda's entry. Since you swapped to the Teresa Nielsen Hayden method, I was curious if you manually disenvoweled the comments or used the plugin
49: Posted by: Feòrag | November 6, 2003 11:36 AM
There's a disemvowelment plug in?
50: Posted by: pericat | November 6, 2003 7:04 PM
A disemvowelment plugin is available from MT Plugins. I have terrible luck with plugins, myself, so I haven't loaded it.
Also, there's something to be said for doing it manually.
(there's also one called "the scripturizer", which I find a bit scary.)
51: Posted by: HP fan no longer | November 9, 2003 7:55 PM
ny chrstn cn tll y tht Gd s ttlly gnst Hrry Pttr. H jst flt t sd tht thy wn't g t hvn h clld thm Dgs (th srcrrs mn). f nyn wnt t g lk t p t's n Rvltns. Hrry Pttr s nt lk ny thr mgc bk. Ths bk hs cmsmng pwr tht's why t's s dmn pplr. My dvc STY WY FR WY! Sr Hrry Ptr s dtld nd msng rd bt s t wrth it? Prsnlly thnk Hrry Pttr s gd bt Hvn s bttr.
Pls fl fr t -ml m fr whppng rgmnt r mr txts gnst HP.
52: Posted by: Vanessa | November 13, 2003 12:22 AM
Lisen, im a cristian and im only 13, i read the bible, and harry potter, my mother has banned me from reading these bookz (she also is a cristian) and she thinkz its full of evil spiretz, i on the other hand love the books, ok think about lord of the rings, bewitched, and many other stroyz that are make believe, yet my mother lovez for me watching those kinds of movies, why is harry potter such a thret? harry iz a a kid whos lost his parents and found a good "home" at a school, where hes taught right from wroung. Now, you dont see me dancing around a fire worshiping the devil. nothing more, nothing less.
ps i seriously dont sapport wicca.
53: Posted by: Red Wolf | November 17, 2003 9:41 PM
And what have we learned from Vanessa, boys and girls? That if your control freak of a mother stops you from reading, it may well have a flow on effect and limit your ability to spell correctly. So when you write drivel in the comments of blogs, the other kiddies will point at you and laugh
54: Posted by: sarah | December 12, 2003 2:01 AM
BORING!!!!!!!!!!!
STUPID!!!!!!!!!!!
U SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!
55: Posted by: May | December 12, 2003 2:03 AM
GO FUCK UR SELF
56: Posted by: Feòrag | December 12, 2003 9:27 AM
Children, do behave yourselves. When you leave school and start looking for jobs, you don't really want this coming up when they google for you, do you? There again, if all you want to do is clean lavatories, this won't be an issue.
57: Posted by: Sionnach | December 14, 2003 9:47 PM
I as a wiccan would like to point out what i feel is "evil". Evangelism. Forcing your views unto others merely because you think that your religion is better, and because you think a unified pool of belief is better than diversity.
For all of you who do not believe in the divine creation, but instead believe in evolution. No species on this planet survived all these years through inertia, but rather by constantly changing and adapting to their surroundings. Your unwillingness to change and accept the new is what limits you. Organised religion is just a mass of fascist propaganda fighting a war against change. Jesus Christ never said anything about millitiristic organisations built upon discrimination against sex,race and belief. Jesus did not say anything about burning pagans for their sins; using herbal remedies, practising healing rites, or merely having a wart. Most of the gentiles that jesus helped were what nowadays would be classed as pagans.
I dont see what everybody has against free sexual acts. Im not promoting them, nor do i endorse or practice them. I just dont see what all the comotion is about. They are just doing something that is key to the existance of any living thing. They are just using a gift that god has given them, and please dont be as naive as to deem it "evil". Obviously i see the dangers of it, with HIV and the like, but if contraception is used, then your practically safe and sound.
As for Harry Potter, i imensly enjoy them, although in retrospect they are a little childish, but than again they are a childrens book. I dont see any references to Wicca, but many to christianity.
Cya^_^, Sionnach
58: Posted by: Jennifer | December 17, 2003 8:45 PM
I just have one question for all those who said things such as "God is against HP" or "God hates HP". How do you presume to know what it is that your deity hates and likes? Do you carry on conversations with him? Does he show up at your door and say "Hey, I don't want you reading these books because I say they're evil"? Who are you to presume to know such things? I mean, come on people! Why don't yu just admit that you only say things like that because you cannot possibly have any other point to support your arguement and are just trying to feel superior to others. Knock it off. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
59: Posted by: Kylie | December 27, 2003 6:27 PM
I really don't understand why Harry Potter has caused such a controversy, honestly! It has gotten me and millions of others away from the television, radio, and computer for hours at a time, and taken me to a world full of magic, mystery and wonder. Has any other book swept through kids this quickly, and fascinated them so much? Not lately. Harry Potter has opened the door to a new world, a world with morals, ideas, plots, both good and bad, that get kids to think. I am only 14 years old, and already I have read so many new and interesting books because of Potter. It opened a whole new world to me, one much like our own. It shows the importance of friendship, loyalty, and bravery, and shows the result of violence, power, and corruption. It tells the truth; that life isn’t always good to you, its not all flowers and candy. You have tough times, but that you can live past them, put them behind you, and rise up to change the world for the better. Harry Potter is not evil, it isn’t promoting the work of the devil and its not converting a generation of kids to the Wicca religion. It’s simply telling the truth about life.
60: Posted by: Chris | December 29, 2003 3:23 AM
Sometimes, I wonder if Christians aren't really working for the devil (if he exists, anyway) themselves.
They're all: "Do what we say! We offer you eternal happiness in heaven. We are the only ones who are right! Everybody else is wrong! Worship God! Give your soul to God!...
Sounds a tad like a satanic message, doesn't it?
61: Posted by: Seraph | January 3, 2004 3:27 PM
In the old testament of the bible god is portrayed as a vengeful spiteful god, punishing his subject to no end but in the new testament he is all kind and forgiving. Why? You Christian's are fools. You have bent and distorted the true meaning of the Bible into a tool to convert others to your 'noble' cause. I am an atheist but I think the Muslims have got it right, we have no right to alter the ancient texts at all, we should read them as they were written, not as they were translated by the 'ROMAN-CATHOLIC BISHOPS'. Who by the way were very corrupt hence the great Schizm. Harry Potter is not the work of the devil, it is a work of the wonderful imagination that God gave us along with free will. We have a choice about what we can believe, and that is what makes the idea of God so appealing to many people.
62: Posted by: the holy one | January 4, 2004 7:30 PM
hello this is the holy one i have come to say why are you burning books harry potter books in fact now listen a sec now i know that there is witches and wizards and lots of other un holy things which you say comes from the devil and you say that god has said that you must burn all harry potter books and anything not to do with god well is it in the bible or somewhere else because i work in a church and i have found nothing out about the god hateing harry potter or the devil making him please post a message back to say what you think of what i have just said please
63: Posted by: the holy one | January 4, 2004 7:33 PM
hello this is the holy one i have come to say why are you burning books harry potter books in fact now listen a sec now i know that there is witches and wizards and lots of other un holy things which you say comes from the devil and you say that god has said that you must burn all harry potter books and anything not to do with god well is it in the bible or somewhere else because i work in a church and i have found nothing out about the god hateing harry potter or the devil making him please post a message back to say what you think of what i have just said please
64: Posted by: the holy one | January 4, 2004 7:33 PM
hello this is the holy one i have come to say why are you burning books harry potter books in fact now listen a sec now i know that there is witches and wizards and lots of other un holy things which you say comes from the devil and you say that god has said that you must burn all harry potter books and anything not to do with god well is it in the bible or somewhere else because i work in a church and i have found nothing out about the god hateing harry potter or the devil making him please post a message back to say what you think of what i have just said please
65: Posted by: the holy one | January 4, 2004 7:33 PM
hello this is the holy one i have come to say why are you burning books harry potter books in fact now listen a sec now i know that there is witches and wizards and lots of other un holy things which you say comes from the devil and you say that god has said that you must burn all harry potter books and anything not to do with god well is it in the bible or somewhere else because i work in a church and i have found nothing out about the god hateing harry potter or the devil making him please post a message back to say what you think of what i have just said please
66: Posted by: Feòrag | January 4, 2004 8:23 PM
It seems the Holy One is completely incapable of reading simple instructions and managed to post six copies of its comment. Still, going by the average understanding of the Bible found on this thread, it seems that this complete lack of reading comprehension is rather common.
67: Posted by: whitney | January 7, 2004 11:49 PM
OMGSH - HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT = THEY ARE NOT EVIL IN ANYWAY - I THINK YOU ARE JUST JELOUS OF HIS FAME - AND YOU KOW WHAT - I AM 16 AND GO TO MY HIGH SCHOOL - PRACTICE NO "DEVIL" WORSHIP OF ANY KIND AND I loVE THE HARRY POTTER BOOKS 0 ALL OF THEM - SO STOP SAYING BAD AND RUDE THINGS ABOUT THE HARRY POTTER !
68: Posted by: Terri | January 8, 2004 4:31 AM
Complete sense of humour failure as well, Feorag.
I'm not sure the i-word is in their dictionaries.
69: Posted by: Dr. Seuss | January 10, 2004 5:02 AM
If you are going to post comments, kindly do so using the FUCKING VOWELS. When did god ban all sense of effective communication? Crazy extremists. Take your meds.
70: Posted by: Feòrag | January 10, 2004 9:28 AM
If you are going to post comments, kindly read the comment form before doing so, where the absence of vowels in the posts of loons is explained. Note also that comments without a valid e-mail address will be either deleted or disemvowelled - I haven't decided which yet.
71: Posted by: Seraphim | January 10, 2004 12:30 PM
Th dvl ds nt rqr stpd chldrns bks t prmt hs mssg y snctmns fls. D y nt vr rls tht vry tm y gssp nd slndr yr fllw bngs, y r gvng yrslf t th Dvl. th vl f sn s nhrnt n ll f Gd's crtn, ll hmns hv snnd nd fr tht w r sntncd t trnl pnshmnt n th trrbl cnfns f Hll! Th nd f th wrld s nr, nd wrn y, rd th bbl cd, bwr f th fls prpht, blv hm nd y wll d scnd, trrbl dth, n th lk f fr nd slphr whn th Chrst rtrns!
72: Posted by: Chris | February 9, 2004 2:20 PM
As a Christian I can see a hidden danger in the books, however those people who go as far as burning them are doing no good for the name of Jesus what-so-ever. If I had children I wouldn't try to introduce them to Harry Potter, however I wouldnt stop them from reading the books or watching the film. What I would do is sit the children down first and talk with them about witchcraft. I will tell them that this is only a story but real witchcraft does exist. I will also tell them that witchcraft is dangerous, however I will tell them that most witches and pagans are really nice people and that we should love them with all our hearts although we dont condone what they do.
73: Posted by: Allison | February 25, 2004 1:51 AM
First of all I would just like to say how much I have enjoyed reading all of your comments, they are very funny. And second of all I would just like to agree with those of you that think Harry Potter is a wonderful series and is not evil in anyway. Am I the only Christian in the world who likes these books and sees nothing wrong with them whatsoever? I am looking forward to reading these to my children and will applaud them if they have an imagination and show it. I will of course teach them that they are make believe stories and that they should not try the things in them. I love arguing about this topic so if anyone disagrees with me feel free to do so!
74: Posted by: boz | February 28, 2004 11:52 PM
I think alot of people who have made comments here need to a)learn about witchcraft before they talk about it, and b)learn about satanism before they talk about, because if anyone thinks either of these things are related to Harry potter, each other, or the devil in any way, then they are very much mistaken.
75: Posted by: A Fan of Harry Potter | April 8, 2004 6:35 PM
Harry Potter isn't a bad thing! The books got me into reading! We know it's fiction! As for the magic, there's hardly any spoken magic at all! It's just about a boy who has an aunt and uncle who just don't seem to understand him. He has a stressful life. This book has a hero who goes against bad people! And if you disappove of the books, DON'T READ THEM! Don't take it out on your kids! If they enjoy the books and you enjoy seeing them happy, what's the problem? Taking their joy away is like saying you enjoy seeing them sad! Fairy tales have had magic in them, do you try to throw them away? NO! Look into reality people! This is a lot coming from me, but it annoys me to see people making a big deal over nothing! You're not convincing me people! And actually read the books why don't ya! Read them and then judge! Honesly people, you are making a big deal over nothing! That's all from me!
76: Posted by: Jessie | April 10, 2004 3:14 AM
Okay this is what people are saying: "Voldemort taught Quirell,"There is no good or evil, there is only power" the series is evil"
My answer:"Who cares what Voldemort thinks!? He's the bad guy! Voldemort mislead Quirell just like he did you! Harry didn't go over to his side, did he? NO! Harry has been against Voldemort since yer one! If you only read that one quote then you are out of your mind! That's like saying you're on Voldemort's side! What's the point of having books if you don't read them? Well, people, I'm 12 and I love the series and you know what, you ain't convincin me! Oh, and my dad's a christian preacher and he like em and he's readin em! Get a life!"
77: Posted by: Anna Sistare | April 10, 2004 4:05 PM
I am a Christian and a minister's wife. When I was a young Christian I also saw everything in black and white. I was a child in Christ and therefore thought as a child. Whoever wasn't for God was against him. The Harry Potter books at no time denounces Jesus. At no place in the books is magic held up as a religion. The books are simplistic books of good and evil where magic is being used for both good and evil. The main thing I'm seeing now is a lot of people making a lot of money denouncing Harry Potter. Why are they not denouncing fairy tales, J.R.R.Tolken, and TV shows about witches and demons? Is it because there is no money in it? The main thing coming out of controversey is more and more people wanting to read the books to see what all the uproar is about. Are the "Christian writers working for JK Rowling's publicity agents? She should thank them.
78: Posted by: Ashlyn | May 19, 2004 6:39 PM
HARRY IS EVIL! Kidding! Harry potter is a role model and any one who says he's evil is an idiot. Grow up, it's a book! it's fiction. Parents: you let your kids watch television and movies where people get gutted! You read them fary tales. F***ing grow up! God, if it makes people happy leave it alone. God gave us free choices and a life of our own. Imagination is a gift and we should have it while we grow and be old and boring when we're old.
79: Posted by: Urwen | May 27, 2004 9:04 AM
Excuse me.
Anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of Witchcraft knows perfectly well that the Harry Potter books depict CEREMONIAL magic. Anything Rowling's wizards share with Gardnerian Wicca has come via the ceremonial Golden-Dawn Hermetic stuff. There is nothing shamanic, nothing a cunning man/woman would do in those books (with the possible exception of certain potions).
I do not need a wand to cast a spell. A wand is helpful, but not vital. Harry is practically helpless without one (unless his subconscious decides to do things for him, like launching him on top of school roofs and suchlike)
80: Posted by: Feòrag | May 27, 2004 11:32 AM
Urwen: the magic in Harry Potter doesn't even resemble ceremonial magick, apart from really superficially (i.e. it involves ceremonial acts). What it is, is made-up fantasy magic with a few references to folklore and mythology - but even that is mostly a fictional folklore originiating in the head of J.K. Rowling. The last print version of the Prattle included an article, Harry Potter and the Fundamentalist's Mind, which looked at claims that there is real magic in the books, and concluded that the people who claimed that were talking out of their fundament.
81: Posted by: jane | May 27, 2004 12:56 PM
For criying out loud!!! how can the books be evill? The how story is about good provaling over evill. onistly, some people arrn't half thik!
P.S, I agree with stephen, Tamora Pierce's books RULE!
82: Posted by: jane | May 27, 2004 1:09 PM
P.P.S: burning books damiges the atmosfire and just playn stinks. anyone that dose it (H.P. or otherwise)is a gimp.
83: Posted by: Urwen | May 27, 2004 3:20 PM
Heh. My face is red. I shall correct my statement to 'magic in the Harry Potter books vaguely resembles ceremonial magic more than witchcraft or wicca, (more focus on equipment) but is missing almost all of the vital ingredients like any kind of theoretical or religious basis' then.
I should be more careful in my ignorantprobablyneverspokentoapaganintheirlivesfundymockery lest I make myself look like an idiot instead.
84: Posted by: Feòrag | May 28, 2004 10:44 AM
Jane: does 'gimp' mean something different where you are? Here it seems like a terribly unfortunate choice of word.
85: Posted by: hllmhrryk stn | May 31, 2004 8:32 PM
Hrr Pttr s ndd vl
Ths s s vrthng ls wth th Dvl snk ttck n d ll d nd ll wk frm r dd stt nd thn ll knw tht t sr ws th dvl tht brght wth hm t th lk f fr
RPNT BFR TS T LT nd ts t lt vr sn
CCPT JSS CHRST S R LRD TD
86: Posted by: ditto | June 3, 2004 12:23 AM
why did u delete the previous post? scrd f th trth...lst sls ll f (YWN)
87: Posted by: Feòrag | June 3, 2004 10:59 AM
Ditto, if you were able to read, you would have seen that the comments form includes the following paragraph:
No €1500 payment arrived, and the advertisement was particularly stupid, so it got disemvowelled. Your comment looks suspiciously like an ad, too - where is the cheque? Bandwidth ain't free, you know? Do Christians regularly steal in this way?
88: Posted by: Ditto | June 3, 2004 5:44 PM
"Stealing my bandwidth" - clutching at straws here. and i dont operate in euros, besides your "imaginary religion" aint worth this page its written on. oh my.
il pry fr , sad people. :-) goodday
89: Posted by: Feòrag | June 3, 2004 8:09 PM
Ditto: You appear to be completely unable to understand the English language. The situation is simple - this is my site, and I say that evangelism is advertising, and that advertising costs money. You now owe me €3000 for your two ads, which have been removed until you come up with the cash. Don't worry, I'll take Sterling too - £2000, I merely quote prices in Euros as it's a nice stable currency. If you want to pay in US Dollars, it will be $4000, cash only.
You further demonstrate your lack of reading comprehension when you refer to "your "imaginary religion"". A quick look through this site will reveal that the main authors clearly regard all religion as imaginary, made up, and generally a load of old bollocks, including the one you mistakenly assumed we belong to. It's just that the Pagans very rarely try to force their views on other people, so they hardly get mentioned here except as victims of more intolerant cults.
90: Posted by: ditto | June 3, 2004 9:29 PM
r sd pthtc sr f thnk tht strngrs wll fnd ths nnsnc nd clrl r th n wh s mssng fw brn clls f thnk ths w Hwvr wht gvs th pnn tht rlgn s whl ld f bllx h nd b th w wh ss prt n l b lck t gt mnpl mn frm m gdnght h nd knw th rst n vwls wr sd
91: Posted by: Feòrag | June 4, 2004 12:12 AM
Oh look! Disemvowellment and punctuectomy improves the spelling, grammar and overall sense of Ditto's advertisement. What a surprise.
92: Posted by: Red Wolf | June 4, 2004 3:53 PM
The less than eloquent thtrth is posting from a domain that's in the Blacklist. Can't say I'm too surprised.
93: Posted by: Feòrag | June 4, 2004 10:12 PM
This is due to it being stupid enough to give us a URL the first time round - and as there was no sign of human intelligence, I figured I ought to treat it as a spambot. Anyway, the KJV is still under copyright in the UK, due to some quirk of law, and just quoting random sections without accompanying analysis or review is most certainly not fair use.
As you have The Power, feel free to delete it and add the IPs to the banned list if I appear to be out shopping or asleep when the bot attacks. Its ISP is a major Swedish broadband provider - I have a pet Swede who owes me a favour, so I might get him to look at the ToS and see what it says about posting copyright material to the net...
94: Posted by: spartacus | June 4, 2004 11:29 PM
your site will be very very busy for the coming days...enjoy,lost ones...
95: Posted by: Feòrag | June 5, 2004 8:04 AM
This is fascinating. The last line of a traceroute to 80.191.164.130 which actually resolves says this:
That can't be right, can it?
Now, I'm pretty damn sure being a Christian is illegal in Iran, and it might even carry the death penalty, so I assume that the person issuing the threats isn't actually in Iran, or they'd be keeping a very low profile indeed, and not boasting about their Christianity.
Let's check out the e-mail it gave (johnsmith@johnsmith.com. Hmm, that's interesting... Well it certainly didn't come from a British brewery, for sure!
Perhaps some geek would like to explain why an American fundie AOL user is breaking into an Iranian server to post threats to non-Christian web sites. It's 3am in Florida, so it would be unfair to ring him and ask.