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“dedicated to bringing the themes of Harry Potter into the real world”

BS.

This organization is just another group of moonbat organizers indoctrinating children by pretending to be some sort of pop culture fan club.

People who sign up for this crap go in expecting to do something related to fantasy novels, but the organizers have other plans: namely, distributing progressive propaganda and breeding future community organizers and liberal activists.

They are aware that the Harry Potter books aren't documentaries, aren't they?

Their site is packed full of more unhinged moonbattery than I thought possible.

Take a look at some of the agenda being peddled to children under the guise of a fan club:

No Impact Week!
October 16th, 2009 by paul

Funny that yesterday at the used bookstore I picked up a copy of Colin Beavan’s No Impact Man, and then today, lo and behold, saw this post about the upcoming No Impact Week!

Starting October 18th, No Impact Week challenges us to consider our environmental impact in a new way and start to make new goals that better ourselves and the environment. Huffington Post has published a great and helpful guide, so please check it out and participate!

Magical Acts of Kindness Week!
October 3rd, 2009 by andrew

Start spreading the magic!

The HPA’s Magical Acts of Kindness (MAK) Week is running until October 8. All you have to do is one (or more) thoughtful things for others without them knowing about it. It’s soooo fun and super rewarding.

Facing Down Voldemort
September 23rd, 2009 by andrew

I tend to dislike comparing actual people to regimes. However, I have no problem with comparing “Global Warming” to Voldemort.

..

I imagine somewhere that Global Warming is commanding the Coal Industry to break into the Hall of Prophecy and find out the secrets that will make him more powerful. For now, these regulations are having an effect.

Our Turn
September 2nd, 2009 by andrew

The days when the only people being heard on health care were mentally unstable people showing up to town hall meetings carrying guns is going away. The “guns of August” are over. The screaming masses of people who Fox News convinced through downright lies that health care was going to be something similar to the Third Reich are about to be drowned out as all over the country people are showing up for vigils and town hall meetings to say that the United States pays twice as much as any developed nation for health care yet we have worse health care. And it’s all happening because there are those whose interests in money override their interests in cancer patients.

Senator Ted Kennedy
August 27th, 2009 by andrew

If ever the United States Senate had a leader who would passionately stand up for the rights of minorities, the underprivileged, and a dream of a country and a world where people come together, where beyond their differences their aims are identical and their hearts are opened, it was Ted Kennedy.

Voldemort, Hitler, and Health Care
August 19th, 2009 by andrew

You know what reminds me of Adolf Hitler? Lord Voldemort. JK Rowling has stated on numerous occasions that Voldemort reminds her of Hitler.

You know what does not rem ind me of Hitler? Most things. Mid-afternoon movies. Equality. Holding hands in the rain. None of these things remind me of Hitler. You know what else doesn’t remind me of Hitler? A person who quits their job from an abusive boss and still has access to a doctor. A person who pays for health insurance every month, is diagnosed with cancer and has no greed-driven company telling them they can’t be treated for their cancer because their cancer is a a pre-existing condition. Health care reform does not remind me of Hitler, Voldemort, Nazis, or Death Eaters. On the contrary it reminds me of goodness and love and freedom.

But that’s not stopping the folks at the fear fuled Daily Profit called Fox News from encouraging uninformed Americans who don’t even have good health care that health equality is similar to Nazis and Hitler. Recently a clearly confunded citizen asked openly gay and Jewish Congressperson Barney Frank why he supported health reform that is basically a Nazi plan. Representative Frank spoke up for both the victims of the Holocaust that Fox News continues to exploit as well as the victims of a bad health care system that Fox News continues to exploit and said the following:

Gearing up against Global Warming
August 9th, 2009 by andrew

I just read an article in the NY Times that made me feel the following:

The United States of America is finally having an important debate where:

1- the strained debate on global warming, 2- the too often ignored debate on civilian protection, genocide, and poverty, AND 3- the often sensationalist debate around national security threats for the United States are suddenly interconnected:

...and it goes on and on and on. This is nothing but a liberal activist organization using the cover of fantasy books to indoctrinate children.

Same sex unions in Harry Potter? Which book was that?

“dedicated to bringing the themes of Harry Potter into the real world”

So...we'll all have to arm ourselves with wands to fight the dark lord bent on destroying mundane folk? If only our problems were that simple; instead we have Obama, stealth legislation, and his smug certitude of doing good.

I think I'd rather fight evil; Obama's goodness knows no bounds.

Andrew Slack, the organization's founder and HMIC (head moonbat in charge), not suprisingly, is a HuffPo contributor.

His HuffPo profile explains exactly what his goal is:

Andrew Slack is creator, co-founder, and Executive Director of the the Harry Potter Alliance which takes a creative approach to activism by mobilizing thousands of kids to spread love and fight for justice in the spirit of the Harry Potter novels.

Doe this mean I can bring the Star Wars themes into the real world? Hot damn I always wanted to fly an X-wing fighter and battle evil with a light-sabre. WWWOOOOOHHHHOOOOO!!!!!!

So, about the question of which side of the divide is reality based...

Mr. Slack (how appropriate is that last name?) "lives in both Honolulu and Boston". I wonder what his carbon foot print looks like after jetting back and forth.

Why aren't people allowed to base their lives around Harry Potter books?
Plenty of people have based their lives around the Bible, and that's just a book.

The Bible: 5,000 years of insight into human nature, history and philosophy.

Harry Potter: Made-up crap about wizards and magic.

An idiot: Someone who can't see the difference.

They're still both just books.
They're both works of fiction.
They're both way above my reading level.

By that "logic" it's just as valid to live by "Mein Kampf." It's just a book, after all.

Yup. Moonbats think the Bible is fiction and that Harry Potter needs to be made into reality. A more confused lot you will not find.

Yeah, I mean, where are the mountains of archaeological evidence that the events in Harry Potter actually happened? Where are the Dead Sea scrolls of Hogwarts?

Jeez, not only are they indoctrinating children and perverting a perfectly good book series to fit their twisted goals, the connections that they try to raise are piss- poor at best.

"However, I have no problem with comparing “Global Warming” to Voldemort.
I imagine somewhere that Global Warming is commanding the Coal Industry to break into the Hall of Prophecy and find out the secrets that will make him more powerful."

Um, okaaaay. That doesn't even make any kind of sense, unless his goal is just to make kids think the coal industry (Which provides heat and power to countless Americans) is pure evil.
If they want a way to compare the Harry Potter books to modern American politics, here are a couple much more fitting comparison I've come up with off the top of my head:
1. Rita Skeeter, the sleazy, story- hungry, muckraking reporter in the series would fit in perfectly at CNN or the New York Times.
2. The environment and treatment of dissenting views presented in the fifth book, 'Order of the Phoenix,' is similar to the environment and treatment of dissenting views seen here in modern America. See, in that book, the Ministry of Magic (Basically, the government for the British wizarding world in the series, generally portrayed as mostly a bunch of spineless beaurocrats who tend to do more harm than good) is determined to keep people from believing that Voldemort has returned. So, anyone who claims that he has returned (i.e. Harry and his friends), or otherwise questions the Ministry's views and policies in any way, is slandered in the press, portrayed as a dangerous radical, and generally put through Hell for raising an unpopular opinion. Similarly, in modern America, those who express views that are contrary to Obama's, question any of his policies, or raise truths that he and his liberal ilk would rather stay hidden (i.e. his connections to terrorists, the fact that his health care plan is a disastrous idea which will bankrupt our country, the fact that global warming is largely a hoax, etc.) are similarly slandered in the press ("Racists," "Brownshirts," "Teabaggers," etc.), portrayed as dangerous radicals ("Terrorists," "Right- wing extremists," "mentally unstable people showing up to town hall meetings carrying guns," etc.), and publicly demonized, in an attempt to silence them by any means necessary.
See? I'd say that's a much better way of using the Harry Potter books as an analogy of modern America than anything that pitiful excuse for a propaganda site can churn out.

VtK

It's being suppressed by the Vatican. You see Ms Rowling wrote is as "fiction" to help get the truth out there. /sarc

Humm... never knew Ramses, Alexander the Great, Xerxes, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Tiberius or Augustus were fictional characters. Of course I would not expect those who have never read the Bible to know they are mentioned in the book among many other historical characters like kings and Roman governors. Nor would they know it contains something no other book has; a complete census of the people that left Egypt. Amazingly titled Numbers.

LOL, son of a preacher man

The thing is, first of all, archaeologists have validated the Bible as an accurate historical record of the Jews and early Christians. So, it is not "a work of fiction."

Second, as for the philosophical aspects of the Bible. One of the things that struck me as I taught the Old Testament in Sunday School a couple of years ago, is how little human nature has changed in 5,000 years. Technology changes. Living standards change. But the basic template of humanity remains the same.

Third, as far as it goes, the Bible does provide a very sane and reasonable set of rules and if you follow them, you *will* have a healthy, uncomplicated, fulfilling life.

I don't expect that a dumbass like Aquatarkus is capable of understanding any of that. Nor do I believe he has actually studied scripture. He just mouths what other leftists have told him to say about it.

Buy Guns

"Why aren't people allowed to base their lives around Harry Potter books?

Plenty of people have based their lives around the Bible, and that's just a book."

I've never known anyone who's based his or her life on Harry Potter, so I can't say for sure how that would turn out, although I suspect that basing your life on a work of fantasy fiction might not be the healthiest thing in the world to do. I've known many people who have based their lives on teachings from scripture and they not only generally live very rich and fulfilling lives, they bring a lot of joy and consolation to those who are suffering. I'd say the proof of the pudding is in the tasting.

But Mein Kampf is also just a book. It is a historically important book, but it still just a book.
Problems arise when books are either misinterpreted or their meanings are taken too seriously, as was the case with Mein Kampf (and the Bible).

I am not Aquatarkus.
We share the same IP address.
But quite frankly that's none of your business.

Okay, "Dumbass," let me ask you what you think makes a book "historically important?"

I suspect that basing your life on a work of fantasy fiction might not be the healthiest thing in the world to do
Posted by: Judith M.

In that case, why do people live by the Bible?

The historical aspect only applies to the Old Testament, and even then it's still full ridiculous made up shite. Like that Thou Shalt Not Murder stuff. What a load!

The New Testament is just an outright fabrication, and it is a widely held belief that Revelations was written as an anti-Roman diatribe, written in a form of secret code by Hobbits.

btw, a few more points I forgot to add:
First, there's this from the site:
"The HPA’s Magical Acts of Kindness (MAK) Week is running until October 8. All you have to do is one (or more) thoughtful things for others without them knowing about it. It’s soooo fun and super rewarding."
Umm, a WEEK? Shouldn't kids be encouraged to act that way ALL THE TIME?
Seond, here are a couple of other ways in which I think the Harry Potter series can be seen as an allegory for modern America that are much more believable connections than the crap on that site:
1. Again, in 'Order of the Phoenix,' as part of the Ministry of Magic's campaign to silence dissent on Voldemort's return, it sends one of its members, Dolores Umbridge, to teach at Hogwarts School. Her seemingly sweet front quickly gives way to reveal that she is a cruel, sadistic woman who uses her position as a teacher to simply parrot out Ministry propaganda to her students, and punish those who offer dissenting views. In this sense, she can be seen as representing many public school teachers and college professors, who are more concerned with pushing their liberal views on students than actually teaching them useful skills. Also, if I were to have the opportunity to present this as a lesson to help deprogram kids who were brainwashed by that site, I might juxtapose two clips: First, a clip from the 'Order of the Phoenix' movie, in which Umbridge tells her class, "Let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This is a lie." Next, a clip of Michael Moore saying during one of his speeches, "There is no terrorist threat. It is a lie. It is the biggest lie we were ever told," perhaps accompanied by clips from 9/11 and the 2005 London subway bombing, to make sure the lesson is driven home.
2. In the final book, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,' Voldemort and his followers soon overtake the Ministry, and use its resources to try and capture Harry and anyone else who he considered a threat. Consequently, Harry and many other good guys in the series are forced to go into hiding as fugitives, and the only source they can get for true news on what's really going on in the world around them (Since the Ministry under Voldemort took over all the major papers and used them to further try and turn the public against Harry) is an underground radio broadcast hosted by friends of theirs. Can we say, "Conservative talk radio"?

It's quite simple, Aqua, the Bible is not fiction, it is based on real people and real events, and this is true of both the OT and NT and my claims are backed up by historical and archaeological records.

The Bible is also a time tested formula for living a moral and ethical life for those who take it seriously. And although I will concede that many people throughout history have misunderstood scripture with disastrous results, the opposite is true, as well, and to deny that is to deny reality.

Shouldn't kids be encouraged to act that way ALL THE TIME?
Posted by: Adam

Don't bother, mate.
The concept of doing something good because it's a nice thing to do, rather than doing something good because you want to be rewarded is completely lost on these people. It's easier and more fun to be selfish and cynical, anyway.

You don't seriously believe shit like Noah's Ark actually happened?

There is scientific evidence to support the idea of a massive flood thousands of years ago, which in turn would explain why practically every religion in the world has a flood story, not just Christianity.

The Bible is still mostly bollocks, though.

The alternative to believing in God is believing that the universe spontaneously popped into existence 16 billion years ago, out of nothing, for no reason, and is held together by a magical substance called 'dark matter,' whose existence has never been proven, but which scientists insist must exist because their models of the universe don't work without it.

And, by the way, human life exists only because of a random series of accidents whose probability is approximately equal to the odds of hitting the Powerball every week for a thousand years.

The same scientists who recently had to revise their count of dinosaur species because they had counted juvenile, adolescent, and adult fossils from the same species as three distinct species. (Oopsie)

But remember, science is infallible. Religion is just kooky. (Love thy neighbor, what a load!)

The thing about Christianity is that done properly it requires discipline, self-control, generosity, and constant study. Obviously, it's easier to stand outside and throw stones at Christians than it is to actually gain an understanding of it.

"Don't bother, mate.
The concept of doing something good because it's a nice thing to do, rather than doing something good because you want to be rewarded is completely lost on these people."
Actually no, Aqua, you're wrong again.
American conservatives believe in helping others, especially those in real need, through free- will acts of kindness done purely because it's the right thing to do (i.e. giving a little money or food to a homeless man you see on the street). In contrast, liberals believe in attempting to help the poor through mandatory wealth redistribution, in which people give to help the poor because they are forced to by the government.
btw, I too am greatly offended at the way you mocked the Bible. As an aspiring pastor, I know that the Bible is God's true Word, and you are simply unable to understand it, so you dismiss it as being fiction, when it isn't. I pity you.

"There is scientific evidence to support the idea of a massive flood thousands of years ago, which in turn would explain why practically every religion in the world has a flood story, not just Christianity."

...and Judaism. And yes, practically every religion has a flood story. If there is scientific evidence of a world-wide flood (which the biblical account says), then doesn't that only make sense? A worldwide event witnessed world-wide tends to reinforce the account.

The Noah's Ark point is a straw man.

Basing one's life on philosophical and allegorical points made in old works does not imply taking a modern, literalist approach to those points.

All of the world's major religions contain wise teachings on philosophy and morality, once you separate them from the fiction and parable. Fantasy books written for children are designed to entertain, not teach, and do not contain deep philosophical content.

The alternative to believing in God is believing that the universe spontaneously popped into existence 16 billion years ago, out of nothing, for no reason, and is held together by a magical substance called 'dark matter,' whose existence has never been proven, but which scientists insist must exist because their models of the universe don't work without it.

Not necessarily. Virtually any deeply scientific fact or theory is still compatible with faith-based systems. How do we know that a supernatural being is not the architect of the various laws of nature we observe through the process known as science?

The only people who take exception to such a view are literalists and militant atheists. Spirituality explains that which cannot be observed; science explains that which can be observed. Science can no more prove or disprove faith than faith can prove or disprove science, which is where both the literalists and militant atheists fail. Literalists cannot support any of their claims that conflict with methodological observation, nor can militant atheists demonstrate conclusive proof that there is no supernatural.

Put another way:

Philosophical underpinnings of the Bible: Treat others decently, be moral, learn from the wisdom of those who came before you, be responsible for yourself, acknowledge a higher power.

Philosophical underpinnings of Harry Potter: Spells are magical.

Only a dumbass would fail to see the difference.

"Why aren't people allowed to base their lives around Harry Potter books?
Plenty of people have based their lives around the Bible, and that's just a book.

Posted by: Aquatarkus (Dumbass) at October 16, 2009 11:05 AM

Posted by: Aquatarkus"

The moment you saw the title of this thread, you just knew someone was going to make this comment. The nonconforming freethinkers of the left are nothing if not tediously predictable.

How do we know that a supernatural being is not the architect of the various laws of nature we observe through the process known as science?

Exactly my point. Within the limitation of any one human's experience, the origin and nature of the universe cannot be determined absolutely. Believing in God, and not believing God, are both acts of faith.

Which is the essence of Pascal's wager. This life is the only chip we're given. If we bet it on black (no God) and win, we gain nothing. But, if we lose, we have lost everything. If we bet on red (Yes, God), and win, we have gained everything. But if we lose, we have lost nothing, since there was nothing to win anyway.

it's easier to stand outside and throw stones at Christians than it is to actually gain an understanding of it.
Posted by: V the K

Oh believe me, I tried to understand Christianity, but the overriding aspects of it seem to be bullying those who don't agree with you and rejecting facts that have been proven by research, rather than by introspection. So, obviously, I completely failed to get it, if I even really tried.

So I said fuck it and became an Atheist which is way easier, because I get to be totally selfish and obnoxious.

How do we know that a supernatural being is not the architect of the various laws of nature we observe through the process known as science?
Posted by: V the K

But as an Atheist, I would say how do we know that a supernatural being IS the architect? Which you actually answered in your comment, but I was too thick to understand.

You can't prove God exists and I can't prove God doesn't exist, it doesn't matter as long we're still nice to each other. Being nice does not, on my part, of course, include the obligation to respect the religious choices of others.

Funny picture. Harry Potter; This Sorcerer's Stoned...Harry, completely wasted: "Ooohhh, where am I?" Hagrid: "You're in Brixton, "Arry"

So I said fuck it and became an Atheist.

- Josef Stalin, after dropping out of seminary.

Seriously, you haven't' made a single sensible argument or point other than to sling mud at the faith. Not only that, but you are constantly in factual and historical error.

Pretty poor showing for someone whose religion is supposedly reason and logic.

Maybe you just don't have the debating skills required beyond pre-school.

But as an Atheist, I would say how do we know that a supernatural being IS the architect?
You can't prove God exists and I can't prove God doesn't exist, it doesn't matter as long we're still nice to each other.

Most certainly Sir! But I would say that train of thought makes you agnostic, rather than atheist?

But as an Atheist, I would say how do we know that a supernatural being IS the architect?

That depends on your definition of atheism.

Some atheists are certain that no supernatural being exists.

Other "atheists" choose to not believe in what has yet to be proven.

The "real" atheists fall into the former category. The latter would best be described as agnostics or skeptics.

The atheist fails because he cannot demonstrate conclusively that the entirety of existence is free of supernatural beings, which, for someone who professes devotion to logic, is completely illogical and contradictory. Our inability to perceive that which does not tangibly respond to the laws of nature prevents us from ever proving or disproving such an entity.

This is why religion is perfectly compatible with science, so long as faith is not used to explain the tangible, and science is not used to explain the intangible.

I always laugh when a literalist tries to assert that the universe was created in six days, because God said so, then apparently told it verbatim to a primitive human. I always ask them if it is possible that God made the story up, as a metaphor, to avoid having to explain the intricacies of Einsteinian mechanics to a being which had just been created. I have yet to hear one intelligent response.

Which is the essence of Pascal's wager. This life is the only chip we're given. If we bet it on black (no God) and win, we gain nothing. But, if we lose, we have lost everything. If we bet on red (Yes, God), and win, we have gained everything. But if we lose, we have lost nothing, since there was nothing to win anyway.

The wager is good in theory, but can a person who uses logic to justify the acceptance of that which cannot be proven ever demonstrate the faith that is required of adherents to most of the world's religions? If God asks for faith, love, and devotion, would he respond favorably to someone betting on him in the way a gambler plays the favorite when the bookie's odds are off? Would God, who promised all the opportunity to enter heaven, create a human so logical as to accept by instinct the very wager he surely conceived prior to creation of human reasoning, thus damning said human for failure to exercise the required level of faith?

AnonCounterMoonbat, I got into a bit of a disagreement in Sunday School about evolution when I explained how, if you looked at from a certain perspective, it would suit God's plan perfectly to evolve the human species from more primitive species. He disagreed, but our discussion was quite polite and respectful; which is typical of my experiences when there are disagreements among Christians.

It's always those who profess "I don't need God to tell me how to be good" who seem to be the biggest jerks against those who disagree with them.

The atheist fails because he cannot demonstrate conclusively that the entirety of existence is free of supernatural beings
Posted by: Anonymous Countermoonbat

Why has it always got to be about failure with you guys?

We cannot demonstrate because you won't listen, you're too busy proclaiming your allegiance your invisible friend to seriously consider WHY you believe in God.

I give up, I can't make this comment any more stupid than it already is - The Moderator

The wager is good in theory, but can a person who uses logic to justify the acceptance of that which cannot be proven ever demonstrate the faith that is required of adherents to most of the world's religions?

Your question misunderstands the nature of faith. Faith isn't necessarily, "I have the answer." Faith is, "I'm sure enough that there is an answer that I'm going to look for it."

I spent many years studying different faiths and denominations before arriving where I am now. And I continue to learn, grow, and progress... which my religion teaches is an eternal process. There is good guidance in the Bible "Test everything, hold onto the good," judge a tree by its fruits. And I think one needs a certain amount of life experience in order to apply those principles to what scripture teaches. Just for example, my understanding of God was vastly expanded when I adopted kids.

Like that Thou Shalt Not Murder stuff. What a load!

Posted by: Aquatarkus (Dumbass) at October 16, 2009 1:21 PM

It said it in its own words folks: proof that 'tuchus and his fellow Democrats DO NOT care about the lives of others.

Since they are obviously okay with murder, can we do that to them?

It's always those who profess "I don't need God to tell me how to be good" who seem to be the biggest jerks against those who disagree with them.

Posted by: V the K at October 16, 2009 2:38 PM

you're too busy proclaiming your allegiance your invisible friend to seriously consider WHY you believe in God.

Posted by: Aquatarkus (Dumbass) at October 16, 2009 2:45 PM

Point proven.

We cannot demonstrate because you won't listen, you're too busy proclaiming your allegiance your invisible friend to seriously consider WHY you believe in God.

You cannot demonstrate it because there is no scientific protocol designed to evaluate the non-existence of a being which has been hypothesized to exist outside the reach of science.

Please, if you have any way to demonstrate the absence of such being, I would like to see your protocol.

Where have I proclaimed any allegiance to an invisible friend? I don't believe in any God, so once again, you're behaving like a typical moonbat in assuming that anyone who doesn't attack religion in every form, for every reason, must therefore be religious themselves.

Some of the greatest misunderstandings of science are held by those who supposedly believe in it the most, as you have just exemplified.

Fawkes the phoenix is ready to peck out a moonbats eyes SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK

Your question misunderstands the nature of faith. Faith isn't necessarily, "I have the answer." Faith is, "I'm sure enough that there is an answer that I'm going to look for it."

Faith, in the Judeo-Christian tradition, also implies a certain level of trust and confidence in transcendental doctrines, without the need for observation, proof, substantiation, or details.

The wager can offer a compelling reason to believe in a god, but it does not necessarily explain whether Jesus died for your sins, Mohammed was God's last messenger and prophet, or Brahman is the infinite.

It's always those who profess "I don't need God to tell me how to be good" who seem to be the biggest jerks against those who disagree with them.
Posted by: V the K

That's funny, because in my experience, those who profess “you cannot live without God in your life” are the most condescending, close-minded gits against those who disagree with them.

You want an example?
Everyone in my Mum's village ignores her because she doesn't go to church.
She always tried her best whenever there was a village event, she would organise the music, which is incredibly stressful and causes her chronic fatigue, what with having to fit it around her full-time career.
But she always helped, without fail and without complaint, and she good friends with many other people in the village.

But they took advantage of her kindness, so she decided she couldn't help out any more because it was making her very ill with overwork.
So they started bullying her by telling her she was a godless heathen, and that she's going to Hell, which although my family are secular, is quite an upsetting thing to told by people who you thought were your friends, and to whom such insults would carry weight.

Even now, they still make very patronising comments and send her insulting emails and letters, which has made her quite ill and depressed, all because they think they're right because they have God on their side.

And I expect you to completely accept this unverifiable anecdote that conveniently affirms my prejudices based on your trust in my honesty and good character.

Part of the essence of faith is trusting that one will be led along the path to truth.

Frankly, there have been too many coincidences and too many odds-defying experiences in my life for me to doubt the existence of God.

You can't sit there and tell me Christianity is tolerant and caring, when I have seen how twatty and narrow-minded it makes people behave when you don't agree with them, even though you have been nothing but kind to them.

In fact, whenever you hear the word "twatty and narrow-minded" I want you to think of me.

After hurricane Katrina, members of my church were on the ground rendering aid before the Federal government.

We were also on the ground in Thailand and Indonesia after the tsunami.

More recently, we sent in relief teams to the American heartland after tornadoes and floods. We sent relief teams to Samoa after the tsunami there.

Locally, we run food banks. We help families when they move. We provide counseling for substance abuse and porn addiction.

Since A (D)'s anecdote runs contrary to my real life experiences, I reject it. Although it may be different with Anglicans. My son's girlfriend's family was shunned by members of their church after they objected to the sale of the church building. And their church as a whole seems more concerned with legitimizing gay clergy than with preaching Christ's gospel.

By their fruits, you know them.

Those reliefs efforts, by the way, are far more practical and effective than waving a wand and saying, "Tsunamius goawayus."

Speaking of unverifiable anecdotes......

Admit it, I fucked you with that one in some vague way only moonbats understand.

You didn't say "Tsunamius goawayus", but I'll bet you started praying.
You may as well have waved a wand and casted a spell the difference praying would have made. I speak as an authority on knowing nothing about prayer.

Also, I can't help but noting how you pulled a Bill O'Reilly on me - you saw my anecdote and came back with a much heavier one to make yourself look like your point is somehow more valid, rather than being equal.Even though a rather simple internet search would verify the presence of Christian relief groups at various relief efforts, which would make your anecdote, um, verifiable. While I mean is just... a bunch of hearsay.

At least you have the decency to write your crap in italics to highlight who the real bastard is here (you - I figured you wouldn't realise your own bastardry, so I was kind enough to tell you).

See how my atheism makes me good-natured and not at all bitter, angry, and unlikeable.

Aqua, I must say that the Christians you described in your anecdote certainly were acting "twatty," but they weren't exactly acting Christian, now, were they? Don't make the mistake of thinking that because someone says they are Christian they are behaving as Christ taught. The only way you can tell if a person is acting like a Christian is to read and commit to heart what the Bible says, because calling oneself a Christian is far easier than acting as a Christian.

Eh, just ONE MORE thing to make me deeply embarrassed that I was born and raised in Massachusetts.

Fortunately, I had enough sense to get out!
~Ex-Bat

Plenty of people base their lives around books by a hack science fiction writer too. There's a difference between L.Ron, Harry Potter and the Bible!

I must say that the Christians you described in your anecdote certainly were acting "twatty," but they weren't exactly acting Christian, now, were they?
Posted by: Judith M.

You're right, they weren't.
But as far as they were concerned, they were completely justified in treating my mum like shit, because they claimed to be ‘doing God's duty’, which is what made it harder to reason with them and all the more painful.

Actually, that's what made mum angrier than anything - the fact that she was being a much better ‘Christian’ than the people who claimed to be Christians, even though she is an Atheist
It brought home the unpleasant things people can do when they do things “in the name of God”.

There was a time when I assumed all Christians were deluded, condescending hypocrites, but I grew up and learned not to generalise (even though I still have yet to actually meet a nice Conservative, but I haven't given up hope).

But most Christians I know who are open about their faith use it as an excuse to be very patronising and close-minded.
That doesn't mean that I think every single Christian in the world is that way, just most that I have met.
That could be because I live in one of the more backwards parts of Britain, where there are very few genuinely nice Christians.

Can you please stop calling me Dumbass now?
I calmed down a bit and applied a bit more thought to my comments, rather than just bitching....

Your story reminds me a little of this from the Letter of James:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?

So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone might say, "You have faith and I have works." Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

...

You see, your mom had good works, and the Christians in your story didn't. What I don't understand is why your mom was working for church in the first place if she was an atheist.

Nice to see Gregory still wants everyone to believe conservatives are open to debate, yet takes to editing comments from opposing views like a child. to the best of my knowledge Van Helsing does not share that view.

Posted by: Aquatarkus sphincter insertatio at October 16, 2009 11:05 AM- "Why aren't people allowed to base their lives around Harry Potter books?"

Oh, you're allowed to. But you have a that extraordinarily gay thing going on already. I don't think that you're going to get much approval for showing your "magic wand" to little boys, however. Wait. This is Common Purpose Britain we're talking about? There's probably a Quango to promote it.

Posted by: Aquatarkus sphincter insertatio
at October 16, 2009 2:03 PM- "Oh believe me, I tried to understand Christianity, but the overriding aspects of it seem to be bullying those who don't agree with you and rejecting facts that have been proven by research, rather than by introspection. So I said fuck it and became an Atheist."

Atheist? Does your husband, Iqbal, know that you're an Infidel?

Posted by: Aquatarkus sphincter insertatio at October 16, 2009 3:15 PM- "Everyone in my Mum's village ignores her because she doesn't go to church..."

Or, maybe it's because she's a boring, pretentious socialist?

Posted by: Aquatarkus sphincter insertatio at October 16, 2009 3:15 PM- "Even now, they still make very patronising comments and send her insulting emails and letters"

Obviously, they know about you, then?

maybe it's because she's a boring, pretentious socialist?
Posted by: chairman soetoro's oprichniki

Don't make jokes about people's mums, it's the lowest form of humour. Spewing bigoted hate about Christians is OK though.

That's good that you love your mom, Aqua.

Judith M. :

I'll be honest with you, I haven't most of the Bible, the writing styles and the language are far too archaic for me to fully understand it.

I remember having to read Genesis in school as part of the Philosophy of Religion syllabus, and I remember that I thought the first 3 parts were written in the style of a children's book and the story completely changes halfway through.

In Genesis 1 & 2, God tells the people to conquer the Earth on their own, but in Genesis 3, He tells Adam and Eve that He owns them, which is just confusing.

Aqua is like me: an intolerant, hateful, bigoted asshole who tries to hide it with a holier than thou pretense of wanting people to be accepting and tolerant and non-bigoted.

At least with it comes to omni-sexuality and other deliciously disgusting perversions.

I'll let you in on a little secret, Aqua. Before I was a serious Christian, I also started reading the Bible with Genesis and I was blown away by how goofy it seemed to be. As I later learned, there are different senses of scripture, and you really can't expect to understand everything in scripture without some guidance from people who can explain the historical context, especially regarding how people of the time in which the passage was written would have understood the words.

I highly recommend that you read the NT in its entirety, because it really is something that every well educated individual should be acquainted with. It might also be helpful for you to read a more modern version of the Bible than the KJV, so you don't have to struggle through the archaic language. I like the Revised Standard Version, but there are other good translations, as well.

Judith M. :

She's the wisest person I know.
She manages to keep her emotions out of any debate and always remains objective - something most people, myself included, have yet to achieve...

I was talking to her about how people's political views change as they age, and she said it was a shame how so many give up their liberal beliefs and become more cynical and find it harder put their faith in “change”.

She meant it in a purely objective way, not attacking anyone but merely making a point of how age changes your outlook.

Judith M. :

Yeah, I think I will have a go at reading the Bible.

I like this polite discussion, don't you?

"Philosophical underpinnings of Harry Potter: Spells are magical.
"Posted by: V the K at October 16, 2009 1:57 PM"

Also, "don't be an evil wzard".

Yes, I do, Aqua. I'm a big believer that you get a lot more done when you can discuss things in a peaceful way. I know that can be difficult when passions run high, but it's definitely something for which to strive.

What was article about, again?
I a comment about the Bible around 5 hours ago, and that sidetracked the whole debate....

What was this article about, again?
I made comment about the Bible around 5 hours ago, and that sidetracked the whole debate....

It was about the Gospel according to Harry Potter, essentially. What's funny about that is that I do believe J.K. Rowlings totally stole many themes from the Bible. You know, like sacrificial love, and things like that. Not surprising, I guess, since she was raised as a Christian, and when it comes to addressing the heart of what it means to be truly human, there really is no better source for material than the Bible.

Hmm, maybe....

I made comment about the Bible around 5 hours ago, and that sidetracked the whole debate....

Report back to Kos and collect your bonus.

Read it Aqua, the whole Bible, and you'll see. The Bible has everything, love, hate, intrigue, betrayal, sacrifice, redemption. What will shock and amaze you is how much literature is based on Biblical accounts. I remember reading this one story in Spanish literature and the professor said, "That's a pretty original storyline, isn't it?" And all the students were like, "Yeah, I never heard of that, before!" And I said, "What are you talking about, that's straight from the Bible." And this friend of mine who happened to be Jewish said, "Well no wonder I never heard it." To which I replied, "It's an Old Testament story." And she just giggled sheepishly and said "Oops!".

Aquatarkus:

I've liked reading your exchange with Judith M., and yes, it is nice to see it more civilized :)

Very sorry to hear that your Mom was treated like that, I've (sadly) seen that too in some of the towns around here (and yes, I'm one of those *gasp!* Evangelicals!) I wish it weren't that way because it only really dissuades people who have genuine questions and turns them away (like Judith was saying)

Also wish it weren't that way in your area of Britain, I love your country! Only ever been to Wendover, Aylesbury, London, and points in between. I'd give *anything* to go to Cambridge!

Either way, a recommendation, if I may. Speaking of Cambridge, where C.S. Lewis taught, "Mere Christianity" is a brilliant read and not at all preachy. Plus, I think you may more closely identify with it, as his language is very "British" and in it you'll find a very different time and place (I sure did). Starts out very basically and never bashes one over the head with it all (you'll never feel like you're in a liturgical fog.) Wish I could do mare than just toss books your way, but I'm on the other side of the planet...

Either way, I'll stop my preaching (weak as it was lol!) No name-calling either, you'll notice, glad to have you here ;)

Cheers!

JK Rowling is a self confessed leftist, so I'm sure she is very proud of these nitwits and their efforts to indoctrinate her fans.

I told my son I had a magical harry Potter behavorial modification wand. He said lemme see it. I did. It worked. He never asked to see it again.
I wanna base my life on the pokey little pony.

Is there any real evidence that people are using Harry Potter as a way of indoctrinating children into leftist ideology?
Or is it just speculation?

See? Don't yell at me, that was a totally non-partisan question that directly related to the topic.

Aquatarkus, you see, the issue here is these folks wish to politicize everything. Harry Potter, The Bible, comedy, art, music etc. I saw earlier in this thread you asked what Harry Potter books and the Bible have in common, well that's easy...they are both works of fiction.

See I said that, but then everyone started getting arsey.

And now I realise it's because I was being intolerant.
I criticised something that a lot of people hold very dear to them, and for that I apologise.

And this friend of mine who happened to be Jewish said, "Well no wonder I never heard it." To which I replied, "It's an Old Testament story." And she just giggled sheepishly and said "Oops!".

That isn't surprising. Jews don't even use all of what we call the Old Testament, much less the New. They aren't interested in books like Isiah, which predict the arrival of Christ.

That picture is hilarious...

Anyway, this really doesn't bother me too much. We already have overly obsessed Star Trek/Star Wars fans that do the exact same thing. It's not like anyone takes them seriously. If you go to the store and see someone dressed as a Hogwarts student and "casting spells", I guarantee that the first thing you'll do is laugh.

Well said Byron.

Harry Potter, hmmm?

Lessee... Half-wizard (through his mother), half-muggle (through his father), championing wizard blood purity. The archvillain of the series.

Half-black (through his father), half-white (through his mother), hating whitey like h*ll.

Who can it be? Who?

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