*flabbergasted*

[linwenilid]

No, I'm not alright. I was shocked yesterday, which is why I was able to be silly and write a humorous (to me, at least) mock-letter containing JKR's humble request to fans. That's how I handle things: shock and denial takes a huge hold on me for a good while, and then I realise

Comments

[rchevalier]

People can change their views, you know. It's the consequence of being open-minded.

And, writers are allowed to write about things that they don't necessarily agree with; just because I write about murder and crime doesn't mean I support murder and crime.

And not all Christians are anti-gay, either, even around here. Tolerance...

[linwenilid]

People can change their views, you know. It's the consequence of being open-minded.

Yes, people can change their views. But when you adhere to a set of beliefs like Christianity, you are no longer able to do so that freely, especially with the ones that contradict said set of beliefs. Either you follow them (or try to, but really meaning it), or you opt out. It's that simple. You don't endorse opposite views or support them, even under the pressure of the whole world. Please note that I'm not talking against homosexuals, or advocating discrimination on that basis, but against the belief that it is not wrong for someone who has stated her affiliation to Christianity (not someone who hasn't, or has no religious affiliation whatsoever).

And, writers are allowed to write about things that they don't necessarily agree with; just because I write about murder and crime doesn't mean I support murder and crime. True. But that's not the point. Christianity is not just the thing you do on Sundays, it's a way of life. And every aspect of your

[cupati]

Ah yes, Leviticus 18:22 - Do not lie with a man as you would a woman. I doubt many people follow all the laws in Leviticus. Mules are illegal given lev. 19.

Sorry, I know you are saying this from a christian to a christian. I just thought, as someone who knows the bible from growing up, but no longer believes in it, I could give a kinda objective view.

[linwenilid]

Eh, I think no human opinion can be truly objective, especially when one has stated what side is one stepping on. :P The Bible also speaks against homosexuality in Romans, which was intended mainly for non-Jews (in fact, I never bothered in finding the verse in the Old Testament about it, since the one in the NT seemed enough).

And don't worry. Thanks for your comment. :)

[halo14_fragile]

You're taking this too seriously, imo.
Oh, and my AP European History had a long discussion about religion things, and boy, I don't want to go down that road again.

[linwenilid]

You're right. I'm taking this too seriously. I'll try to cool down, but it doesn't mean I'll change my mind or anything, I just have to take things better. That's my problem: I make a fuss. *sigh*

Thanks for the slap, I needed it. :P

[luthienshadows]

The Bible is a lot of things. It also says disabled people should be killed, women should be segregated during their menstrual cycles, goats should be sacrificed for certain whatevers... I don't remember exactly, it's been a while, and I didn't bring my bible to school. The fact is, most Christian establishments these days largely follow the New Testament, which is vastly different in morals than the Old Testament. Though they do hang on to certain things from the OT, for reasons unknown to me.

[linwenilid]

It isn't the morality the part that's different, it's the promise (and the customs, but those are minor). Back then, Abraham believed in God's promise of giving him a son, and thus was justified. Later, the promise was that God would send a Saviour through whom we'd be reconciled with Him, and that's what we uphold until today (and like with Abraham, in the OT there have been several promises from God whom people has chosen to believe or not, even the very announcement of a saviour, prophesized by Isaiah). There's even an easier way to understand God now, because Jesus said the Holy Spirit will be sent to live in every Christian after he left, which is something they didn't have back then in the OT. The point is, the basics, the morality you speak of, has never changed; the same ten commandments from back then are valued now, only on a different context. And I'm sure there's an explanation on those bothersome customs that are obviously no longer upheld, but I really can't answer you that now, for I don't know. I think, though, that

[fairyhunter]

Linnie. Seriously. If everyone made a different name for their particular variation on religion (or political party, or set of values or philosophical ideas), then there'd be even more divisions amongst people than there are today. I don't think that it is possible to go along with every single thought presented in the Bible, without the sort of unquestioning, unthinking, brainwash faith that is no help to anyone (i.e., without the use of doublethink

[linwenilid]

(not such luck for me :P)

If everyone made a different name for their particular variation on religion (or political party, or set of values or philosophical ideas), then there'd be even more divisions amongst people than there are today.

True. Which is why there *is* already a stablished religion, so people doesn't go around believing only the bits that appease them the best. That's my whole point, thank you very much.

I don't think that it is possible to go along with every single thought presented in the Bible, without the sort of unquestioning, unthinking, brainwash faith that is no help to anyone (i.e., without the use of doublethink).Yet faith it's what's required, not reason. I'm not saying that one has to believe absolutely everything told to us; after all, us humans are faulty, even the ones in authority, which is why it's very important to *study* the Bible, not merely read it from cover to cover. And with the faith and study mentioned, one gains a better understanding on how to understand those seemingly ridiculous

[linwenilid]

But is there a way to categorize mostly believing in Catholicism except for the bits about homosexuality and abortion (and the creation story), besides giving up on religion entirely?Of course: people who don't want to compromise. Because, when you compromise, you have to give something very important from yourself (your willingness to adhere) to gain knowledge and understanding. A good family friend, and one of the smartest people I've ever met, who is a theologist and teaches ethics in a local university, once told me that the creation story is an allegory. Obviously, I don't think his teachers left the subject at that back then; that must have been quite the class. It made me see that there are some things that are worth exploring to find a good and solid explanation that goes beyond the common man's reasoning, which is at most superficial and lacks a method, etc. And it's so important that a Christian, of any denomination, keeps instructing him or herself in Biblical interpretation, because it helps so much in finding the answers

[humble_mosquito]

I know you're going to ignore me, and most of what I would say to this has already been said. However, how is having a gay character contradictory to her faith. Dumbledore doesn't represent her.

Not all of her characters are christians. Go figure. Or were you hoping that all the good ones were. She's not morally responsible for the decisions of her characters, otherwise she's a murderer a thousand times over.

Another point, on a completely different thought-line to the first: she doesn't owe you anything more than any other Christian you know. You don't get mad at every other Christian who interprets the Bible differently to you. (I would hope.) The fact that you read her books doesn't give you the right to get angry at her for her religious views.

I hope you are well,

Mozzie

[linwenilid]

Thank you for your comment. If you'd be so kind in reading the other comments, I've already answered your concerns. :)

Another point, on a completely different thought-line to the first: she doesn't owe you anything more than any other Christian you know.

True. Thank you for your insight.