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Disputed Biblical Translations

2008-12-24T03:46:25Z

Nerdsforever: /* Light versus Darkness in John 1:5 */ "shines," not sines.

The translations of several passages in the [[Bible]] are disputed. This has led to some [[doctrine|doctrinal]] disagreement throughout [[Christian]] history, with scholars and others citing different [[translation]]s of the same passage to support slightly different views. A few critics of [[Christianity]] cite rare uncertainties in translation to challenge the entire religion; this viewpoint ignores the overwhelming agreement in translation and the role of [[faith]], [[prayer]] and divine inspiration in religious discourse.

The most significant differences in translation arise between modern versions and the older [[King James Version]], rather than among different modern versions. One (of many) examples is the modern change in translation of the phrase "eternal damnation" in Mark 3:29 to "eternal sin."<ref>http://www.holybible.com/resources/version_comparison_chart.htm</ref>

[[Islam]] dictates that the [[Koran]] be read only in its original [[Arabic]], thereby avoiding any issues of translation. Translations of the Koran do exist, but they are not used for study, worship or devotional purposes.

== Vanishing Devil ==

Modern translations have been eliminating references to the [[Devil]]:

{| class="wikitable"
|[[King James Bible|KJB]]||57 references to the Devil<ref>http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/search/?type=bible&keyword=Devil&translation=kjv</ref>
|-
|[[New American Standard Bible|NASB]]||32 references to the Devil<ref>http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/search/?type=bible&keyword=Devil&translation=kjv</ref>
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||35 references to the Devil<ref>http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/search/?type=bible&keyword=Devil&translation=kjv</ref>
|}

== Disappearing Hell ==

Modern translations have been eliminating references to [[Hell]]. For example, the [[King James Bible]] mentions Hell 54 times<ref>http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=Hell&t=KJV</ref>, while the [[New International Version]] mentions it only 14 times<ref>http://www.blueletterbible.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=Hell&t=NIV&sf=5</ref>. The following translations of Matt 11:23 in chronological order illustrate the disappearance:

{| class="wikitable"
|[[King James Bible|KJB]]||And thou, [[Capernaum]], which art exalted unto [[heaven]], shalt be brought down to [[hell]]: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in [[Sodom]], it would have remained until this day.
|-
|[[Revised Standard Version|NRSV]]||And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
|-
|[[New American Bible|NAB]]||And for your , Capernaum: 'Will you be exalted to heaven" You will go down to the netherworld.' For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today.
|}

== Downplaying the Deity of Jesus ==

Modern versions tend to downplay the deity of Jesus, and use phrases like "Lord Jesus Christ" and "Jesus Christ" less frequently than older translations. Here is a comparison:<ref>These are taken from the keyword search tool on http://www.biblegateway.com/</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|[[King James Version|KJV]]||81 references to "Lord Jesus Christ"
|-
|[[English Standard Version|ESV]]||61 references to "Lord Jesus Christ"
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||60 references to "Lord Jesus Christ"
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||61 references to "Lord Jesus Christ"
|}

See also the section on "Jesus as God" below. One commentator argues that modern translations are not downplaying Jesus's deity, but the tables provided in the analysis indicate otherwise.<ref>http://www.contenderministries.org/biblestudy/kjodeityofchrist.php</ref>

== Downplaying the Spirit at Creation ==

The first few sentences of the Bible describe Creation, and liberal translations tend to deny the presence of the Spirit of [[God]]. Here is Genesis 1:1-2 in several different translations:

{| class="wikitable"
|RSV<ref>Revised Standard Version</ref>||In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters.
|-
|New English Bible||In the beginning of creation, when God made heaven and earth, the earth was without form and void, with darkness over the face of the abyss, and a mighty wind that swept over the surface of the waters.
|}

== Light versus Darkness in John 1:5 ==

The translation of John 1:5 requires addressing whether "darkness", which perhaps encompasses both a lack of [[faith]] and pure evil, fails to understand the "light" (Jesus), or whether it may understand the light but fails to ''overcome'' it. In addition, there is the issue as to whether the darkness ''continues'' to fail to overcome the light. Here are various translations of that single verse:

{| class="wikitable"
|New King James Version||And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
|-
|[[Today's New International Version|Today's NIV]]||The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.
|}

== Isaiah 7:14 ==

This passage is a prophesy of the birth of [[Jesus]], and the dispute concerns whether to translate the term for the woman as "virgin" or "young woman." The Hebrew term is ambiguous; the Greek term as used in the [[Septuagint]] means "virgin".

{| class="wikitable"
|[[New American Bible|NAB]]||... the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||... The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||... The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
|-
|[[Revised Standard Version|NRSV]]||Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
|}

== Psalm 22:16 ==

Psalm 22:16 contains a prophesy of the [[Crucifixion]] of [[Jesus Christ]]; the evil and the harm to the hands and feet are translated slightly differently:<ref>http://www.biblestudy101.org/hbgen/transtest2.html</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|[[King James Bible|KJB]]||For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
|-
|[[New King James Version|NKJV]]||For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet.
|-
|[[New American Standard Bible|NASB]]||For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet.
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||For dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has closed in on me; they pierced my hands and my feet.
|-
|[[New International Version|NIV]]||Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.
|-
|[[Revised Standard Version|NRSV]]||For dogs are all around me; a company of evildoers encircles me. My hands and feet have shriveled.
|}

== Romans 3:28 ==

This passage sparked the [[Reformation]]. [[Martin Luther]] added an extra German word for "alone" (alleine or alleyn) after the phrase: "justified by faith": "So halten wir nun dafür, daß der Mensch gerecht werde ohne des Gesetzes Werke, alleyn durch den Glauben." This reflected Luther's view that man is justified (saved) by faith alone, and that salvation comes only from faith. The Roman Catholic Church (and Eastern Orthodox Church) taught that man is justified (saved) by faith and good works.

{| class="wikitable"
|NAB||For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
|-
|Holman||For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.
|-
|NIV||For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
|-
|NRSV||For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
|}

== John 19:30 ==

This passage describes the last words of [[Jesus]], and what happened next.

{| class="wikitable"
|NAB||... he said, "It is finished." And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
|-
|Holman||... He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.
|-
|NIV||... Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
|-
|NRSV||... he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
|-
|Msg<ref>The Message</ref>||... Jesus said, "It's done ... complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.
|}

== "Holy Spirit" (Paraclete) ==

[[Jesus]] used the Greek term "paraclete" to refer to what is now commonly called the "Holy Spirit" in English (formerly the "Holy Ghost," see next section below). The Greek term can mean "(1) a legal advocate, or counsel for defense, (2) an intercessor, (3) a helper, generally."<ref>[http://net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Paraclete "Paraclete".] NETBible.com</ref> What are the differences in translation in its biblical use? One of the five references to this word by John (four in his Gospel, and the fifth in his first letter) is in John 15:26, which quotes Jesus:

{| class="wikitable"
|NAB||When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me.
|-
|Holman||When the Counselor comes -- whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father -- he will testify about me.
|-
|NIV||When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.
|-
|NRSV||When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.
|}

== Holy "Spirit" or Holy "Ghost" ==

The English language lacks an equivalent for the Greek term "pneuma", which is used 350 times in the New Testament to express the third member of the [[Holy Trinity]].<ref>[http://www.biblestudytools.net/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4151 "Pneuma".] The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon. Crosswalk.com</ref> This Greek word is typically translated as "to breathe, "to blow," or "of the wind."<ref name="pneo">[http://www.biblestudytools.net/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4154&version=kjv "Pneo".] The KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon. Crosswalk.com</ref> It forms the root for the English term "pneumonia".<ref name="pneo"/>

For hundreds of years the English translation of this term in connection with the third member of the [[Holy Trinity]] has been "Holy Ghost":<ref name="Holy Ghost">[http://www.geocities.com/brandplucked/HolyGhost.html "Some Thoughts on the Use of the Term the Holy Ghost".] Geocities.com</ref>

:Not only does the King James Bible use the term the Holy Ghost, but all earlier English Bibles did as well. The Holy Ghost is found in Wycliffe's translation 1395, Tyndale’s New Testament 1525, Coverdale 1535, Bishops' Bible 1568, the Geneva Bible 1599, Mace N.T. 1729, Wesley's N.T. 1755, Douay-Rheims version, and in more modern times it is also found in Montgomery’s New Testament, the Revised Version, the Catholic Douay version 1950, the KJV 21st Century version and the Third Millennium Bible.

Yet none of the modern English versions of the Bible translates this as "Holy Ghost," and instead they insist on the less forceful and more ambiguous term "Holy Spirit." One commentator observes:<ref name="Holy Ghost"/>

:It is ironic that the NKJV, NIV, NASB, RSV and many other modern versions have tossed out the term Holy Ghost, yet they have introduced the totally false idea of human ghosts.

For example, the New International Version repeatedly refers to a personal, human "ghost" where the King James Bible referred to "spirit":

:Mt 14:26:

::New International Version: When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.<ref name="Matthew">[http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/default.aspx?type=bible&translation=NAS&bookcode=mt&bookname=Matthew&chapterid=14&verseid=26 Matthew 14:26.] My Bible Study Tools. Crosswalk.com</ref>

::King James Bible: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.<ref name="Matthew"/>

:Luke 24:39:

::New International Version: "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.<ref name="Luke">[http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/mybst/default.aspx?type=bible&translation=NIV&bookcode=lu&bookname=Luke&chapterid=24&verseid=39 Luke 24:39.] My Bible Study Tools. Crosswalk.com</ref>

::King James Bible: "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."<ref name="Luke"/>

== The Adulteress Story, beginning of John 8 ==

The authenticity of the story of Jesus and an adulteress appears at John 7:53 through John 8:11 is rejected by most modern biblical translations and many if not nearly all modern biblical scholars, and it does not exist in any of the early biblical manuscripts.<ref>''See, e.g.'', [[Essay:Adulteress Story]]</ref> The passage has become a favorite of [[liberals]] to argue against [[capital punishment]]: "Common reasons against capital punishment ... Abolitionists '''often''' quote Jesus' treatment of the adulteress in the Gospel of John as support for their position."<ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/executb.htm "Capital punishment - the death penalty; Basic reasons: pro and anti".] ReligiousTolerance.org (emphasis added)</ref>

The passage is used to deny the very existence of Hell, and thus the necessity of being saved.<ref>Here is an example of a false denial of Hell based on the Adulteress Story: "No one is going to burn in hell. ... Here's what we know from Jesus' teachings. He would never condemn anyone. Read the story of the adulteress about to be stoned." - Craig. [http://forum.greaterreality.com/messages/9.html "Re: Heaven and Hell".] Greater Reality Forums. Forum.GreaterReality.com</ref>

The different translations of the Bible comment on this passage as follows:

{| class="wikitable"
|NAB||7,53-8,11: The story of the woman caught in adultery is a later insertion here, missing from all early Greek manuscripts. A Western text-type insertion, attested mainly in Old Latin translations, it is found in different places in different manuscripts: here, or after 7, 36, or at the end of this gospel, or after Lk 21, 38, or at the end of that gospel.
|-
|Holman||Other mss [manuscripts] omit bracketed text [John 7:53-8:11].
|-
|NIV||The earliest and most reliable manuscripts and other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53-8:11.
|-
|NRSV||The most ancient authorities lack 7.53-8.11; other authorities add the passage here or after 7.36 or after 21.25 or after Luke 21.38, with variations of text; some mark the passage as doubtful.
|-
|Amp<ref>Amplified Bible</ref>||John 7:53 to 8:11 is absent from most of the older manuscripts, and those that have it sometimes place it elsewhere. The story may well be authentic. Indeed, Christ's response of compassion and mercy is so much in keeping with His character that we accept it as authentic, and feel that to omit it would be most unfortunate.
|}

== Our Father ==

Different versions have different translations for the leading Christian prayer, the ''Our Father'' (at Mt 6:12-13):

{| class="wikitable"
|NAB||And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.
|-
|Holman||Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
|-
|AV/KJV<ref>[[King James Bible|Authorised Version (King James Version)]]</ref>||And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
|-
|NRSV||And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one.
|}

== Protestant or Catholic ==

There appears to be no meaningful differences between translations of the New Testament between Protestants and Catholics. <ref>Akin, Jimmy. [http://www.jimmyakin.org/greek/page/2/ "The Greek New Testament".] JimmyAkin.org</ref>

One passage however, Luke 1:28 in which Gabriel greets Mary, is translated differently by Catholics and Protestants. The phrase "Hail, full of grace," from which the first line of the Catholic [[Hail Mary]] prayer is derived, is likely to appear in Catholic Bibles; Protestant Bibles, such as the NIV, KJV, and ASV, use the phrase "highly favored" instead of "full of grace."

There are differences with respect to the Old Testament.

Note that there are significant differences between modern translations and translation of several hundreds of years ago.

== Jesus as God - Romans 9:5 ==

A point of contention is the description of Jesus as God in Romans 9:5. Here are several translations of it:

{| class="wikitable"
|AV/KJV<ref>[[King James Bible|Authorised Version (King James Version)]]</ref>||Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
|-
|NIV||Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
|-
|NAB||theirs the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Messiah. God who is over all be blessed forever. Amen.
|-
|NRSV||to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
|-
|RSV||The patriarchs are theirs, and from them by natural descent came the Messiah. May God, supreme above all, be blessed for ever! Amen.
|}

==Acts 8:37==
{| class="wikitable"
|KJB||And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:37&version=9;]
|-
|NIV||........[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:37;&version=31;]
|-
|ESV||.........[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%208:37;&version=47;]
|}

===Context===
Right before Philip baptized the Ethiopian eunch, the eunuch asked "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (KJV Acts 8:36) In other versions, nothing. The chariot stands still, and he is baptized (v. 38)

===Meaning===
This omission shows an emphasis being placed on works rather than faith in Jesus Christ. Baptisim alone will not take you to Heaven.

== Prodigal Son ==

The translation of the immoral conduct of the wayward [[Prodigal Son]], and the effect of that conduct, has been diluted over the years in Luke 15:13 (emphasis added):

{| class="wikitable"
|AV/KJV<ref>[[King James Bible|Authorised Version (King James Version)]]</ref>||... and there '''wasted his substance''' with '''riotous living'''.
|-
|[[NIV]]||... and there '''squandered his wealth''' in '''wild living'''.
|-
|[[NAB]]||... and there he '''squandered his estate''' with '''loose living'''.
|-
|[[NRSV]]||... and there he '''squandered his property''' in '''dissolute living'''.
|-
|[[Holman Christian Standard Bible|Holman]]||... where he '''squandered his estate''' in '''foolish living'''.
|}

== References ==

<references/>

== See also ==

* [[Bible translations]]
* [http://www.biblestudytools.net/ParallelBible/ Compare translations]
[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible Versions|*]]

Gender differences

2008-12-24T03:32:26Z

Nerdsforever: /* Social implications of views on gender differences */ - changing "tudies" to "studies"

'''Gender differences''' between men and women have been described throughout history, but feminists refuse to accept them.

{{cquote|The feminists' longtime, self-proclaimed goal is an androgynous society. Repudiating constitutional intent, history, tradition and human nature, they seek to forbid us, in public or private life, to recognize the differences between men and women.

''--[http://www.eagleforum.org/psr/1996/dec96/psrdec96.html The Phyllis Schlafly Report, December 1996]''}}

Many languages have adjectives to describe attributes thought of as characteristic to men ("masculine") or women ("feminine"). Not only are their physical bodies different, but there are significant character differences as well. This makes sense, because God made men and women "in his image" (Genesis 1:27) so as to reflect his divine nature. (Romans 1:20)

Although there are social variations apparent in different nations and times in history, broadly speaking it is possible to list traits which define [[masculinity]] and [[femininity]].

La Griffe du Lion writes:

:Men and women exhibit other behavioral differences which are apparent almost from birth. To some extent they mirror sex-differentiated behavior in animals. Boys are more aggressive, girls more nurturing. Female babies react more to facial expressions, males to moving objects. By adolescence these behaviors have morphed into girls' interest in social relationships, and boys' interest in machines and devices. Obviously, such divergence of interests influences career choices. Girls lean more toward fields like psychology, while similarly talented men incline toward engineering or physical science. <ref> [http://www.lagriffedulion.f2s.com/math.htm Sex Differences in Mathematical Aptitude] </ref>

==Social implications of views on gender differences==

The view that masculinity and femininity are inherent (God-given) traits is disputed by [[feminist]]s and some other social activists (see [[Homosexual agenda]]).

Feminists have often claimed that gender differences are not innate, let alone God-given. They do this to bolster their argument that men and women should be treated the same in society regardless of differences. And yet this is not always the case, especially when it favors women. For instance studies that show that men have more violent impulses than women are taken at face value.

The problem with the feminist view (or agenda) is that it assumes the truth of its own dogma. It simply asserts that gender differences are a social construct, but without supplying any proof of this. Worse, they refuse to consider any evidence in favor of innate differences. And so when it has been shown that there are gender differences in toy selection from the earliest ages of development, this is still somehow placed under subtle societal differences instead of innate makeup. Indeed, even male monkeys have shown the same quality.<ref>http://www.metafilter.com/47410/Boys-like-trucks-girl-like-dolls-the-SSSM-takes-another-hit</ref>

In a well known example of honesty in the acknowledgment of gender differences in 2006, the President Lawrence Summers of Harvard University suggested (in a private meeting) that the lopsided proportion might not be due to prejudice or discrimination, but a simple factor such as personal inclination or aptitude. Unfortunately, as such an admission is frowned upon by feminists and liberals, he was forced to recant his remarks. <ref> [http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/01/17/summers_remarks_on_women_draw_fire/ Summers' remarks on women draw fire - The Boston Globe] </ref>

==Relevant political issues==

Denial of gender differences is part of the justification for the [[liberal]] position on issues including:

*[[Homosexuality]] - Some homosexual activists assert that if men and women are equivalent, then man-woman and man-man unions are likewise equally valid relationships. However, Christian egalitarians (such as the [[Council for Biblical Equality]]) maintain that it is possible to believe in full gender equality while still condemning homosexuality as immoral. Equality does not necessarily imply interchangeability (see [[Complementarity without hierarchy]]).
*[[Women in combat]]
*[[Education]] - For men and women to ever be educated differently or separately would be considered discriminatory.
*Employment - Women who refuse to undergo higher education and establish a career before having a family are considered by [[feminists]] to be victims of male domination.
*Transgenderism - To liberals all genders are one, even to the point that some advocate mixed-gender washrooms and changing rooms. (Note, however, that unisex facilities of this type are also sometimes built for other reasons, such as to save the developer the expense of building two restrooms at the expense of gender privacy.)

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Sociology]]

Harry Potter

2008-12-21T21:31:06Z

Nerdsforever: /* Harry Potter */

[[Image:67486ruy.jpg|right|thumb|British edition of '''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'''.]]
The '''''Harry Potter''''' books are a hugely popular<ref> The author has sold 350 million books and counting, been translated into 65 languages and had her work made into highly successful movies. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3811481&page=1 ABC News] </ref> series of seven popular fantasy novels by [[J.K. Rowling]] about three children at a British boarding school: Harry, Ron and Hermione. The children grow from age 11 to 17 in the books, giving them appeal to a broad range of readers including children and teenagers, but also appealing to adults.

==Harry Potter==
'''Harry Potter''' is the [[protagonist]] and the plot of each book focuses on Harry's adolescence and fight against the [[antagonist]] wizard Lord Voldemort. The books combine elements of whimsy reminiscent of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'', the strange adult immaturity of ''[[Through the Looking Glass]]'', and the implacable good vs. evil fight of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

When Harry was a mere baby, [[Voldemort]] murdered his parents, and he never found out that his parents were [[wizard (fiction)|wizard]]s until his 11th birthday (it came as a giant surprise). [[Hagrid]] took him to [[Diagon Alley]] for robes, books and wand; then on to [[Hogwarts]], a boarding school for wizards and witches. He had many adventures there learning [[magic]] and using it to fight the forces of the [[Voldemort|wizard]] who killed his [[parent]]s when he was an [[infant]]. Lord Voldemort seeks to become immortal by any means. Voldemort also leads forces of "Death Eaters" who follow Voldemort's ideology of a "pure-blood" (wizard who was born to wizard parents) society and persecute Muggles, non-magical folk. Along the way, Harry learns about life and [[death]] and grapples with questions of [[morality]] and [[friendship]]. There are seven books in total to the series.

The books have been fabulously successful, selling 300 million copies, and ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that they have made Rowling the first billion-dollar [[author]] in history.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/cx_jw_0226rowlingbill04.html J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire].</ref> To date, five of them have been made into movies, the sixth to begin filming September 2007.

The ''Harry Potter'' series of [[book]]s are sizable volumes. The 870 pages of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', even though printed in large type, contain 255,000 words—about twice as long as ''A Tale of Two Cities''. The "Lexile" measure of reading level puts the series between 880L and 950L,<ref>For comparison: ''Charlotte's Web'' 680L, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' 890L, ''Moby Dick'' 1200L</ref> comparable to sixth-grade texts<ref>[http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=fa&tabindex=4&tabid=22 The Lexile framework for reading].</ref>

== Christian Theme in ''Harry Potter'' ==
{{spoiler}}

Despite some criticism from mainline Christians who oppose ''Harry Potter'' for allegedly endorsing witchcraft, the series includes some aspects that parallel Christianity. Harry's death and rebirth at the end of Book VII (''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'') can be seen as mirroring the rebirth of [[Christ]]. Just as the savior of humanity was reborn, so Harry Potter, as the fictional savior of the magical world, is reborn. Further, this rebirth carries a special, significant guardianship trait: as Christ died to forgive the sins of humanity, resulting in salvation for all mankind, so Harry's death grants a protective magic to himself and to his friends. It could be said that ''Harry Potter'' teaches the nobility of meaningful sacrifice.

==Criticisms==

The ''Harry Potter'' series is written in a way that embeds fantasy and wizardry into a real world setting.

The [[Catholic Church]] has taken a more neutral position. In 2003, a Vatican representative said the books, "aren't serving as the banner for an anti-Christian theology.... I don't think there's anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic, and angels in their imaginary world." <ref>Sink, Mindy (2003), "The Split Verdict on Harry Potter,"
''The New York Times,'' March 8, 2003, p. B6; representative quoted is Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood, who "helped draft a Vatican document on New Age phenomena."</ref>

Some expect children's literature to present characters that are role models and teach simple truths that will help children grow and know the difference between right and wrong. However, the world of ''Harry Potter'' is one in which adult authority figures are complex, imperfect, and occasionally ludicrous. Some teachers in the series are boring, or outright incompetent, while others are supportive and protective (like [[Dumbledore]] and [[Lupin]]). In the first book Harry disobeys the teachers and is successful and later praised, a questionable message for younger minds.

==Notable Ban Attempts==

On the week of April 10, 2006, Georgia mother of four Laura Mallory filed an appeal with the Gwinnett Board of Education in an attempt to remove the ''Harry Potter'' series from Gwinnett schools. Ms. Mallory (who has only read excerpts of the books) stated on the appeal form that she wished the books removed due to their "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this.".<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=14074&change_well_id=2]</ref> The local board of education denied the request, as they felt the banning of ''Harry Potter'' would necessitate the banning of all books with reference to witches, including plays like ''[[Macbeth]]'' and even stories like [[Cinderella]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/ Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter]</ref> Ms. Mallory has since appealed the ruling twice to no avail.<ref>[http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5022462&nav=8fap]</ref> <ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16204853/from/]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/011807dnentpotterprotest.a89cec.html]</ref>

Similar concerns have been voiced by Christian cartoonist [[Jack Chick]], pastor and author [[Dave Hunt]], the British group [[Christian Voice]] and various others. None of these have resulted in any form of legal action.

==Series titles==
*''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' (original title as published in England and all other English-speaking countries other than U.S.A: ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'')
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Harry Potter Universe]]
[[Category:Novels]]

Harry Potter

2008-12-21T21:27:49Z

Nerdsforever:

[[Image:67486ruy.jpg|right|thumb|British edition of '''Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'''.]]
The '''''Harry Potter''''' books are a hugely popular<ref> The author has sold 350 million books and counting, been translated into 65 languages and had her work made into highly successful movies. [http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=3811481&page=1 ABC News] </ref> series of seven popular fantasy novels by [[J.K. Rowling]] about three children at a British boarding school: Harry, Ron and Hermione. The children grow from age 11 to 17 in the books, giving them appeal to a broad range of readers including children and teenagers, but also appealing to adults.

==Harry Potter==
'''Harry Potter''' is the [[protagonist]] and the plot of each book focuses on Harry's adolescence and fight against the [[antagonist]] wizard Lord Voldemort. The books combine elements of whimsy reminiscent of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'', the strange adult immaturity of ''[[Through the Looking Glass]]'', and the implacable good vs. evil fight of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

When Harry was a mere baby, [[Voldemort]] murdered his parents, and he never found out that his parents were [[wizard (fiction)|wizard]]s until his 11th birthday (it came as a giant surprise). [[Hagrid]] took him to [[Diagon Alley]] for robes, books and wand; then on to [[Hogwarts]], a boarding school for wizards and witches. He had many adventures there learning [[magic]] and using it to fight the forces of the [[Voldemort|wizard]] who killed his [[parent]]s when he was an [[infant]]. Along the way, Harry learns about life and [[death]] and grapples with questions of [[morality]] and [[friendship]]. There are seven books in total to the series.

The books have been fabulously successful, selling 300 million copies, and ''[[Forbes]]'' estimates that they have made Rowling the first billion-dollar [[author]] in history.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/maserati/billionaires2004/cx_jw_0226rowlingbill04.html J. K. Rowling And The Billion-Dollar Empire].</ref> To date, five of them have been made into movies, the sixth to begin filming September 2007.

The ''Harry Potter'' series of [[book]]s are sizable volumes. The 870 pages of ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'', even though printed in large type, contain 255,000 words—about twice as long as ''A Tale of Two Cities''. The "Lexile" measure of reading level puts the series between 880L and 950L,<ref>For comparison: ''Charlotte's Web'' 680L, ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' 890L, ''Moby Dick'' 1200L</ref> comparable to sixth-grade texts<ref>[http://www.lexile.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?view=fa&tabindex=4&tabid=22 The Lexile framework for reading].</ref>

== Christian Theme in ''Harry Potter'' ==
{{spoiler}}

Despite some criticism from mainline Christians who oppose ''Harry Potter'' for allegedly endorsing witchcraft, the series includes some aspects that parallel Christianity. Harry's death and rebirth at the end of Book VII (''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'') can be seen as mirroring the rebirth of [[Christ]]. Just as the savior of humanity was reborn, so Harry Potter, as the fictional savior of the magical world, is reborn. Further, this rebirth carries a special, significant guardianship trait: as Christ died to forgive the sins of humanity, resulting in salvation for all mankind, so Harry's death grants a protective magic to himself and to his friends. It could be said that ''Harry Potter'' teaches the nobility of meaningful sacrifice.

==Criticisms==

The ''Harry Potter'' series is written in a way that embeds fantasy and wizardry into a real world setting.

The [[Catholic Church]] has taken a more neutral position. In 2003, a Vatican representative said the books, "aren't serving as the banner for an anti-Christian theology.... I don't think there's anyone in this room who grew up without fairies, magic, and angels in their imaginary world." <ref>Sink, Mindy (2003), "The Split Verdict on Harry Potter,"
''The New York Times,'' March 8, 2003, p. B6; representative quoted is Rev. Don Peter Fleetwood, who "helped draft a Vatican document on New Age phenomena."</ref>

Some expect children's literature to present characters that are role models and teach simple truths that will help children grow and know the difference between right and wrong. However, the world of ''Harry Potter'' is one in which adult authority figures are complex, imperfect, and occasionally ludicrous. Some teachers in the series are boring, or outright incompetent, while others are supportive and protective (like [[Dumbledore]] and [[Lupin]]). In the first book Harry disobeys the teachers and is successful and later praised, a questionable message for younger minds.

==Notable Ban Attempts==

On the week of April 10, 2006, Georgia mother of four Laura Mallory filed an appeal with the Gwinnett Board of Education in an attempt to remove the ''Harry Potter'' series from Gwinnett schools. Ms. Mallory (who has only read excerpts of the books) stated on the appeal form that she wished the books removed due to their "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells and teaching children all of this.".<ref>[http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=32&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=14074&change_well_id=2]</ref> The local board of education denied the request, as they felt the banning of ''Harry Potter'' would necessitate the banning of all books with reference to witches, including plays like ''[[Macbeth]]'' and even stories like [[Cinderella]].<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15127464/ Georgia mom seeks ban on Harry Potter]</ref> Ms. Mallory has since appealed the ruling twice to no avail.<ref>[http://www.wtvm.com/Global/story.asp?S=5022462&nav=8fap]</ref> <ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16204853/from/]</ref> <ref>[http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/011807dnentpotterprotest.a89cec.html]</ref>

Similar concerns have been voiced by Christian cartoonist [[Jack Chick]], pastor and author [[Dave Hunt]], the British group [[Christian Voice]] and various others. None of these have resulted in any form of legal action.

==Series titles==
*''[[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone]]'' (original title as published in England and all other English-speaking countries other than U.S.A: ''Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'')
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]''
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Harry Potter Universe]]
[[Category:Novels]]