Heads of State are politicians. Benedict XVI is head of Vatican State; therefore Benedict XVI is a politician...which most probably explains why he chose to "bless" the final Harry Potter film.
"The Vatican has broken with its traditional stance on Harry Potter and given the latest film its seal of approval. In a review of the blockbuster the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, said Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince made clear the difference between “good and evil”.Under the headline “Magic is no longer a game of surprise”, reviewer Gaetano Vallini praised the film's special effects and the development of the lead characters saying they were “far more credible” than previous episodes."
(Nick Pisa, in Rome14.07.09)
This is curious. Evidently time heals theological opinions for in 2003 Cardinal Ratzinger (the now Benedict XVI) held a polar opinion; "In 2003, before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, the then Cardinal Ratzinger criticised the “subtle seductions” in the Potter series. He said the movies could “corrupt the Christian faith”."
But when Ratzinger moved into the Vatican quarters vacated by John Paul II his criticism was even more harsh; "New Pope BENEDICT XVI has blasted JK ROWLING's HARRY POTTER books for "undermining the soul of Christianity".Nicknamed 'GOD'S ROTTWEILER', Pope Benedict is set to confuse Catholics across the world because his predecessor JOHN PAUL II praised the multi-millionairess for her Christian lifestyle.Benedict, formerly CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER is grateful to HARRY POTTER - GOOD OR BAD author GABRIELE KUBY for revealing the hidden agendas behind the popular children's books. He says, "It is good that you explain the facts of Harry Potter, because this is a subtle seduction, which has deeply unnoticed and direct effects in undermining the soul of Christianity before it can really grow properly." Leading Christian theologian UTA RANKE-HEINEMANN, 77, comments, "The Vatican feels it has the copyright on what is good and what is evil and it does not want anyone else infringing its right to this monopoly."It will condemn anyone who tries to enter this territory without its permission." CB Movie Discussion Forum & Message Board
But there is a little bit more. A Catholic priest in Austria was seemingly forced to decline promotion after being bitterly criticised for airing his opinions of Rowling and Harry Potter; "While criticizing Rowling for omitting any explicit "reference to the transcendent" in her books, L'Osservatore said the latest installment nevertheless makes clear that good should overcome evil "and that sometimes this requires costs and sacrifice."
"In addition, the spastic search for immortality epitomized by Voldemort is stigmatized," the review said.
The Vatican's praise follows the sharp criticism of the Harry Potter series by a conservative Austrian priest at the center of a church crisis earlier this year.
The Rev. Gerhard Maria Wagner had characterized Harry Potter novels as Satanism, while also suggesting Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged New Orleans and surrounding areas, was provoked by sin.
Pope Benedict XVI promoted Wagner to the post of auxiliary bishop in Linz, Austria's third largest city, in January. But amid an outcry among Austrian Catholics over his comments, Wagner eventually gave up the promotion."
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/13/vatican-harry-potter-film_n_230868.html>
Seventh-day Adventists hold an official unequivocal opinion: Quarrelsome endtime events will center on two great evils...Sunday sacredness and the state of the dead; Harry Potter is a "children's story" about spirits, witches, and Rowling has described herself as a wikka-a good witch.
This is so confusing. Maybe we should try not to "think on it."
God Bless. e.c.
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