Comments on: Harry Potter and “the Death of God” – by Michael D. O’Brien http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/ Thoughts for the Serious Reader of Harry Potter Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:44:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: weber http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1793 weber Fri, 02 Nov 2007 20:38:14 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1793 To those of you who are wondering why O'Brien hasn't lashed out against Pullman, so am I, considering Pullman's trilogy is focused on killing God. Here's the address: http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp To those of you who are wondering why O’Brien hasn’t lashed out against Pullman, so am I, considering Pullman’s trilogy is focused on killing God.
Here’s the address:
http://snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

]]> By: John http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1792 John Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:36:45 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1792 Okay, folks, let's stop this thread about the Holy Family here. Any more entries will be deleted by the moderator. I do appreciate the civility of the conversation but we're way, way off-topic. John Okay, folks, let’s stop this thread about the Holy Family here. Any more entries will be deleted by the moderator. I do appreciate the civility of the conversation but we’re way, way off-topic.

John

]]> By: Helen http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1791 Helen Sat, 06 Oct 2007 00:37:30 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1791 I don't know whether Jesus had any half-siblings born of Mary or not; I'm inclined to think that he did, but I don't hold it as a matter of faith. The virgin birth of Jesus, though, I do hold as a matter of faith, and the two things I don't see as inconsistent, as long as Jesus was the oldest child! I don’t know whether Jesus had any half-siblings born of Mary or not; I’m inclined to think that he did, but I don’t hold it as a matter of faith. The virgin birth of Jesus, though, I do hold as a matter of faith, and the two things I don’t see as inconsistent, as long as Jesus was the oldest child!

]]> By: JohnABaptist http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1790 JohnABaptist Fri, 05 Oct 2007 23:06:26 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1790 Rumor, First let me thank you for having sufficient concern for me as a person that you graciously and patiently offered counsel and correction for what you perceive as a possible error in my spiritual beliefs, rather than simply shouting at me. It is a rare and fading ability in these troubled times in which we live and I honor you for it. No, I was not leaning on the Magdalene heresies. I was merely, but perhaps clumsily, repeating what the Bible plainly states in Matthew 13:55 For my Roman Catholic fellow Christians: 55 Nonne hic est fabri filius? nonne mater ejus dicitur Maria, et fratres ejus, Jacobus, et Joseph, et Simon, et Judas? [Biblia Sacra Vulgata, Jerome,ca 382] Or in English 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude: * The translator inserts at this point a Note: His brethren. . .These were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas, sister to our Blessed Lady, (St. Matt. 27. 56; St. John 19. 25,) and therefore, according to the usual style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is, near relations to our Saviour. [Both scripture and note from Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner Edition.] For my Eastern Orthodox fellow Christians: 55. ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχ η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσηφ και σιμων και ιουδας [Greek NT: Westcott/Hort, UBS4 variants, eText courtesy of Biola University] The text of an English translation of the Greek would not vary materially from the translation from the Latin given by Bishop Challoner immediately above except for the Note which is not part of the original text in either case. In all of the above citations we have direct scriptural reference to a body of people (please otice that none of these people are Jesus, or any of his disciples) stating that in Jesus' hometown, there lived a man named James (in one of that names various translations) whom all of the locals called the "brother of Jesus". I fully and unreservedly admit that nowhere does the bible specify whether that attribution of brotherhood comes from a process of adoption, by association in the same home, or by general misinformation on the part of the locals who may not have known any better. Furthermore, lacking biblical clarity on this point, as a good Baptist, I am constrained for arguing about any of those options with any person whose opinion does not match mine. In the absence of Scripture, my opinion holds no more water than anyone elses. The interpretation given by Bishop Challoner in his footnote, is actually the one that most closely supports the point I was trying to make in the original post. In fact, Dudley and Harry are only cousins even though they were raised as brothers in the same household. I used the term half-brother, intending its legal sense under Jewish Law. Since Joseph did not divorce Mary from her betrothal vows, or publicly condemn her in anyway before or after Jesus birth, Jesus became under the Jewish Legal system, Joseph's legal son--even though I hasten to assure you I fully understand Jesus was not Joseph's biological son and would never wish to imply that. Again, thank you for having so much concern for my spiritual well-being that you reached out to counsel me. Rumor,

First let me thank you for having sufficient concern for me as a person that you graciously and patiently offered counsel and correction for what you perceive as a possible error in my spiritual beliefs, rather than simply shouting at me. It is a rare and fading ability in these troubled times in which we live and I honor you for it.

No, I was not leaning on the Magdalene heresies. I was merely, but perhaps clumsily, repeating what the Bible plainly states in Matthew 13:55

For my Roman Catholic fellow Christians:
55 Nonne hic est fabri filius? nonne mater ejus dicitur Maria, et fratres ejus, Jacobus, et Joseph, et Simon, et Judas? [Biblia Sacra Vulgata, Jerome,ca 382]
Or in English
13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Jude:

* The translator inserts at this point a Note: His brethren. . .These were the children of Mary the wife of Cleophas, sister to our Blessed Lady, (St. Matt. 27. 56; St. John 19. 25,) and therefore, according to the usual style of the Scripture, they were called brethren, that is, near relations to our Saviour. [Both scripture and note from Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner Edition.]

For my Eastern Orthodox fellow Christians:
55. ουχ ουτος εστιν ο του τεκτονος υιος ουχ η μητηρ αυτου λεγεται μαριαμ και οι αδελφοι αυτου ιακωβος και ιωσηφ και σιμων και ιουδας [Greek NT: Westcott/Hort, UBS4 variants, eText courtesy of Biola University]

The text of an English translation of the Greek would not vary materially from the translation from the Latin given by Bishop Challoner immediately above except for the Note which is not part of the original text in either case.

In all of the above citations we have direct scriptural reference to a body of people (please otice that none of these people are Jesus, or any of his disciples) stating that in Jesus’ hometown, there lived a man named James (in one of that names various translations) whom all of the locals called the “brother of Jesus”.

I fully and unreservedly admit that nowhere does the bible specify whether that attribution of brotherhood comes from a process of adoption, by association in the same home, or by general misinformation on the part of the locals who may not have known any better. Furthermore, lacking biblical clarity on this point, as a good Baptist, I am constrained for arguing about any of those options with any person whose opinion does not match mine. In the absence of Scripture, my opinion holds no more water than anyone elses.

The interpretation given by Bishop Challoner in his footnote, is actually the one that most closely supports the point I was trying to make in the original post. In fact, Dudley and Harry are only cousins even though they were raised as brothers in the same household.

I used the term half-brother, intending its legal sense under Jewish Law. Since Joseph did not divorce Mary from her betrothal vows, or publicly condemn her in anyway before or after Jesus birth, Jesus became under the Jewish Legal system, Joseph’s legal son–even though I hasten to assure you I fully understand Jesus was not Joseph’s biological son and would never wish to imply that.

Again, thank you for having so much concern for my spiritual well-being that you reached out to counsel me.

]]> By: cigar95 http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1789 cigar95 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:20:22 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1789 There are certainly are traditional pious beliefs (within the Orthodox tradition, at least) that hold that "James the brother of the Lord" was a son of Joseph. As an elderly widower, it is not inconsistent for him to have had children as a younger man. This would make James legitimately a half brother in the family sense, if we think of Joseph as an adoptive father. There are certainly are traditional pious beliefs (within the Orthodox tradition, at least) that hold that “James the brother of the Lord” was a son of Joseph. As an elderly widower, it is not inconsistent for him to have had children as a younger man. This would make James legitimately a half brother in the family sense, if we think of Joseph as an adoptive father.

]]> By: rumor http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1788 rumor Thu, 04 Oct 2007 23:40:17 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1788 I must correct John A Baptist. If you have never heard of Bishop Fulton Sheen, you need to seek his books out, or his old radio and T.V. broadcasts out. Go to www.saintjo.com and there is a plethora of his teachings for sale by mp3 or cd. One that I love is Life Is Worth Living. Anyway, there is no way that Jesus had any brothers or sisters by blood as in Mary giving birth to any other man/woman at all. Jesus was born a Virgin birth, was the only real messiah to be predicted to come by prophets(230 something times mentioned in the old testamant and new), was the only one to ressurect, was the only one to take on the sins of man, and forgive man. You must be referring to the Da Vinci Code or something, because the bible does not state that. Think carefully. When Jesus refers to his brothers, he is referring to his spiritual brothers, not biological. Read it again and think in a different way and you will see the truth. I must correct John A Baptist. If you have never heard of Bishop Fulton Sheen, you need to seek his books out, or his old radio and T.V. broadcasts out. Go to http://www.saintjo.com and there is a plethora of his teachings for sale by mp3 or cd. One that I love is Life Is Worth Living. Anyway, there is no way that Jesus had any brothers or sisters by blood as in Mary giving birth to any other man/woman at all. Jesus was born a Virgin birth, was the only real messiah to be predicted to come by prophets(230 something times mentioned in the old testamant and new), was the only one to ressurect, was the only one to take on the sins of man, and forgive man. You must be referring to the Da Vinci Code or something, because the bible does not state that. Think carefully. When Jesus refers to his brothers, he is referring to his spiritual brothers, not biological. Read it again and think in a different way and you will see the truth.

]]> By: JohnABaptist http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1787 JohnABaptist Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:27:16 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1787 Cassianne and Arabella, I feel I must defend the Dursleys. They are the innocent result of an author being true to her outline. She is merely placing extended flesh and bones around the scriptural outline given her in both Matthew and Mark: 57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. [Gospel of Matthew 13:57-58] 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. [Gospel of Mark 6:4-5, NASB] The parallel to the "Chosen One" who has no honor in his own household and can do no magic there would seem fairly obvious. However, apparently it hasn't been. In fact, I sense Lady Joanne growing rather perplexed and mildly irritated at the density of her readers, since in "The Dursleys Departing" chapter of Deathly Hallows, as she comes to her annual "Adoration of the Magi" sequence for this book she specifically has Dedalus Diggle bow and say "...an HONOR as ever...." and shortly after, following Hestia Jones' look of outrage, she has the third person ever-present on Harry's shoulder say: "Harry had met this attitude before: Witches and wizards seemed stunned that his closest living relatives took so little interest in the famous Harry Potter." [Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Scholastic Hardcover Edition, page 40] I doubt she could rub our noses in the comparison much more firmly without drawing blood. What blows my mind is the realization that if we ever do see a follow-on book in this series, we will witness Hagrid(Peter) and Kreacher(Paul) agreeing to submit a difference of theological opinion to the arbitration of Dudley(James the half-brother of Jesus and latterly Bishop of Jerusalem) [See Acts 15, Galatians 2] WARNING: Roman Catholics and Protestants tend to vehemently disagree with each other as to whether James was making a ruling here, or merely seconding the authoritative statements of Peter...let us not re-argue that issue here, let us rather marvel at seeing dear Dudley in the scene at all. I'm not sure even Lady Rowling could sell that one, although it happens in the Bible. In fact, that may be our best guarantee to date that the series well and truly ends with the Deathly Hallows. Cassianne and Arabella,

I feel I must defend the Dursleys. They are the innocent result of an author being true to her outline. She is merely placing extended flesh and bones around the scriptural outline given her in both Matthew and Mark:

57 And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. [Gospel of Matthew 13:57-58]

4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” 5 And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. [Gospel of Mark 6:4-5, NASB]

The parallel to the “Chosen One” who has no honor in his own household and can do no magic there would seem fairly obvious. However, apparently it hasn’t been.

In fact, I sense Lady Joanne growing rather perplexed and mildly irritated at the density of her readers, since in “The Dursleys Departing” chapter of Deathly Hallows, as she comes to her annual “Adoration of the Magi” sequence for this book she specifically has Dedalus Diggle bow and say “…an HONOR as ever….” and shortly after, following Hestia Jones’ look of outrage, she has the third person ever-present on Harry’s shoulder say:

“Harry had met this attitude before: Witches and wizards seemed stunned that his closest living relatives took so little interest in the famous Harry Potter.” [Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Scholastic Hardcover Edition, page 40]

I doubt she could rub our noses in the comparison much more firmly without drawing blood.

What blows my mind is the realization that if we ever do see a follow-on book in this series, we will witness Hagrid(Peter) and Kreacher(Paul) agreeing to submit a difference of theological opinion to the arbitration of Dudley(James the half-brother of Jesus and latterly Bishop of Jerusalem) [See Acts 15, Galatians 2]

WARNING: Roman Catholics and Protestants tend to vehemently disagree with each other as to whether James was making a ruling here, or merely seconding the authoritative statements of Peter…let us not re-argue that issue here, let us rather marvel at seeing dear Dudley in the scene at all.

I’m not sure even Lady Rowling could sell that one, although it happens in the Bible. In fact, that may be our best guarantee to date that the series well and truly ends with the Deathly Hallows.

]]> By: John http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1786 John Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:13:22 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1786 The two Doctors responsible for bringing the world the "psychopathology" of "abortion survivors" that colors the entire postmodern world attempted in 2003 (1) to interpret Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and (2) explain Pottermania in light of Rowling's tapping into this psychopathology. I think we have a new leader for "Oddest Review"! Here is the conclusion from the Drs. Ney: <em>Using coded language, Rowling has been able to put into written form the unrevealed and unspoken fears of the abortion survivor. She expressed in writing psychological conflicts that generally only appear in nightmares. Many of the struggles experienced by children, and which she fantasizes about in her Harry Potter series, have been expressed in the terrifying dreams of abortion survivors. For example: - somebody tried or wanted to kill you (Harry's teacher, Mr. Quirrell, trying to kill him) - the feeling that one is surrounded by invisible people, some of whom are hostile and wish your death (Harry looks into the mirror and sees a whole crowd of people standing right behind him) - shedding blood, murdering your sibling (in fantasy), so that you can live half a life (Mr. Quirrell drinking the blood of an innocent, pure victim to stay alive, although at a terrible cost) - the feeling of being burdened by a parasite, a hostile sibling who hangs on to you and prevents you from living (Mr. Quirrell, a man with two faces, carrying a half-dead Voldmort who explains that he has a form only when he can share another's body and who dreams to create a body for himself) - and, of course, the terrifying reality that somebody is angry at the survivor for being alive (Voldmort's anger at Harry Potter) Ms Rowling also appeals to the abortion survivor, because she briefly touches on some of the deepest yearnings of all humans for life and meaning. (Harry finally finds somebody who watches over him). However, having opened up this yearning, she sends the reader away empty-handed. She remarkably and accurately describes and expands on the dark side of a humanity without God. The themes she develops are anti-thetical to the glory of Christian revelation. She illustrates the morbid fascination abortion survivors have for control and power, even if these are dark and frightening. Harry Potter looks for the stone that confers eternal life. This is clearly opposed to Christian revelation. He experiences a mother's love that is so strong, it is capable of burning and destroying the enemy, a caricature which is quite obvious. Ms Rowling appeals to the more pathological dreams of the abortion survivors. She describes transfiguration as one of the most complex and dangerous kinds of magic. She describes a world of magic and of power. "There is no good and evil, only power and those too weak to seek it." In the Harry Potter world, there is the mirror of Erised, which shows us what we want or want to see. A world where one can be special, if one is marked as having survived. The inventor of Harry Potter describes with great accuracy the world of the abortion survivors. However, in a truly satanic fashion, she leads these broken people in a downward spiral into a world that is not life-giving, but one of death and despair. She shows them the way to an illusion of power, which is without life and which is the realm of Satan. Harry Potter can become a cult, making people feel they are understood and will understand the truth and then deliberately lead them away from the source of Life and Truth. The psychopathology associated with being an abortion survivor is real. It needs to be understood by those involved in the new evangelization. We now need people who are saintly enough to descend into the pit of hell where they are and who can bring them to the light. Preaching Jesus Christ is a work of love, healing and life. It is a work of mercy.</em> As valuable or silly the psychopathology they describe, as book reviewers the good doctors need to begin by reading the rest of the series and work on sharpening those literary criticism skills. I recommend "Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader." Thank you, Peg Kerr, for this nomination. The rest of this LifeSite classic can be found at http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07090503.html. What's your bet that the good doctors worship in the same Star Chamber as Michael O'Brien and the other RadTrad LifeSite Savanarolas? The two Doctors responsible for bringing the world the “psychopathology” of “abortion survivors” that colors the entire postmodern world attempted in 2003 (1) to interpret Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and (2) explain Pottermania in light of Rowling’s tapping into this psychopathology.

I think we have a new leader for “Oddest Review”! Here is the conclusion from the Drs. Ney:

Using coded language, Rowling has been able to put into written form the unrevealed and unspoken fears of the abortion survivor. She expressed in writing psychological conflicts that generally only appear in nightmares. Many of the struggles experienced by children, and which she fantasizes about in her Harry Potter series, have been expressed in the terrifying dreams of abortion survivors. For example:

- somebody tried or wanted to kill you (Harry’s teacher, Mr. Quirrell, trying to kill him)

- the feeling that one is surrounded by invisible people, some of whom are hostile and wish your death (Harry looks into the mirror and sees a whole crowd of people standing right behind him)

- shedding blood, murdering your sibling (in fantasy), so that you can live half a life (Mr. Quirrell drinking the blood of an innocent, pure victim to stay alive, although at a terrible cost)

- the feeling of being burdened by a parasite, a hostile sibling who hangs on to you and prevents you from living (Mr. Quirrell, a man with two faces, carrying a half-dead Voldmort who explains that he has a form only when he can share another’s body and who dreams to create a body for himself)

- and, of course, the terrifying reality that somebody is angry at the survivor for being alive (Voldmort’s anger at Harry Potter)

Ms Rowling also appeals to the abortion survivor, because she briefly touches on some of the deepest yearnings of all humans for life and meaning. (Harry finally finds somebody who watches over him). However, having opened up this yearning, she sends the reader away empty-handed. She remarkably and accurately describes and expands on the dark side of a humanity without God. The themes she develops are anti-thetical to the glory of Christian revelation. She illustrates the morbid fascination abortion survivors have for control and power, even if these are dark and frightening.

Harry Potter looks for the stone that confers eternal life. This is clearly opposed to Christian revelation. He experiences a mother’s love that is so strong, it is capable of burning and destroying the enemy, a caricature which is quite obvious.

Ms Rowling appeals to the more pathological dreams of the abortion survivors. She describes transfiguration as one of the most complex and dangerous kinds of magic. She describes a world of magic and of power. “There is no good and evil, only power and those too weak to seek it.” In the Harry Potter world, there is the mirror of Erised, which shows us what we want or want to see. A world where one can be special, if one is marked as having survived.

The inventor of Harry Potter describes with great accuracy the world of the abortion survivors. However, in a truly satanic fashion, she leads these broken people in a downward spiral into a world that is not life-giving, but one of death and despair. She shows them the way to an illusion of power, which is without life and which is the realm of Satan.

Harry Potter can become a cult, making people feel they are understood and will understand the truth and then deliberately lead them away from the source of Life and Truth. The psychopathology associated with being an abortion survivor is real. It needs to be understood by those involved in the new evangelization. We now need people who are saintly enough to descend into the pit of hell where they are and who can bring them to the light. Preaching Jesus Christ is a work of love, healing and life. It is a work of mercy.

As valuable or silly the psychopathology they describe, as book reviewers the good doctors need to begin by reading the rest of the series and work on sharpening those literary criticism skills. I recommend “Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader.”

Thank you, Peg Kerr, for this nomination. The rest of this LifeSite classic can be found at http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07090503.html. What’s your bet that the good doctors worship in the same Star Chamber as Michael O’Brien and the other RadTrad LifeSite Savanarolas?

]]> By: pegkerr http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1785 pegkerr Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:41:40 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1785 There has been another . . . EXTREMELY peculiar Lifesite article, and I'd love to see your thoughts on it: "We wish to hypothesize that the popularity of the Harry Potter series is due to the fact that the themes and the main character strike deep chords in the minds of our younger generation because they are abortion survivors." http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07090503.html My, they REALLY try to fit everything to their own Procrustean bed, don't they? Lifesite is really unbelievable, isn't it? I thought Michael O'Brien was bad! (I loved <i>Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader</i> have been been promoting it enthusiastically on my Livejournal.) There has been another . . . EXTREMELY peculiar Lifesite article, and I’d love to see your thoughts on it:

“We wish to hypothesize that the popularity of the Harry Potter series is due to the fact that the themes and the main character strike deep chords in the minds of our younger generation because they are abortion survivors.”

http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/sep/07090503.html

My, they REALLY try to fit everything to their own Procrustean bed, don’t they?

Lifesite is really unbelievable, isn’t it? I thought Michael O’Brien was bad!

(I loved Unlocking Harry Potter: Five Keys for the Serious Reader have been been promoting it enthusiastically on my Livejournal.)

]]> By: Arabella Figg http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com/harry-potter-and-the-death-of-god-by-michael-d-obrien/comment-page-1/#comment-1784 Arabella Figg Sun, 02 Sep 2007 22:16:33 +0000 http://hogwartsprofessor.com/?p=165#comment-1784 Cassianne, I agree with you about the Dursleys. Their condemnation is the same as given to others in the wizarding world: their closed prejudice and lack of love. They had as much opportunity for incredible power as any wizard. If they had loved Harry as their own (as Dumbldore wished them to), they would have had not only gratitude (and love) from Harry, but also from the wizarding world (including fame therein). Instead, Petunia could not forgive her sister for having a gift she lacked, couldn't forgive Dumbledore for not "giving" it to her. She married a dullard who would reinforce her anger, hatred and prejudice and they instilled these in their son, Dudley. That Dudley (and only Dudley), that dimwitted, cruel boy, could reach out to Harry was all the more amazing. Petunia may have paused before leaving but could not say the words. Her sense of self-protection was too threatened. Vernon, of course, left and never looked back; his callousness is breathtaking, but predictable. The Dursleys' problem wasn't conservatism, it was failure to reach beyond themselves to love a small nephew dependent upon them, in addition to their greedy materialism. Flako is greedy for a treat, but he's not getting it... Cassianne, I agree with you about the Dursleys. Their condemnation is the same as given to others in the wizarding world: their closed prejudice and lack of love. They had as much opportunity for incredible power as any wizard. If they had loved Harry as their own (as Dumbldore wished them to), they would have had not only gratitude (and love) from Harry, but also from the wizarding world (including fame therein).

Instead, Petunia could not forgive her sister for having a gift she lacked, couldn’t forgive Dumbledore for not “giving” it to her. She married a dullard who would reinforce her anger, hatred and prejudice and they instilled these in their son, Dudley.

That Dudley (and only Dudley), that dimwitted, cruel boy, could reach out to Harry was all the more amazing. Petunia may have paused before leaving but could not say the words. Her sense of self-protection was too threatened. Vernon, of course, left and never looked back; his callousness is breathtaking, but predictable.

The Dursleys’ problem wasn’t conservatism, it was failure to reach beyond themselves to love a small nephew dependent upon them, in addition to their greedy materialism.

Flako is greedy for a treat, but he’s not getting it…

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