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Post by twyrch on Feb 7, 2005 18:00:43 GMT -5
Absolutely not. Greydanus is a member of the Arts and Faith Film Critics Circle, which is the farthest thing from Ted Baehr that you can imagine, short of being neo-Pagan  You have no idea how much your "neo-pagan" comment made me chuckle. I had studied Druidry indepth over the last few years... Not that I would convert completely.... yet.... but since they are such a diversely religious group, there are Christian Druids in this world. One such group is in Southern Ohio. I have considered becoming a bard. Like I tell my Wiccan friends, I will only embrace it if I am sure it will not jeopardize my eternal salvation. Just a little bit more about where I'm coming from on this....  |
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Post by Riothamus on Feb 7, 2005 18:48:30 GMT -5
Christian Druids? No kidding? (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, being a Lawhead fan and all  ) Is there a website on 'em? Or, preferably, by 'em? |
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Post by twyrch on Feb 7, 2005 19:48:39 GMT -5
Christian Druids? No kidding? (I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, being a Lawhead fan and all ) Is there a website on 'em? Or, preferably, by 'em? I'll have to dig it up again... I found it on a thread through another forum at the OBOD website. OBOD is the Order of Bards, Ovatanes and Druids. I'd look it up for you now, but I'm at a grade school teaching computer courses for people 50+ and the school firewalls that website.  Anyway, I'll look it up and post the article back here. I have seriously considered becoming a bard though. It's basically writing, poetry and story telling. You don't have to "prove" magical ability to reach the minimal level of Druidry. |
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Post by dinadan on Feb 7, 2005 20:38:25 GMT -5
Druidism can be highly rewarding; but, few (if any) people who have ever studied theories of magick can resist the temptation to try their hand at it eventually.
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Post by twyrch on Feb 7, 2005 22:01:46 GMT -5
Druidism can be highly rewarding; but, few (if any) people who have ever studied theories of magick can resist the temptation to try their hand at it eventually. For me, I would resist that urge because the temporary pleasures and benefits of its use would not justify the eternal damnation of my soul... IMO....  Hence, the reason I am so torn.... |
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Post by dinadan on Feb 7, 2005 23:09:24 GMT -5
I suppose that depends on how one views what would lead to the d**nation of the soul; some things that might qualify as "magick" are not necessarily evil. Of course, in the age we live in, any exploration of this kind of knowledge is dangerous--as time continues to wind down, it'll just get even more dangerous. That being said, from a certain point of view, there is very little difference between "miracles" and "magick"--there's ample Biblical proof for that. It just depends on where you're power comes from; the thing to remember is that if you attempt any magick, you must first completely surrender yourself to the Divine Will, prayer, fasting, and do nothing because you wish something to be--only let the Almighty work through you. As I said it can be very rewarding...but the temptations to selfishness which lead inexorably to the path to Perdition are very strong. And once open to such things, one stays open to them forever--there is no going back.
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Post by Riothamus on Feb 8, 2005 9:05:37 GMT -5
"Ample Biblical Proof"? Sorry, I don't follow you, there.
(By the way, do you guys think we should start a new thread on Magic(k) in literature, to avoid derailing this one? Just a thought.)
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Post by twyrch on Feb 8, 2005 9:49:57 GMT -5
"Ample Biblical Proof"? Sorry, I don't follow you, there. (By the way, do you guys think we should start a new thread on Magic(k) in literature, to avoid derailing this one? Just a thought.) Nah... It doesn't matter to me. Harry Potter and magic in literature as so closely related, I hardly consider this a derailment, but more a natural progression of a thread. |
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Post by twyrch on Feb 8, 2005 10:49:18 GMT -5
I suppose that depends on how one views what would lead to the d**nation of the soul; some things that might qualify as "magick" are not necessarily evil. Of course, in the age we live in, any exploration of this kind of knowledge is dangerous--as time continues to wind down, it'll just get even more dangerous. That being said, from a certain point of view, there is very little difference between "miracles" and "magick"--there's ample Biblical proof for that. It just depends on where you're power comes from; the thing to remember is that if you attempt any magick, you must first completely surrender yourself to the Divine Will, prayer, fasting, and do nothing because you wish something to be--only let the Almighty work through you. As I said it can be very rewarding...but the temptations to selfishness which lead inexorably to the path to Perdition are very strong. And once open to such things, one stays open to them forever--there is no going back. Very True.... That is something I have discussed with my Wiccan Friends as well. The source of the power. They believe it comes from the earth itself, but I feel strongly the source is much deeper than that. |
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Post by Lady Bookwyrm on Feb 12, 2005 23:38:54 GMT -5
I LOVE the HP books...I must have read every one of them a hundred times already. I am waiting eagerly for the next one to come out.
As for the whole magic thing...your kid is wacked if they don't know the difference between fantasy and reality by the time they can read something on the level of the HP books. Besides, they should be exposed to all sides of the argument and be free to choose on their own, if you are worried about the whole Christianity thing. Of course, the parent is supposed to influence their children with their views, etc. but forbidding a child to read it is only making it more tempting and appealing... so...yeah
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Post by twyrch on Feb 12, 2005 23:50:11 GMT -5
I LOVE the HP books...I must have read every one of them a hundred times already. I am waiting eagerly for the next one to come out.
As for the whole magic thing...your kid is wacked if they don't know the difference between fantasy and reality by the time they can read something on the level of the HP books. Besides, they should be exposed to all sides of the argument and be free to choose on their own, if you are worried about the whole Christianity thing. Of course, the parent is supposed to influence their children with their views, etc. but forbidding a child to read it is only making it more tempting and appealing... so...yeah YEP! I can vouch for that from experience.... |
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amodman
Mabinog
[M:395]
The Nightcrawler
Posts: 226
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Post by amodman on Feb 15, 2005 2:23:21 GMT -5
BACK to the HP books! I will voice my opinion. Personally, I thought 1-3 were horrendous for a good fantasy read (but very very good for children). I might read a little if I was really bored, but overall the writing style and everything was just very childish. However, #4, that was a really good book. The writing style and everything jumped like 20 steps. And then, #5, I loved that one! That was another huge improvement over #4! This is, of course, due to two things. 1. Rowling is getting more mature with her writing herself and 2. She is planning this change to mature the books along with it's core audience - all the children who got into in the first place. Wonderful strategy I daresay! I would strongly oppose the earlier comment in this thread opposing fantasy children's books. Growing up fantasy became (and is) my favorite. Though at one time it was mystery...fantasy beat it out! You underestimate children with comments like "they don't understand the difference between reality and fiction". With this stance, we better not read them any of the symbolic stories from the bible! Fairy tales? Forget it! This is called proper parenting people, you tell them the difference. Honestly, when you were 10 did you believe Snow White was a real story?! (making age assumptions there ) |
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Post by twyrch on Feb 15, 2005 9:39:42 GMT -5
BACK to the HP books! I will voice my opinion. Personally, I thought 1-3 were horrendous for a good fantasy read (but very very good for children). I might read a little if I was really bored, but overall the writing style and everything was just very childish. However, #4, that was a really good book. The writing style and everything jumped like 20 steps. And then, #5, I loved that one! That was another huge improvement over #4! This is, of course, due to two things. 1. Rowling is getting more mature with her writing herself and 2. She is planning this change to mature the books along with it's core audience - all the children who got into in the first place. Wonderful strategy I daresay! I would strongly oppose the earlier comment in this thread opposing fantasy children's books. Growing up fantasy became (and is) my favorite. Though at one time it was mystery...fantasy beat it out! You underestimate children with comments like "they don't understand the difference between reality and fiction". With this stance, we better not read them any of the symbolic stories from the bible! Fairy tales? Forget it! This is called proper parenting people, you tell them the difference. Honestly, when you were 10 did you believe Snow White was a real story?! (making age assumptions there ) Well spoken! I remember reading the Hardy Boys for a long time, then moving into SciFi and finally fantasy. It has helped shaped my creativity and I'm thankful for the opportunity for my imagination to get lost in fantasy. I think you're on to something with her writing style. It has gotten better and darker. As her "core" audience grows, so does her writing ability. |
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Post by Daae on Feb 15, 2005 13:29:47 GMT -5
I took a class on fantasy literature last year, and we talked about Harry Potter. Frankly, it isn't good fantasy. Good, solid fantasy is grounded in a world, ours or another, that has rules and laws that must be followed. A good, interesting fantasy doesn't have the "Magic Spatula of Power" that can make everything better. In the Harry Potter books, the heroes seem like they may be in trouble, but suddenly, what do you know, but they have a new spell that solves that problem. How convient. And this is more my own opinion, but, I've read the first four books, and I didn't find the characters very interesting or intriguing, especially Voldemort. For someone to really care about the hero, you need a good villain, and frankly, Voldey-boy didn't cut it for me.
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Post by twyrch on Feb 15, 2005 14:12:08 GMT -5
I took a class on fantasy literature last year, and we talked about Harry Potter. Frankly, it isn't good fantasy. Good, solid fantasy is grounded in a world, ours or another, that has rules and laws that must be followed. A good, interesting fantasy doesn't have the "Magic Spatula of Power" that can make everything better. In the Harry Potter books, the heroes seem like they may be in trouble, but suddenly, what do you know, but they have a new spell that solves that problem. How convient. And this is more my own opinion, but, I've read the first four books, and I didn't find the characters very interesting or intriguing, especially Voldemort. For someone to really care about the hero, you need a good villain, and frankly, Voldey-boy didn't cut it for me. Well... I wouldn't classify HP as "fantasy" at all... perhaps a hibrid "magical adventure" or something like that... Also, you are right about her writing. But she is getting much better. |
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) Is there a website on 'em? Or, preferably, by 'em? 
