The Language of Magic

It's God? Think of the implications.

"Sweets are good. Sweets are justice."

Perhaps. Indeed, even the belief thing is relevant to how one asks for miracles.

HOWEVER, you must call upon the power of Christ, and it MUST be in accordance with his will. The characters don't do that, and they often use magic to do less than savory things.

Which brings us to the next point that "supernatural" power comes from only two sources, if I recall correctly. Said forces are God... or Satan.

That either leaves us with a sort of battle between God and Satan... or everyone is just plain satanic (whether they realize it or not). The only way around this is a mechanical thing; but even though Rowling has stated it is "mechanical", such is never implied in story, and many wouldn't take her word for it anyways.

As for why it draws such flak from religious groups: it softens children to the idea of magic. While those on the extreme end may state that it invokes demonic possession, or recruits children away from Christianity, more moderate folk point to the fact it makes magic fun and interesting. IE, it could provoke children to be warmed up to things like fortune telling, even if it is only for fun. They worry that the line will be blurred, and it is stated (an odd number of times) in the Bible that looking to change anything through supernatural means counts as witchcraft - even picking a four leaf clover in hope of good luck.

And that is why there is so much trouble.

Personally, I liked her books, but think she wasted some perfectly good plot points elaborating on things. A story isn't just about the destination, it's also about the journey. A cool and interesting mention on what magic is would have proved interesting.

edited 16th Mar '11 9:22:29 PM by TheMightyAnonym

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! ~ GOD

The idea that Stan has any power over this world... to a Muslim this is mumbo-jumbo. Satan can whisper bad thoughts at you, that's all. A pretty big all, especially where sex is concerned, but Islams positis that you can beat him without even trying if you're smart enough.

"Sweets are good. Sweets are justice."

That's interesting (if random). The Bible's warnings of Satan sound more like a cosmic horror story though.

There is a story referenced in Jude (but isn't in the Bible) where one of God's archangels actually dares not take on Satan - because he is overwhelmingly powerful.

In the Bible, there is also a strikingly humorous tale of these folk who decide to go around casting out demons in the name of Jesus... even though they didn't believe in him or understand him. To them, "Jesus" was just an incantation. They eventually met the real deal, a man possessed by a demon. Hilarity Ensues. The demon says that he knows of this one called Jesus, but who the heck are you? He then proceeds to beat them up. I'll have to dig that passage out again.

Satan is stated to have been the very highest of all created creatures, and thus carried enormous power, and very likely, incredible intelligence. Add a few thousand years of practice prowling about, and you have one very threatening figure.

I don't think any mortal man is about to outsmart such an entity.

edited 17th Mar '11 1:35:49 AM by TheMightyAnonym

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! ~ GOD

Eh, Iblis isn't nearly as bad. Also, who said he was the highest being? Word of Dante or Milton?

I am confutated by that last bit...

Zetsubou has completely ruined the word for me.

So this is the language of magic beings, or the magic power of their language?

"Sweets are good. Sweets are justice."

Besides the implications already mentioned, it isn't magic anymore at this point. Besides, God flat out denies any worth in magic in the Bible (someone correct me if I'm wrong, I've read very, very little of the Bible), claiming that any great work will be done by Him (or, in some cases, His son).

Magic is usually described as humans performing great, nigh divine feats by themselves, with little to no help from any sort of "divine" sources; a break in this trend is usually connotated with darker magic, making pacts with devils or other creatures that would have a great deal of gain by making a deal with a mortal, in exchange for amazing powers that said mortal wouldn't be able to have on their own. In some cases, people will tie all magic to making deals with devils and spirits in exchange for power, which honestly isn't too far off base there either.

: Nothing said of magic except that doing evil with magic is not good.

A guy called dvorak is tired. Tired of humanity not wanting to change to improve itself. Quite the sad tale.