Ladies and gentlmen, I welcome you to Insights in which I try to throw a little of my own perspective light onto topics with which people mail me. No subject is too off-the-wall or taboo; I'll stick my neck out on anything.
Before I begin, I'd like to make a few points so nobody is confused or 'mislead'. The first is that I have never read a Harry Potter book, nor have I seen the movie. The second is that Dana Linville did not technically suggest this. She and I got into a debate (almost a first for me), and it was so intense I noted that it would make a good Insight as I haven't had one (an update, not an insight) in almost a year. The third and most notable, as one would soon see, is that this is indeed more than about Harry Potter.
So I was minding my own business in the breakroom at work, munching on a soft taco from Taco Bell when fellow employee Dana Linville comes in with her lunch, turns to me, and asks, "Do you think Harry Potter should be allowed to be read in school?" So after making it clear that it was 'allowed' and not 'mandated', I said that I saw no problem with it. This is where the debate began.
Her starting objection was that it taught witchcraft. Now, not having read any myself, but pretty sure that all these young children haven't suddenly manifested the ability to enchant broomsticks, I tried not to choke on my taco. I stated as such, and she held to the point that all the books are about witchcraft. Not wishing to use the point that Green Eggs and Ham was consistently the topic of the self-named book, but was really about trying new things before judging them, I instead asked what she had against witchcraft. Summoning the cold harshness of the long-dead in Salem, she replied that it was evil. I then informed her that those thoughts were misdirected as witchraft stemmed from the Wiccans (note the similar first two letters) who practiced on the religion of Neo-Paganism which worships the sacridness of nature, to have balance in life, and its main rule is that people are allowed to do what they will so long as no harm befalls others or themselves (which, by the way, is about the best religion I've found myself suited toward). These were unrightly prosecuted as witches in early America and before (my thanks to both Eric Schulman, author of A Briefer History of Time as well as Scooby Doo for the above information beforehand).
Sadly, this ended the debate as she began eating, no doubt sulking over what was an intellectually devastating return to her volley. However, it did open my mind up a little more to what I actually believed in and thought. I haven't read my old Insights of Religion for some time, but I imagine my thinking has altered slightly, or perhaps I had not the confrontation needed to reveal my true sentiments. Or I could have been drinking a lot of caffeine that day.
I have never thought of myself as a religious person simply because I never go to church and scarcely, if ever, pray. However, I believe in angels, ghosts, the supernatural, and luck. Any and all religions are based on one sole premise. Break it down, and it all leads to belief. Faith. An idea. Atheism is a religion. The belief there is no God. Shamanism, the belief the world is inhabited by spirits to whom we can communicate through proper channels. Buddism, the belief that existence is suffering and can only be ceased by an eightfold path of right virtues. Catholicism, the belief that Jesus Chris is the Son of God and that by faith in Christ, people may attain salvation and eternal life. Satanism, the belief that people should devote their lives to fulfilling their desires and helping others do the same. And so on with dozens more.
I found myself reading through dozens of different religious beliefs and found an astonishing thing. I find not a single one that I find faulty or 'wrong'. Not a single religion that didn't have some part that didn't click with some part of me. A handful of years ago when asked my religion, I would have answered 'none'. Now, perhaps a better answer would be 'all'. While I do not fast, or shun meat or pork, or pray in a building or towards a city, I realize that the fundamental thing behind religion is an attempt to comprehend. To understand. And it wasn't until I did do some research, to learn, to understand, did I realize how open I was.
And perhaps that's the problem with a lot of society. People don't attempt to learn or to understand things they don't know. It's easier to say, "It's evil," than to open a book...open their mind. I realized that most of my problems with religion stemmed from two types of people. Those who try to impose on you their beliefs, and those who find other beliefs at fault or wrong. I would bet the majority of the people who are highly against Harry Potter books are also the same people who fight for prayer in schools. Should either be allowed, why not, they are both forms of ideas. Should either be mandated, never, for that imposes one belief on another. Yes, I say that people should open their minds, but any real change is going to come from people choosing to do that themselves rather than be forced into it. I've learned from experience that many times, forced ideas become shunned ideas.
I suppose that's as good a spot to end as could be. I realize this topic hasn't been as humorous or light-hearted as previous topics. It's also the first topic which I held a firm stance on my own without having to think about my position. It's rare that I believe in something so strongly, but maybe my beliefs on my beliefs are where my strength lies. I don't intend for anyone's thoughts to change from what I've written. In all honesty, I doubt more than three people will ever read this. All I hope is that maybe one person takes it to heart and might share it with someone else. After all hopes, dreams, ideas...beliefs.....isn't that really all we have?
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