Comments on: Skeptics in the Harry Potter Universe

By: someguy

someguy — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 11:51:29 +0000

The Age of Unreason series by J. Gregory Keyes actually answers that. Essentially, it’s set in an alternate version of history where Isaac Newton creates the philosopher’s stone, making it manifest in the physical world which essentially makes magic really work. Naturally, the kings of Europe want to control magic for their own ends, even though they barely understand it themselves, and the churches are in a rush to define the supernatural realm according to their dogma – and burn anyone who disagrees as a heretic. We’ve got Peter the Great leading an invasion of flying ships, and Louis XIV calling down comets on his enemies and plunging the whole world into an ice age as the dust from the fallout blots out the sun.

The story follows the life and adventures of a young magician named Ben Franklin as he discovers the true nature of magic, grows up, helps found a new country that celebrates individual freedom and liberty, and fights off the forces of ignorance, superstition and tyranny.

As a boy, magical Ben Franklin could kick Harry Potter’s butt, and when he grows up he’s a match for Dumbledore, Gandalf and Ged.

And yeah, I know Gandalf is actually an angelic being, but Franklin takes on entities like that too.

By: Iason Ouabache

Iason Ouabache — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 09:49:54 +0000

Have you heard about Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality yet? It's a very long read but definitely worth it.

By: Godless Girl

Godless Girl — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:45:24 +0000

Good points! I hadn’t thought of that before. And hello to a fellow nerd!

By: TheSecretAtheist

TheSecretAtheist — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:33:02 +0000

It is interesting to note that there IS some skepticism in the Harry Potter ‘verse. Many consider divination to be a fraud, and look at how many people ridicule Luna and her father for the things they publish in the Quibbler.

Yeah, I’m an HP nerd.

By: DrMatt

DrMatt — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:34:47 +0000

I am amazed and possibly frightened that so many condemned Daniel for his religious views. (after the article on him) Rather strange considering the Calvinist view that "being a Christian" is not a choice but a pre-destination, so he is condemned for his "choice."

By: mcbender

mcbender — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:33:07 +0000

Why don't you stop posting this copy-pasted garbage on every atheistic site you can find, and actually do some thinking for yourself for once?

Incidentally… yes, I do realise I am taking a position against the vast majority of the human race, and YES, I am right and they are wrong. Bugger off with your false dichotomies and fallacious reasoning. I don't think you're going to convince anybody by being a parrot…

(I hope I'm not being too presumptuous in responding to this in lieu of more frequent commenters here).

By: strangelove222

strangelove222 — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:34:57 +0000

Looks like your website is under attack from supernatural forces… http://isgodimaginary.com/forum/index.php/topic,4... you really need to add comment moderation to your blasphemy… Atheist: have you for but a moment considered that you have adopted a position against 98% of the human race, both past and present? do you think you are RIGHT and they are all WRONG? WRONG now listen to this arrogant puffed up son of a bitch.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWM7jIEN_k little scientist geek who would try to usurp God Himself!!!

By: Joshua Zelinsky

Joshua Zelinsky — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:34:55 +0000

The third book was definitely the best. There are however much better series in the "children doing magic" genre (is that a subset of urban fantasy?). Diane Duane's Young Wizards series is much better. The first three books, So You Want to Be a Wizard, Deep Wizardry, and High Wizardry are amazing. I serious have to wonder why Rowling does so well and Duane hasn't done nearly as well. It does indicate that popularity isn't very closely connected to quality.

By: godlessgirl

godlessgirl — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:02:13 +0000

It's worth it to finish. They get more dark, complex, and interesting!

By: Joshua Zelinsky

Joshua Zelinsky — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:13:34 +0000

Strongly agree. If we had evidence of "magical" entities like ghosts or angels we'd just subject them to rigorous scientific examination. A lot of books and movies try to make a dichotomy between "science" and "magic" that shows a really poor understanding of what science is about. Most commonly electricity is labeled as scientific and it somehow either hurts magic or doesn't work around magical devices. In fact, Harry Potter is an example of this bad thinking in that electronics don't work around Hogwarts.