lwj2 posted a comment on Monday 15th July 2013 2:17pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I fail to see what any uproar about Christianity (or Judaism, or any other religion) in Potter stories would be about. With Muggle-born and Muggle-reared entering the magical world, it would be surprising if they were to abandon what faith(s) they'd been reared in. One would, indeed, be more expectant that the Malfoys would have retained their French Catholic or Hueguenot faith, traditionalists that they appear to be.

It is just as unlikely (and unreasonable) to expect a Sikh or Ghurka to convert to Christianity because they served the Queen.

Excellent story, thanks for writing and sharing it.

joeBob posted a comment on Wednesday 9th September 2009 7:03pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I'm enjoying these later chapters more. The story seems like it's getting better.

I'm an atheist and the religious elements do not bother me.
One thing that is glossed over is that any rational person in Rowling's world would be a fool to be atheistic.
(1) They have eyeball-evidence of forms of an afterlife!
(2) They have proof of an immortal-ish soul!
(3) They have demi-demons (dementors, etc.) and demigods (phoenixes, etc.).
(4) They have a bleeping higher power that actually speaks prophecies that are real!

It would be supreme stupidity, in such a world, to discount the possibility of full-fledged god(s).

razor_M posted a comment on Saturday 29th August 2009 10:23am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I admit that I'm not a religious person, but i don't try to push my beliefs on others. You made a very good point, and I thought it was amusing.

Concealed Convict posted a comment on Sunday 8th March 2009 5:46am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I, for one, am Christian and I am pleased to see that you have managed to work the subject into your story so well. Bravo! Anyone who doesn't like that can find something else to read. The one thing I see wrong with this story is calling the DA the PD. I'm presuming you know that it stood for People's Democracy in N.I. and was a student group which was often involved in violence. Even though they were targeted more than they attacked they are still synonymous with violence and equality. I'm not sure what aspect you were going for, but I thought that, although I don't have a problem, there are people who would.

Thanks for writing
Keep up the good work
Don't let anyone dissuade you from including Christian views
Concealed-Convict

Harold Clark posted a comment on Tuesday 30th September 2008 2:07pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Flames about the Religious factor!!!! Not at all, the best of Christianity and Wicca has to do with our care and stewardship of this creation.
However, I do want to scold you sererely about your canard against unionism. To this day the only real bargaining power for the worker is the Union..unlike the moneyed class who have armies of lawyers, goon squads in uniform, and paid Parliaments and Congresses to enforce their position to the detriment of the workers and the middle class, et al!! Shame! Shame!thrice Shame on you! Bye the way. Great Chapter!

s_shah posted a comment on Monday 17th March 2008 3:44am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

and great reasoning behind DD's extreme belief in the good of men....it was always a very strange that the greatest wizard (and maybe the smartest as well) of the time was blindly optimistic...you gave quite a good reason to that !!!

s_shah posted a comment on Sunday 16th March 2008 11:58am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

hey...

gr8 story... bit too much of details about magical theory but i understand that you do have to build the whole spell mogering idea on a base and i'm loving it...about the religion part you just mentioned in the after note...well, i'm a muslim and believe me when i say i didnt mind any of it (I do respect other religions even if i dont believe in them) ...i'm just glad you havent bad mouthed any other religion but even if you do that...well its your story !!! keep up the good work and please pray for me that i stop reading your story and start studying for my exam next week .. :)

SS.

Kafire posted a comment on Monday 17th December 2007 6:21pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Dear Author,
I have been raised as an atheist all my life. Religion has had little to no effect on me, though I appreciate its value to those who use it. I also have been reading fanfiction for over 7 years. I hope this provides enough background for you to understand that this piece of art is one of the greatest works I have read in all my experience with fanfiction. While your characters are more introspective and superhero-like for everyday conversations, the plotline is well-planned and the dialogue flows seamlessly.
Not only is this a great story, but it has also provided me with a reprieve from my usual struggle with faith. Your way of revealing the actual positive effects of prayer literally made me stop and consider learning how to pray. Your use of Christianity is in no way overbearing, yet it is obviously integral to Harry's continued growth and maturation. For once, I can see faith as something not polarizing, but a subtly powerful aid to those who are open to it. Thank you for this beautiful tapestry of faith, power, and self-knowledge - I look forward to reading the next chapters.

Sincerely,
Kafire

Aaran St Vines replied:

Dear Kafire, Thank you for reading and reviewing, and thank you for considering the possibility of what I have written about faith active in a person's life. Faith has been a "powerful aid" as you've described it, in my life, and I offer a small portion of this tale to demonstrate the benefits to others - "offer" being the key word, not anything else. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions - st.vines@ameritech.net.

chris25 posted a comment on Sunday 4th November 2007 5:25am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I myself am not a christian, and indeed am in some ways prejudiced against christianity in its current form. Despite this, i see no problems with your inclusion of it in this fanfiction, indeed I myself have plans to include angelic beings based upon christian interpretations thereof in one of my own stories. Christianity as presented here is one of the most admirable faiths i have come across. My problems with it are due to the snobbery, cruelty and archaic reliance on traditions that are not only questionable in their inclusion in faith, but actually harmful, that are displayed by numerous proponents of Christianity, and indeed numerous other faiths - acts such as trying to get someone thrown off of a story site for writing about such things is another form of this, and every bit as distasteful. I admire and respect you for your principles, and for your response. Also, the story is awesome.

bookwurm290 posted a comment on Friday 2nd November 2007 3:47pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I agree that people shouldn't flame about religion in Harry Potter, it's sad how prejudiced against Chrisianity America has become. Would you mind sending me a list of the authors who do write fanfiction that incorporates Christianity into their works? it sounds like a very interesting way of writing fanfiction.

By the way, I love you're story and the way that you've written it. The storyline does seem to move very slowly, but you have so much good stuff put in there I can't really complain. Keep up the good work!

Zarz posted a comment on Monday 4th June 2007 6:10pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

As a Christian myself, I love reading stories, fanfiction or otherwise, where the characters have a strong faith. I love this story a lot, and I think it's really cool that Harry can gain some measure of peace through the Bible. Normally in fantasy, any religious-type elements are introduced through light mythical creatures, such as phoenixes, but it's really great to see an author not afraid to openly talk about God. If you could also get me the names of those other authors, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for being a great author!

haylared posted a comment on Thursday 5th April 2007 1:48am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I really enjoy this story (as well as your other stories). I also can't wait to find out what happens (I check for updates daily) but, true arts takes time and thus I will be patient. You mentioned that there are other authors that incorporate Christian themes into there works, where can I find their stories?

Thank-you for sharing your wonderful talent.

jgkitarel posted a comment on Monday 26th March 2007 4:38am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Okay, now that I have calmed down a bit, you have an excellent story here, with believable characterizations, themes, and ideas.

Personally, I find your use of St. Simon's and Harry's interactions with them interesting. Aside from the PC Zaipolits who abhor anything that smacks from religion, you have probably received some fairly interesting (if not always approving) reviews.

Well, on to the details.

Your portrayal of Harry's transformation from the broody, angsty, brat from OoTP to a determined, young man has been masterful.

Even if he is still a bit broody and angsty, but for different, and well founded reasons.

The introduction of Spell Mongering, and it's application was very insightfull. The criticism of Arithimantic Spell Crafters was nice, and I got it immediately. You don't need to use calculus where algebra will suffice.

Harry's interactions with the vampires was nice. A combination of gunboat diplomacy and knowing what they wanted beforehand, and he solved in a couple of hours what the diplomats were unable to do over the course of days and weeks.

Anyway, your story is being very well written.

jgkitarel posted a comment on Monday 26th March 2007 4:11am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

You know, I never got what gets some people so worked up about incorporating religion into stories. This is especially true in fanfiction, and I just don't understand it.

If you want to portray a religion, go right ahead, just be accurate. While I will be the first to admit that Christianity does not have a pristine past, someone naming a religion that does, and I can easily prove them a liar after a bit of research.

Anyway, since you are portraying it as more a matter of personal faith. Harry does not ascribe to a particular religion at this point. I would not be surprised if he decides to follow his parents in that regard, but it will be a matter of personal chouce, and faith.

I know how powerful faith is, despite being a bit of a secularist. That doesn't stop me from going to a chaplain when I need spiritual guidance, or believeing in God.

(Climbs off of conjured soapbox)

Anyway, besides the rant about people getting their panties in a bunch about religion being incorporated (I've seen such in other fanfiction), you have a good story here. If people want to get bent out of shape because some of their ideas, ignore them. If they're ruder than the norm, well, that's why God gave us imaginations in the first place.

Jack-A-Roe posted a comment on Wednesday 21st March 2007 10:23am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Sorry to hear that people are giving you a hard time about the Christian themes. To me, as long as it has a point in the story then I don't care what you are including. If you had just decided to preach, I would have just stopped reading. You think others would have done this if it bothered them.

CootiePatootie posted a comment on Sunday 18th March 2007 8:22am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Dear ASV & Cranky Kokopelli;

Point, set, match. Thanks.

Now, on to the serious review. Great chapter. The confrontation with the vamps/ministry delegates was masterful. Most excellently done; especially the nerves afterward. So very good.

Love the Spell-Mongery explanations, they are very interesting and provide a nice backdrop for what Harry is going to be doing as he turns magic on its head!

Your explanation of Dumbledore's madness is great - I've not seen anything that explained that facet of his personality quite so well before!

good job all around. As always, I look forward to more, and more, and more!!!

Cheers,

Cassie

Frelling posted a comment on Wednesday 14th March 2007 4:27pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I'm really enjoying this story, and as a diehard H/G shipper I'm glad to see that you've written this version because I likely wouldn't read the other one. I'm almost tempted to give it a read just because this is so well done, but forgive me if I don't get around to it.

As for criticism about Christianity in the story, I'll admit that it took me aback when it was first introduced but after about three seconds' reflection I realized that JKR has most definitely incorporated Christian themes and ideas into Harry Potter, not the least of which is that love is a more powerful force than evil. I dislike Christianity being forced down my throat, but I hardly think that's what you're doing here. Sirius is Harry's Godfather in canon, whatever that means in JKR's universe - your interpretation is hardly radical.

Ny posted a comment on Thursday 8th March 2007 10:01am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I have been working my way through the authors on this site and in the words of Gred and Forge (with appropriate salaam'ing) I am not worthy, I am not worthy. Not only is the story wonderful (and its sister story The Granger Defence,) but your Filch is the first since the Amazing Ozma that... I don't have the words. I love it. I adore it.
Thank you so much. Please tell me you're going to do more? Maybe even after these are completely finished a Filch fic? These fics now have a permanent slot in my pda. Thank you again for wonderful reading.

Professor Complexity posted a comment on Wednesday 14th February 2007 11:41am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I am most impressed with this story! I can see the links between Harry Potter and Religion, but I feel that the Catholic Church would object with the vampire covens, given what the Church is like (I know its teachings as I am part of the church).

This story is at excellance in literature, with no spelling or grammer errors that I can see, and I am a beta for Sink Into Your Eyes!

Please send me an email when you update this story! In the mean time I will read the Granger Defense, as recommended earlier in your story.


Joshua Bygate-Ralph
Email Address: joshua_bygate@btinternet.com
Fanfiction.net- King of Vaypouria
S.I.Y.E- Lord Ravenclaw
FicWad- King_of_Vaypouria

Ivy_Snowe posted a comment on Wednesday 14th February 2007 10:05am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

*chuckles* Please, use religion however you want. You have a wonderful grasp of the many concepts put into your fics. It would be a shame for me to not read it, I happen to enjoy everything you write. Personally, I find it intriguing when fanfic authors incorporate religion into their works. I believe that it has some part to play in the Harry Potter world that J.K has written. Now, I'm no religious fanatic, but I don't blast people for using it in their writing. To carry on with this review, I truly enjoy what you've done with the canon that we all know, and this chapter in particular kept my interest. Cheers.

~Ivy