Thanks,
Mithalwen, for the link.
My question would be, in regards to the thread, is this way of 'magical' thinking or mindset enhanced by reading books such as LOTR or Potter or not?
I assume that many adults would see the books obviously as harmless fantasy ("magic isn't real, silly...") yet don't see that they practice their own types of
magic on a daily basis, whether that would be reading a horoscrope, consulting a psychic, seeking out a faith-healer or wearing magnets on one's wrists. Did this way of thinking come from books read as a child, or was it from the culture or education system?
Members of my own family want me to bury a statue of a Saint in our yard in order to sell our house more quickly. I politely told them that I will not entertain such silliness nor promote such superstitious thinking (even though our house hasn't sold yet, and we may start getting desperate
).
One can believe whatever one chooses, and some beliefs are harmless, but as seen some have deadly consequences. What really torques me is when it involves children who don't have the wherewithal to make decisions for themselves and so have to rely on their parents, who may or may not be clueless.
Surely many parents of young children have considered 'demonic possession' (one of mine must have been giving Satan too hard of a time and so he sent her above ground
) as the reason for a child's poor behavior, but just as bad are parents who are ready to place their hyperactive children on the
Ritalin bus not due to evidence but because of poor parenting skills ("it keeps little Jimmy quiet while I'm watching TV...").
Sorry for the rant.
Read a book to a child - even Harry Potter - and I think that some good will come of it.