The SUN and the MOON

The gaiety of Dumbledore

2007-12-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

This was a message sent to me by kuya mark anthony goroy of Universitas...

The author of the Harry Potter series has revealed that Dumbledore, one of its favourite characters, is gay. How should readers react?

J.K. Rowling has declared that one of the favourite characters in her Harry Potter books, Dumbledore, is gay. Asked in New York’s Carnegie Hall if Dumbledore found true love, she replied: "Dumbledore is gay", adding that he had fallen in love with Gellert Grindelwald, but that Dumbledore was "terribly let down" when Grindelwald became more interested in the dark arts than good, and so Dumbledore went on to defeat him in a duel. The listening fans, initially stunned by the announcement, soon started clapping and cheering. This reaction and counter-reaction is not surprising. Homosexuality is a difficult subject for people to deal with.

Christians often find it difficult. Only a couple of weeks ago an elderly couple in England became ineligible to foster children after they refused to sign a contract with the local authorities which would have required them to tell children as young as 11 that gay partnerships were just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages. This was a great pity, as they had fostered 28 children quite successfully. In the UK, at least, Christian churches are often criticised for being "homophobic".

Let us look for a moment at Christianity and homosexuality. It is not too easy to express the Christian attitude to homosexuality, partly because homosexuality has become a battleground in recent decades.

Christianity takes sexuality seriously but does not consider it the most important thing about human nature.

Christianity takes sexuality seriously but does not consider it the most important thing about human nature. Human beings are human beings: persons, first and foremost. They also have sexuality. But sexuality does not make them good or bad. What is important is the use they make, as free and responsible persons, of what God has given them, which includes their sexuality. When it comes to homosexuality, Christianity does teach that it is a negative factor, for the simple reason that, if it is given free rein, it leads to an unnatural use of sexuality. But, in saying this, Christianity is not writing off people with that tendency. Each and every one of us is made up of many factors, both positive and negative, talents and weaknesses. Furthermore, a positive factor, such as a high IQ, can be used negatively, to tyrannise over others. And vice versa: cancer sufferers can turn their misfortune into a way of serving humanity, raising sums for cancer research.

A consequence of this teaching is that it is wrong for people to make a virtue out of homosexuality, as it would be wrong to do so out of other shortcomings, such as deafness, blindness, weakness of character, bullying, irascibility, etc. So, Christianity does not encourage the present fashion of "coming out", and making an open declaration of one’s homosexual leanings. Especially, Christianity considers it wrong, a form of abuse, to force people to make such declarations. One thing is being sincere with oneself, and with those whom one chooses to open one’s heart to in spiritual guidance; another thing is broadcasting one’s defects. This could be a form of inverted pride (an inversion of the pride of telling everyone about one’s good qualities). To counter these tendencies, Christianity encourages the practice of the virtue of humility.

Coming more specifically to homosexuality, experience shows that men who have this tendency often have certain qualities, some positive, others less so: sensitivity, kindness, gentleness, a need to be appreciated, a certain tendency to get over passionate about things, or petulance.

While taking this into account, Christianity does not take the matter excessively seriously. It tells such people: "It’s no big deal. You have to fight, like everyone else does. You will have some areas in which you find the fight harder; in other areas which other people find difficult you may have no difficulty. Be of good cheer. Your strength is not in yourself, but in God." Perhaps it would be good to add that Christianity teaches clearly that virginity is a perfectly normal calling, and that men and women do not have to have sexual intercourse in order to be fully human. This teaching has been somewhat forgotten in a society that considers everyone must be given contraceptives because all are assumed to be "sexually active". In such a society, it would seem unfair to deny to homosexuals their right to sexual pleasure. But that is not the Christian view.

Now, coming to Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts school. If his author and creator tells us he is gay, what does this mean?

First of all, is Dumbledore “gay”? A simple answer is, “Yes, the author says so.” But it is not so simple. Until these comments of hers we have had seven books in which Dumbledore has played a prominent part and there has no been no mention that he is gay. Now Rowling has told us he is. The evidence she gives is that he had fallen in and out of love with Gellert Grindelwald. If we read the relevant passages in the seventh book of Harry Potter, Chapter Eighteen, we find that the information comes from a suspect source, the notorious scandal-mongering Rita Skeeter. (However it has to be admitted that Rowling, despite having considerable misgivings about journalists, does seem to use Skeeter as a way of transmitting sensitive information or suggestions to her readers).

We are told that Dumbledore and Grindelwald had met as teenagers (17 and 16 years old) when Grindelwald had come to stay in Dumbledore’s village of St Godric’s Hollow. They “took to each other at once”, both of them being precocious wizards: “They got on like a cauldron on fire”. They plotted to take over the world (a suitably teenage dream), but split up after barely two months, when Dumbledore’s sister Ariana died and Grindelwald “fled the country hours after the girl’s death”. They never met again, and neither of them ever “referred to this brief boyhood friendship in later life”. Skeeter adds what could now be interpreted as a hint of something else: “However, there can be no doubt that Dumbledore delayed, for some five years of turmoil, fatalities and disappearances, his attack upon Gellert Grindelwald. Was it lingering affection for the man, or fear of exposure as his once best friend, that caused Dumbledore to hesitate? Was it only reluctantly that Dumbledore set out to capture the man he was once so delighted he had met?”

However, the obvious interpretation is (a) that the scandal that Skeeter had in mind was the fact that Dumbledore had been friends with one of the “Most Dangerous Dark Wizards of All Time”; (b) that the intensity of their friendship is typical of a phase which many young persons go through, and, in the absence of other information, is not in any way indicative of homosexuality.

But, despite the lack of evidence, let us assume that Dumbledore is gay, since the author has told us so. In that case, the first thing we notice is that Dumbledore does not tell us about it. In this, his behaviour is consonant with Christian teaching. He keeps the matter to himself. He appears to be unmarried, but this does not mean he is homosexual. If one looks at the other teachers at Hogwarts, several of them seem to be unmarried – Professors McGonagall and Snape among them. The tradition of single teachers is a perfectly well known tradition and Hogwarts seems to be no exception.

Dumbledore is kind, he is thoughtful. He is trusting. He is discreet (for instance, he does not reveal that Sirius is an Animagus). He is forgiving and understanding, intelligent and talented. He wants to pass on his expertise to others. He is considered the best headmaster the school has ever had. The author has recently said that she sees him as having frailties, "quite a Machiavellian figure" and, in his hands, "Harry has been a puppet to an extent". It is not clear how much this actually comes out in the books. Certainly Harry frequently complains that Dumbledore has left him in the dark – but isn’t that a typical teenage complaint against parents and elders?

What is certain is that Dumbledore makes friends with Harry (as he has done previously with Hagrid) and is constantly protective towards him. But there is never the slightest indication of impropriety in their relationship. All this is consistent with a person with homosexual tendencies and, if his tendencies are under control, with good Christian behaviour. We see here how right Christianity is in not discriminating against such people. Dumbledore (if he is gay) curbs his tendencies in that direction, something we have all have to do with our own negative tendencies.

We can conclude that the information that "Dumbledore is gay", coming as it does after the last book in the series has been published, does not really add to or take away from our knowledge and appreciation of him as a person. In this sense perhaps it would have been better for the author not to have mentioned the fact. But, given that we have been told it, we should neither praise him nor condemn him for it. It is also doubtful whether it would be useful to delve into the seven books for clues of his homosexual tendencies. We should see him as he is (by and large a highly attractive character) and let this late information provided by the author remind us that people with homosexual tendencies can be very effective members of society, as Dumbledore is in leading the struggle against Voldemort. As Dumbledore might have said "What makes a person is not so much what qualities he has, as the good use he makes of them."

This positive approach to Dumbledore’s possible homosexuality needs to be put in context. It assumes there is no consented homosexual intercourse; because such activity (like all impurity) degrades both individuals and society. Nowhere does Rowling speak of such behaviour, while at the same time she is very good on friendship, one of the strongest attractions of the Harry Potter books. Friendship is not the same as homosexuality. Part of the problem of those who seek to promote homosexuality is a refusal to recognise the distinction and the hint that, in condemning consented homosexual behaviour, Christianity is condemning friendship. True friendship is a treasure.

Andrew Byrne is a Catholic priest in London.

To All my FRIENDS

2007-12-16T00:55:00.000-08:00

to all my friends who has been with me through thick and thin, just want to say that I love you all. You have always been there for me. I know this is kind of emo but i have realized that graduation is in more or less 3 months and i have never told all of you how i appreciate and treasure you guys.

to my music friends: I really had fun with you guys. There are no dull moments with you. You are the people that i could really connect and relate to. Not only that, you also gave me inspiration to be the person that i want to be and to follow my heart without hesitations.

to my Dorm Friends: You accepted my good and bad attitudes. you understood my mood swings and tantrums. You listened to all my stupid and boring stories. You shared your food and other stuff with me.

To my Close Dorm Friends (including the former dormer): We have had our ups and downs. And in all of my problems, you have always been there for me. Even though sometimes I am really moody, you never left me. You always welcomed me in your table and room. You listened to my stupid stories. you never gave up on understanding me.

to my Guy friends: Thanks for your respect for me. I know you are all gentlemen.

and especially...

to my Best friend: I've known you since first year. you were the first person that talked to me in the freshmen field day. We had same Idols, and crushes. You always made me laugh with all your corny but yet funny knock knock jokes. You have been always taking care of me. And I love you for that. I may have sometimes offended you with my tactless mouth (and i am very sorry for that) but still you chose to understand and love me. and for the 4 years that i had been with you, i never had a dull moment with you.

to my friends, You know who you are and i will always remember you and you will always be in my heart. You made me believe my self and the abilities that i have. You believed in me. The marks that you left in me will never fade away. It will be permanently embedded in me. And no one can ever erase it.

I would like to dedicate this song to you...

"Four Year Strong, Heroes Get Remembered, Legends Never Die"

Oh, something tells me. I'm never gone live this one down But I'll try.I'm gonna need a quick hand, A sharp eye, a smooth talkerJust to play this one out to the very end.

And this is where you come inI know, that I could count on you to walk me through. And I'm making sure that anyone whos anyone. Can be the someone that they've always wanted to.

If I couldn't get away with anything. Then how in the hell did I get here. Say something. Say something. Say anything. You were never the one to have something to say. Say something. say something. say anything.

I've seen the best and worst of you But we're sticking through Cause the without all of the ups and downs. We've been through. You know that its true That I could get really sick and tired of you.

Oh, something tells me I'm never gonna live this one down. But I'm down and out. Cause if the tensions light as a feather. Then I'd be bored stiff. We gotta mix things up a bit to keep up my interest.

Sad enough to say that. Alone I could barely light a match. But together we can burn this place down.

Sorry about the mess. But when we team up We always seem to bring this place to the ground

And this is where you come in. I know, that I could count on you to walk me through And I'm making sure that anyone whos anyone Can be the someone that they've always wanted to.

I've seen the best and worst of you But we're sticking through. Cause the without all of the ups and downs. We've been through. You know that its true That I could get really sick and tired of you.

Sad enough to say that Alone I could barely light a match. But together we can burn this place down.

Sorry about the mess But when we team up, We always seem to bring this place to the ground

All that I have is Yours, All that I am is Yours...

2007-12-14T19:20:00.000-08:00

all that I have is yourS, all that i am is yours

just wanna ask, have you ever promised to dedicated your life to someone? The words PROMISE and DEDICATE are biG words. you can't just promise to dedicate your life to a person without Being true to your words. But how do you know if you are ready for this. How
do you know that you are ready for the fall. Maybe you'll jUst know it if you've already found someone who really captured your heart and soul. someone who has captured you. Someone who is as ready as you are to take the fall, and say that "All that I have is yours, All that I am is yours..."

these words are really heart warming. I don't know why i'm writing this post. Maybe I'm just inspired by the song but I'm really curious, how do you know if you are in love? is it the sleepless nights and pimple thing? or is it the eye locking and melting feeling everytime you are with him? Are you in love if you feel that you can relate to all the love songs you hear? or if you smile like a crazy person everytime you hear the song bubbly? Waaah... honestly I don't know. I'm not really a mushy person. I don't even know why I'm writing these stuff about love. Is it because i see a lot of people that go crazy about this thing that they call LOVE... Or, maybe it is because i'm becoming one of these people... uh oh.. HELP?!

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Wasted time. I can not say that I was ready for this. But, when worlds collide, And all that I have is all that I want. The words seem to flow And the thoughts they keep running. And all that I have is yours. All that I am is yours.

Painted skies. I've seen so many that cannot compare, To your ocean eyes.The pictures you took That cover your room, And it was just like the sun But more like the moon. A light that can reach it all. So now I'm branded for taking the fall.

So when you say forever,
Can't you see... you've already captured me.

-MAE

I made this music player at MyFlashFetish.com.

taking a step backward (watching the sunset)

2007-12-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

Not everything we see around is as it seems. Sometimes we have to take a step backward to really see what is intront of us.you may see a sunset and just take it for granted. but the sun
set possesses a beauty that not all people can see and appreciate. We may not think that the sunset yesterday was memorable but to other people that sunset was the most memorable and beautiful thing that they have ever seen. my point is just do not take the simple things for granted Some of the simplest things are the things that give us the best satisfaction.