Owl Post Secret Activity 1: The Secret of Magic

[brightflower]

Activity: The Secret of Magic
Points: Long debate: Participation 10pts, Additional comment: 2pts.
Deadline: April 22, 11:59 PM UTC
Details:

Let's jump right into the magical world's secrets with a debate on the biggest secret of all: the secret of magic itself.

What are your opinions on the International Statute of Secrecy? Is it a fair law? When is it okay to break the law and reveal the secret of magic to Muggles? And what would you do if a Muggle discovered your secret and tried to take advantage of it?

Initial comment of at least 150 words for 10 points, additional comments 2 points each. Let's get a conversation going!


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Comments

[feuerfunke.livejournal.com]

I think the International Statute of Secrecy is a very important law, to protect Muggles and Wizards alike. First, Wizards are prevented to use magic on Muggles, who are very defenseless in this case. I mean, without the law, wizards could take advantage of Muggles, rob them, make them work for them, you get the idea. Of course, that might still happen with the International Statute of Secrecy in place, but it makes it harder and the prospect of punishment might even work, too.

On the other hand, Muggles could take advantage of Wizards and therefore Magic, as well. I'm thinking of Muggle dictators using a wizard or two to suppress their people without other Muggle countries even able to figure it out.

The exceptions mentioned in the books sound reasonable to me. If there's a life threatening situation and one uses magic to safe one's own life while Muggles are present or to save the Muggles' life, it is reasonable to use magic and breach the statute.

Kat//Hufflepuff//168 words

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Oh! I never thought that the law is also important for protecting Muggles - you're definitely right about that, though, it's a huge advantage that Muggles are prevented form being attacked defenselessly. And again you're right that this of course might happen even with the law (if everybody strictly followed the law, there'd not be any crimes - in the case of the Statue of Secrecy also no Muggle-Wizard marriages, which, again, is a disadvantage), but it makes the Muggle world a lot safer - at least from Wizards.

Avipuff/2

[feuerfunke.livejournal.com]

At first I was sceptical, cause the reasoning sounds a lot like some bigoted pureblood bs, but there's a tiny bit of thruth in it, I think.
Common sense should dictate us to live peacefully together, but one has just to glimpse at a newspaper to see that rationality is absent in some cases...
So I don't really see a way for wizards and muggles living peacefully side by side. But perhaps I'm just too sceptical.

Kat//Hufflepuff

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

Just reading your comment and Avi's reply makes me wonder what actually does happen when wizards fall in love with Muggles, because it obviously happens. Like, can they get some sort of special permission to do magic in front of their spouse, because these people obviously know about it (and I don't know, but if someone told me he was a wizard, I would totally be like 'Prove it!' lol).

Totally off the subject of your comment, but that thought just jumped into my head!


Kristine | Puff

[feuerfunke.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I think that would depend on the spouse, also. Perfectly rational people could freak out at the thought of the perfectly Muggle-perceived wizard being a wizard. Of course, you trust your spouse in a committed relationship, but the concept of magic being real isn't just some minor detail in one's life.
Great, now I feel like conducting surveys on how many muggle-wizard-relationships survive the 'coming out'...

Kat//Hufflepuff

[flipflop-diva.livejournal.com]

Oh, for sure. I mean, I didn't mean to imply that it was ... I was just sort of thinking out loud, because we know there are witches and wizards who married muggles, so presumably they found out at some point in time. But then also, what if you're with someone, they find out and freak out? I guess the Ministry would get involved? IDK. So much I've never thought about before!!!


Kristine | Puff

[feuerfunke.livejournal.com]

I was just thinking out loud, too, and I never thought there's even so much to think about ;)

Seriously, I was just thinking of possible scenarios and what could go wrong. And I'm not even sure I could just accept magic even if I saw with my own eyes. I'd constantly try to find a 'reasonable' explanation for this.

Well, the ministry itself doesn't appear to be the prime example in the approach of muggles. I'm currently thinking about the muggle employee of the campsite at the World Cup. Just getting obliviated over and over doesn't sound very healthy.

Kat//Puff