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Original poster

The false equivalency drives me mad...

113 replies

Toastess · 15/09/2026 17:32

I was chatting with a group of colleagues today. Somehow the conversation moved onto Rolf Harris, and one woman said how she'd loved Harris's music as a child and how horrified everyone was to discover his paedophilia. A few other names were mentioned (Stewart Hall, Jimmy Savile etc.).

Then a man said "Oh that's like with JK Rowling, I loved Harry Potter and now she's a monster." I don't know the group well at all, we're at work, I'm not proud but I just said "she's not a paedophile, it's a bit different!". His response - "she's still an absolute monster".

How on earth can JK be in the same category as convicted sex offenders?! How has the blind hatred reached this level?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Toastess · 15/09/2026 22:44

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:40

That we're not a cult and she's not a leader. She's not brave - she's not a saint. She's an insulated billionaire who does immense good - while occasionally making mistakes and doing things that no-one else would get away with without criticism.

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I never said we were a cult; I never said she was our leader. Again, she doesn't have to be a saint - I can still object to the idea that having her views must be considered equally "monstrous" as committing horrific sexual offences.

OP posts:
BackToLurk · 15/09/2026 22:42

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:40

That we're not a cult and she's not a leader. She's not brave - she's not a saint. She's an insulated billionaire who does immense good - while occasionally making mistakes and doing things that no-one else would get away with without criticism.

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Which has what to do with equating her with a convicted sex offender again now?

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:40

BackToLurk · 15/09/2026 22:38

What’s your point?

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That we're not a cult and she's not a leader. She's not brave - she's not a saint. She's an insulated billionaire who does immense good - while occasionally making mistakes and doing things that no-one else would get away with without criticism.

Original poster
Toastess · 15/09/2026 22:38

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:18

It does us no good to pretend JK has behaved impeccably. She's done some very shady things and even I - who share most of her views - will not defend that. It's OK if people don't like her - I doubt she cares so why should you? GC isn't a cult so it would be great if some of you could remember that.

I don't have to think someone is a saint to object to them being held in the same category as those who have committed heinous acts.

OP posts:
BackToLurk · 15/09/2026 22:38

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:29

Well three are named - two convicted, one not. The one not was sainted in life and used his power and money to protect himself from facing justice for his secret vile actions.

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What’s your point?

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:29

BackToLurk · 15/09/2026 22:20

The thread isn’t about people ‘not liking her’ it’s about people equating her with a convicted sex offender.

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Well three are named - two convicted, one not. The one not was sainted in life and used his power and money to protect himself from facing justice for his secret vile actions.

BackToLurk · 15/09/2026 22:20

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:18

It does us no good to pretend JK has behaved impeccably. She's done some very shady things and even I - who share most of her views - will not defend that. It's OK if people don't like her - I doubt she cares so why should you? GC isn't a cult so it would be great if some of you could remember that.

The thread isn’t about people ‘not liking her’ it’s about people equating her with a convicted sex offender.

alcovecupboards · 15/09/2026 22:18

It does us no good to pretend JK has behaved impeccably. She's done some very shady things and even I - who share most of her views - will not defend that. It's OK if people don't like her - I doubt she cares so why should you? GC isn't a cult so it would be great if some of you could remember that.

soupycustard · 15/09/2026 22:01

Well to be fair, he's a bloke, and maybe young enough not to have to think about a daughter with a male sports coach, or a wife on a night out, or a mother wanting a female carer...

Igmum · 15/09/2026 18:36

Yes indeed, for a billionaire to pay tax honestly, endow charities, give millions of children a love of reading and HAVE OPINIONS ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

Monstrous indeed.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 15/09/2026 17:45

Christ! Even if you disagree with her stance (I support JKR!), to compare her having an opinion to literal child rapists and abusers is unbelievable!

ginasevern · 15/09/2026 17:43

I guess he's young and obviously fully captured. Probably hasn't read further than Reddit about it. Even so, absolutely nobody to my knowledge has called her a paedophile or conflated her with the likes of Saville. But this what we're dealing with ladies.

Lovelyview · 15/09/2026 17:37

He probably has no idea what her opinions actually are. I can understand why you wouldn't want to raise it again but if you feel able you could share her letter with him and ask what's monstrous about her opinions. Also, it's completely fine to say what you said. Not wanting a drama with work colleagues you don't know very well is ok too.