Venting...and a Question!

[cubfanbudwoman]

"Sherry Gomes" wrote:
> My best friends are fundamentalist Christians, people that most 
> would consider to be right wing, intolerant and various other not 
> so nice things. Well, naturally, they are politically 
> conservative.  But they've never objected to the HP books and are 
> fans almost as much as I am.  <snip>  my friends get very upset 
> when they hear other fundamentalist people say the books are evil, 
> without ever reading them, because they believe exactly what
> SS Susan tells her husband ... the books are about loyalty, 
> bravery, hard work.  Those things help the heroes survive, and in 
> fact, magic is often not helpful or just a tool.
> 
> But then, often the people who think HP is evil, don't allow their 
> kids to watch the Wizard of Oz, or any Disney movies or read any 
> sort of fantasy with any sort of magic.  Wonder if they even are 
> against CS Lewis or Madeleine L'engle?


SSSusan:
Of course they're not against them. :-)   CSLewis and L'Engle -- and 
JRRT -- were more *overt* about their Christianity and/or their 
Christian message.  JKR has stated that she's a Christian, and 
Christians who're interested can find *plenty* of Christian imagery, 
symbolism and themes in her books.  But she (rightly, imho) has 
chosen not to label her books as "Christian" nor to write them in 
such a way that ONLY Christians will find positive messages therein.  
She's inclusive; in fact, I think she's purposely omitted any overt 
references to Christianity -- something which makes me pleased but 
which distresses those looking for an open "Yes, this is a Christian 
story!" statement.  Sorry, folks; I don't think that's her purpose.

Siriusly Snapey Susan