Religion & HP

[plinsenmayer]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C4426
From: plinsenmayer
Subject: Religion & HP
Date: 7/16/00 7:48 pm  (ET)

Hi:

I've been meaning to post to some of these earlier messages . . .

Hunnydou wrote <<<This may sound kind of stupid, but I noticed in Chapter
22, talking about the Christmas preparations at Hogwarts, one paragraph
states: "It was quite something to hear "O Come, All Ye Faithful" sung
by an empty helmet that only knew half the words." When I read that, the
words of the song raced through my mind and I was a little taken aback
at the thought that songs about Christ were being sung at Hogwarts.>>>

This is a more explicit religious Christmas reference than JKR has made
in the past. I thought it quite interesting that she would use such
a religious Christmas carol. Sorry, I'm not too up on whether some of
the more secular carols are sung in the UK, but at least in America,
there are plenty of very secular tunes that she could have used instead
(Jingle Bells for one). So, I at least, was left wondering if there was
anything to be made of this reference or not.

I've always maintained that JKR could have skirted the religious
issue altogether by simply having Hogwarts have a "winter break" and a
"spring break" rather than Christmas & Easter holidays. So, are there any
inferences to be drawn from the fact that the school has a Christmas &
Easter break?? So far JKR has shied away from any public statements
regarding her own religious beliefs (she was asked about Wicca at
one point and refused to answer what her beliefs were, and on another
occasion, did profess to believing in God). So, all in all, I'm not sure
anyone really knows where she stands on the issue.

I think it's fair to say that the Christmases in Books 1-3 are painted
as rather Dickensian and certainly have no religious overtones as far
as Christmas Day is concerned. But, many Christian families in America
celebrate Christmas Day itself in an almost wholly secular manner (Santa,
turkey, football & lots of presents).

<<<The books are mum about this subject -- I suppose that the author
assumes that most British children reading it are members of the Church
of England and relate to Christmas songs in a
secular way that has nothing to do with religion. But it's still kind
of weird.>>>>

I was curious why you would believe that if children are Anglican they
would relate to the songs in a secular manner. I would think children
who are brought up in the Anglican or other Christian faith would be more
apt to put a religious interpretation than a secular one on a song like
"O Come All Ye Faithful."

naraht said <<<And there is a reference in Book 4 to something happening
after Easter. What she has done is more or less *ignore* the religion
question. Students at Hogwarts celebrate the same way (more or less)
as they do at a non-religious school. Part of the problem is that religion
would be an entirely difference kettle of fish to
divide the characters. Hermione, having come from a family of dentists
is certainly likely to still
celebrate holidays the way that the muggles do, but on the other hand,
if religion were dealt with, Ron & Draco would go to the same church.>>>

As said above, I don't think she's *ignoring* the religious issue
(otherwise winter & spring break could be used to make everything
completely secular). I was curious why you believe that Hermione
(muggle-born) would be Christian, while Ron & Draco, pure-blood wizards,
would be something else (the inference being Wiccan or pagan)?

Not wishing to stir up a contentious debate, but I'm not so sure why they
would necessarily be non-religious (why they couldn't even be Christian
for that matter). I'm Christian myself btw.

Penny