Religion & HP

[hert0661]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C4445
From: hert0661
Subject: Re: Religion & HP
Reply To: [Yahoo! #4426] Religion & HP
Date: 7/17/00 6:22 am  (ET)

Christmas is very much a secular occassion in the UK. Myself, as a
Christian, do not really celebrate Christmas for what it actually is. I
normally go to church for a small service on Christams day and spend
the rest of the day on presents and turkey. Christmas has become a very
commercial event. Because of this very few people take notice of the
words of Christmas carols and just sing them.

Easter is more of a religous event. In the UK, the churches take a much
more active line at Easter.

Very few people would take notice of the 'do you believe in God'
question. It just gets an automated reply (yes) by most. This is the
problem churches face in low attendence. Most people believe in God and
take religion no further.

"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."

This is basically a case of tradition. In the UK the school holidays
are called Christams and Easter breaks and it would be natural for JKR
to call them this, without thought of the inference.

"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."

The school holidays break the year conviently into three chunks with
an extra large break for the summer. By Ron and Draco going to the same
church I assume you mean they are of the same religion. If the Malfoy's
went to church then, as they are a rich old wizarding family, they would
probably have their own chapel in the grounds of their house.

Simon