_Harry Potter and the Bible_ (admin & personal comment)

[Neil Ward]

No: HPFGUIDX 17541

Welcome to our list Richard.  I wouldn't like to make any specific 
comments on your book without having read it, although I can glean 
something about the content and leaning of it from comments, 
including your own.  

ADMIN

A couple of points of clarification on the admin side (not aimed at 
anyone in particular – just general):

If we are to continue a discussion on this topic, I think we should 
make a clear distinction between any direct comments on the book in 
question (which most of us have not seen), and views on religious 
objections to the Harry Potter books, in general.  

At the risk of placing the needle on the scratchy old record once 
more, we should also maintain respect for opposing views and not 
simply denounce them without supporting our own opinion, and make it 
clear that it is our opinion.

Richard has kindly offered to correspond privately on this and some 
of you may prefer to have an offlist dialogue with him.


MY THOUGHTS

Okay, with the admin notes out of the way, I second Charmian's 
earlier point about the secular interpretation of religion in the 
Harry Potter books.  In my opinion, in the context of creating a 
credible alternative universe, JKR interpreted elements of 
traditional magic, witchcraft and folklore.  To my mind, her 
witchcraft references are more a reflection of her thorough research 
for the book than an expression of her own lifestyle or beliefs.  

Personally, I think JKR marks the differences between good and evil 
behaviour and shows the realistic and often unpredictable 
consequences of each.  Above all, however, I think she set out to 
write an entertaining story, from the spark of an idea, and not, if 
you will, a witchcraft manual.

The leading question, I suppose, is not the background to the books, 
but the possibility that they might influence younger readers into 
investigating `real' witchcraft; this seems to be a concern of some 
people.  On the other side of the coin is what appears to be a 
misconception or confusion about the occult, witchcraft and Wicca.  

There are several Wiccans and Christians on this list far better 
versed in these matters than I (being neither), so I guess I won't go 
further than that.

Neil
__________

Flying Ford Anglia
Mechanimagus Moderator