Wizard religion (was Excusssse me.)

[Jim Ferer <jferer@yahoo.com>]

No: HPFGUIDX 48058

Janet:"So, is there no religion in the WW?  To the best of my 
knowledge, religion exists in all human cultures in some shape or
form, even atheists have some spiritual beliefs or opinions if you 
sit them down and talk about it for long enough.  So where does this 
fit in in HP?"

We do see signs of at least traditions observed in the wizard world. 
What are the two holidays that close the school? Christmas and 
Easter. There are Christmas trees [an adopted pagan tradition] and 
carols sung. So at least some Christian traditions are observed, 
although what piety or lack of it that lies beneath it is a mystery.

You would think there has to be some religion somewhere.  Some of the 
students must come to school with religious beliefs, at least those 
from the Muggle world.  And you're right that every human society we 
know of has something that qualifies as religion.

But why must we find it in JKR's work? How many novels based in our 
own Muggle world mention religion? A few, but not many. Most have no 
indication whatsoever that religion exists.

I always imagined that religion exists in the wizard world about like 
it does in ours; most people aren't observant, some are, and 
generally don't include it much in their daily lives and 
conversations.