God in HP World

[jchutney]

No: HPFGUIDX 34103

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Adana Robinson" <adanaleigh at h...> wrote:
> But here's another question to add to this list:  In GoF, the suits 
of armor 
> are bewitched to sing Christmas carols (not Midwinter Solstice 
carols, as in 
> many fantasy worlds) and one is singing "Oh Come, All Ye 
Faithful".  Surely 
> there are many non-religious carols that could be mentioned if God 
were to 
> be left entirely out.  What does this say to all the "HP is 
demonic" 
> book-burners out there?  Does it mean anything at all?> 

Good topic.  JKR is so very vague (and intentionally so, IMO) about G-
D that I doubt we'll ever get real answers.  As for speculation, use 
of the word G-D suggests a belief in a Single Creator (although there 
of course may be many agents similar to our prophets or angels). 
Obvioulsy, the practice of magic sets the HP books apart from 
traditional Christianity.  I think JKR gets around this issue (IMO) 
in that wizards do not choose their abilities.  

IMO, HP is clearly an AU not meant to line up religiously with our 
world.  But then again, what Fantasy series does?  Perhaps I'm wrong 
(and I certainly don't mean to offend re:this Delicate Topic) but HP 
reminds me of the Alladin and Arabian Nights stories.  Magic is 
forbidden in Islam, just as it is in Christianity, and yet Muslim 
children are able to read theses stories of flying 
carpets, "friendly" genies, and sorcerers without jeopardizing their 
faith.  (Of course, I'm sure there are fanatical Mullahs out there 
ready to burn Sheherazade!).  In the Arabian Nights, the characters 
exist in a Muslim world (just as Harry exists in a "Christian world") 
and yet there are many AU aspects to these stories.  Couldn't HP be 
an English version of this type of story?

jchutney