Secular/religious, dietary

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 34304

I think the problem with discussing secular Hogwarts is that that 
the whole secular/religious distinction really doesn't translate too 
well to other cultures. A little history: the "secular arm" of 
medieval society was just as Christian as the  Church, but it was 
governed by lay people instead of those in Holy Orders.  Courts, 
governing bodies, guilds, schools, etc., naturally observed 
Christian festivals and were usually not even open to 
non-Christians. 

 People spoke of their church-centered observances as religious 
and their non-church customs as secular, but they were all 
Christian.  Separating the secular institutions of European 
society from their Christian foundations and making them open 
to non-Christians was not contemplated until the French 
revolution. At that time, Jews were granted citizenship, but  they 
were expected to adapt to "modern", ie Christian customs, 
though not what were seen as "religious" practices. This 
became a point of debate between Jews and Christians, and 
among Jews themselves. It still is.

Traditionally there was no similar division between areas of 
Jewish life governed by clergy and those which were not. 
Ceremonies conducted in a synagogue or by a Rabbi are no 
more sacred or important than those performed at home. A 
family may light Sabbath candles at home and go to synagogue 
for services, but the home ceremony is not "secular."

So from the point of view of an outsider, the Christmas trees and 
the Easter break are Christian observances, even though from 
the point of view of someone who sees religious activity as 
something that takes place in Church, they may not be. I kind of 
like the idea that the Wizards have stuck to the Old Religion, but I 
don't see much support for that in canon.

I do see Christian symbolism, references and even allegories all 
over the place in the Potterverse. As a non-Christian I hesitate to 
point them out to the group because I fear I will overgeneralize 
and step on someone's toes. It's hard to pin down what a 
religion *is*. No matter what faith one studies, there seems to be 
no facet of belief or observance which isn't revered by one 
branch and strictly shunned by another. Plus there 's all this 
claiming and reclaiming going on. I know of a Rabbi who 
teaches parables from the Gospel as Jewish midrash 
(commentary), and Christians who pray in Hebrew and wear 
Tallit (prayer shawls). Go figure. :-D
----
There's a Times interview which reports that Rowling has figured 
out "dietary requirements" for the characters. *I* am sure this is 
another Vampire clue, but  maybe  the House Elves are quite 
busy providing vegetarian, kosher and halal meals. 

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2001230004-2001231268,00
.html

Pippin