Harry and Christ (Was Re: veil/Ddore's cowardice? (longish)

[James Redmont]

No: HPFGUIDX 78167

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "feetmadeofclay" 
<feetmadeofclay at y...> wrote:
 
> HOWEVER - the idea that Harry will destroy Voldemort through love 
and 
> that love is a force within him is NOT a universal theme.  It is 
very 
> Christian.  It has nothing at all to do with my beliefs. 

First I'd like to say I have a degree in history, concentrated in 
the study of Asian cultures and Hindu/Buddhist/Jain religions.

Now, if you know anything about eastern religion, it is centered 
around compassion, which is how they describe the type of love 
Christ had for humanity.  Buddhists believe those who are very near 
to enlightenment can choose to stay behind and help others
(bodhisattvas)...why?  Compassion.  Hindus believe in the universal 
world spirit, which *is* a force, and is contained in everyone.  
Dharma - the law, how one should behave...doing what is right, not 
what is easy.  I could easily write a paper on how Harry Potter's 
life is a learning tool for Hindus.  It doesn't even matter if she 
wrote it purposefully from a Christian view.  The whole point of my 
post was to point out that most religions are nearly the same when 
it comes to their philosophy, and "love" (which is a word, by the 
way, and not a v. specific one) is the center of most.  Benevolence, 
compassion, love, dharma, right thinking...just because you're 
familiar with the Christ story, don't think it's the *only* story 
like that.  A good example?  Read the Ramayana.

James Redmont, who believes westerners will think Christianity is 
the quintessential religion, no matter how much evidence they are 
shown to the contrary