Alchemy revisited: OOP prediction confirmed

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 80110

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, Petra Pan <ms_petra_pan at y...> 
wrote:
> Hans, in part:
> > If HP is a window on to the real
> > Path of Liberation as taught by 
> > all the historical great spiritual
> > leaders, and I think it is, then 
> > Harry's journey is exactly the
> > opposite of what you state, and
> > our beloved boy needs no mourning
> > from us!
> 
> Geoff, in part:
> > I fear that I must disagree with
> > Hans that Harry Potter is a window 
> > to the real Path of Liberation as
> > outlined in his posts. If there is 
> > evidence pointing to such a route,
> > it is the evidence which directs 
> > readers to Christian belief.
> 
> Erm...why insist on the distinction?  
> As I understand it, the teachings of 
> Christ are *part* of what makes up 
> the basis for Hans's "the real Path 
> of Liberation."
> 
> I am at a complete loss as to why 
> canon cited by Hans to support the 
> teachings of those he terms "the 
> great brotherhood of the Teachers of 
> Compassion"/"all the historical 
> great spiritual leaders" (in which 
> Hans has included Christ) should be 
> considered the sole property of one 
> and only one out of the entire 
> group.
> 
> Would it be possible to enlighten me 
> without getting back on the pulpit?
> 

Geoff:
This is where we do not agree because I do not believe that 
Christianity is part of the Path for Liberation. Rather, other faiths 
may contain part of what Christianity claims as a whole.

Just in passing, there is a subtle difference in my personal view 
between "religion" and "faith". Religion involves head knowledge and 
many folk who are "religious" see their religion as following a set 
of rules and that joining a particular religious group is a bit like 
joining a golf club or a dramatic society – they sign on and follow 
the rules. I am sorry that that statement sounds possibly flippant; 
it is not easy to put in other terms. Faith, on the other hand, 
involves an intellectual, emotional and spiritual acceptance of the 
belief. Christianity claims to be unique in that true followers have 
made a personal commitment and, in return know the presence of Christ 
living within their lives. Part of the problem is that many folk who 
claim to be Christian are in fact not; George Carey referred to the 
distinction between  "Christianity" and "Churchianity" some years ago 
and the matter is clouded when observers who are not believers do not 
perceive the difference.

I believe people who like the Harry Potter novels and use them in 
their search can find it to be in keeping with their views as you say 
but I am viewing it from the standpoint of a committed believer that 
Jesus is God in human form. 

I might add, as an aside, that Tolkien and Lewis are not "co-opted" 
because both of them were Christians who wrote from their point of 
view as a foundation for their books. Various people try to "back" co-
opt them to cover their ideas but, at base, they both wrote from that 
angle and, Lewis, certainly intended that the Narnia books should be 
seen as reflecting his Christian experience.

OK, you feel that you must protest any attempt to tie JKR to one 
religion. I accept that although I speak from a personal view; I 
still see Harry as paralleling the Christian's search for and 
relationship with God. He was saved by a loving sacrifice and has 
enjoyed its protection. Christ gave himself lovingly as a sacrifice 
which will continue to protect those who accept it at face value. 
Harry's life and outlook have been influenced openly and 
subconsciously by what he has learned about his mother's "gift" and 
he sees the way in which his life ought to move forward as a result. 
Likewise, the life a genuine Christian is influenced in the same way 
by the gift of salvation through the resurrection and we learn to 
seek the way in which our lives in the real world should move 
forward. 

(It is an interesting fact about Harry that he inspires totally 
opposed reactions from Christians in particular. There are folk in my 
own church who are converted folk like myself who hold diametrically 
opposite views on the books; makes for interesting discussions.)

I can only put forward my own views; I accept that others may not 
agree because they have their own interpretation of what life is all 
about. The difficulty is that not all beliefs can lead to the same 
outcome. But that is OT as far as this discussion group is concerned.