Sirius - New Tie to Christianity

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 110127

We have discussed many time the extent to which Christianity plays a
role in the Wizard world. I don't mean so much underlying Christian
themes and philosophy, but as an active part of daily life.

For those who haven't read JKR Edinburgh transcript-

http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/news_view.cfm?id=80

...here is a quote from it.

- - - Edinburgh Book Festival Q & A - - -
Q: Does Harry have a godmother? If so, will she make an appearance in
future books?

A: No, he doesn't. I have thought this through. ... When Harry was
born, it was at the very height of Voldemort fever last time so his
**christening** was a very hurried, quiet affair with just Sirius,
just the best friend. At that point it looked as if the Potters would
have to go into hiding so obviously they could not do the big
christening thing and invite lots of people. Sirius is the only one,
unfortunately. I have got to be careful what I say there, haven't I?

- - - - End Quote - - - -

The appointing of Godparent and/or potential guardians does not have
to be part of a religious cerimony, and indeed, many times it is not.
People simply ask specific friends or family if they will agree to
take on the role in the event of the parents' death. 

In the Lutheran tradition, babies are baptised as soon as possible
after they are born, and it is at that time that Godparents are named.
Other Christian traditions, like Baptists - I think, don't baptise
members until they are adults or near adults. In that tradition, I'm
not sure how or when Godparents come into play.

True, we don't see a lot of emphasis on the Church and Religion in the
books, but I don't think that's that far off from real life. My
childhood home town has a population of about 400, and I can assure
you that, nice and modern as it is, our small church can't hold that
many people, and it is rarely full.

So, in most typical communities, a majority of people don't go to
church regularly. Many of those only make it to church for weddings
and funerals.

In the Potter-world, I don't see any incompatability between religion
and the wizard world. In this fictional world, magic is a form of
technology; in a sense, just a branch of Physics that Muggles haven't
discovered yet, or a form of God-gifted genius much like musical,
artistic, or intellectual genius.

I will temper that by saying that a great deal, if not a vast
majority, of persecution of wizards has been instigated by the Church,
so it is no wonder that witches and wizards don't take an more active
role in the more routine aspect of religion. So, much like the many
many muggle who routinely DON'T go to church, wizards probably have a
firm belief and faith in a heavenly God, but don't place faith or
trust in the earthly church.

Just a thought.

Steve/asian_lovr2 - soon to be b_boymn