religion in the WW (wasRe: the missing godparent)

[artcase]

No: HPFGUIDX 88384

Art here: Random thoughts and observations on religion in HP

First, I heard, or read in an interview that JKR considered herself 
to be a Christian. That coincides with a "write what you know" 
attitude and why the Wizarding World doesn't mention other holidays 
like Hanukkah, etc.

> > Carol wrote:
> >  Notice that they haven't gone
> > > politically correct by bringing in Hanukkah and Kwanzaa or 
wishing
> > > each other "happy holidays." It looks to me as if the WW 
reflects
> > > Muggle Britain in, say, the 1970s. 
> 
> Ginger:  It well may reflect the 70's.  As I am not British, I 
can't 
> say for sure.  Your comment on the 70's caught my interest.  Lily 
and 
> JKR are both products of the 70's.  Lily had Harry in 1980 (81? 
Can't 
> remember exactly).  The 70's would have been her coming of age 
era.  
> If naming a Godparent was the thing to do in the 70's, than she 
would 
> have done so, regardless of what we do in this day and age. 
> 
> JKR would have been influenced by the 70's as well.  

Snip snip here...

> Carol continues:
> I can't tell whether the Christian elements are wholly secularized 
or whether witches and wizards marry in church (or a synagogue, if 
they're Anthony Goldstein's parents) and baptize their children. 
Maybe JKR is trying to show that her WW has nothing to do with Wicca 
and is really not all that different from the mainstream Muggle 
world (despite outmoded instititions such as slavery, which existed 
along with Christianity for hundreds of years).

Art here: Wicca is not mentioned at all, unless you count a veiled 
insinuation of its unimportance to the wizarding world when 
describing the "American" contingent at the Quidditch Cup. America 
on the whole is discounted as non-important to the WW. This may be 
odd, but when you consider JKR is British and Americans' 
overestimation of themselves in relation to the world scene, it is 
understandable. Unfortunetly, as an American, I find my eyes being 
forced open to see that we have forgotten much about history because 
we are indoctrinated to believe ourselves as the center of the 
universe. (I might be bold and add that this is a common theme among 
nations, once the British Empire considered itself to be the center 
of the universe.) 
I'm not a Wicca expert, but have perused enough overly-incensed 
occult book stores to understand there are five-thousand and one 
(plus) ways to celebrate the Wiccan philosophy. (Much like 
Christianity in that respect) What I am getting at is this: How can 
you effectively represent a "religion" that amorphous in a book if 
it is not your background? 
Another good reason to shun mentioning it is the possibility of 
being blacklisted by mainstream markets. (Financially a very smart 
move on JKR's part)

> Ginger:
> Not that I'm saying that she's actively trying to distance herself 
> for Wicca, but I think you are quite right about her leaving it 
> vague, and yet similar to the Muggle world.  Personally, I don't 
> think the WW seems to have one particular religion any more than 
the 
> Muggle world does.  It's each to one's own beliefs, as far as 
we've 
> seen.  The Dursleys don't seem to have any affiliation, so Harry 
> would have been raised without any particular indoctrination.  
And, 
> as has been pointed out, he does seem to only notice things that 
are 
> right in his face.  He could probably walk by a trio of students 
> carrying a prayer mat, a rosery, and broomstick and he'd notice 
only 
> the broomstick.
> 
Art: Here! Here! Almost the good beginnings of a joke... A muggle 
walks into a shop in Diagon Alley carrying a prayer mat, a rosary, 
and a broomstick....