[HPforGrownups] Christianity and HP

[K G]

No: HPFGUIDX 112240



macfotuk at yahoo.com wrote:
I don't know if I should, as a lapsed catholic and probable present time agnostic/atheist, be starting (or more likely continuing) a thread on Christianity. Even if it's original (which I really doubt) I'm somewhat loath to (re-)start a posting topic that could generate controversy or else run and run for all the wrong reasons. Even so:  

How is it that Hogwarts always celebrates Xmas? (see also 
http://www.ad2000.com.au/articles/2002/apr2002p10_969.html) Jews don't. Muslims don't. Why should wizards? especially when historically the church saw wizardry as devilish? (Satan = opponent of God the father of JC). 

Of course in HP hallow'een also looms large (how could it not for witches? <snip> Although halloween has older roots as a solstice than as all hallow's eve, the latter name definitely derives from the idea of saints and a Jesus-based religiosity. Is JKR trying to signify that 
Hogwarts works on 'good WASP traditions' like any English public school (where pupils, Christian or otherwise, have to sing hymns and celebrate Christian festivals like Easter, Xmas, Michaelmas etc, or that wizards aren't as dark as all that because they 'do' Xmas, or 
what?

<snip>
<snip>Any comments? (and PLEASE keep these in relation to the books/JKR's WW and not about Christianity per se such as your own personal views, strongly held or otherwise e.g. Jesus being the sole salvation of humanity or entirely otherwise)



Looking at this from the perspective of a witch (wiccan) - many of the christian holidays are based around holidays and celebrations that were already in existance at the time christianity was being spread.  They were just changed to suit the christians.  Example - why is christmas celebrated (the birth of a baby in the desert in the summer being celebrated in the winter with holly and mistletoe)?  It is a holiday that falls when an old pagan holiday fell - Yule.  But as many children who read the books do not know of Yule, I am sure JKR used Christmas as a base of recognition.  Halloween is also one of these holidays.  In the pagan belief, this is a day to remember the dead and to honor the "crone" aspect - perverted to be the old witch with green skin and warts on her nose (which I look like when I get really mad!!! ;)) - where you should be honoring the elders of the family and community.  

I hope this answers the question without provoking too much debate.

moonmyyst


		
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