Christianity and HP

[cubfanbudwoman]

No: HPFGUIDX 112267

Martha:
> I think whether "Christianity is a theme present but largely 
> unspoken of/ignored" may be a matter of opinion. You read the books 
> that way, but I don't. This, to me, is further evidence of the 
> universal appeal of these books - they are not written with a 
> particular portion of society in mind, and are the better for it, 
> since anyone can enjoy them without feeling excluded. Just a 
> thought. :-)
 

SSSusan:
Martha, I couldn't agree with you more.  I am a Christian who loves 
these books, married to a Christian who struggles to think 
they're "okay."  I've had discussions on this topic before--mostly at 
that friendly pub down the road, the Hog's Head [hey, everyone!]--and 
I'd like to say that what you've pointed to about the universal 
appeal of the books is one of the things I love most about the HPs & 
JKR's writing.  

John Granger's book has been brought up before, and I've read & 
enjoyed it.  Yes, I agree that there is a LOT in the books which can 
be seen as uplifting or edifying to a Christian...and those 
Christians who *want* to can point to all kinds of symbols & themes 
and say, "See?  They're Christian."  But *I* think JKR is "smarter 
than that."  That is, I think she intentionally leaves overt 
references to religion out of it precisely because it DOES leave the 
books open to people of all kinds of belief systems.  Thus, the 
precise thing which ticks off some Christians--that JKR isn't making 
the books "Christian enough"/isn't making overt references to the 
Christian God--makes *this* Christian happy.  

I love that she hasn't slammed the door on Jews, Muslims, agnostics, 
wiccans, or any other group, and that anyone in ANY of those groups 
[or no group at all] can find positive, uplifting messages and a 
certain "morality" that speaks to loyalty, bravery, friendship, love 
for others, looking out for the greater good, making the "right" 
choices, etc.  Being inclusive in that way is wonderful, imo.  After 
all, Christians do NOT have a corner on the market when it comes to 
moral code!  If I'm not mistaken, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, et al. 
have expectations, laws and/or mores, too, concerning right 
behavior.  


Martha:
> A final point to make is that wizardry in JKR's world may not be a 
> religion - we see no evidence of worship of any kind of deity or 
> similar practices. It's not the same thing as what we might refer 
> to as witchcraft or paganism. Wizardry seems, IMO, to more of a way 
> of life, a science, or a practice - to give an analogy, you can be 
> an accountant and also be a Christian, but that doesn't mean all 
> accountants are Christian or that all Christians are accountants. 
> The two aren't mutually exclusive.


SSSusan:
Again, I think you're right.  JKR gives no indication, imho, that she 
sees or is presenting "wizardry" as a religion.  It has been mostly 
those who object to witchcraft or wizardry **in general** who've made 
that claim (and, from what I've read, most of the complainers haven't 
read the books). 

Someone on another list helped me with this by describing magical 
ability as just a talent, like being a fast runner or being 
artistic.  It's an integral part of who they are, but it's not the be-
all, end-all of the witch or wizard in the sense that it's the "god" 
they "serve".  It's not that they're worshipping a god of magic or 
worshipping powers they possess; it's rather that they UTILIZE the 
talent they have, and there isn't necessarily any WORSHIPPING of 
anything going on.  

Which brings up another point.

As Jen R. (I believe it was) said once, if Harry had just knelt and 
prayed to God for help before he stabbed the basilisk, Christians 
would be happy.  Come on, now, isn't that true??  It would appease 
the vast majority of the "Christian complainers" out there.  But I 
think it's sad that those folks don't appreciate *subtlety.*  It's 
really only people who think it's a Christian's "job" to convert non-
believers to Christianity who think it's wrong that JKR hasn't bashed 
everyone over the head with that kind of overt message, isn't it?? 
Well, *this* Christian much prefers her having left it more open, 
just as Martha has said.

Siriusly Snapey Susan, hoping I've not royally ticked anyone off.