Christianity and HP

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 112483

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, karyn <restlesspoetry at y...> 
wrote:

michelle:
> "I cannot speak for JKR, true many do celebrate "Xmas" for other 
than christian beliefs.  However, has it occured to anyone that the 
whole basis of HP Books is in that "prophecy" and the fact that "the 
boy who lived", lived because of "Sacrificial Love" the 
same "Sacrificial Love" that Jesus gave us on the cross!  So much for 
hoping that JKR isn't going to "throw in some Christian Values"!"
> 
> karyn:
> Oh come on! You might be right of course, noone except JKR knows, 
but I am personally so so so so tired of people turning everything 
and anything into something with Christian themes. There are so many 
religions and different spiritual beliefs out there. 

Geoff:
The interesting thing is that I hold a mirror view to you. Last year, 
it was the Wiccans and alchemy folk and pagans who were turning 
everything into their themes.

karyn:
It's true that JKR has said she's a Christian, but couldn't the fact 
that she doesn't want to elaborate have something to do with that she 
doesn't want this to be assumed? I've read these books a million 
times, and I've NEVER seen anything remotely Christian in any of 
them. 

Geoff:
Possibly because you're not actively looking for them.... I see many 
themes in the books which are Christian. As I have often said, it 
doesn't have to be Bible bashing. Tolkien's books are also written by 
a Christian and the ideas are there to be found although the books 
are set in a pre-Christian age. I have already mentioned "The Gospel 
according to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the stories of the world's 
favourite Seeker" by Connie Neal which finds plenty of themes.

Actually, if you are indeed an atheist, I must commend your stand. It 
takes far more faith to be an atheist than to believe in a creator 
God and Jesus as God in human form.

Geoff
See my views of Exmoor and the 
heritage West Somerset Railway at:
http://www.aspectsofexmoor.com