Christianity and HP

[hp_lexicon]

No: HPFGUIDX 112614

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "carolynwhite2" 
> 
> 
> Steve, in view of the extremely relevant Admin note posted only a 
few 
> hours ago, and your high profile position as owner and chief 
editor 
> of the Lexicon, I would like to say how much I regret that you 
chose 
> to make this provocative statement, which cannot but infuriate 
those 
> of us who do not share your faith, or particularly agree that 
JKR's 
> alleged beliefs are shaping the text in the ways you suggest.


It infuriates people? Really? I didn't think I was making any kind 
of provocative statement at all! I have a degree in literature and 
have spent any number of hours in classes talking about the way that 
the world view of an author affects their writing, intentionally or 
not. I wasn't preaching any particular world view, although my own 
was evident, that's true, and if that was seen as provocative, I am 
truly sorry. If your world view would happen to come out in 
something you write on here, I can gurantee you that I will never 
be "infuriated" by it. 

Rowling's world view doesn't always match my own. That also comes 
out in her writing. I don't have the slightest problem with that, 
and in many ways I celebrate it. (See my published works ;) What is 
it about her Christian world view that you find threatening? It's 
just a world view. We all have them. She can't help it, and I don't 
see that she's intentionally trying to inflict it on anyone.


> 
> Although your point is to criticise the Christian fundamentalists 
who 
> would like to see the books banned, in fact, your statements are 
> equally dismissive of people who, in your view, don't quite see 
the 
> broader Christian messages which you are convinced JKR is writing 
> into the books.

My criticism of those who want to ban the Potter books was perhaps 
out of place, you're right. I am sorry if that offends. That was 
unnecessarily harsh. I could talk about my personal experiences with 
that group as some sort of explanation but that would not be 
helpful. 

You misunderstand me, however. I do not think that she is 
intentionally writing Christianity into her books. I am saying that 
her own world view is bound to come out when she's talking about 
things like death (and life after death) and I do see elements of 
Christian belief in what she wrote. I am sure she would be the first 
to say that she isn't trying to preach Christianity, but there are 
elements there, and if they are there, what's wrong with noting that 
she is a Christian and that might be why?


> 
> It would also be useful to have a link to the interview which has 
> done so much to persuade you of JKR's intentions on this point, as 
my 
> search of Quick Quotes has not found it so far.

I just searched the Vancouver Sun web site, which is where I got it. 
It was an interview with Max Wyman. However, they seem to not have 
archives of such things. I do have a copy and I'll find and post it, 
but I would much rather be able to just link to an URL...we'll see 
if I can track it down.

In the meantime, please accept my apology if I offended you. Believe 
me when I say that I had absolutely no intention of infuriating 
anyone and I'm a bit astonished that my comments would have done 
that.

Steve
The Lexicon