Christianity in HP

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 128373

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, K G <moonmyyst13 at y...> wrote:
> 
> As far as Ostara - since when do we celebrate the torture and 
murder of a man with chicks and bunnies?  Chicks, bunnies, eggs, 
pastel colors, etc.  

Tonks replies:
Actually we are not celebrated His torture and murder; we are 
celebrating his resurrection from the dead. Eggs are a symbol of new 
life, our new life in Christ. Any yes, Christianity has taken many 
things from pagan religions and used them in the *new religion*. It 
was a way to convert pagans to the new religion and help them feel 
at home in it. Just good marketing strategy.


>KG said: 
(Snip)
People, you do not have to justify or infuse christianity into Harry 
Potter in order to not feel guilty about enjoying a work of fiction 
that has a Pagan (though purely fantasy) theme to it.  Just enjoy!!  
We are all different - enjoy the differences!!


Tonks replies:
I have no problem reading any book, fantasy or otherwise. that is 
pagan.  I have several books on the occult, as well as on Shamanism, 
etc. (I have gone on Shamanistic Journeys, etc. and done so as a 
Christian.)   I have even read such *forbidden and dangerous* works 
as the Keys of Solomon, books which give detailed rituals and spells 
for the practice of Necromancy. (As a Christian I would never use 
these, of course, but I have read them.)  I read everything and 
don't need an excuse to do so.  

The HP books are so obviously books written with a Christian theme 
that anyone who is versed in the theology of Christianity would have 
to be blind not to see it.  I understand that it is not so obvious 
to non-Christians, but it is obvious to those of us who are.  Now I 
do think that JKR in her attempt to smuggle the Gospel has 
deliberately cloaked it in a metaphor that can be used and 
understood by anyone of any faith.  I think that she has stirred the 
cauldron so to speak and included ingredients of many faiths so that 
the truth that she speaks can be understand and hopeful practiced by 
all.  It is not necessary to understand the Christian symbols to get 
the message and teaching that IMO the books have been written to 
provide. That is the genius of JKR.  One could say that the gospel 
is being preached to all the world through these books. Some would 
disagree with me on that, but that is indeed what I think is being 
done. 

Tonks_op