Christians in HP - in a purely historical way(was:Re: Christianity in HP)

[horridporrid03]

No: HPFGUIDX 128501

>>Karen: 
<snip>
>I don't think that Hogwarts is a 'Christian school' however, as we 
would have had to have had mention of chapel somewere along the 
lines if that was the case.<

Betsy:
I don't think Hogwarts is a Christian school either, in that I don't 
think it was founded to teach future members of the clergy.  
However, I am pretty sure that since is was founded in a Christian 
country, its founders and its students were all Christians, so there 
was probably a chapel and regular services, at that time, to meet 
their needs.

>>Gerry:
>I'd say he was singing a traditional British Christmas Carol. I'm 
not British, I'm not a Christian and even I know that song. The 
first time I heard it was on a British Christmas TV film when I was 
a child. Maybe someone British can shed light on this, but I think 
it would be near impossible to be raised in Britain and not know it 
and other traditonals.<

Betsy:
This actually makes my point.  Just as Britain is (or was)
predominantly Christian, the WW is (or was) predominantly 
Christian.  Sirius heard the Christmas carols around. Maybe not at 
his house, which didn't seem all that conducive to joyous singing, 
but certainly at Christmas parties his family attended, more than 
likely at James' house, and as Pippin pointed out at Hogwarts.

I'm not saying that the Black family went to church for anything 
other than weddings, christenings, and funerals. But I am saying 
that for all intents and purposes, Sirius, like his family were 
Christian, probably Anglican. 

>>Geoff:
<snip>
Re Harry's background, I would go so far as to suggest that it was
Anglican (Church of England). I somehow doubt that they were 
Catholic.
<snip>

Betsy:
Karen pointed out that I'd gotten the history wrong, but there must 
have been *some* sort of enforced movement away from Catholisism in 
England.  I'm currently reading the Patrick O'Brian books which take 
place in the British Navy of Nelson's era and IIRC there was an oath 
the officers had to take that included repudiating papistry.  I 
would imagine that the old pure-blood families of Britian would have 
gone with that particular flow.  Especially if there was money to be 
gained.

Betsy