The religious content of Harry Potter

[M.Clifford]

No: HPFGUIDX 128716

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "cat_kind" <cat_kind at y...> wrote:
> Hans:
> >> I've been following the discussion about the religious content of
> Harry Potter with great interest. First of all I want to answer a
> poster who asked about the quote from Rowling which I've had as part
> of my signature for all this year. The exact quote is: "Every time
> I've been asked if I believe in God, I've said yes, because I do, 
> but no one ever really has gone any more deeply into it than that, 
> and I have to say that does suit me, because if I talk too freely 
> about that I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be 
> able to guess what's coming in the books.'' It can be found on
>
http://www.quick-quote-quill.org/articles/2000/1000-vancouversun-wyman.htm.
> 
> >>I've put this in my signature because in my opinion it is the most
> significant thing she's ever said about Harry Potter. 

  
> catkind: 
> I'm sure I'm not the only one who has said this before in
> response to your JKR quote.  It can be interpreted in plenty of 
> other ways than a Rosicrucian conspiracy. JKR is known to be a 
> member of the Presbyterian church, so it seems more likely that if 
> there is a religious message it's based on her own religion, not 
> Rosicrucianism. .....edited......
> For example, I think there are similarities between HP and alchemy
> because both draw on similar "mystic" traditions.

Valky:
I think catkind, that what you say here is precisely the significance
of the above quote. I believe that the books reflect a fundamental
understanding of many religions and the symbols that resonate most
deeply with that religion's story of salvation, liberation and the
grace of the creator (God). The HP books are overflowing with potent
symbolism that calls many, regardless of their religion, to ponder the
story of their hero of salvation/liberation again and more deeply.
This, in my opinion, is hence why JKR was able to say that a ten year
old would probably guess whats coming if they knew the basis of it,
because the symbols that many of us have found in searching for the
answers to our spiritual questions are there, even the ones that we
have known from an early age.
 

Catkind:
> If you think you know better than us what is to come, why not take
> part in tigerpatronus's predictions competition? Maybe more people
> would listen to you if you actually had some correct predictions.
> 

Valky:
I have begun to do this myself, I am posting at my own predictions
contest group "The Prophecy Orb @ Row 97".
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Prophecy_Orb/
My half year break will begin two weeks before book release and from
now until then I will be posting certain predictions I have based on
insight from Hans posts. You are welcome to keep track of them and
hang me out to dry if I make a big fool of myself. However, I am quite
confident that Hans and others who have intricate knowledge of their
religious symbols are offering insight into the series that surmounts
other efforts.

Just in addition, on Hans' T.O.E. (Theory of Everything) I would like
to express my appreciation to Hans that he has the courage and faith
to share this with others.

What is key to Hans interpretation of the books is the title of his
essay - Roadmap To Liberation - the HP books have a very moral and 
courageous message of grace, truth and human failings. Notwithstanding
the spiritual port that you would prefer to anchor them to, they make
accessible the most powerful and virtuous implication of all religions.