Baptism/Christianity in HP: was Looking for God in Harry Potter

[Tonks]

No: HPFGUIDX 153468

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Ken Hutchinson" <klhutch at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Tolkien is reported to have told a Bishop once that Lord of the 
Rings is a "very Catholic" story. This may have been clear to the 
author but I wonder how many readers come away with this view. 

Tonks:
I am sure by now everyone here knows my views on this in regard to 
the  HP series. I expect Harry to turn water into wine at the 
wedding, have a near death experience and come back with the help of 
the true Christ figures, DD and/or Fawlks. 

As far as the Christening is concerned. I agree that the Potters 
were concerned with Harry's spiritual welfare as well as his having 
a Godfather. The WW represents, IMO, amoung other things, the 
spiritual battle between good and evil on a cosmic plane. 

Also I have wondered for some time if DD wasn't the officiant at the 
christening.  I think that after the baptism using the holy water, 
in place of chrism (the blessed olive-oil and balsam mixture used on 
the forehead and sometimes the hands) he used maybe olive-oil and a 
drop or two of blood from Fawkes, or a mixture of olive-oil, balsam 
and Fawkes blood. This would have given Harry an extra protection, 
an extra grace, in addition to his mother's sacrifice. Perhaps his 
mother's sacrifice protected his body and the blood of Fawkes 
protected his soul.

Tonks_op
(a high-church Episcopalian)