Harry Special Powers? was Re: Baptism/Christianity in HP:

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 153572

> > Leslie41:
> > Don't know about Cedric, but Dumbledore is hit "square in the 
> > chest," not in the forehead.
> 
> Gerry
> True, but there must have been more people hit in the forehead 
> during the time the ak exists. What you are actually saying is 
> that Lily's sacrifice is not what made Harry survive the AK. And 
> that is against canon. 
> > 

Leslie41:
Don't know about the "more people," because I haven't looked into 
it.  And I'm not at all saying that Lily's sacrifice is not what 
made Harry survive the A.K. But that fact does not *preclude* a 
Christian undertone as well.  Both can in fact be operating at the 
same time.

> > Leslie41:
> > I hardly think that Harry qualifies as an "ordinary boy," 
> > considering.  He's the "chosen one."  And he most definitely 
> > has "special powers", aside from being a wizard.  And I don't 
> > think he's a substitute for Jesus at all.  I'm just talking 
> > about Christian motifs.
> >
> Gerry:
> Hm, he has not. He has the power of love, which though LV has it 
> not does not make him special. He is only the chosen one bevause 
> LV acts on the prophecy. 

Leslie41:
Well, Harry is also a parselmouth.  Something extremely rare in the 
wizarding world.  And he seems to have an exceptional facility with 
certain powerful spells at an early age (the patronus charm).  When 
you add to that that he's now got a blood tie with LV, and has in 
the past been psychically connected to him, I would say that yes 
that makes him "special" and not an ordinary boy.  

> Gerry:  
> don't disagree there are religious motives in HP. I doubt they are 
> specifically christian, and I think there is no clue whatsoever to 
> make something special of baptism unless you want to make less of 
> Lily's sacrifice. 

Leslie41:
As I said, I don't think the situation is either/or.  You are free 
to do so if you wish.