Christianity *in* HP, revisited was Re: Baptism/Christianity in HP

[juli17ptf]

No: HPFGUIDX 153638


> > 
> > > Leslie41:
> > > 
> > > I don't think it's ever immodest to compare acts of love where 
> > > we sacrifice ourselves for others to Christ's sacrifice. As 
> > > Christians that is precisely the type of love to which we are 
to 
> > > aspire.  When people ask "what would Jesus do?" that's 
> > > essentially what they're attempting--to be Christlike.  
> > > Lily's sacrifice was more feral, of course, because of her 
> > > mothering instinct.  But again, a Christian would interpret 
that 
> > > instinct as a gift from God, and God's love would be interwound 
> > > with a mother's love for her child.

Julie:
I think the key phrase here is that a Christian would interpret
a mother's sacrificial instinct as a gift from God. We all 
interpret the books from our own life perspective. There are
elements of the books that coincide with Christian values as
well as values of many other religious and non-religious 
groups. It may also be that JKR is drawing deliberate parallels
to Christianity in particular through her characters and events
in HP, which would be fine with me. There is nothing wrong
with emphasizing love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness,
whether using Christian symbolism or any other symbolism. 

The original debate though, initiated with the discussion of
Sirius's godfather role and Harry's baptism, was if there is
Christianity *in* the HP books, i.e., if Christianity plays
a significant role in the books and in the WW. I don't think
it does. It certainly doesn't play a significant role in 
any of the characters lives, beyond that some WW parents
apparently do baptize their children. With Harry as our
narrator, we know his daily routine down to the smallest
detail, and it has never included anything at all specific
to practicing a Christian faith, no church services, no 
Bible study or even a Bible on hand, no praying even in
the most dire moments, not a single mention of God or 
Jesus. Nothing. 

That is why I don't consider the HP books Christian books
at all. If Christianity as a practice does appear in 
Book 7, I'll have to change my view of course ;-) But
at this moment the HP books are not faith-based in any
religious sense (pertaining to organized religion), despite
their strong spiritual elements. They are books for everyone
(which is why Harry is everyman), easily compatible within 
any religious/spiritual framework that has a high regard 
for basic human ethics and dignity. (And I personally hope
they stay that way.)

Julie