the whole Christian/Baptism debate that's been going on

[leslie41]

No: HPFGUIDX 153783


> Marion:

> And you think, Leslie, that Wizards would give their children a 
> *Christian* baptism? So they could be indoctrinated by the priests 
> and their books? The books that told them (the baptised wizard 
> children) that they were intrisically *evil* and must be *burned*? 
> Or *drowned*?

Leslie41:
As Rowling specifically refers to it in an interview as 
a "Christening", yes I assume that it was a baptism.  As the 
Wizarding World as well is rife with other places where we can find 
Christian symbols/overtones, yes I assume it was a baptism.

They celebrate Christmas and Easter, there are friars and monks 
roaming around (as ghosts), and the suits of armor don't just sing 
ecumenical carols.

I assume thus that the Wizarding World is nominally Christian, and 
that Harry's parents were even moreso for baptizing him.

> Marion:
> There probable was a naming ceremony, in which Sirius played a big 
> role. (the Christians took the whole notion of 'godfathering' from 
> those pre-christian ceremonies. I can't remember anything in the 
> Old or New Testament that vaguely resembles the 'godfather' 
> or 'godmother' role) But the Wizarding World being Christian? 
> After centuries of persecution?

Leslie41:
Throughout history Christians have also persecuted other 
Christians.  It didn't stop those persecuted from staying 
believers.  English history especially is rife with that sort of 
thing, but we don't find Catholics/Anglicans/Puritans abandoning 
their faith.

So why suspect that of wizards?
> Marion:
> But luckily, Muggleborns get snatched from their motherculture 
> from age eleven and thoroughly immersed in Wizard Culture. After 
> graduating, they will continue to live in the Wizarding World and 
> very rarely make excursions to the Muggle world with its churches 
> and priests. If they ever were thoroughly indoctrinated by 
> religion, a few years of spells, potions, ghosts and Quidditch 
> would cure them of that. And if not, there is always Oblivation...
> 
> But what if the parents of the Muggleborn witch or wizard were 
> Christian (probable) and they, after finding their offspring 
> doing 'wild magic' before age eleven? A trip to the local priest 
> for an exorcism? Holy water? 'Beating the devil out of him/her'?
> Children have been killed by their parents for less.

Leslie41:
Most Christian parents don't beat the devil out of their children, 
or kill them because they think they're Satanic, and if a Christian 
saw a child doing something magical, it is just as likely that they 
might think the power comes from god.  

> Marion: 
> I think that in this case the Wizarding World would sent a special 
> Auror squad to take the child away and into Wizarding Care. All 
> those old stories about elves stealing children and 
> leaving 'changelings' must be based on *something*, right?

Leslie41:
Interesting, but where's the canon support?  Certainly we don't get 
any stories like that about the Muggleborn wizards.  

> Marion:
> In any case, I think we could rightly assume that an old 
> pureblood ?family like the Potters (or the Blacks) would know 
> nothing of Christian baptism.

Leslie41:
That could well be true.  But Sirius would have had to have been 
baptized in order to have served as godfather.  Doesn't mean he 
wasn't baptized as an adult, of course!