[HPforGrownups] Christian themes in HP

[rebecca]

No: HPFGUIDX 154129


<snip>

> Nikkalmati:
> When Tonks first wrote that she had seen resistance to the  discussion of
> Christian themes in the books, I thought "well, I haven't seen  it."  I 
> have seen
> it now.  The author herself has said that there is a  Christian theme to 
> the
> books which will become obvious after Book 7.   I do not agree with all of 
> the
> links made on this list by various individuals to  Christian symbols or
> parallels to Biblical characters or stories, but many  of them are 
> interesting and
> stimulate thought.  I personally don't "get'  the alchemy references many
> others find and some of the astronomy connections  are "far out".:>) 
> However, I
> certainly don't feel these  discussions should be abandoned or that they 
> are
> not worth pursuing.   Why should discussions about the Christian meanings 
> in the
> books be any  different?

Rebecca:

I agree that some of the recent discussion of symbolism merits thought, 
however I'm curious that JKR has actually stated there was a Christian theme 
to the books in that manner.  I checked Quick Quotes Quill and have only 
seen the line in an Time magazine interview that when asked about faith or 
her belief in God this came up:

"Interestingly, although Rowling is a member of the Church of Scotland, the 
books are free of references to God. On this point, Rowling is cagey. "Um. I 
don't think they're that secular," she says, choosing her words slowly. 
"But, obviously, Dumbledore is not Jesus."

and then this:

"There comes a point where Susan, who was the older girl, is lost to Narnia 
because she becomes interested in lipstick. She's become irreligious 
basically because she found sex," Rowling says. "I have a big problem with 
that."

and this:

"And unlike Lewis, whose books are drenched in theology, Rowling refuses to 
view herself as a moral educator to the millions of children who read her 
books. "I don't think that it's at all healthy for the work for me to think 
in those terms. So I don't," she says. "I never think in terms of What am I 
going to teach them? Or, What would it be good for them to find out here."

Has anyone see and can quote where she herself has specifically said 
anything else about theology or religious overtones in the books?

Rebecca