Is Harry Potter the Son of God?

[Zara]

No: HPFGUIDX 171145

> *******************
> katie responds: The reason I don't want to discuss faith/religion 
> Why do we HAVE to give it a 
> religious meaning? It's not lacking a meaning or a profundity. I 
> just think forcing religion down the proverbial throat of the books 
> diminishes the actual story, which does not lack in meaning. Sorry 
> I've been a bit redundant - I'm at work and trying to think too 
> hard. KATIE

zgirnius:
If you do not wish to consider the possibility that there is 
religious meaning or religious sensibility in the books, that is 
naturally your privilege. Others, however, may feel that discussing 
the books in these terms adds to their understanding of and 
appreciation for the books.

I would say canon definitely gives us license to consider the 
influence of Rowling's Christianity on her works, and such 
consideration is in no way 'forcing' religion onto/into the books. 
Specifically, here is what Rowling has to say on the subject, in an 
interview she granted The Vancouver Sun in 2000:

http://www.accio-quote.org/articles/2000/1000-vancouversun-wyman.htm

> Is she a Christian?

> ''Yes, I am,'' she says. ''Which seems to offend the religious 
right far worse than if I said I thought there was no God. Every time 
I've been asked if I believe in God, I've said yes, because I do, but 
no one ever really has gone any more deeply into it than that, and I 
have to say that does suit me, because if I talk too freely about 
that I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able 
to guess what's coming in the books.''

zgirnius:
If the author herself considers her views on religion spoilerish, the 
accusation that religion is being 'forced' onto the books is 
groundless. This does not mean the books are a heavy handed allegory 
in which Harry is Christ (I certainly do not buy this idea, for 
reasons that have been well-expressed by others upthread.) But there 
is a lot of room on the continuum between such a work and one utterly 
free from any religious content or influence.