That Whole Christian Thing

[jmgarciaiii]

No: HPFGUIDX 173354

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "susanmcgee48176" 
<Schlobin at ...> wrote:
>
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jmgarciaiii" <jmgarciaiii@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > I'm of the opinion that JKR included some parallels/allusions to 
> > Christianty. This is different than saying these books are 
allegories 
> > for the Crucifixion of Christ, etc.
> 
> Of course, JKR included at least two biblical quotes that I'm 
aware 
> of...at the two tombstones at Godric's Hollow....but of course she 
also 
> includes a quotation from Aeschylus.

Me: Precisely my point. 
 
> We do know that JKR is a Christian so it's possible that there's a 
> crucifixion parallel here. However, Harry did NOT die...whereas 
the 
> death of Jesus is a major part of Christian theology. I'll wait 
for JKR 
> to tell us whether the parallel exists. Supporting that theory 
would be 
> the fact that she names as one of her favorite series the Narnia 
> Chronicles, and C.S. Lewis does not bother to hide his Christian 
> parallels. 

Me, still: Whether Harry "officially" died is something I'd like to 
have JKR stipulate. I'm not sure either way, frankly.
 
> I can easily make the case that it's a pagan analogy (royal 
sacrifice), 
> but that speaks to me because I AM a pagan...I suggest that 
Harry's 
> experiences resonate with Christian beliefs if you're a Christian, 
and 
> that belief system is important to you. There are a bunch of 
religions 
> and myths that include a dying god/sacrifice for 
others/resurrection, 
> many of them predating Christianity.

Although I am Catholic, it resonated with me more as a Classical 
Mythology thing (from reading THAT is where I came up with the idea 
Harry would "die" and see DD and Sirius...2 out of 3 ain't bad)

> I do feel terribly sorry for the children who are forbidden HP 
because 
> of their parents' beliefs (particularly as so many of them have 
not 
> read the books). I have a hard time understanding why parents 
would not
> love books that teach the value of love, friendship, doing the 
right 
> thing, making good choices, making mistakes, but trying again to 
make 
> better choices, etc.

Me some more: I can't speak for other Christian belief systems, but 
the general consensus among my tribe is that these books are fine 
for children (at an age appropriate level) and that parents should 
keep an eye on the little tyke, lest he start sacrificing rats to 
Baal as a consequence of reading GOF too young or something.
 
> I read an excellent critique of the books which suggested that the 
> problem with the books from a Christian perspective is not the use 
of 
> magic or "witchcraft" but the total lack of religion in the book. 

Me yet again: I'd heard those circumstances being used to bolster 
the very opposite conclusion. All institutions in these books are 
ridiculed to one degree or another, but religious insitutions are 
spared.

-J.