[HPforGrownups] Godfathers and Gravestones.... (was Re: Magical Latin)

[k12listmomma]

No: HPFGUIDX 186125

Geoff:
No.Limburger -He (or she?) goes on to say:
"Sirius Black is Harry's godfather, but this does not imply that Harry was 
ever taken to a church by James & LilyPotter to be baptized. The term 
"godfather" is used for aman who is either a sponsor or guardian of a child 
and doesnot necessarily imply that it is used only with regard to a 
baptism."

I do not know this writer's nationality but I, as a native Englishman, 
disagree with that. If a person in the UK says "She is my godmother" or "My 
godfather says.." the great majority of folk here will automatically assume 
that the speaker has been baptised either in the Church of England or the 
Catholic Church.


Shelley: I'm going to throw a quote in there that might add some evidence 
that Sirius himself had some influence of Christianity on him. Book 5, 
Authur has been bitten by the snake, everyone has been shunted to Sirius's 
house. After they all find out that Aurthur is OK, the mood lightens...
"Harry could not remember Sirius ever being in such a good mood; he was 
actually singing carols, apparently delighted that he was to have company 
over Christmas." A time later, "..they heard Sirius tramping past their door 
toward Buckbeaks's room singing, "God Rest You, Merry Hippogriffs"."

Now, even if you say that "God" is only used nominally is that carol, it's 
used never-the-less. Sirius was singing about God blessing someone, even if 
they were hippogriffs in this version, instead of gentlemen. Evidence of 
Christian influence on the Wizards, if they are singing versions of 
Christian Christmas Carols. I agree that most people today hold the 
Christian religion nominally- as Geoff pointed out, in the UK, but I would 
also argue that this is true in the States as well. It's a background which 
permeates our society, whether or not you profess to be a "born again 
believer" or serious believer, it is a fabric which bind traditions such as 
Christmas and baptisms and designating someone to be a "Godfather" in 
England today, as Geoff correctly points out. Even if Harry himself was not 
taken to any church except for those special occasions, it's not a far 
reaching idea that if they are living in, and along side a society, they 
might be influenced by it. They are in London- it has Christmas decorations. 
Look at Sirius's house- it has Christmas decorations. Look at St. Mungo's 
Hospital- it's decorated for Christmas. Clearly, they are celebrating the 
same as the Muggles. If a good assumption that Harry was baptized in a 
church in a formal ceremony, and that Sirius became a godfather in the same 
means (in a church) as the Muggles would practice. Rowling clearly puts the 
Wizards in this story in England, with it's Christian history influence, and 
she makes no effort to hide this, even if she doesn't directly say that any 
of the characters are ACTIVE Christians. They don't have to be.

Shelley