[HPforGrownups] Re: The Role of Religion in the Potterverse was Magical Latin

[No Limberger]

No: HPFGUIDX 186186

>>Annemehr wrote:
>>Well, there *is* that saving-people-thing.
>
> No.Limberger responds:
> "Salvation" as it is referred to in Christianity is the antithesis of
> another Christian concept: that of everyone being guilty of "sin"
> due simply to having been born a human being. Thus,
> the goal of Christianity is for people to be "saved" from
> perceived "sins". This concept has nothing to do with Harry
> Potter, who was attempting to defeat Voldemort, who
> was essentially a cruel & egocentric would-be totalitarian
> dictator. By defeating Voldemort, Harry ensures that everyone
> in the WW, regardless of genetic heritage, would live in a
> free & open society and be treated equally.

>Shelley's wrote:
>I think you miss the POINT of salvation in Christianity.

No.Limberger responds:
Christianity is not the only religion.  Approximately 1/3 of
the Earth's population regards themselves as being
Christian; the other 2/3 (the majority) are not Christian.

Because Christians view their religion as the only
acceptable religion (an exclusive religion as defined by
John 14:6), Christians are often insulated from considering
other points of view.  "Salvation", according to Christians,
is necessary because Christians view everyone to be born
in sin.  The concept of "being born in sin" is a Christian
concept that is not shared by every religion.  The only
available solution to sin for Christians is "salvation" by
believing in Jesus.  If an individual is not Christian,
the Christian guilt-sin complex does not apply, nor,
consequently, does the Christian "salvation" concept.
Of course, this brings us back to the first sentence of
this paragraph: Christianity is an exclusive religion;
so any views from a non-Christian perspective are
automatically brushed aside and rejected.  Christian
exclusivity has also formed, within some Christian
minds, a sense of pride and superiority over all other
religious beliefs.   This sense of superiority is what has
lead to many forms of intolerance, as well as an obsessive
need to convert entire populations to Christianity's beliefs.
"You are a sinner, you must be saved" is a typical
Christian point of view that has, not surprisingly,
manifested in the course of this discussion because
some are determined to make others accept their
"Christ-figure" interpretation of Harry Potter the only
plausible interpretation.

While JK Rowling may have indeed been influenced
by her personal religious beliefs in the writing of the
Harry Potter novels, there was clearly no overt attempt
by JKR to use the novels to proselytize.  She no
doubt recognized the universality of many of the ideas
that she drew upon, which is why the novels are so
popular worldwide: a world that is 2/3 non-Christian.
Initial rejection of Harry Potter by religious believers
came not from non-Christians, but from Christians
who viewed the stories about wizardry and witchcraft
as being condemned by the bible: specifically,
by the following biblical passages: Exodus 22:18,
Deut. 18:10-11, Galations 5:19-20 and Revelations 21:8.
No doubt the revelation from JKR that Albus
Dumbledore, Harry Potter's mentor, is gay, made
some Christians who reject Harry Potter for the
reasons stated above even more intolerant of
Harry Potter due to the bible's rejection of anyone
being gay.  The argument often being presented here
of Harry Potter being a "Christ-figure", is imo, an
internal Christian argument between those Christians
who have chosen to identify Harry Potter with Jesus
and those Christians who reject Harry Potter over
witchcraft, wizardry and homosexuality.  The argument
has no relevance to non-Christians since (1) they
may have no familiarity with any Christian beliefs and/or
(2) may identify with Harry Potter within their own
beliefs.

People who wish to identify with Harry Potter as a
Christ-figure are as equally able to do so as those who
do not.  To reiterate my point of view, each individual
sees in Harry Potter what they want to see; it is
neither right nor wrong to view Harry Potter as a
Christ figure.  In none of my postings have I insisted
that anyone not view Harry Potter as a Christ figure.
If you wish to view Harry Potter as a Christ figure, then
do so; but not everyone does nor should that point of
view be imposed upon them.


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