The Role of Religion in the Potterverse

[Miles]

No: HPFGUIDX 186244

Sorry, I forgot to address the 2nd part of my mail to Geoff:

Miles wrote:
> potioncat wrote:
>> I think you've brought up some very good points that have really fit
>> with the HP story. But speaking as a Christian, I personally don't
>> mind a reference to a fictional character to a real person. So a
>> Christ figure doesn't bother me. What does offend me is when a
>> portion of the Bible is taught as literature.
> 
> Miles:
> Answering as a Christian myself - they *are* literature. They are
> more for Christians and Jews, but for others they are "only" that.
> 
> If you look at bible exegetics, these scholars work with the same set
> of analytical instruments as those who work on non-religous texts.
> They try to find out about the authors of certain parts of the bible,
> when they lived, what political and cultural background they had.
> They try to find out when a text is written, whether a text is in
> it's original state, altered by "mistake" or on purpose. To work on
> bible texts in this "critical-historical" way (I don't know the
> terminus technicus in English) is crucial not least for a correct
> translation. 
> 
> The bible is an important work of literature of this world, and it is
> more for those who are either Jews (partially) or Christians. I do
> not have problems of accepting both sides, and I would not impose
> other people not to merely read and describe the bible as literature.

Now:

> Which brings me back to our On-Topic discussion on the term "Christe
> figure". While I agree with Geoff that "Christ figure" is not a good
> description for Harry, I am not really happy with his rationale. In
> my opinion, we had a discussion about literary criticism, and "I do
> not like this category because it contradicts my faith" is IMO not a
> valid argument - faith is not part of litery criticism, isn't
> it? If literary scholars use the term "Christ figure" in the way
> Carol tells us (and her expertise is obvious), we can discuss whether
> this category is helpful for general analysis or analysing Harry
> Potter - but whether it is right or wrong in the light of one's faith
> is a totally different discussion. Just my opinion and no offence
> meant. 
> 
> Miles