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

[KEN ADAMS]

No: HPFGUIDX 186117

No.Limberger:
> I have no recollection of Harry Potter ever being baptized. If you have a
> reference, I would be interested in reading it. I also have no
> recollection of any quotations from the bible on the Potter or Dumbledore
> monuments, but would appreciate a reference
> so that I could read it.

Geoff:
Two points from this.

First, you need to remember that JKR is English and the
Harry Potter books are set within the UK environment
and culture.

If a reference is made to a child's godfather, then this
will immediately imply to a UK reader that the child was
baptised, probably within the Church of England (or the
Roman Catholic Church).

Sirius Black is clearly designated as Harry's godfather in
more than one place in the books.

Second, the epitaphs on the two gravestones are most
certainly Christian.

Ken:
The grave of Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore reads:
"Where your treasure is, there will be your heart also". This
is a quote from Christ's Sermon on the Mount which occurs
in the New Testament - Matthew 6:21 - and is also quoted
again at Luke 12:34.
(DH "Godric's Hollow" p.266 UK edition)

The quote on the Potters' grave is ""The last enemy that
shall be destroyed is death" which is taken from Paul's first
letter to the Christians at Corinth - 1 Corinthians 15:26.
(ibid. p.268)


But Geoff  IIRC the message on the grave didn’t mean anything to Harry. Which implies that he was unaware that he was looking at Christian writing presumably because he had no background in Christianity.
I also agree with No. that the various Christian holidays are much younger than those of the early celts and could be considered as being usurped by Christians for, essentially, propaganda purposes.
I am unsure what role Godparents fill in the wizarding world but you are surely aware that they are used in UK today by non-Christians and in many other cultures. It implies, to me, not so much a devotion to God, as to their parents best friend.
Over to you.

KEN