Harry Potter

[BG45]

[url="http://www.christianpost.com/news/harry-potter-author-reveals-books-christian-allegory-her-struggling-faith-29749/"]Harry Potter Author Reveals Books' Christian Allegory, Her Struggling Faith[/url]

[quote]After years of averting questions on whether Christian themes were present in her wildly popular Harry Potter books, author J.K. Rowling finally opened up this week about the Christian allegory in her latest book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

During a press conference at the kick-off of her “Open Book Tour” on Monday, the British author told reporters that while religious themes were always present she purposely refrained from referencing any particular religion in order to conceal the ending.

“To me, [the religious parallels have] always been obvious,” Rowling said. “But I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going.”

And where did the story end up? (Spoiler warning: Read no further if you don't want to find out what happens.)

Apparently, the last installment of the series is about resurrection and life after death.

In “Deathly Hallows,” Harry visits his parents’ graves at Godric’s Hallow and sees two biblical references on his parents’ tombstones, reading: “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death,” and "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The first refers to 1 Corinthians 15:26 and the second is a direct quote from Jesus in Matthew 6:19.

By the end of the book, Harry becomes the "Master of Death" and “resurrects” from the dead the spirits of his parents, his godfather, Sirius Black and his old teacher Remus Lupin.

"They're very British books, so on a very practical note Harry was going to find biblical quotations on tombstones," Rowling explained. "[But] I think those two particular quotations he finds on the tombstones at Godric's Hollow, they sum up — they almost epitomize the whole series."

The book also begins with two religiously-themed epigraphs – one Christian, the other pagan.

Even though her books contain religious themes, the church-going author revealed that she struggles with believing in a basic Christian tenet of life after death.

"The truth is that, like Graham Greene, my faith is sometimes that my faith will return. It's something I struggle with a lot," Rowling admitted. "On any given moment if you asked me [if] I believe in life after death, I think if you polled me regularly through the week, I think I would come down on the side of yes — that I do believe in life after death. [But] it's something that I wrestle with a lot. It preoccupies me a lot, and I think that's very obvious within the books.”

Rowling was raised Christian in the Anglican Church and currently attends the Church of Scotland.

However, many conservative Christian leaders have strong denounced the author’s books as anything but detrimental to Christians and children, saying that it promotes witchcraft and the occult.

James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, had publicly criticized Harry Potter books.

“[I]t's difficult to ignore the effects such stories (albeit imaginary) might have on young, impressionable minds,” said Dobson in a statement noting the trend toward witchcraft and New Age ideology.

Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had even condemned the books, writing that their “subtle seductions, which act unnoticed ... deeply distort Christianity in the soul before it can grow properly.”

But Rowling has yet to take warnings on her book’s potentially adverse influence seriously, retorting, “I go to church myself.”

"I don't take any responsibility for the lunatic fringes of my own religion,” she added.

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, advised parents in a past commentary on Harry Potter to teach their kids to be discerning like Daniel, who read pagan literature but “didn’t defile himself.”

Colson also recommended Christian-themed alternatives such as C.S. Lewis's Narnia books and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

“These books also feature wizards and witches and magic, but in addition, they inspire the imagination within a Christian framework—and prepare the hearts of readers for the real-life story of Jesus Christ,” said Colson.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final of Rowling’s novels on the fictional Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, has been out since July 21 and has sold more than 350 million copies worldwide. It is currently on the best-sellers list of the Wall Street Journal and USA Today.[/quote]

From 2007, but seems relevant to this long running topic.

[rizz_loves_jesus]

"I believe in God, not magic." - J.K. Rowling

[Hidalgo SJS]

Repost
sorry

Edited July 17, 2011 by Hidalgo SJS

[Hidalgo SJS]

Food for thought:
http://www.instituteoftheholyspirit.com/Article-HARRY%20POTTER%20AND%20THE%20DEATH%20THAT%20FOLLOWS.pdf

I do enjoy the films, and feel that I can discuss with my children the Sacraments before, during and after the films, good vs evil. I do however understand that the actual practice of witchcraft is real, and never want to see my children or anyone take that path. So I try to educate them that that evil is real, and we pray and attend Mass and serve God fighting that evil.
God Bless!

Edited July 17, 2011 by Hidalgo SJS

[DeoDuce]

Harry Potter is definetly amesome!

[BG45]

[url="http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/271945/memento-harry-thomas-s-hibbs"]The National Review on how the final film perfectly captures the Christian sentiment of "Memento Mori".[/url]

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='Teen_Catholic' timestamp='1292190628' post='2192383']
I've been on other Catholic forums and encounter lots of people who think that Harry Potter is an acceptable book for Catholics. I disagree and believe strongly that Harry Potter is evil. What are your thoughts on this?
[/quote]

I had a very devout Benedictine monk explain Harry Potter to me. The Authoress is actually a Christian and she said that she never wanted to influence the occult or anything of that sort. But I know their are tons of kids who might not take certain elements in books lightly. Even though I have never met a kid who tooks these books too seriously.

The Benedictine monk explained that Harry is always saved by his mothers love. But he never really appreciates it. Which can be attributed to how we were saved by Gods love, and sometimes we never really appreciate it.

Their are many elements that I am sure you can contradict me on. But I have been reading this books since I was 9, with my parents. We discuss them, and we dont take them so seriously that we are "casting pretend spells"

But I could mention that I know almost everthing about the series. Even what Latin root words are derived from spells she made up.

Edited July 18, 2011 by InPersonaChriste

[ThePenciledOne]

[quote name='rizz_loves_jesus' timestamp='1310840423' post='2268249']
"I believe in God, not magic." - J.K. Rowling
[/quote]


"I believe in the Consitution." -Barrack Obama. (Not I direct quote but just trying to draw an example.)

It's one thing to say it, but its another thing to express it.

We've been talking a lot on comparing magic from say LOTR to HP, but the fact of the matter to realize is that J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic and loved the Eucharist above all else.

I'm not going to call Rowling's faith into question here, but for one whose novels are not exactly spot on nor are her themes that perfect all the time. And even claiming one of her character's was 'homosexual', sorry that doesn't cut any ice with me.

And this is coming from a former HP enthusist that kept up with the series for a long long time.

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1311000880' post='2269403']
I'm not going to call Rowling's faith into question here, but for one whose novels are not exactly spot on nor are her themes that perfect all the time. And even claiming one of her character's was 'homosexual', sorry that doesn't cut any ice with me.

And this is coming from a former HP enthusist that kept up with the series for a long long time.
[/quote]

haha I forgot that she told someone Dumbledore was homosexual..
But he seemed to have wild years in the beginning and then to sort of repent (bad form of words I know). He did not continue to become homosexual. And did you notice that all of the Proffesors never were married, or had any love interests? I always thought that was interesting.


Sidenote: Dont mention Hagrid because he didnt start as a teacher, and he fell in love with the lady giant while he was groundskeeper.

Edited July 18, 2011 by InPersonaChriste

[Basilisa Marie]

[quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1311000880' post='2269403']
"I believe in the Consitution." -Barrack Obama. (Not I direct quote but just trying to draw an example.)

It's one thing to say it, but its another thing to express it.

We've been talking a lot on comparing magic from say LOTR to HP, but the fact of the matter to realize is that J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic and loved the Eucharist above all else.

I'm not going to call Rowling's faith into question here, but for one whose novels are not exactly spot on nor are her themes that perfect all the time. And even claiming one of her character's was 'homosexual', sorry that doesn't cut any ice with me.

And this is coming from a former HP enthusist that kept up with the series for a long long time.
[/quote]

Wait, so you're saying that because Harry Potter wasn't written by a devout Catholic, the "magic" in it must not be as innocuous as that in LOTR? If you are, that's fine, I'm just trying to understand your point here.

I think claiming Dumbledore was homosexual actually adds to his backstory. I mean, he was young and lust/love/whatever blinded him to the true nature of Grindelwald's supremacist political theories. Once Dumbledore realized that, he broke everything off and defeated him in what in the books is considered the most epic duel up until Harry and Voldemort. If anything it's an example of how disordered "love" blinds one to the true nature of evil. But regardless, the books themselves offer no support one way or another regarding the sexuality of any of the professors (other than Snape, of course).

I think what it comes down to is parents discerning whether or not their children can "handle" a series. I won't deny that some kids could definitely become interested in the occult just because they want to do the magic that Harry does, and they go looking on the internet or at a bookstore for "real" magic. But that's ultimately the fault of the parents for allowing their children to read such a series without vetting it first themselves. If I were to sit down with my kids and read Harry Potter together, I know I would be sure to also explain the real dangers of the actual occult. I mean, I wouldn't give my potential future 12 year old "The Golden Compass" to read unless I knew that he or she could handle a book about a parallel world where the Magisterium is evil. Parents should take some responsibility and know what their kids are reading.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='TeresaBenedicta' timestamp='1292205467' post='2192446']
Yup.

And the commentary against Harry Potter is complete rubbish. I'm sorry. But it's ridiculous. And would never pass in an advanced English course.

I'm sorry... I just really don't understand how one can claim it's anti-Christian. The presence of magic is hardly enough (as shown through other 'acceptable' stories- Narnia, LOTR, etc) to condemn it. And frankly, one cannot deny the deeply Christian themes within the story... that love is the most powerful magic of all, laying down one's life for others, good triumphs over evil.

Harry isn't perfect. He's very human and he struggles. He's very real. But in the end, he learns the real lesson: That love always wins and is stronger than any magic whatsoever. He learns what it means to sacrifice himself for others.
[/quote]

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/like.gif[/img] [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/like.gif[/img]

And the Vatican approved it, so I don't see any issue!

[ThePenciledOne]

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1311012423' post='2269526']
Wait, so you're saying that because Harry Potter wasn't written by a devout Catholic, the "magic" in it must not be as innocuous as that in LOTR? If you are, that's fine, I'm just trying to understand your point here.
[/quote]
The magic in LOTR is incredibly different from how magic works in HP, and yes that may sound like splitting hairs, but one can just read the books to see the extreme difference in the use and intention with magic in each series/world.


[quote]
I think claiming Dumbledore was homosexual actually adds to his backstory. I mean, he was young and lust/love/whatever blinded him to the true nature of Grindelwald's supremacist political theories. Once Dumbledore realized that, he broke everything off and defeated him in what in the books is considered the most epic duel up until Harry and Voldemort. If anything it's an example of how disordered "love" blinds one to the true nature of evil. But regardless, the books themselves offer no support one way or another regarding the sexuality of any of the professors (other than Snape, of course).
[/quote]

Personally, I thought it did nothing to add to the story at all, and if it wasn't clear in the book then nothing should have been said about it anyway. I just found it to be poor character development on Rowling's part.

[quote]
I think what it comes down to is parents discerning whether or not their children can "handle" a series. I won't deny that some kids could definitely become interested in the occult just because they want to do the magic that Harry does, and they go looking on the internet or at a bookstore for "real" magic. But that's ultimately the fault of the parents for allowing their children to read such a series without vetting it first themselves. If I were to sit down with my kids and read Harry Potter together, I know I would be sure to also explain the real dangers of the actual occult. I mean, I wouldn't give my potential future 12 year old "The Golden Compass" to read unless I knew that he or she could handle a book about a parallel world where the Magisterium is evil. Parents should take some responsibility and know what their kids are reading.
[/quote]

Agreed. I wish more parents would take a stand then against the new vampire thrill then.

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1311020033' post='2269592

Agreed. I wish more parents would take a stand then against the new vampire thrill then.
[/quote]

The bookstore is practically full of vampire books. *sigh* It's all romance and nothing else. Nothing of substance! I've read a few of the vampire books, just to see what they were like, and it's terrible literature and the dialogue is awful.


I wish more parents encouraged their kids to read, and to read good books--Nancy Drew, Anne of Green Gables, LHOTP, Dear America, anything really, other than vampires!

[InPersonaChriste]

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1311012423' post='2269526']
Wait, so you're saying that because Harry Potter wasn't written by a devout Catholic, the "magic" in it must not be as innocuous as that in LOTR? If you are, that's fine, I'm just trying to understand your point here.

I think claiming Dumbledore was homosexual actually adds to his backstory. I mean, he was young and lust/love/whatever blinded him to the true nature of Grindelwald's supremacist political theories. Once Dumbledore realized that, he broke everything off and defeated him in what in the books is considered the most epic duel up until Harry and Voldemort. If anything it's an example of how disordered "love" blinds one to the true nature of evil. But regardless, the books themselves offer no support one way or another regarding the sexuality of any of the professors (other than Snape, of course).

I think what it comes down to is parents discerning whether or not their children can "handle" a series. I won't deny that some kids could definitely become interested in the occult just because they want to do the magic that Harry does, and they go looking on the internet or at a bookstore for "real" magic. But that's ultimately the fault of the parents for allowing their children to read such a series without vetting it first themselves. If I were to sit down with my kids and read Harry Potter together, I know I would be sure to also explain the real dangers of the actual occult. I mean, I wouldn't give my potential future 12 year old "The Golden Compass" to read unless I knew that he or she could handle a book about a parallel world where the Magisterium is evil. Parents should take some responsibility and know what their kids are reading.
[/quote]

I totally agree with you!

[rizz_loves_jesus]

[quote name='ThePenciledOne' timestamp='1311000880' post='2269403']
We've been talking a lot on comparing magic from say LOTR to HP, but the fact of the matter to realize is that J.R.R. Tolkien was Catholic and loved the Eucharist above all else.[/quote]

You don't have to be Catholic to believe in God. Also this says nothing about the magic in his books--even if he did love God very much the fact of the matter is that he has magic in his books just like J.K. Rowling. Him being Catholic doesn't change that at all.

[quote]I'm not going to call Rowling's faith into question here, but for one whose novels are not exactly spot on[/quote]

Spot on... what?

[quote]nor are her themes that perfect all the time. And even claiming one of her character's was 'homosexual', sorry that doesn't cut any ice with me.[/quote]

What themes do you have a problem with? Also... some people are gay. It happens. I'm not condoning the lifestyle at all, but there's not even any evidence in the books that Dumbledore was even in a relationship with any other man. Looks to me like he lived a life that the Church says is acceptable for homosexuals--celibate.