Rowling Settles the Score
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, on a book tour, expands on her previous claims that the hugely popular series contained Christian themes.
“Author J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” books have always, in fact, dealt explicitly with religious themes and questions, but until “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” they had never quoted any specific religion. That was the plan from the start, Rowling told reporters during a press conference at the beginning of her Open Book Tour on Monday. It wasn’t because she was afraid of inserting religion into a children’s story. Rather, she was afraid that introducing religion (specifically Christianity) would give too much away to fans who might then see the parallels. ‘To me [the religious parallels have] always been obvious,’ she 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.’”
But for those Pagans who still want to imagine themselves at Hogwarts, not to worry, Rowling insists that the fictional school is “multifaith”. But if Potter kneels to pray, it will most likely be at Rowling’s Church of Scotland. Further commentary on Rowling’s latest statements can be found at “Get Religion”, and “Hogwarts Professor”. Perhaps we can finally convince certain over-zealous Christians that they aren’t banning a “pagan” book when they attack “Harry Potter”.
6 responses so far
I don’t know–a lot of people seem to forget that Tolkien was a Christian in their zeal to attack Lord of the Rings.
Nah, he was Catholic. That doesn’t really count to them
Maybe not Tolkien, but C.S. Lewis was a Christian and the same overzealous sorts who get upset about Harry Potter are the types to condemn Lewis’ Narnia series as “anti-Christian” as well.
I also read that Dumbledore was gay. So I’m sure those Christians who want to still have plenty to bitch and moan about.
[...] wrath/love to set the world to rights. No amount of logic or rational explanations of how Harry Potter isn’t some sort of Wiccan recruitment tool, or how we don’t invite children (without parental consent) into our covens is going to [...]
Narnia always read like an 'Introduction to Paganism' series
to me, covering Tiphareth with the Aslan/Christ figure. Heh.
Who crucified himself for Love? Snape did. =)