I'm a very strong christain, and I enjoy the Harry Potter movies and books. My mom is still very much against it, becuase she says there is a lot of satanic symbolism in it. Is this true? If so, what is it? I've also heard that there may be Christian symbolism. Is that true? Please help me out in any way you can by using the first five movies or books as examples.
2007-07-23 12:05:19 · 12 answers · asked by Dustmite 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is so much Christian symbolism in Harry Potter that it boggles the mind. J.K. Rowling is a strong Christian, too, and it clearly shows in her books. If there is any question in anyone's minds, then reading book 7 will erase all doubts. I won't give anything away, but "The Deathly Hallows" is the most clearly Christian of the entire series, with references to churches, Bible verses, and values that reflect the Christian life.
Some clues in the first 5 books (there are literally hundreds more than these, but these are some of the most obvious):
The Phoenix - in the books (not always in the movies) is a creature that dies and rises again. It mourns at the loss of a loved one in the Chamber of Secrets, and its tears heal the fatal wounds of the basilisk (serpent). In the Order of the Phoenix (read "church"), the phoenix rises up to swallow the curse of death that is aimed at Dumbledore, and in the Goblet of Fire, the song of the Phoenix can be heard by Harry as he battles Voldemort, giving him strength. It is clearly symbolic of Christ, no question about it.
"Ask, Seek, Knock": Throughout the entire series, these words come up again and again. Harry is a "Seeker" in more ways than one, and in book 7, we see more clearly why this is so. "Help is always given at Hogwarts for those who ask."
Sacrifice: This is one of the most obvious. Evil can only be defeated by a willing sacrifice of one's self, in love. Just as Christ loved us, and gave himself willingly as a sacrifice, so do characters in the Harry Potter series, and it is by their actions that Voldemort is stopped.
Afterlife: I can't say much about this without giving away book 7. But all I can say is read Hebrews 12:1 before reading the last chapter of book 7, and you will be awed at J.K. Rowling's understanding of the Christian life, and how it manifested itself throughout the entire series. The view of death, and how there is only one way to truly defeat death, is totally in line with Christian beliefs about death.
Whole books will be written about the Christian imagery in this series! By the way, there is NEVER any reference to Satanic rituals or the calling of demons for power. There is also no reference to any of the Wiccan ideologies, or their form of witchcraft.
Here are a couple of websites that I think you will find useful for your mom to read, that might help her put her fears at rest:
http://www.hogwartsprofessor.com
This site is FULL of book 7 spoilers...beware! If you don't want to have the ending given away, don't go to this site. But your mom could go there to be reassured that Harry Potter is not evil. Lots of Christians who have read the entire series are discussing it now at this site.
http://www.george-macdonald.com/harry_potter_granger.htm
This site is about The Chamber of Secrets, mostly. I would print a copy of this essay for your mom to read. It's a bit dated, in that the book it references makes predictions about some of the other books that didn't come true, but the discussion of how the Harry Potter books are a Christian series is very in-depth.
I hope this helps!
2007-07-27 07:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by crazyperson1972 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I do recall being struck by the word "godfather." I assumed that that was strictly a catholic thing, and that other religions referred to them as sponsors. I am not sure of that, however. I don't think many brits are catholic. Again, I'm not sure of this. I get this idea from reading Agatha Christie's and other old English books. They would refer to "RC's" in hushed tones. So those two things actually contradict each other - one would imply that she's catholic, and the other that she's not. Assuming my assumptions are correct, that is. I did look up Sirius, but I saw it referred to as the dog star. I don't know that this means anything, because I think some of the other names were astronomical in origin too. Draco, for one. I'm not a biblical scholar, but the PJJ thing is interesting. I have a vague recollection of the place of the skull, but I don't recall where I heard it. I assume that too is biblical? Do you recall where you read that quote? I'd be interested in looking it up. And if true, what would that mean for the ending? The dead would be resurrected? Good triumphs over evil, ....? By the way, I don't know why anyone would seem to be offended by your question. I'm not reading you as a religious fanatic. I'm an atheist, and I might recognize christian symbolism if I saw it. Heck, I've even coined a few biblical phrases at work. We refer to previously-dead issues that come back to haunt us as being "Lazarus'd."
2016-05-21 04:57:59 · answer #2 · answered by meridith 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Again, like I've stated in other similar questions... if Harry Potter is evil because of "witchcraft" then why is "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" by Christian author, C.S. Lewis ok? Why is his book, which is full of magic and speaks of a witch, ok in the eyes of Christians, yet Harry Potter is not. Furthermore.. why is The Wizard of Oz or the Disney movies (which are FILLED with witches and sorcery) ok with Christians but Harry Potter is not ok? I'm sorry, buy Christians need to THINK before denouncing Harry Potter.
Good luck!
2007-07-23 12:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by spike_is_my_evil_vampire 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was raised in a very strict religion were these books and movies would not be permitted because of the magic. Magic is supposed to be satanic.
But as an adult I love these books and movies! Yes they can be translated to christian symbolism. Dumbeledore is god, Voldomort is Satan, and Harry is Jesus.
But a lot of good versus evil stories have the same symbolism.
2007-07-23 12:12:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible is where Satan gets it's name and relays some of Satan's actions in it, would this then be more "Satanic?"
If she could actually identify Satanery (new word) she would be amongst the first people to do that since things that were "Satanic" were actually other religions such as Wicca.
There has also never ever been a documented case of Satanic anything occuring. All of the cases that are claimed to exist are urban myths and folklore designed to scare people.
2007-07-23 12:12:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, here goes. Sit down, take a deep breath, and repeat after me: HARRY POTTER IS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER IN A SERIES OF MOVIES &/OR BOOKS. HE IS NOT SYMBOLIC OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN OF HARRY POTTER. JK ROWLING IS NOT TRYING TO CONVERT THE WORLD TO WITCHCRAFT. SHE IS NOT TRYING TO INSTILL SATAN INTO PEOPLE'S SOULS EITHER. Chill people, it's a best seller, not a life path.
2007-07-23 12:09:46 · answer #6 · answered by mikalina 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a pagan Witch. There is no satan. no devil. Harry Potter is total fantasy, and I consider it harmful when people start taking it seriously and thinking that evil exists in Witchcraft. Witches are good people who do good things. Honest!
2007-07-23 12:11:11 · answer #7 · answered by Lady Morgana 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oh FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. It's a book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVED the movie "The DaVinci Code" (didn't read the book)....and I LOVE GOD.
Geez. My grandmother used to tell us you could get STDs from sitting on public toilet seats....
2007-07-23 12:09:34 · answer #8 · answered by lady_phoenix39 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are some Christians who see "satan" in just about anything portraying anything "supernatural" but not explicitly Christian.
when I was a kid they said that about Star Wars, too.
2007-07-23 12:09:29 · answer #9 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Symbolism is secondary.
It's the beautification of witchcraft is why is wrong to watch.
2007-07-23 12:59:09 · answer #10 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋