Have you ever noticed that Harry Potter acts as a Christian allegory in many ways? For example, the Phoenix is often used as a symbol for Christ, as it is the resurrection bird, and it is the phoenix that gives Harry the strength to defeat the serpent in so many instances. Also, moving on to the final book, Harry makes the ultimate sacrifice of his life to save the lives of countless others from ultimate evil, only to be resurrected, as a sort of his reward for his sacrificial nature. Hmm, does it remind you of someone? The themes of sacrificial love, the Lion of Gryffindor, Harry’s parents sacrifice, and redemption are seen throughout the series. Living righteously in a world filled with evil and darkness is one of the major concepts of the book.
I am unsure of Rowling’s motivations for echoing Christianity in her books, or whether they were intentional or not, but I definitely don’t see it as Anti-Christianity. Perhaps it was to appease the Christian readers?
2007-08-09 05:01:47 · 11 answers · asked by Belle 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is a fictional book, made enchanting and exciting by the addition of magical overlays seems hardly to be promoting anything negative. We’ve been seeing magic in children’s literature dating back to the 19the century, ever since the Grimm Brothers wrote Cinderella, or more appropriately called, Ashiepattle – it’s a moral teaching done only in harmless fun.
2007-08-09 05:02:13 · update #1
Quote from C. S. Lewis:
Do you think I am trying to weave a spell? Perhaps I am; but remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spells that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness which has been laid upon us for nearly a hundred years.
C. S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory"
2007-08-09 05:03:55 · update #2
I would reccomend you all to actually pick up a book and read it before you make such assertions. =)
2007-08-09 05:14:55 · update #3
ryoma136: I realize he didn't die, but I have no idea what you're trying to tell me in your response??
I was talking about the sacrifice AND resurrection as it parallels Christianity...(not that the last piece of Voldermort's soul died when Harry defeated him)...
2007-08-09 05:24:10 · update #4
kclightman: If what you say is true, then even better, as Christianity promises a salvation - an eternal life at the end of our earthly life.
And I also agree that Jesus wasn't the only one to ever die for someone else (in his case countless people), but we do see Him as a major sacrificial figure in reality that is echoed from time to time in other books such as the Chronicles of Narnia, which is admittedly Christian allegory according to consensus. It is a theme therefore, greatly represented by Christianity, as the pillars of that faith stand upon such an ideology.
I do have to disagree that Christianity is about complete obedience and submission. Jesus is ever-forgiving of our sins, and does not condemn us for our everyday misgivings/mistakes. We have been told our humanity will bring forth faults as we are imperfect, and perfection is not expected. A big part of Christianity is redemption and free will (not total submission).
2007-08-09 05:40:06 · update #5
And Christianity does not outline being saved from one's own creator, but being saved from worldliness, and giving into material temptations. And people aren't seen as helpless - we have complete free will to do as we please. Although we acknowledge a higher power, it in now way discredits our own personal strength. Why must it be assumed that one cannot exist with the other? I am disappointed in the many misguided ideas about Christianity.
And I agree, many of the themes in Harry Potter are classic to Children's Literature (which are often compared to Christianity).
I never made an absolutist claim here, as people are assuming. But merely indicated the several parallels I saw in the book with Christianity. And if you read my question, I indicated that I have no idea whether it was intentional or not, but that it doesn't seem very anti-Christ to me.
And as a liberal minded person, I like to think that reading a harmless and fun book of fiction will not make me evil. That's all. =)
2007-08-09 05:48:49 · update #6
And thanks to whoever gave a thumbs up to the guy who called me a "dumbass". Very mature. Thank-you. =)
2007-08-09 05:51:32 · update #7
we were just talking about this last night.
i LOVE the Harry Potter books for the excitement and adventure and all the other stuff going on. i appreciate that I'm sure different people get something different out of it, but i do like being reminded of the stories i learned a long time ago. i don't agree with the witchcraft & wizardry, but it's sure exciting huh? i think some christians make such a big deal out of it, but a lot have never taken the time to read the books. if you're going to be out in the culture, you need to be a little bit a part of the culture. if Rowling is a christian, she's doing a great job of subtly getting the good news of Christ out there. *in my opinion*
2007-08-09 05:08:55 · answer #1 · answered by danielle:) 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, actually... the phoenix is a symbol of eternal life that pre-dates Christ and was used in both Egyptian and Chinese mythology.
I'd also like to remind everyone that Jesus was not the only person ever to die for someone else. In fact it happens ALL. THE. TIME. The word 'sacrifice' means 'to make sacred'. When you love someone that much, when the good for others is more important to you than anything you could have for yourself, that is actual love, and it is sacred. This is not a theme unique to Christianity.
In fact a lot of Harry Potter runs counter to Christian themes because he does not obey rules and does not get punished for it, and he relies on himself and trusts himself rather than a higher power. Outside of witchcraft, these are the things Christians object to the most.
Sacrificial love is a theme in Christianity (conveniently ignoring the dysfunctional point of being saved from one's own creator) but it is not the only point. Christianity is heavy on obedience, submission, and deciding the only real power is outside of oneself. People are helpless.
In fact the themes at the end were extremely classic, epic hero themes again predating Christianity. Harry masters death by embracing it. He is a mortal who goes to the underworld and returns. Harry gives himself up for those he cares about because it is the right thing to do, and notably does not require anyone to adore him for it. He does not even need to be thanked. He follows his best instincts to the end.
2007-08-09 05:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by KC 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As a Christian and a fan of the Harry Potter book series, I do see some correlation. Although I don't think of Harry as a comparison to Jesus Christ, because Harry is very definitely human and not always does he do the right thing.
But I do think that Voldemort and Nagini are definitely a parallel to the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. The lie that Voldemort spun to his followers reminds me of the original lie that the serpent shared with Eve.
Harry reminds me more of Moses than anyone else in the Bible. Both rescued their people from an evil oppression.
2007-08-09 05:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by Searcher 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No I have not. I would think may Christians see very little Christian idea in Harry Potter. It is just a work of fiction, and she has made a lot of money with young Harry.
2007-08-09 05:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, you do realize that Jesus was an allegory of the phoenix and not the other way around, right?
Also, the serpents are found more often in the OT (Judiasm) than the NT (Christianity).
2007-08-09 05:07:07 · answer #5 · answered by Peter D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Harry didn't die at the end, dumbass. A part of Voldemort's soul died instead.
2007-08-09 05:12:54 · answer #6 · answered by ryoma136 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Regardless of what she tried to do, Christians are to have nothing to do with witchcraft, spells, sorcery and divination. This is not of God. Harry Potter should not be in a Christian home.
2007-08-09 05:10:29 · answer #7 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I always thought you could tell JK has some sort of Christian belief because it is quietly woven in her writing.
2007-08-09 05:07:59 · answer #8 · answered by Linz ♥ VT 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That is a HUGE stretch of the imagination.
2007-08-09 05:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never thought her books were anti christian.
2007-08-09 05:04:35 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋