Another Rowling Interview

I write here for me.

Diaries won't do - I have atrocious handwriting. That is to say, if my handwriting keeps up with my thinking, it is atrocious.

Typing it out on a Word Doc won't do - I like the pretty pictures on my blog!

So, I write here. I write here for me - for many reasons. Tonight's post is a reminder, an ego-booster, yes indeed.

I spent at least two years "winning church groups for Harry Potter" - my own form of evangelism! I gave lectures at several churches explaining why and how the Harry Potter series is a deeply religious - particularly Christian - series belonging on the book shelf beside the Narnia books.

Is Rowling the trained theologian Lewis was?
No, of course not.

Are there certain things that could have been improved on in the Potter books?
Sure.

Was I right?
Yes, I was.

But I was wrong, too. I felt certain that after the 7th book came out, there would be no more discussion as to the fundamental essence of the books - that is to say, their religious position. I was wrong.

I underestimated stubbornness.

Those Christians who called the books "evil", went on calling them evil even after Rowling said they were based on her Christian beliefs, after Harry died, traveled to King's Cross, and came back to life, after Rowling actually put two Scripture verses into the text of the final novel...I could go on, but I won't. The bottom line is Harry is still evil for those who thought he was.

How we hate change!

For those dear 'liberal' Christian friends of mine who said Harry was fine fantasy, but certainly not religious or particularly Christian, the same could be said as well.

Well, I suppose I hate change too. For here I am, once more, recording for myself another interview with Rowling in which she discusses the religious aspects of the books and the church's reaction.

The following quote is from the Edinburgh Student Paper. Here is a short review of the article. At the bottom of this link, you will find a second link to scans of the article. I recognize that many will not accept Rowling as any type of authority on either her work or her religion. Regardless, her response to the reporter's question heartens me that, at the very least, the author doesn't think I'm crazy.

It must be difficult to reconcile her religious beliefs with those that denounce Harry Potter as anti-Christian, I wonder aloud. Rowling's expression does not change a fraction. "There was a Christian commentator who said that Harry Potter had been the Christian church's biggest missed opportunity. And I thought, there's someone who actually has their eyes open."

So, I guess I have my eyes open...score one for me.

posted by Headless-in-GR @ 3/09/2008 10:28:00 PM

 

Comments:

I think they are only Christian books if she specifically says they are. Did she? If so, I would be sorely disappointed.

-Grace

# by:  capsaicin@gmail.com : 8:15 PM

 

I guess what bothers me is that if Christianity and the Christian message is true, they shouldn't *need* to be Christian books. They are just true books.

-Grace again

# by:  capsaicin@gmail.com : 8:16 PM

 

I think the problem is the category. I don't mean they're "Christian" as in "find them in your local Christian bookstore where they sell T-Shirts and soap with Bible verses on them." It's like what you said in your second comment - this is what I've always believed - Lewis never said Narnia was "Christian" and he hated it when people referred to it as an allegory. Rowling has said she is a Christian, she struggles at times, the themes of the books are best summed up by the verses on the tombs in DH and then this quote.

So, no - she's not evangelizing. That's the worst! I don't even call books that do that literature - gah!

If HP is labeled Christian by some, I hope they never mean, "ours and not yours, you evil Hindus!" or anything like that. I would never support that type of thinking! To me, saying the heart of HP is Christian is simply saying (1) that Rowling has said the verses in DH sum up the theme of the books and (2) Harry's ultimate fate is a retelling (with minor alterations that do not negate) of the story the Church has been telling since its birth.

And, just in case you would argue that all religions - or many at least - say the same thing, I would respectfully disagree. Yes, most religions grasp pretty clearly a similar human morality and yes, they all appear to have multiple elements of truth embedded in them. But morality and tidbits of truth are not what Christianity is about - all of that is secondary to the story! And that story is echoed pretty doggone clearly in HP.

Jesus was human - really, not just wearing it as a disguise. So too Harry (obviously).

Jesus, though innocent, carried our "sin" inside him. So too Harry.

Jesus took that sin to and through death in order to destroy it. So too Harry.

Jesus could not be defeated by death because of the power of his "parent's" love and thus returned to life. So too Harry.

There are more things, but that is the heart of the Christian story and it is also the heart of Harry Potter.

# by:  Headless-in-GR : 9:52 PM

 

I just have to add one more Jesus/Harry thing.

Jesus death and resurrection offered protection/salvation to others. So too Harry.

# by:  Headless-in-GR : 9:59 PM

 

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