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Has anyone else heard this....
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ranëoira
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PostPosted: October 8, 2007 9:12 pm    Post subject: Has anyone else heard this.... Reply with quote

I can't remember were I heard this whether it was on the radio or TV... or newspaper article... But there was speculation that there were alot of references in the book that seem to be almost "Reborn Christian"-ish.. because this is what J.K. converted too...

Has anyone else heard about this? and Do you think there is?

I personally finished reading the book before hearing this so after hearing it.. I tried to pick out certain details and can't really find any similarities...
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zengrenouille
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PostPosted: October 8, 2007 11:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jo neither included nor left out any religion. The way she wrote HP, left it open to speculation and individual interpretation. This is why it is so brilliant. She managed to write a modern classic that is all-inclusive.
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GinnyX
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PostPosted: October 9, 2007 12:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

^ What Zen said.

JKR did not base the story soley on born again Christianity. She has said she took bits and pices from everything, including folklore, but she took liberties with everything. People are going to read into what they want... I mean, people have discussed everything from the idea of satanism in her books to the concept of tyhe promotiion of suicide.


Here is one random quote...

Quote:
"I don't believe in witchcraft, though I've lost count of the number of times I've been told I'm a practicing witch. Ninety - let's say ninety five percent at least, of the magic in the books in entirely invented by me. And I've used things from folklore and I've used bits of what people used to believe worked magically just to add a certain flavor, but I've always twisted them to suit my own ends. I mean, I've taken liberties with folklore to suit my plot."

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ThE_DaRk_MaRk
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PostPosted: October 9, 2007 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, hasn't J.K. borrowed a lot from mythology as well ? I think what she has done is awesome. As for the Christians who believe it's real "Witchcraft" i think they should pick up the book and compare it to what there religion looks against. I don't think it's right for people to judge against something they have never read. It's ignorance. I'm in no way putting the religion down, i am just saying people need to give things a chance before the light the torches. I actually spoke to a Christian on myspace who was against it and explained about the book and how it was not evil. I did get them to at least not hate the book...Some people should just be open minded i suppose.
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Rindaris
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PostPosted: October 9, 2007 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm a Christian and see nothing wrong with the books. She was given the talent to write and she did wonderfully with it. There will always be more to this world then we understand and who is to say that if mankind evolved just a little different, that such things as in her books wouldn't be possible?
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treehugger14
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PostPosted: October 12, 2007 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of my friends wasn't allowed to read Harry Potter because they're family didn't believe in witchcraft. But, then I have another friend who's father is an ordained minister, and she goes all out on the harry potter end. i guess it is just people's principles or shomething.
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Fiendfyre
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PostPosted: October 13, 2007 12:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It just depends on how people interpret the Bible. Some think witchcraft is nothing but evil. But some people considered some of the miracles that Jesus did as witchcraftish.. but it was good stuff. not evil stuff.

Harry Potter is essentially good vs. evil.. and I love that stuff. There's nothing wrong with reading a good fictional book about good vs. evil. if the books were all about "evil doing" and "witchcraft" in that sense.. I wouldn't be reading them.
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maximus55669
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PostPosted: October 20, 2007 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

it does have biblical parallels. Apart from the whole rebirth aspect of Harry Potter, there have actually been two verses used in the book, i believe the inscriptions on the graves. Besides, JK confirmed that she used the bible to an extent for certain aspects of the story. Sorry if i should have put a spoiler on that, i'm new to the site.
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..rose.weasley..
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PostPosted: October 23, 2007 6:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i think JK takes the most out of folklore (the leprechans, and fairies) and others from mythology.

i think shes done this so nobody can say, she favours one thing over ther other.
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MagicalMage7
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PostPosted: October 23, 2007 4:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My dad is a United Methodist Minister and finds nothing wrong with the books.

No offense to any Baptists out there, but it's mainly the Baptists who criticize HP. My old school was a Southern Baptist school and they absolutely despised it. We had a book fair with HP in it and they put a big fat red X over the HP books in the catalogue.

I am a Christian and I personally think the books promote values such as friendship, loyalty, determination, perseverance, among others. This is something most Christians admire, including myself.

I agree that JKR has taken a lot from many different folktales, legends, religions, and myths. That's what makes Harry Potter so unique, IMO.
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Felix Felicis
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PostPosted: October 27, 2007 10:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes it does. Notice how they celebrate Christmas. A chrsitian holiday. Notice how they celebrate Easter. another Christian holiday. Voldemort obviousley is the Devil and Dumbledore is something like a savior. he died for Harry representing Jesus Christ dieng for our sins.

it certainly doesnt show Islam. No Ramadan. No Eid. No nothing

Isnt Judaism. no Hannaka. No Jewish traditions of practices.

But it can Christianity. celebrate Christimas (Birth of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior). Easter (Death and Resurrection of Jesus)
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Accio_Hermione_Granger
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PostPosted: November 4, 2007 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I never herd that, but as i am re-reading the books i will indeed look for it
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Professor Lupin
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PostPosted: November 5, 2007 2:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

zengrenouille wrote:
Jo neither included nor left out any religion. The way she wrote HP, left it open to speculation and individual interpretation. This is why it is so brilliant. She managed to write a modern classic that is all-inclusive.


Yes I agree because that way no one religion can claim responsibility for it.
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lozinja
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PostPosted: November 6, 2007 6:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

harry does seem kinda jesus-y. but i don't think that's on purpose. alot of books/movies have main characters that seem like the story of jesus in some way...

i dunno...
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teacakes
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PostPosted: November 6, 2007 6:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

lozinja wrote:
harry does seem kinda jesus-y. but i don't think that's on purpose. alot of books/movies have main characters that seem like the story of jesus in some way...

i dunno...


That's 'cause a lot of works of fiction follow the same kind of structure.
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Vasaver
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PostPosted: November 6, 2007 4:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

harry jesus-y??? -falls over in laughter- i thought he was a typical boy! im mean he's a bit hot headed i dont see him as jesus-y but the plot ways i think every hero is kinda like jesus i guess cuz thier good but i wouldnt ever make the link...

oh... and as for all those christians who think harry potter is real life witchcraft, go and attend a wicken (sp?) ceremony then come back and say it!
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D.A. For Life
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PostPosted: November 14, 2007 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i actually got an email from my parents the other day about this same subject. my dad is a teacher at a high school and said that they were disgussing it in class and he asked me for my opion on it and i truly believe that she really didnt mean for harry to be any sort of jesus like character and i also believe this book may or maynot have anything to do with JKR's beliefs in the afterlife and all that good stuff.
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ZacKae
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PostPosted: November 20, 2007 5:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think people may claim the story to be similar to the bible is because the hero sacrifices himself and lives. This kind of plot seems to be in many different kinds of movies and books. Since the best and most touching way for any hero to make an impact, would be to follow the Bible's example. It is the most touching way for the main character to save others and to achieve a happy ending all the same.
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accio_gnar
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PostPosted: November 28, 2007 4:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i remember reading something that made me feel uneasy ( i don't believe in organized religion) im currently re reading the series and this time around im going to write down page numbers and do some deeper digging
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Bianca St. Claire
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PostPosted: November 30, 2007 3:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If Harry seems a Christ-like figure at all, it may simply be the "hero journey" aspect of the story. If you've ever read any of Joseph Campbell's stuff he talks a lot about the hero journey - but it essentially the same in any story; there are certain elements which define the hero journey (something like separation, initiation, and return). It's pretty easy to find parallels between hero stories when you look for them (kind of fun too).
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ravvy
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PostPosted: November 30, 2007 6:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i find this ironic because i am a witch and christian and did not feel any of it was being forced to our youth.

there were some simularities like
Spoiler:

when harry sacrificed himself for hogwarts but i think that was the only one that was blatent



i think its just a nice fantasy story about a boy and his dog.

oh wait.. i mean the boy who lived.[
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Nargles6284
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PostPosted: December 20, 2007 6:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I couldn't find many similarities to that topic, perse.
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nefertiri
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PostPosted: December 21, 2007 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i don't think she wanted to pull religion in it...
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Simply Just
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PostPosted: March 27, 2008 10:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

zengrenouille wrote:
Jo neither included nor left out any religion. The way she wrote HP, left it open to speculation and individual interpretation. This is why it is so brilliant. She managed to write a modern classic that is all-inclusive.


Which is why she is one of the most amazing and brilliant authors ever to grace us with such a work of art. Honestly, while people read the New Testament, I read Harry Potter. It is, essentially, my "bible".
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Simply Just
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PostPosted: March 27, 2008 10:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote