Lack of Religion in Harry Potter, Why do you think J.K. Rowling left out any sort of religion in HP? |
 Jun 19 2009, 06:24 PM
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Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 3 Joined: 2:23am June 19, 2009  |
This has been bothering me for quite some time. I'm a fan of the Harry Potter Series, and I've admired the open-minded views exhibited throughout the series, but why is there no mention of any religion at all in the books?
I mean, the only thing religious-related we see is Christmas and Easter (which have become more cultural holidays rather than religious what with commercialism) , which is seemingly celebrated by all. Why not have students at school practice other religions? Like Judaism or Hinduism (by the Patels). Maybe even an atheistic character. She has characters of all races, different genders, sexual preferences (with her announcement concerning Dumbledore) and backgrounds, but not a single world in her novels is specifically concerned with religion (correct me if I'm wrong). Since the message of acceptance and tolerance is a prevalent one in the book, you would think that she would include characters of different religious beliefs, wouldn't you? What are your thoughts on this? Should J.K. Rowling have included religion in her books? Why? This post has been edited by ravenclawz: Jun 19 2009, 06:25 PM |
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Jun 19 2009, 07:34 PM
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Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 1 Joined: 9:06pm June 3, 2009 |
I truely love that there was NO Religion in the books. The complete lack of religion was refreshing! It made everything simply simple.
 I believe it would have put restrictions/ limits on the books and story lines. Magik is limitless and was cept that way! 
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Jun 19 2009, 07:50 PM
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Just Through the Brick Wall Posts: 2 Joined: 7:15pm June 19, 2009 |
Perhaps having absolutely no religion in the series is the best way to have acceptance/tolerance throughout the books.
Yes, it is possible that she could have included characters with all different religious backgrounds like she did with race, ethnicity, etc. but it would have immediately summoned the question: Do their familys accept their children studying magic? Jo was more focused on analyzing socio-economic prejudices and political issues. Tossing the religious issue into the mix might have been more than she wanted to deal with. It certainly would be for me! |
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Jun 19 2009, 08:36 PM
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Monster Book Stacker Posts: 358 Joined: 9:13am August 11, 2007 |
For several reaosn's probably:
1) So the books wouldn't be remembered as "a children's book that tackled religous themes." 2) So the books won't seem exploitive of religious beliefs. 3) Because it's easy for the subject of religion to become a biased\forced issue in books. 4) To make it more available to a wider audiance. A book with strong Jewish themes wouldn't have such a wide appeal, for example. -------------------- Dumbledore has a posse.
"Listening to the news! Again?" "Well, it changes every day, you see." |
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Jun 19 2009, 09:59 PM
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Buying a Half-Kneazle Posts: 524 Joined: 10:49am October 21, 2006  |
It's a can of worms. People being who they are, NOBODY could be content. Someone would always be PO'd that their religion was either misrepresented or not represented at all.
She'd have gotten a LOT more criticism for including religion than leaving it out. -------------------- |
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Jun 20 2009, 12:32 AM
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Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies Posts: 656 Joined: 4:16pm April 26, 2008 |
Once you introduce religion where's the dividing line between what is magical and what is divine.
While there's no mention of God there is also no mention of Satan. -------------------- Work like you don't need the money
Love like you've never been hurt, and Dance like no one is watching. |
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Jun 20 2009, 02:58 AM
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Being Eaten by the Pea Soup Posts: 19 Joined: 11:26am May 24, 2009 |
That's an interesting idea, actually.
I personally think it's better that way, after all, it's a fantazy book, not a bible or something like that. From the other hand, I see the whole "blood status" as religions in some kind of a way, there are purebloods, half-bloods, muggles - if you're creative you can treat them as some kind of religions. Anyway, it's up to you how you "translate" what's written in the book to your words, to your own world. I find this lack of religion perfectly fine, I think readers would feel discriminated (I know I would) 'cause their religion is not the same as 99.9% of the characters in the book. In any case, it's individual to you. 
-------------------- "Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure." |
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Jun 20 2009, 03:02 AM
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Knight Bus Driver in Training Posts: 594 Joined: 6:25am December 9, 2007 Location: Canada |
The Harry Potter books can - as we have seen over and over again on LL - be interpreted in many ways. Theologically, ethically, morally (with no religous over or undertones), philosophically or just as a great yarn populated with wonderful, memorable characters facing trials and tribulations and triumphs that can easily be identified with by people of all ages and backgrounds in the Real World.
Religious Christians see all kinds of Christian symbolism/references in the HP series, pagans see all kinds of pagan symbolism/references, etc. How wonderful that these novels can be so universal and speak to so many diverse groups! (One of the best examples of this is the King's Cross chapter of DH. The author purposely wrote it such that each reader could see it taking place wherever they choose.) That is exactly what Jo has said she wanted. And it's all there, of course. She has incorporated so many different traditions, legends, philosophies and ethical messages in this series - very deliberately, I believe. Jo herself is a self-professed Christian but she obviously realizes the value of all stories and belief systems which do not have hate as their basis (ie - LV's religion has hate of "the other" as its basis). Within the seven books, there are loving, respectful tributes to the stories and the thought-processes of Christianity, the numerous types of paganism, secular-humanist-rational ethical thought, etc. Book Seven might be a bit more Christian-focused, but that is only one of seven books. Harry's journey and it's final outcome is mirrored in the tales of MANY belief systems - not just Christianity by a long shot. Even in the religious stories of the North American Indians. A hero or heroine "dying" and coming back to life to save the world (often to provide a good harvest upon his or her return) is as old as the ancient Egyptians and Osiris. (In that case it represented the cyclical near-drying-up of and the overflowing of the Nile River.) As is the mythology of a hero "returning to life" in order to fight a vital battle. Jo says that Hogwarts is a multi-faith school and, at no time, is the religion of any of the students, teachers or other HP characters mentioned. We can assume that Anthony Goldstein is probably Jewish, that the Patil sisters might well be Hindu, that the Irish Seamus Finnigan could be Catholic. (I like to think that Minerva McGonagall is a Scottish Unitarian, but that's just personal prejudice. (heh, heh)) But Jo has left that up to each reader's imagination. The important thing to her is that none of these children are discriminated against because of their religion or lack thereof. In the wizarding world, apparently, it is blood-status that is the main fodder for bigots. One of my favourite non-academic essays on the HP series is one which was written by Nathan Thornburgh in the Apr.28, 2008 issue of Time Magazine. It is entitled "You Didn't Know Harry Potter Was Jewish?" and is quite delightful (at least I find it so). (Just go to www.time.com and type in the title of the article as your search term to read it.) Another Jewish reference Jo uses is Nick's Deathday Party. I once saw a play about this. As I recall from the play, Jewish culture celebrates the day a loved one dies. The ones who knew him or her have a special meal and speak of the person. How wonderful of Jo to incorporate this! I think i like the idea of the kind, popular Sir Nicholas de Mismsy-Porpington being Jewish. And none of the Gryffindor students have any problem with that. (Were it only so in the real world!) Jo is a Christian. There is Christian symbolism in her books. But there is also much Greek and Roman and Norse mythology. There is also the philosophy and ethical arguments spoken by the great rationalist non-theological thinkers and philosophers throughout time. And many other influences which I am not educated enough to recognise. Laura "At least as much as they've been attacked from a theological point of view," she (JKR) says, the books "have been lauded and taken into pulpit, and most interesting and satisfying for me, it's been by several different faiths." The values in the books, she observes, are by no means exclusively Christian, and she is wary of appearing to promote one faith over another rather than inviting people to explore and struggle with the hard questions. Rowling's religious agenda is very clear: she does not have one. "I did not set out to convert anyone to Christianity. I wasn't trying to do what C.S. Lewis did. It is perfectly possible to live a very moral life without a belief in God, and I think it's perfectly possible to live a life peppered with ill-doing and believe in God." Time Magazine (Dec. 31, 2007) edited by laura w to rearrange a few sentences This post has been edited by Laura W: Jun 20 2009, 06:38 AM -------------------- |
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Jun 20 2009, 02:38 PM
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Flesh-Eating-Slug Catcher Posts: 174 Joined: 4:56pm July 14, 2007 Location: Stumbling through life in a bewildered sort of way. |
The lack of religious mention in the books hadn't crossed my mind at all until this thread and I'm pretty much in agreement with everyone else.
Fans of the Harry Potter series tend to pick over any and all themes in the books that bringing in such a provocative topic as religion almost seems like asking for trouble. The books have been written in such a way that there (I feel at least) is no need to mention anyone's faith or lack of as it's open to interpretation. -------------------- Petunia often said that he looked like a baby angel. Harry often said that he looked like a pig in a wig.
Is it Gene Hunt? ...Is he kicking in a nonce? |
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Jun 20 2009, 07:07 PM
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Hiding in the Iron Maiden at Borgin and Burkes Posts: 309 Joined: 9:44am November 20, 2007 Location: NC |
QUOTE(Kirsikka) Anyway, it's up to you how you "translate" what's written in the book to your words, to your own world. I agree. HP reminds me of many things (in particular, Disney films) where you can see what you want to see without having any particular belief shoved down your throat--and thus indicating its superiority.Also, we know that Rowling gave many characters different races, religions, etc. But they're never important enough to the plot or the reader to be mentioned. This post has been edited by The Crimson Artist: Jun 20 2009, 07:08 PM |
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