Comments on: Faith in Harry’s world and ours http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/ Harry Potter News and Commentary Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:29:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: axonovian http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451667 axonovian Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:20:25 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451667 It's been fantastic reading your guest-blog entries here! I really can't wait for your book to become available. I believe that it'll be the first of many great ones! Keep the faith, baby! It’s been fantastic reading your guest-blog entries here! I really can’t wait for your book to become available. I believe that it’ll be the first of many great ones! Keep the faith, baby!

]]> By: Arabella Figg http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451269 Arabella Figg Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:39:52 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451269 I relate to Harry's wondering about his King's Cross experience being only in his head. Sometimes I have an unreal feeling that my faith is a fantasy. But during the worst times, I know both my faith, and the One in whom I've placed it, are the most "real" reality. Even when cherished ideas about God are discarded, without new ones to take their place, I can say, quoting Paul Simon(!): "And so you see, I have come to doubt All that I once held as true; I stand alone, without beliefs-- The only truth I know is you." Like Harry, I have no concrete proofs for dissection of my experience of God. But I know that on my inner journey, I'm moving "further up and further in" on a continuum to a greater reality I have yet to understand. As a writer who's also stepped on risky, squashy ground, I congratulate you for writing The Book You Never Expected to Write. Awesome! I relate to Harry’s wondering about his King’s Cross experience being only in his head. Sometimes I have an unreal feeling that my faith is a fantasy. But during the worst times, I know both my faith, and the One in whom I’ve placed it, are the most “real” reality. Even when cherished ideas about God are discarded, without new ones to take their place, I can say, quoting Paul Simon(!):

“And so you see, I have come to doubt
All that I once held as true;
I stand alone, without beliefs–
The only truth I know is you.”

Like Harry, I have no concrete proofs for dissection of my experience of God. But I know that on my inner journey, I’m moving “further up and further in” on a continuum to a greater reality I have yet to understand.

As a writer who’s also stepped on risky, squashy ground, I congratulate you for writing The Book You Never Expected to Write. Awesome!

]]> By: Fricka http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451235 Fricka Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:21:16 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451235 ". . .a wandering, switchback path." Brilliantly put, Danielle. That's my experience with my Christian faith in a nutshell. There have been times that I have been so convinced of God's presence that I can't understand how anyone can not see the world as a wonderful creation, but other times when I feel like I've just been fooling myself. I read recently that Mother Theresa had doubts about her faith, too. Imagine that! Here's a woman that practically the whole world revered as Saint-like for her compassionate ministry to the unfortunates in India, yet she still experienced doubt! I think doubt is a part of the walk of faith, actually. There are many scriptural examples of people who had set-backs in the course of their generally faith-based lives, like Abraham and Sarah in the Old Testament, and Peter in the New. It's not having doubts that's bad--it's letting them take over and control you that's the problem, as I see it. In your own case, Danielle, I'm glad to read that you overcame your doubts about being able to produce a book, and that you forged on anyway in spite of them. I've enjoyed reading your essay in Hog's Head Conversations, and look forward to buying your book when it's published. “. . .a wandering, switchback path.” Brilliantly put, Danielle. That’s my experience with my Christian faith in a nutshell. There have been times that I have been so convinced of God’s presence that I can’t understand how anyone can not see the world as a wonderful creation, but other times when I feel like I’ve just been fooling myself. I read recently that Mother Theresa had doubts about her faith, too. Imagine that! Here’s a woman that practically the whole world revered as Saint-like for her compassionate ministry to the unfortunates in India, yet she still experienced doubt!
I think doubt is a part of the walk of faith, actually. There are many scriptural examples of people who had set-backs in the course of their generally faith-based lives, like Abraham and Sarah in the Old Testament, and Peter in the New. It’s not having doubts that’s bad–it’s letting them take over and control you that’s the problem, as I see it. In your own case, Danielle, I’m glad to read that you overcame your doubts about being able to produce a book, and that you forged on anyway in spite of them. I’ve enjoyed reading your essay in Hog’s Head Conversations, and look forward to buying your book when it’s published.

]]> By: aerisflowers http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451214 aerisflowers Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:46:52 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451214 <strong>908ssp</strong>, I would have to agree with your addition. I feel that the way in which faith is presented throughout the series resonates with more than just Christians; it is accessible to everyone, no matter your religion. I think that is one of the reasons why the books have appealed to such a wide audience. <strong>Danielle</strong>, I'm sorry that I only just discovered the Hog's Head and missed out on participating in the discussions on your previous posts, which I will be reading as soon as I post this comment! Above, you present an excellent summary of faith in the HP. Now I'm going to have to go and buy your book :). 908ssp, I would have to agree with your addition. I feel that the way in which faith is presented throughout the series resonates with more than just Christians; it is accessible to everyone, no matter your religion. I think that is one of the reasons why the books have appealed to such a wide audience.

Danielle, I’m sorry that I only just discovered the Hog’s Head and missed out on participating in the discussions on your previous posts, which I will be reading as soon as I post this comment! Above, you present an excellent summary of faith in the HP. Now I’m going to have to go and buy your book :) .

]]> By: 908ssp http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451210 908ssp Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:49:25 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451210 Altered quote: This means that the Harry Potter books understand faith in a way that resonates with the way Agnostics and Atheists understand it and experience it not at a dogmatic level, but at a gut one. I see nothing wrong with this statement either. Altered quote: This means that the Harry Potter books understand faith in a way that resonates with the way Agnostics and Atheists understand it and experience it not at a dogmatic level, but at a gut one.

I see nothing wrong with this statement either.

]]> By: Library Lily http://thehogshead.org/faith-in-harrys-world-and-ours-2940/comment-page-1/#comment-451207 Library Lily Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:45:20 +0000 http://thehogshead.org/?p=2940#comment-451207 <b>Danielle</b>, so glad you've been a guest-poster here at the Pub! <i>"This means that the Harry Potter books understand faith in a way that resonates with the way Christians understand it and experience it not at a dogmatic level, but at a gut one."</i> That's beautiful. As someone for whom Rowling's work helped remake the world into a place where faith could exist, I resonated pretty strongly with this post. And with Harry--ah, Harry ... one of the most sympathetic, wonderful protagonists in all of fiction. Some of the thought--mostly political--that I've run into as a wizard rocker and otherwise Potter fan wears on me; has even made fandom difficult for me at times. Things like your post above remind me why, originally, I fell in love with the books, why I'm here. Wish I could sit in on your classes! I guess I'll have to settle for reading your book. :D Danielle, so glad you’ve been a guest-poster here at the Pub!

“This means that the Harry Potter books understand faith in a way that resonates with the way Christians understand it and experience it not at a dogmatic level, but at a gut one.”

That’s beautiful. As someone for whom Rowling’s work helped remake the world into a place where faith could exist, I resonated pretty strongly with this post. And with Harry–ah, Harry … one of the most sympathetic, wonderful protagonists in all of fiction.

Some of the thought–mostly political–that I’ve run into as a wizard rocker and otherwise Potter fan wears on me; has even made fandom difficult for me at times. Things like your post above remind me why, originally, I fell in love with the books, why I’m here.

Wish I could sit in on your classes! I guess I’ll have to settle for reading your book. :D

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