Comments on: Guest Blogger: “J.K. Rowling, a Christian?”

By: Confluence: My World

Confluence: My World — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:16:06 +0000

More on Harry Potter…

Dearest Lord, I did a search on J.K. Rowling Christian and found this site:…

By: Karolyn Phillips

Karolyn Phillips — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 12:00:39 +0000

Wow! As I’ve read these comments, my eyes have been really opened. There has been so much said about the “evil” in these books, and I am glad that I really didn’t say anything much about this myself, because I didn’t feel I could since I hadn’t read them. I love fantasy writing though, and enjoyed fairy tales when I was young as much as anyone. At the same time, God has always been so real to me, that he was like a father to me always, and then when I was saved at age ten, the wonderful truth that he really “is” my father was so wonderful to me. Anyway, keep up the good work you’re doing here, and I pray that others will find there way here through searching, just as I did.

By: Franziska

Franziska — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 06:54:07 +0000

Thanks to every one who writes on this web site. I am a minister of religion in a reformed church in South Africa and after reading Deathly Hollows last week preached on themes from it last Sunday. Now a storm has broken lose in our congregation about the controversy. Some of the primary school parents are very upset with me (even those who did not attend the sermon). I only found this website afterwards and I am finding it very helpful. Please pray for me in this time, where I need to be brave like a true Gryffindor. I need to keep sticking up for my sister in faith J.K.R. But I am struggeling with my own emotions towards those who judge her, and me because of my love of her books. I do not want to be like Ron who sometimes (for other reasons) abandoned Harry when he needed friends most. Durring the sermon I found that I had the attention of children who never came to church, much less paid any attention to the sermon (they were their as part of their school choir). But I also know the people who are judging us, and they are not bad people. At other times they are loving devoted believers, and it is fear that makes them react so viciously. Now I am tested on my own sermon message. I preached from Matthew 10:32-40, on being willing to loose your life and finding true life. And I find I might be loosing a lot of respect these believers held for me before this.

Thanx

By: snapessister

snapessister — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:36:09 +0000

Wow!! Thanks for this article. I guess my mind was poisoned by the religious haters of JKR Harry Potter; the possibility that JKR was a Christian herself it had not even entered my mind. I did not even notice the symbolism the first time I read HPDH (of course I read it within 48 hours, so my reading comprehension was pretty low the first read through)

I am a Christian who has enjoyed the HP series from the beginning, for both its entertainment value and its ability to impart morals in an imperfect universe. I believe that this attribute makes the Harry Potter books parallel our world in a way that C.S Lewis and other writers could not achieve: Dumbledore may be an imperfect man, but like so many of OUR mentors, we can learn a lot from him.

Now I must resist the temptation to snigger at all those Harry Potter book burners.

By: Michael Compeau

Michael Compeau — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:43:13 +0000

Interesting that I only found this entry AFTER reading book seven. I’m so glad I waited to go looking until after. I’ve written a short, sharp musing on the Far Right’s missing the point on my ms Blog… have a read if you’re interested…

Mike

By: korg20000bc

korg20000bc — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 08:07:21 +0000

Feargal,
Power- at a cost, is the underlying theme in much of fantasy writing. If you read Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy both “the Wit” and “the Skill” come at great cost or at least risk and temptation. In Lord of the Rings Gandalf’s use or magic comes at the risk of revealing his location to Sauron or other. Even just lighting a fire by magic caused him to say ” ‘If there any to see, then I at least am revealed to them,’ he said. ‘I have written GANDALF IS HERE in signs that all can read from Rivendell to the mouths of Anduin.’” Later in Moria Gandalf only comes to the notice of the Balrog when it perceives the shutting spell he’s put on the door of the chamber of Marzabul.

So I think you’re in great comapny when you write about these themes.

Matthew

By: Feargal

Feargal — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 07:29:00 +0000

After reading the last book, I am glad I reserved judgement. I have seen so manu urban myths and complete lies spread through churches; it is enough to dent one’s faith! So many Christians have unreasoned fear of fantasy and the supernatural…..

Yet, wihout fantasy, in its broadest terms, life is only machinery. Rowlings reminds us of that. Even if some elements of her story telling are not as pleasing to me, her efforts deserve acknowledgement. Her faith, I believe, comes out clearly in the last book; so many fruitful discussions have begun! I must confess; Rowlings magic has more potential than any amount of pulpit thumping (I say that as a lay preacher in my own church). If we let go of our terrors, the world may have been spared so much bloodshed in Christ’s name.

I am touched by the basic message of the story, and will carry HP as a hero for many years; beats Big Brother or other ‘entertainment’ by light years.

Feargal

PS – I am ANNOYED that JKR took one of my main charcter names (Kendra) from a book I am writing. One again, where magic is ‘real’ but carries a terrible price…

By: Travis Prinzi

Travis Prinzi — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:57:58 +0000

mary, thank you! All: The article to which mary is referring can be found here. I'll post it on the main blog later.

By: mary monefeldt

mary monefeldt — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:35:11 +0000

Travis Prinzi,

A wonderful well written column in the Speaking Out section of July 26, 2007 Democrat and Chronicle!

Like Harry, you are the hope of the future. Keep on writing.
MM

By: Mindy

Mindy — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 06:08:14 +0000

Well, now that the seventh book is out, I hope that most people can see exactly why she chose not to overtly express any Christian beliefs that she holds. I have no doubt in my mind anymore.