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What If Harry Potter Were A Devout Christian?

Posted by Guest Blogger at 6:00 AM on July 19, 2007.


Melissa McEwan: The Washington Post indulges its fantasies of a Harry Potter book with Christian overtones.
jeesycarpenter
potter

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This post, written by Melissa McEwan, originally appeared on Shakesville

"Could the next Harry Potter be a devout Christian?" That's the rhetorical question that begins the WaPo's exploration of "Christian Fantasy" in their front page article, "Christian Fantasy Genre Builds Niche Without Hogwarts, Muggles or Spells."

Being the heathen I am, I always thought "Christian Fantasy" had something to do with snorting blow off a gay hooker's ass while pretending that you're a happily married straight dude, but it turns out that "Christian Fantasy" is an entire literary genre that apes the themes built by giants like Tolkien and Rowling, then pastes over the icky stuff--like devil juice, err, magic. And the girl characters probably aren't so "smart" and "uppity," either.

Like the Potter series, it has mystical creatures, macabre events, epic battles and heroic young protagonists.

But, unlike the Potter books, this genre has overt Christian tones: messiah-like kings who return from the dead, fallen satanic characters and young heroes who undergo profound conversions. What you won't generally find: humans waving wands and performing spells.

Or, ya know, fun.

And certainly no resemblance to actual humanity. Even in the books for Christian adults, including other genres like Christian romance and Christian horror, there's "No swearing (not even 'gosh' and 'darn'), no dancing or drinking by Christian characters, no gambling, no mention of intimate body parts. And forget sex scenes, even if the characters are married to each other." Just a bunch of stick figures on a page living impossibly flawless lives. Talk about Christian fantasy.

Between the ridiculously popular incarnation of clean-slate Christianity currently permeating American culture, and books catering to the idea that it's possible to live a sin-free life once one's been "saved," it's no wonder there are so many sanctimonious pricks running around, judging and condemning those of us who are just trying to live the lives we were given and exerting no effort to hide that we're flawed and make the occasional mistake.

The sad and infuriating thing about these wankers is that they don't even understand the most basic principle of Christianity--if there were such a thing possible as a clean-slate life, there wouldn't be Christians in the first place. Jeesy Carpenter didn't crawl up on that cross because no one would ever sin again; he did it because they would.

That's the whole raison d'ĂȘtre for the religion so important to them they can't read Harry stinking Potter. And they don't even seem to care.

Digg!

Tagged as: christianity, washington post, harry potter, pop culture

Melissa McEwan writes and edits the blog Shakesville.


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Maybe this writer should actualy READ some fantasy before commenting
Posted by: moflard on Jul 19, 2007 7:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do so many commentators on Fantasy and SF have no understanding of it - or even show any evidence of reading any of it (something you'd think necessary of any other genre)? I mean Rowling a giant of the fantasy genre? Oh please! ROTFL! I wonder if they mention her only because Potter's been turned into a series of movies whilst other authors have remained only in books, of which I doubt she's read any.

Now I'm no big fan of "Christian" fantasy - but I can think of one great example, a classic of children's fantasy in fact, and one that I'd expect any commentator talking of this subject to name-check at least once. Indeed the original NYT article does mention it, albeit briefly.

"The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. I remember devouring the series when I was a kid, and contrary to the authors opinion it was great fun. I should also add that Lewis was a member, with Tolkien amongst others, of the Inklings and the author of the wonderful "Screwtape Letters", a more adult "Christian" fantasy.

Please Alternet, with this and the previous article about what if Harry Potter had been black or Gay, could you please insist the writers you publish at least do some basic homework before putting fingers to keyboard.

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Anti-Christian Bigotry
Posted by: vkobaya on Jul 19, 2007 9:22 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Your article smacks more of hateful, anti-Christian bigotry than of rational thinking or real complaints. Yes, it is true that the worst of fundamentalist Christianity is very closeminded about magic and fantasy deeming it all works of Satan, but there are other Christians, the majority of Christians, who are open-minded and thinking people who do understand the real tenets of Christianity. As for what is Christian fantasy, it also varies from the limited and narrowminded, to works of great authors like Tolkien. Your interpretation of what Christianity is as hateful and narrowmined as you accuse all Christians of being.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: Ellie1
» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: vkobaya
» Ellie1 Posted by: hurricane hugo
» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: jareilly
» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: Mewsician
» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: hagwind
» RE: Anti-Christian Bigotry Posted by: Lauren
Bush the making of Osama
Posted by: Abushite on Jul 20, 2007 4:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just as Pontius Pilate can be credited with ensuring the place in history for Jesus - George W. Bush is already recognized for entrenching Osama in history. Just as Mohammed and Jesus were activists in their time to become the icons of a calling - Osama Bin Laden's promotion to the post of Prophet has been guaranteed by Procurator G.W. Bush. George's raising of the reward to 50 million dollars to kill or capture Osama (with money that is not George's) is sure to enhance of the value of Osama's
cult - disciples will flock !!

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Been on both sides of the spiritual fence...
Posted by: danaanlugh on Jul 20, 2007 4:16 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... and the bickering is the same on both sides.

Each side has its true followers and its bashers... it's victims and its victorious. Who's right? Who cares?

It's quite tiring actually.

Much like anything, people will either find it fascinating... or complete drivel.

Acknowledge... move on.

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Let's talk about genre publishing
Posted by: hagwind on Jul 20, 2007 5:24 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Despite the stereotypes of some "lit'ry" types, "genre" is not synonymous with "lousy." However, within genre publishing there are some categories where the books tend to be produced according to a formula (prescribed plot lines, requirements and restrictions about characters, etc.) and marketed to certain types of readers. Think of some romance imprints, for example. This "Christian fantasy" sounds to me like a marketing category. It does not mean simply "fantasy by Christians" or "fantasy with Christian themes." It's fantasy produced with a niche market in mind -- sort of the literary equivalent of "Christian rock."

As used here, "Christian" is a code word. Haven't we figured that out yet? It's like the "women's" in "women's magazines." Those magazines are aimed at a subset of category "women" who have (or are supposed to have) certain interests. "Christian fantasy" is aimed at a subset of category "Christians" that intersects with a subset of category "fantasy readers." It's comparable to those interminable novelizations that follow in the wake of popular movies and TV series, only in this case the source seems to be the New Testament. (Let's not tell the readers or the publishers that plenty of Christian themes and images are rooted in older, pagan traditions, e.g., the god who dies in the fall and rises in the spring.)

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Re: Let's talk about genre publishing
Posted by: RixStar on Jul 20, 2007 9:48 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To the above poster's last point check out just how much "Christianity" owes to the numerous "Pagen" religions that came before by viewing Part one of "Zeitgeist-The Movie" here:
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
If accurate, truly remarkable!

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I think the author of this actually missed the point
Posted by: dannrusso on Jul 20, 2007 6:00 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
as in, didn't miss the point of what was going on, but missed the point of how to eliucidate it in a simple post.

What IS going on, however, is the copyright infringement of hundreds (if not more) of author and movie makers under the general auspices of "family-friendly" and "Christian" (I use the Capital C because Jesus would probably at this point overthrow their tables in the temple too). An artist creates something to be used in a certain way in a certain medium. It is akin to radio stations deleting guitar solos because a song doesn't fit the 3:10 guideline the corporations pre-set...but I digress...it happens all the time, where people think they can see "cleaned up" versions of movies or songs. Honestly, if you want to see "Pulp Fiction" that badly, go see the fucking goddamn movie, muthafukka! (pun intended, cause usually I don't swear) don't ruin the artistic abilty of the movie, book or song by "making it family-friendly" because if that is what the director, author, or musician wanted, then they would have done so. They have chosen to present a certain image in a certain way because artistically it is how they want it. It's like all the popes in the early middle ages who went around Europe and put fig leaves on all the statues. Honestly? come on...

peace always and all ways,
Dann

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and maybe I missed the point too
Posted by: dannrusso on Jul 21, 2007 4:50 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I was so caught up in the replies and posts that I think I misconstrued Melissa McEwan's point, and um, tried to make the same point.

Jesus is cool, the people who run the churches might have issues.

I should pay attention and not post comments so late at night :-)

peace,
Dann

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Duuuude.
Posted by: situationgirl on Jul 24, 2007 9:28 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"But, unlike the Potter books, this genre has overt Christian tones: messiah-like kings who return from the dead, fallen satanic characters and young heroes who undergo profound conversions. "

Um, the author here hasn't read the last Potter book yet, huh?

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Well
Posted by: dark.jedi.knight on Jul 24, 2007 11:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is Christian overtones in the Harry Potter series. The 7th has a place that could be similar to heaven in which Harry goes and people often use the word God

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