800 miles in the car yesterday so I’m whupped! I hope to comment on some length about Accio Quote Lisa’s thoughts on Harry and Aeneas when I’m human again, but, until then, here are some questions sent by a newspaper reporter today (obviously from the religious beat; he doesn’t ask about Deathly Hallows until the very end).
Please send in your answers to whichever question or questions that you want. Thanks in advance for starting your post with the question or at least the number of the question you are answering.
Your incentive? The “HogPro All-Pro” who sends in the most interesting answers will (1) have their name engraved on the HogPro All-Pro trophy here in my office (The Mundungus Cup, which serves as both a Big Gulp drinking cup and, in a pinch, as ash-tray; you’ll just get a silly certificate) and (2) receive one free copy of Richard Abanes’ new book, Homeland Insecurity. It’s a novel and enjoyable like nothing else of his that I have ever read. Steve Vander Ark, to whom I gave a copy at Sonorus 2007, was ecstatic; like me, Steve owns a copy of everything Mr. Abanes has written and he agrees that Homeland Insecurity is a “must-have” for all Potter bibliophiles.
So, have at it! May the wildest HogPro win! Decisions of the judges in this contest will be arbitrary and final. Immediate family members of Osama bin Laden are prohibited from entering; let them buy their copy of Homeland Insecurity. Management is not responsible for accidents consequent to loss of sleep involving readers who begin this novel late at night.
Official HogPro All-Pro List of Question
1. When and why did you first start reading the Potter novels?
2. What were you expecting?
3. What was your reaction?
4. Why have you become so outspoken about the books?
5. Have you received much criticism as a result of your position on the books?
6. It seems that there is less of an uproar over the book in recent years. Have you sensed that? What would you attribute that to?
7. You have read and discussed the books with your children. What kind of insights came out of those times? What do your kids think about the books? What have they learned from them?
8. Many Christians have protested the books for two main reasons. One they believe the magic in Harry Potter is clearly condemned in the Bible and two they believe that Harry and his friends are bad role models for children(i.e. he seeks revenge, lies, breaks rules and is disrespectful). How would you address these concerns?
9. You have said that the Potter books actually teach Gospel messages. Could you elaborate on that?
10. In his article, “Child-on-Child Crime,” David Haddon says that claims about Christian symbolism in the books are “unapparent to those children lacking a Ph.D. in classics.” How would you respond to that? [Nota bene: Answers to this question will serve as the tie breaker in case of a hung jury. Those wanting to read responses to Haddon’s piece can scroll down this page.]
11. Do you have any concerns, i.e. reservations, about these books?
12. Are some of the later Potter novels age-appropriate for 11 year old kids?
13. What do you like most about the books?
14. What do you think will happen in Deathly Hallows? [Nota bene: Anyone answering question fourteen in this space is immediately disqualified from today’s HogPro All-Pro event.]
(8) On the point about magic being clearly condemned in the Bible: that arises from a specific cultural context and referred to specific practices with which the Hebrews would be acquainted. The magic mentioned in Harry Potter simply isn’t the same; it’s literary in nature. The challenge of the opponents of Harry is to consider the characters of Harry Potter, Gandalf, and Glenda the Good from Oz, and to draw a line that includes only the latter two in light of the Biblical objection. Good luck.
As for the “bad role models” charge (as if Jack from the Beanstalk story is a paragon of virtue), the existence of such behavior is not the same as the endorsement of such behavior, certainly not in all cases. There are plenty of instances in which bad behavior brings bad consequences which Harry and his friends must bear, teaching the weight of responsibility. There are cases in which nominally bad behavior is in service to higher virtues (bravery, loyalty, etc.) There is also moral change throughout the series so that the examples of poor behavior serve as markers in a moral journey of improvement. For a series with such stark moral absolutes represented (Dumbledore v. Voldemort), this pattern of virtue and vice in the three main characters serves to illustrate moral struggles quite well.
(10) Symbols need not be recognized for them to work. One with a Ph.D. in Classics may be able to recognize, explain, and utilize those symbols, but such is not needed to ache, to understand, to revel in the story being told. From the first chapter of the first book, I could appreciate the various storytelling elements in Rowling’s work (the orphan motif, the Arthur theme, the auspicious birth, the secret identity), but a child can know without knowing how she knows. It is foolish to forget that.
Dewyn out to an early lead.
My thoughts on question 10 and the need for a PhD in Classics to understand Christian symbolism are (1) clearly he is confusing “Classics” and theology (in my four years at Chicago I never heard one word about Christian symbolism in a Latin or Greek class) and (2) the “PhD” spin is a bone thrown to people insecure about the quality of their educations (“only stupid geeks with advanced degees think this way…”).
Of course, it could be a barb aimed at me and Looking for God in Harry Potter, even though I do not have an advanced degree in Classics or theology. How difficult is it to see Firenze’s explanation of the unicorn scene in HP1 as an echo of St. Paul’s comments about the consequences of drinking the Blood of Christ unworthily? And the morality tale in the battle scene at the end of Chamber of Secrets? And the importance of the power of love and purity of soul? How about Harry’s resurrection from the dead at the end of each book?
I have explained these symbols to third graders and they saw their meaning immediately (at least as fast as they might the sacrifice of Aslan on the Stone Table, the standard 1.0 for transparency/opacity in fantasy literature of this kind). So what is Haddon’s game in writing that you need a PhD in Classics to understand Harry Potter?
Weird.
1. When and why did you first start reading the Potter novels?
Answer:
I first started listening to a copy of the first hp audio book because I wanted to see why all the Christians were jumping up and down and making such a fuss.. A friend said she had read the book and loved it.
2. What were you expecting?
Answer: I don’t really know. I was wondering if I should indeed even be reading the book and was pretty apprehensive.
3. What was your reaction?
I was captivated. at first I thought it was just a good entertaining story and then I saw deeper meanings in the story and realized that if nothing else it taught some pretty good lessons. I also wanted things to turn out well for Harry right from the start.
4. Why have you become so outspoken about the books?
I let people know that I’m a devoted Christian and a Harry fan every chance I get. I think the books are mostly treated unfairly by Christians who haven’t properly read the books.
8. Many Christians have protested the books for two main reasons. One they believe the magic in Harry Potter is clearly condemned in the Bible and two they
believe that Harry and his friends are bad role models for children(i.e. he seeks revenge, lies, breaks rules and is disrespectful). How would you address
these concerns?
Answer:
Hmmm! I think that Harry is human and struggles with making the right choice just as we all do. I think usually the consequences for bad choices are obvious and right through the books good things like loyalty, courage, friendship, and love being the greatest force in all the world are emphasised. Afterall don’t a lot of bible characters like David make bad choices and learn from them?
As for the magic I see a huge difference between real world witchcraft and the hp books. I never wanted to find out about real magic spells or anything I knew at first glance it was fantasy magic or literary magic.
9. You have said that the Potter books actually teach Gospel messages. Could you elaborate on that?
Well, right away I saw lily’s sacrifice echoing the gospel message about the sacrifice Jesus made for us, also about love being the greatest power, Joy getting rid of the dementors, and lots of others all through the books. and to answer question 10 I think it is, I didn’t need any kind of degree to
understand the symbols and the gospel mesage.
oh and let’s not forget Harry having a near death experience and being saved by Christ symbols. I also saw the pheonix right away as a christ symbol.
11. Do you have any concerns, i.e. reservations, about these books?
no not really.
12. Are some of the later Potter novels age-appropriate for 11 year old kids?
I think they are with parental guidance. Unless the child gets scared or has nightmares. I think young children should be supervised with whatever they read.
13. What do you like most about the books?
Too much to list here. I love the characters, humour and of course the messages of love and hope in the books.
We have a new leader in the HogPro All-Pro contest!
HEY JOHN!!!!! Long time, no fight!!! lol. Seriously, I do hope all is going well with you, Professor Potterite. Thanks for the mention about my new novel Homeland Insecurity (coming soon to a theater near you — my mouth to God’s ears). It was a major undertaking for me — i.e., shifting to fiction from non-fiction. I’ve always wanted to try my hand at a novel and its encouraging to hear you — of all folks (hehe) — say you enjoyed it. I have more planned, so hey, maybe you can become one of my fans. rofl. Of course, like Homeland Insecurity, they will all deal with some fairly deep issues that need to be brought out in this day and age, so I hope they are successful. Anyway, good to see you are still alive and kicking — you heretic, you. Best to you always.
RICHARD ABANES (not a Harry-Hater, just a Harry-Realist)