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May 18, 2004
HP=RC
Steven Waldman of Beliefnet compares Harry Potter and Left Behind
Finally, they both have a theology. It's not, as one might expect, that Left Behind is Christian and Harry Potter pagan, but rather that Left Behind is Protestant and Harry Potter is Catholic. One of the chief theological arguments between Catholics and Protestants has been over whether salvation is earned through faith or by good works. In Left Behind, the only thing that matters is faith in Jesus. Steele explains that church leaders had led so many people astray because they merely "expected them to lead a good life, to do the best they could, to think of others, to be kind, to live in peace. It sounded so good, and yet it was so wrong. How far from the mark!"While everything is pre-ordained in Left Behind, in Harry Potter, by contrast, Dumbledore explicitly tells Harry that even though he carries some of the essence of Voldemort in him, he has the power to do good because he has the power of choice.
In that sense, despite their similarities, at their hearts the two series are different in a fundamental but not obvious way. Left Behind is fatalistic; Harry Potter sees outcome determined by individual actions. Both provide a roadmap for how to live a good life, but in one case the key is morality, and in the other it is faith.
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Comments
(First off, keep the responses civil, everyone. I know Harry Potter is a hot topic.)
This is the same argument (about Harry Potter) that I always use when in discussions with fellow Catholics over whether the books should be read by Catholic children.
Brush all the magic, ghosts and wand-waving aside, and Harry Potter is a morality tale. Harry can be a little berk sometimes (especially in HP and the Order of the Phoenix), but he consistently choses to do what is right, brave and self-sacrificing.
He follows the examples of his parents, who died to save him. He would do the same for any of the people he loves.
I think the books are great. But I do think you need to discuss all the magic stuff with the kids, and make it clear that HP is a fairy tale, and the Lord has not given those powers to people in real life.
(I wouldn't approve of the books at all, except that people "inherit" their magical ability. It's a birth gift that they improve upon through study. It's a metaphor for natural talents, I think. And like all natural talents, it can be used for good or evil.)
Posted by: Cin at May 18, 2004 12:24:13 PM
This Protestant/Catholic thing reminds me of this analysis from Italian novelist, Umberto Eco:
"The fact is that the world is divided between users of the Macintosh computer and users of MS-DOS compatible computers. I am firmly of the opinion that the Macintosh is Catholic and that DOS is Protestant. Indeed, the Macintosh is counterreformist and has been influenced by the "ratio studiorum" of the Jesuits. It is cheerful, friendly, conciliatory, it tells the faithful how they must proceed step by step to reach - if not the Kingdom of Heaven - the moment in which their document is printed. It is catechistic: the essence of revelation is dealt with via simple formulae and sumptuous icons. Everyone has a right to salvation.
DOS is Protestant, or even Calvinistic. It allows free interpretation of scripture, demands difficult personal decisions, imposes a subtle hermeneutics upon the user, and takes for granted the idea that not all can reach salvation. To make the system work you need to interpret the program yourself: a long way from the baroque community of revelers, the user is closed within the loneliness of his own inner torment.
You may object that, with the passage to Windows, the DOS universe has come to resemble more closely the counterreformist tolerance of the Macintosh. It's true: Windows represents an Anglican-style schism, big ceremonies in the cathedral, but there is always the possibility of a return to DOS to change things in accordance with bizarre decisions.....
And machine code, which lies beneath both systems (or environments, if you prefer)? Ah, that is to do with the Old Testament, and is Talmudic and cabalistic."
From a translation of Eco' column, "La bustina di Minerva," in Expresso (September 1994).
Posted by: David at May 18, 2004 12:33:46 PM
Thanks David, that made my day! (I'm a true believer in the Mac... :-)
Posted by: Cheryl at May 18, 2004 1:32:03 PM
Excellent David. Well said!
Posted by: Amanda at May 18, 2004 2:05:06 PM
I have always used DOS. But I have known I am a MAC user at heart. Where can I go for full conversion? Is this something I need to confess?
On the other hand, I have read Harry Potter books but have NEVER opened the pages of Left Behind!!
Posted by: deb at May 18, 2004 2:43:05 PM
Actually, I think the idea that the Left Behind series teaches salvation by faith alone is way off-base. The authors use the faith alone jargon, but "real" Christians in the series are marked by what they do. Those whose lives are not transformed by their belief in Christ are not real Christians.
I've read most of the series and some of Tim LaHaye's explanations of the theology behind the series. His theology is a tissue of contradictions, but it is certainly not a consistent theology of salvation by faith alone.
Posted by: Ron Belgau at May 18, 2004 6:23:44 PM
Where does Linux fit into this analogy?
SFP
Posted by: Susan Peterson at Jul 14, 2005 9:16:45 AM
