Faithful Democrats
If I could wave my magic wand, I'd make everything alright
What orphan wouldn't wish this? And yet, I often hear the critisism of JK Rowlings popular series, that it supports witchcraft, and that it is somehow a corruptive force for this reason alone.
If we are to follow this logic, then we must dismiss both Music and Mathematics, because Pythagoras was a mystic, who explored the interval relationship between thirds, fifths and octaves, based on thier on thier porportional relationships, and used this information to devise an advanced scheme of mathematics, all in the pursuit of ancient mysteries. (or what could be referred to as witchcraft)
On a sidenote, his Holiest commandments were, Thou shalt not eat beans, and Thou shalt avoid pigeons.
I write this, because, a few days ago Rowling revealed one of the secrets of Potter series. She revealed that Dumbledore was gay. I was astounded once again by the brilliance of the author. How she so entwined fantasy with reality. Again, I can hear the drumbeats of intolerance, the headlines opposed to Potter, and his beloved mentor, so much a part of the Potter universe.
Over the years, I've read many books, and perhaps no author has so captured my imagination so much as Rowling. Why? Because she so captured the innocence of youth. Reading her stories, I was transformed once again into a child. I remembered the dread of the exam, the excitement of the school dance, the memory of the first kiss, the splendor of ones first love. This is the real magic of Harry Potter.
As the story unfolded, I found myself lost in the ever-present unfolding of events, ones that entered life, unavoidable, and yet the concern for the most trivial of affairs. The ever present question, is it love?
I recently attended a birthday party, it was for a very special four year old girl. It was for her, an avid fan of football, I missed the New England – Dallas game. She was more important. She was confused, frightened, alone, a four year old survivor of sexual abuse. As a survivor, I understand her pain, and I see Potter as a symbol. A child facing a terrible past, one they wish to forsake. And yet a responsibility that must be undertaken, no matter the cost.
In the end, Harry Potter faced, the most terrible of evils, and yet he prevails, not by skill, but by devotion. By surrenduring himself to a higher cause, by forsaking the treasures of this world, and at last by faith, and by faith alone. And it in this that he is different than Voldemort.
And this is the difference between belief and faith. And at last, this is the embodiment of the message of Christ. For if it is not in this, then what is?
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In