I admit it. I like Harry Potter. I’m not sure if I should. I doubt that the series is true, right, and pure. But I do happen to think it’s lovely, noble, and admirable.
That being said, I gave myself permission to purchase and enjoy these books. (Except for the last one, which was graciously lent to me – Thanks, Bonnie!) I actually read that particular book out loud to Josh in its entirety. It started as a whim as we sat in the living room together one night and he would not let me stop. Well, yes, he let me eat and sleep. But he would not let me read the book while he was at school. 🙂 So it took a few months, but I finally finished the seventh book a couple weeks ago. The last several chapters were read out loud for four hours, without break, until two o’clock in the morning.
And I loved it. He loved it. We loved it. We even sat and compared certain aspects of Harry’s character to the sacrificial character of Jesus and mused on the idea that as humans, that seems to be the standard to which we hold literature. (If only the world would realize that the story of Jesus’ sacrifice is TRUE – not a piece of fantastic fiction!)
So I am a Harry Potter fan.
And then I read this article.
“Dumbledore is gay,” the author responded to gasps and applause.
She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. “Falling in love can blind us to an extent,” Rowling said of Dumbledore’s feelings, adding that Dumbledore was “horribly, terribly let down.”
Dumbledore’s love, she observed, was his “great tragedy.”
…
Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.
J.K. Rowling isn’t oblivious to the Christian outrage. She wasn’t writing these books in spite of the parents in uproar. She was writing them to spite them.
You’d think she would have known that there were some Christians loyal to her series.
I’m so attached to the character of Harry Potter, I’m sure I can’t be mad at him for this recent development. But I’m confused at where I stand with Dumbledore (Is it his fault the author wrote him gay? And there is no proof he submitted to this sinful temptation. Maybe he should be upheld even higher for his ability to overcome?). But I’m rather upset with J.K. Rowling.
Are you a Potter Fan? What does this news mean to you? Will you shun the series from this point onward? Is that even possible once you’ve read it?!
Or have you believed from the beginning that this series was no-good, and this only proves your point further (don’t rub it in…)?
Absolutely nothing. It means nothing to me actually.
There is nothing in the book about him being gay. Grindenwald (sp) was his best friend. He loved him I’m sure. Does that mean he’s gay? No. When I read it, and I’ve read them all along with watching the movies, there is nothing in it about ANY characters being gay. (Even if it was, although, I would have read it anyways).
Rowling wasn’t writing this book for the Christian audience. She wasn’t really writing this for the children’s audience either. She was writing it to write it, it came from ideas in her head. It’s an excellent piece of imaginative fiction. The characterization is awesome. BUT if you want to read into it that a character is gay, that a character is evil, that a character is Christ-like, that it is witchcraft……well….it is what you make of it. Like all things, if you want to see it in there then you will make it.
I still love Harry and the series. I still love Dumbledore. I love the movies. The last book was excellent. I’m sad to see it go.
But, I could really care less what Rowling says. As long as she keeps collecting the checks, she probably dosn’t care that much either.
http://bonniembk.blogspot.com/2007/10/harry-potter-christians.html
I blogged about this also. (And other things)
From the stand of someone who didn’t like Harry Potter from the beginning you might not care what I think but, I have this to say…
I don’t really think this should change the way you view a book. So a Character is gay. How does that make him any different from me or you? being gay is a sin just like lying, stealing, cheating, and disobeying our parents!
If the Author isn’t a Christian we can’t hold her to Christian’s standards, even with that being said who’s to say a Christian can’t right a book and have one of the character’s be gay?
So although I may not read or watch Harry Potter, I don’t think you should stop because of this news. 🙂
My mother told me about this today. My response was “Oh”. Then she asked what I thought about it. My response, ” So what”. I am a christian and I could care less. What is the big deal. The books rock and that doesn’t chabge one iota and it frankly woul dnot have bothered me if the books mentioned he was gay…kids need to learn tolerance right?
Personally, I think it’s a publicity stunt. If she was so sure he was gay, why didn’t she write that in to the book? But now, everyone is talking about J.K. Rowling and all of her books. Cha-ching!
I actually thought Ron Weasley was a little gay
🙂
Jes – you’re right. Homosexuality is a sin just like pride *ahem* so I am not one to judge. The thing that really got me about the article was how it seemed Rowling made that announcement with the intention of upsetting Christians.
Tiffany – Tolerance and grace towards the sinner, yes, but always aware of the sin. We should never become callous towards sin. (And this is from a Christian standpoint that believes the Bible calls homosexuality a sin.)
Melissa – You are most likely right!
Bonnie – But we know better now – unless Hermione is just his cover!
So that’s why Dumbledore is always getting naked…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx1XIm6q4r4
BTW, I think it’s really cool that you and josh read together. 🙂 Neither tig or I like to read, I wish we did though, it would give us something to do besides watch tv and comment on peoples blogs all night 😉
In light of the most recent announcement concerning Dumbledore, I am now a former Harry Potter fan.
I really did enjoy the series, but I feel totally duped by JK Rowling. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that she waited until AFTER the series was complete to let this little piece of information out. I can’t help but think it gave her great joy to shock the daylights out of her Christian readers
It doesn’t change it for me. One, because I read the series not knowing or caring about any of the characters’ sexuality, except to be pleased none of them had sex. And two, because it seems like a publicity stunt. And three, because homosexuality is not the sin that keeps you out of heaven.
There is no evidence of Dumbledore ever engaging in any sexual behavior and he shows clear repentance for his sins at the end of the 7th book, and also, this entire series is done in a non-Christian context. Jesus doesn’t exist for them. They have no context of a true Savior.
I did like Harry as a character. I thought he was true and moral, although his occasional disrespect for authority rubbed me the wrong way.
Great post!
Dittos to a number of EDW’s things–
I thought the “announcement” was more for a superiority kick (in her circle) than having any real meaning, mostly because Dumbledore is (for lack of a better word) rather asexual in the series.
Even so, when I saw the article, I (as a novelist) said, “Oh, that makes sense now.”
It explained how a person with his character (even as a young man he still had character) could not see the other man “clearly.”
Yes, friendship can make of less sensitive to the negative parts of those we spend time with (largely because we are becoming like one another, and no one frequently criticizes the mirror), but sex is the easiest way to become totally blind.
And yeah, I was relieved, too, that she didn’t bring in any overt sexuality in the books. That would have killed it for me.
I ran across your post and felt compelled to respond. I’ll try to keep it as short as I can, but the subject matter may dictate otherwise!
In response to Michelle… why? It should not change your perception of the books at all. It is up to the reader to deduce meaning from a novel. The author can imply things or state things directly, but you as the reader hold the ultimate decision on your perception of the characters. For instance, I never saw any indication of Dumbledore being gay. I never deduced that at all. I think it was completely unnecessary for her to divulge that information. I do think she might have made the announcement to keep the spotlight on.
Also, I am a Christian. I love Harry Potter. I have not gotten caught up in witchcraft or devil worship from reading the novels. I have the ability to see the stories as pure fantastical fiction. Fantasy. Pretend. Plain and simple. The themes in the book are love, good prevails, friendship. I think many of the groups with such outrage against H.P. are really off base.
This Dallas Morning News article really says it all:
Sorry if my link doesn’t work… I am no good at HTML!
Sorry to comment again, but my link above to the article does work properly. It really is a great commentary on the situation.
My son and I read the last book together when it came out. He read his braille copy and I read a print copy. Dumbledore’s sexuality? He always seemed rather asexual to me, wrapped up in his work and his mission. He was very wise, and some of that wisdom came from pain in his youth. Grindelwald was a central part of those painful memories, beloved or close friend.
I don’t think JKR had any right to drop that bomb. To us Dumbledore is who he is in the books. Nothing more. When she ended the series, she lost the right to further the characters in their development. So she says he’s gay? He sure didn’t act like it in the series. So in response to it all, I say, “Oh yeah? Well, I say he isn’t gay.”
I loved the series, and we are fellow believers too.
Daisy,
I agree. Asexual to me as well. I think his character’s role was to be asexual…to be a guide and a sudo-father (sp) to Harry.
If Rowling meant it she would have placed more symbolism into the previous novels (as well as foreshadowing) because that is the kind of writer she is.
I also believe that she left the door open for another series with Harry and Ginny’s children…but, that is just my opinion.
You say, “You’d think she would have known that there were some Christians loyal to her series.” Then, “And there is no proof he submitted to this sinful temptation.”
Please stop polluting the name Christian with your hate and prejudice. Crack open a Bible once and a while and read a few passages about love, understanding and leaving judgement to one far more qualified than yourself.
While you’re in there, check out Leviticus 19:19 and then check your closet. Any cotton/poly blend t-shirts? You’re going to Hell.
Reilly — grow up and get some respect. You don’t have to agree, but you do need to act like an adult.
oh my goodness. How can you say she is hateful and prejudice?! Are you serious?! Have you read any of the other posts on this blog?
If you would read her other comment on this post you would see that she wasn’t judging anyone, she wasn’t even saying that she’s against Harry Potter now. Read up a little bit on the author before you judge her by accusing her of being judgmental.