Sabrina Sciortino 12/6/11 Harry Potter in Christian Ethics

In the new generation with children who are constantly absorbed by television and video games, many believe the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling revived childrens excitement to read again. The controversial book, which has been criticized for promoting dark magic and developing false illusions in its readers, in actuality integrates Christian morals to a high degree. It is not just a story of the boy who lived but also a story of unwavering discipleship developed through the maintenance of Christian values. Stephen King once stated, Harry Potter is about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. In this way, The Harry Potter series is not just an escape from the real world to one fantasy, but is a guide to righteous living. According to the book The Christian Moral Life by Patricia Lamourex and Paul J. Wadell, the Harry Potter series exemplifies the response to Christians inner calling through community, love, and sacrifice, by upholding the cardinal virtues of courage, prudence, justice and temperance. Lamourex and Wadell explain that everyone has an inner calling to fulfill Gods will, and everyone is free to determine how they will respond to this calling1. In the first installment of the Harry Potter Series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Harry receives an invitation to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which can be seen as paralleling Gods gracious invite to live faithfully with him. When Harry arrives at school, The Sorting Hat divides the students into four houses where they will reside for their remainder of their years at Hogwarts;
1

Patricia Lamourex and Paul J. Wadell, The Christian Moral Life (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2010), Chapter 1.

Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw2. In the book, Whats a Christian to do with Harry Potter, Connie Neal suggests the Gryffindor house with its symbol of the Lion parallels the biblical symbol of Jesus while Slytherins serpent represents the biblical evil3. The Sorting Hat believes Harry should be in Slytherin however Harrys conscience tells him differently: Not Slytherin, not Slytherin. Not Slytherin, eh? said the small voice. Are you sure? You could be great, you know, its all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that no?4 The Sorting Hat takes into account Harrys choice and places him in Gryffindor. Hence, Harry is emblematic of a Christian who is both called to God and chooses to follow Him. His inner calling and storys begins with his choice to follow. Harrys placement in Gryffindor also mimics Gods call for Christians in community. Lamourex and Wadell explain that the disciples live out their call not only by attaching themselves to Jesus, but also by living in fellowsip with one another5. They add that it is important to build a Christian community that both sustains and supports a life of discipleship6. Neal deems that Harry and his friends grow in goodness and develop virtues within the

2 3

Rowling, J. K. "Chapter 7." Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. Print.

Neal, Connie. What's A Christian to Do with Harry Potter. Westminster: WaterBrook, 2001. p178. Print.
4 5

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. p97. Print.

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. p10. Print.
6

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. p9. Print.

comminuty of Gryffindor, with the support of good families like the Weasleys, and under the wise, benevolent leadershop of Albus Dumbledore and Professor McGonogall7. The community that Harry creates incorporates and values each individuals personal strengths to the benefit of the whole. Neville Longbottom tells Harry The thing is, it helps when people stand up to them, it gives everyone hope. I used to notice that when you did it, Harry8. In this way, Harry as part of Nevilles community is a role model for Neville helping him grow as a Christian. Moreover, a Christian community will assist one to not stray from the path of God and likewise Harry is able to follow his inner calling because of his strong and faithful community. Through the series, Harry has forces working against him but only with the love of his community can he overcome these obstacles. Love, fundamental to Christian ethics, is significant underlying theme in The Harry Potter series. Like community, love is also important because it reflects upon the relationships Christians create with others and their calling to act on someone other then themselves. Lamourex and Wadell assert, Love may begin in a feeling, but it is ratified by a choice.9 Love is not only an act of will but a response to Gods love for Christians. Harry chooses to embrace love and thus Gods calling through friendship, the most perfect expression of love.10 In order to make strides forward in his fight against Voldemort, Harry needs his friends. When Harry is discouraged, he is constantly given the advice to keep his friends close. Dumbledore at one point tells Harry, "You need your friends, Harry. As you so rightly said, Sirius would not have wanted
7

Neal, Connie. What's A Christian to Do with Harry Potter. Westminster: WaterBrook, 2001. p179. Print.
8 9

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P154. Print.

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P205. Print.
10

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. p198. Print.

you to shut yourself away.11"In contrast, Voldemort who epitomizes sin "has never had a friend nor do I believe that he has ever wanted one12" adds Dumbledore. Voldemorts ultimate downfall is that he cannot understand both love and friendship. Love separates Harry from Voldemort. With love and friendship, Harry is able to prevail over evil and follow his inner calling to defeat Voldemort. Sacrifice is defined by Lamourex and Wadell as an act of love freely offered.13 They add that mortal life is an ongoing process of dying and rising symbolic of the paschal mystery14.Just as the Christian story begins and ends in sacrifice, so does Harry Potters. Harrys mother sacrifices herself to protect Harry. Dumbledore sacrifices himself for Draco Malfoy. In the end, it is Harry who realizes that the only way he can defeat Voldemort is if he sacrifices himself. Harrys sacrifice can be characterized as a liberating act that represents Gods victory over injustice15. When Harry resurrects it mimics Gods transformation of love. Harry dies only so he can rise against Voldemort and finally defeat him for the greater good. Harrys sacrifice in the final book is essential to completing his journey with Christ because it demonstrates suffering which is an active form of love16. Harry is able fulfill his inner calling and defeat Voldemort through community, love, and sacrifice but also through the cardinal virtues of courage, prudence, justice, and temperance.
11 12 13

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. p212. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P188. Print.

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P209. Print.
14

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P224. Print.
15

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P225. Print.
16

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P224. Print.

Harrys courage is evident from the beginning of the book when he is sorted into Gryffindor with its emblem the lion. Accordingly, Gryffindors is Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart.17 The sorting hat goes beyond to even blatantly tell Harry, Plenty of courage, I see18 when trying to decide where to place Harry. Lamourex and Wadell state courage Strengthens us so that we can overcome the fears, difficulties, setbacks, and dangers that challenge us in life and sometimes can almost defeat us19. Harry courage helps him overcome challenges in just the very first installment of the series when faced with a troll and three-headed dog. Most astonishingly, in the third installment, Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry truly conquers fear with courage by defeating Dementors. Harry is advised if he gets too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory will be sucked out of [him]. If it can, the Dementor will feed on [him] long enough to reduce [him] to something like itself...soulless and evil. [He] will be left with nothing but the worst experiences of [his] life20". After many failures trying to defeat the Dementors with happy thoughts, Harry musters up the courage to triumph over the fear that the Dementors instill in him. He finds the courage to think happy thoughts and prevents the Dementors from killing his godfather, Sirius Black. Courage guides Harry throughout all seven books and gives him the ability to sacrifice himself to Voldemort in the end. Prudence, the practical wisdom and act of making the right judgments is also prevalent in

17 18 19

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P33. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P97. Print.

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P132. Print.
20

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P187. Print.

Harry21. For example, when Draco Malfoy who is somewhat of an enemy to Harry is left to perish in a fire, Harry feels the need to rescue him22. Harry constantly does good amid the ordinary situations in his life. In another instance, Harry and the other students in his class are warned not to touch their brooms while Madame Hooch steps out during their flying lessons. During this time, Malfoy takes Nevilles remembrall and when Harry tells him to give it back, Malfoy flies off with it. Harry grabs his broom to follow Malfoy and he is reminded by Hermione Madam Hooch told us not to move -- you'll get us all into trouble.23" Harry chooses to ignore her and retrieves Neville remembrall. If Harry must defy authority in order to do what is right, he does so because his heart tells his to do so. Dumbledore reaffirms the idea of prudence by stating, It is our choices Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our ability In entirety, Harry strives to do what is right. In addition, Harry also personifies justice or how to live well with others. As demonstrated through his community, Harry understands the attributes of the people around him. When Harry first encounters Draco Malfoy, he questions Harrys company, Ron Weasly. Looking down at Ron, Draco tells Harry: "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there. He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry didn't take it. I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coolly24.
21

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P124. Print.
22 23 24

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P633. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P118. Print. Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone. New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P120. Print.

Not only does Harry embody prudence but justifies his newly found friend Ron Weasley. In addition, Harry is also humble and often helps those who are less fortunate, like Neville. He sees the good in characters like Moaning Mrytle and Luna Lovegood. He relates to those who are ostracized from society and finds friendship in them. Like Jesus who sat among the sinners and saints, Harry treats everyone with fairness and respect. Lamourex and Wadell assert that Circle of love must be extended to include not only all human beings but also creatures and species. 25. Harry does so by befriending creatures like the hippogriff and Dobby the house elf. Harry focuses his attention away from himself embracing justice. Fourth, Harry maintains temperance, which directs ones desires. Harry inherits great wealth from his deceased parents. However, Harry chooses to ignore consumerism and never lives excessively. When he wins the prize at the Triwizard tournament, he gives it away to Harry and Fred Weasley to start their business26. He also inherits Dobby the House else who Harry can utilize as a slave. Harry instead uses him only for good and frees him. Most notably, at the very end of the series Harry is left with the Elder wand, the most powerful wand in the wizarding world. Yet, Harry is not tempted to keep it but breaks it in half knowing the danger that comes with such power27. Harry who is a celebrity in the wizarding world often nobly rejects his fame and fortune. Harry consistently makes choices that lead him he to his defeat of Voldemort. These choices are shaped by community, love, and sacrifice and the expression of the cardinal virtues of courage, temperance, prudence, and justice. Harry Potter in short is the ultimate story of good
25

Lamoureux, Patricia, and Paul J. Wadell. The Christian Moral Life: Faithful Discipleship for a Global Society. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010. P205. Print.
26 27

Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire . New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. Print Rowling, J. K. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows . New York: A.A. Levine, 1998. P179. Print.

vs. evil. It is the journey of overcoming wrongdoing from small scale bullying to defeating the ultimate evil, Lord Voldemort. It is a story about an ordinary boy faced with choices that Christians can identify with. In essence, Harry Potter is a parable that Christians can use to shape their moral visions and guide them to righteous living.