Harry Potter is a Jesus Figure.

Are you implying that witchcraft is not a fairytale?

The author hasn't needed to have a basic understanding of mythology in order to bank more money that you and i will see in our entire lifetimes.

The magic of Harry Potter is that it has gotten people to read in an age where most people don't.

Rap

she didn't need an understanding of mythology, the story isn't set in any existing mythology, she created her own basically, right down to that worlds own fairy tales

She has more than a basic understanding of mythology. (She studied Greek and Roman mythology at Exeter for three years.) She used that understanding to create, as djjd says, her own universe with its own mythologies.

But yes, there's definitely a big element of the Christ myth -- the chosen one, the boy who lived, etc.

It's a pretty universal myth that appears in many different cultures.

That said, it's a children's book. What I like about it are the levels -- there's a pretty sophisticated undercurrent of universal archetypes and lots of fun references/ allusions, but then there's lots of kid-pleasing frippery on top, too.

I have never read nor watched any of the Harry Potter stuff. But, if Harry Potter is doing witchcraft then he is definitely not a Jesus figure.

Is that because there are major differences between turning a man into a toad, spinning wheat into gold and changing water into wine?
What would those be?
If someone walked on water but someone else flew overhead on a broom, which one wasn't using magic?

The only difference between buying a Bible and buying a Harry Potter is that we are honestly told we are buying fiction when we buy one of them.

Joe(next: Talking Fish and Talking Snakes- is there a difference?)Nation

As I recall, in the last book Harry is going to sacrafice himself; that's basic Christianity--the sacrafice. Also the whole story is dualistic--good against evil--with the apocalypse in the end--typical Christianity/Zoroastrianism. Harry is a mythological hero whether he wants to be or not. This story epitomizes western religion.

It epitomizes pretty much all religions.

The magical messiah figure, death and resurrection, good vs. evil, darkness vs. light; it's featured in a lot of different religions, not just western.

No, it is not the epitome of pretty much all religion.
You list: messiah figure, death and resurrection...
These are western religion concepts, granted all religions have to cover good verses evil in some sort of way. Probably Satanism is the weakest on the good vs. evil bit; but it definitely still has the darkness vs. light thing.
But no, Harry Potter is not the epitome of all religions because it hit on some universal truth. It is very, very Christian, not in a traditional sense, but non-the-less it is very Christian in it's themes.

Joe,
I find it kind of offensive the way you jump on someone else's religion like that. You have an opinion and you should express it if you feel like it. But you don't need to go and just insult the source material for someone else's religion.
Further you are very, very wrong, whether or not you believe in the magic of the Bible a shocking amount of it has been verified as being historically accurate. Remember, the story of Moses parting the red sea? You can claim he didn't part it still, but the fact is Pharaohs chariots have been found at the bottom of the red sea apparently drowned just as the Bible indicated after the parting of the red sea. That's got to be a pretty tough one for you to explain.

Chihuahua!

Got a link to those chariots? Last I read of Moses, it is not a certainty he even existed.

I apologize.

I hadn't read her educational credentials. Not like an eduction is worth anything. (And yes, I have a good degree, graduated top in my class, perfect bloody waste of time.)

Anyway, I shall amend my statement: she writes as if she has no knowledge of mythology.

Yeah, I'll get you the link. Give me a bit so I can find it. I randomly bookmark things that look interesting but in just a completely helter-skelter style so it will take me a bit to find it.

Specifically, what leads you to say this? I only ask, because I'm extremely well versed in many forms of mythology AND have read the Potter books, and I can't understand why anyone would say such a thing.

Cycloptichorn

I can't think this is a serious post. Or that Joe was wrong in stating that there's no difference between Christian myth and any other mythology.

Cycloptichorn

That's fine. You can think whatever you want. It's a little ignorant, but you can think it.

What makes it ignorant in the slightest? The fact that I disagree with your credulous acceptance of what was written thousands of years ago? Am I ignorant b/c I believe that only a fool would claim that 'chariots at the bottom of the red sea' would be proof of anything, let alone the truth of christian mythology - or that this was even a true claim, and not just an internet hoax?

More than that, though; I'd like to know why you think the lady writes as though she has no knowledge of mythology.

Cycloptichorn