Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

Paganism and Christianity in Harry Potter

Geo Athena Trevarthen

Religious controversy has beset Harry from the start. Some Neo-Pagans identify with Harry, while others feel he's trivialised ancient traditions. Christians have claimed Harry as a hero or reviled him as the devil's poster boy. This roundtable seeks to do a bit of bridge building, recognizing Harry's broader spiritual resonance while acknowledging the specifically religious elements in the tales. Are the novels Christian fable, Hermetic allegory or both? We'll address specific plot points along with broader themes. These will include Harry's christening, the absence of religion at Hogwarts and whether magical techniques are religiously and morally neutral.