Deeply hidden under all the excitement, mystery and suspense in Harry Potter is an intensely spiritual symbolism that has escaped the notice of fans and the mass media, but nevertheless is being picked up by the subconscious minds of millions of children all over the world. It’s a conspiracy of love, a triumph of divine light.

If we can disregard the trimmings, the basic story of Harry Potter is consistent with all the great myths, epics and scriptural narratives of the human race since time immemorial. The symbolism in Harry Potter is universal and timeless.

Just look at the basic story:
A prophecy is made that a baby is to be born who will change the world. He is born and a star appears to announce his birth. When the king of this world hears about the birth he tries to have the baby killed, but fails. The child grows up in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. He performs miracles at a young age, but as he grows older he knows he will have to defeat his arch-enemy: Satan. Our hero prepares to sacrifice himself for the world, and so he surrenders himself, undefended, to face certain death. He is killed, and goes into an underworld, where he can choose to ‘go on’ or come back. He comes back victorious, as a Master of Death, i.e. eternal life, to liberate the world of evil.

We all know that story - that's the story of Jesus. But it's also the story of Harry Potter. In Harry's case the star is Sirius, who becomes his God-Father. At a young age Harry saves many lives, wins battles against dragons and giant snakes, and faces death by Voldemort time and again.

The story of the hero who enters the world of the dead and then comes back to save the world is universal. It’s the story of Orpheus, Bacchus, Attis, Krishna, Osiris, Dionysus, and many others, going back thousands of years.

This archetypal story resonates in the collective unconscious of so many millions because humanity has incessantly been confronted by the symbolism of the Inner God asleep in the human heart, like the bud of a pure, dazzlingly white lily. We can awaken the Prince of Peace by answering God’s call to return to Him. That answer is to thirst for God, like a stag thirsting for the flowing water of the forest stream. This thirst will open the bud, and a new soul will be born, who will commence the struggle against the seeker’s own evil, selfishness, and darkness. He will triumph, and when he does he will lift the seeker above death, suffering and evil.

This is the hidden symbolism in the world’s most popular book. This is the symbolism that resonates with the human collective unconscious, explaining the book’s popularity. This is the conspiracy which is bringing light into this world of war, terrorism, human trafficking, child soldiers, drug abuse and endless violence. The light will work its way to the surface, causing millions of people to become seekers for the way back to the Father, like the prodigal son. And there will be a new faith: the faith in the Inner God, asleep in every heart.

I have created a website to explain the symbolism in Harry Potter:
http://harrypotterfo
rseekers.com. May I invite you to visit the Symbols Pages?

Hans Andréa
Haarlem, Netherlands
hansandrea1@yahoo.co
.uk

Almost an interesting theological debate - who has the more influential imaginary friend - Rev Kev or JK Rowling?

Tell this pompus preacher to stop co-opting Pagan symbols, thats even if Harry Potter was a Pagan symbol, the Christians already took Christmas (yule), All Hallows Eve (Samhaine), Easter (Ostara). If your imaginary freind was even half as poweful or omnipotent as you think he is then his followers wouldn't have to co-opt other religions to increase his pocket book.

Hopfuly the Light Bringer will shed light upon all who investigate the links below.

http://www.pagandefe
nsecorp.mypodcast.co
m/

http://www.zeitgeist
movie.com/

http://www.taroscope
s.com/webstream/orig
insofevil_startpage.
html

Harry Potter resembles Jesus Christ?! Logan,you are a buffoon and you always have been.
Come the day that God is proved to be the fictional character that he is,I hope I can see the look of total despair and confusion on your face,as you could NEVER convince me that there is a god! You are nothing more than a sad,misguided fool with a white-collar uniform...Go away and let the rest of the world get on with coping with the 21st Century;you might want to discuss things with the rest of the freaky fundamentalist types lurking in the shadows,as you have SO much in common...Oh,and keep the h*ell away from my kids,or I'll call the police...Freak...

Jeffery Humphrey, Bowling Green Kentucky, USA said:
Hopfuly the Light Bringer will shed light upon all who investigate the links below.

The LightBringer is a VERY good friend of mine...Lucifer and I are on very good terms and we are both of the opinion that Logan and his ilk are nothing more than people grasping at the last straws of the dying religions called Christianity,Islam et al...

Get real - Harry Potter is essentially a british school story with a thin fantasy overlay. There are no occult elements here that you won't see in your local newspaper. There are no Pagan religious elements - I know, I've been a practicing Pagan for 35 years. There are no religious elements at all except the celebration of Christmas which is currently most associated with Christianity.

Patricia

Come on, really, do we have to give up everything to the christians? Why is it that christians tend to be so egocentrical and think that everyone thinks as they do or should. What happened to love one another, well that only applies if your christian too or we can convince you to be otherwised your condemed. I agree with a former statement that Harry Potter is not pagan, has very few if any pagan references, has very little to do with the "real" witches. I actually heard someone say that real witches got together to make sure the Harry Potter movie was accurate, hello people, it's fiction, and has little to do with real witches! But of coarse we are dealing with people who still believe no matter how many times your tell them that witches worship satan etc. Leave the fiction world alone, stay with your own mythology and stop trying to adopt a "staying with the times" by using pop culture. And, oh, by the way, I love the Harry Potter series and I refuse to believe it has any allogorical reference to a dead and dying religion based on control, fear and hate.

I suffered from depression and other emotional problems while a christian. Since I became Wiccan, those problems are history.

Rev Kev ranting again eh... Wouldn't have anything to do with publicity for the reissue of his rather non-factual, sensationalist waste of a tree he calls a book now would it? If he only knew how many pagans are operative in Hyndburn he would faint :)

Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, please realize what the article is about. It isn't about debates or the usefulness of HP in a Christian environment. It is ALL about promoting his own **** book. See the article for what it is, an advertisement!

Rev Logan is one of these right wing Evangelical, born again ( happy clappy brigade) type of christians ( import from rabid evangelicals who advise bush in America) who see the devil everywhere in society, and who want to be like the Puritans but stricter, i attended a few of his services at Christ Church and vowed never to set foot in the place again after what i heard there. these people want to go back to a time when the Church interfered in everyones life and they make no secret of it, it shows you are out of touch these people are with no wonder their churches are empty, and they have noting to offer the broader Church or society in general

I cannot even fathom where the "church" would think it was a good idea for them to use harry potter as their new 'symbol'. Are they that desperate? Yes lets use a complete group of school kid witches and wizards to represent jesus christ. As a pagan I find it offensive. Stick with what you know and leave the magickal alone. Find your own ways to entice young minds that you ruin. Wow, I just have no more words..

I agree with Asha; this is just an advertisement for his book. But now, I wonder, where does a narrow minded Christian get off publishing books about something which he has no clue? If he were to ever truly study paganism and the Occult, he would quickly realize that his Christian religion is a distorted, twisted, false, thieving belief system that took from all the other religions around it. Hell, in the very beginning, when this "One GodMan" concept was initially conceived, it was rejected by the Egyptians, and then later rejected by their own people, the Jews. No wonder they had to steal from all the other religions, no one was accepting the blatant lie while it was still clearly a lie, they had to fuzz it up a bit with some truth from the neighboring beliefs.
I just find it interesting that Abraham was going to sacrifice his son and be perfectly fine with that, yet we're the ones that perform human sacrifices. And one of God's favorite men, David, committed adultery and then murdered over it, and his son, the great wise king Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines; yet we're the sexually depraved ones. And their beloved Jesus cursed a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season, but we're the ones that are unreasonable. It's ridiculous how Christianity tries to put all of it's ugly characteristics on the pagan community. And this book that he is seeking to propagate probably does precisely that. It's disgusting.

Oh Dear, another pompous preacher, spotting another empty church tries to get his fizzog in the paper to promote a vacuous religion. Dear Rev Kev, why not have a book burning down at Christ Church, murder, greed and suicide are sins aren't they ? That should pretty much cover all of Shakespeare's work.!!!!

I am glad to see Reverend Logan suggesting some debate on this issue. In my part of the world, many folks who identify themselves as Christians automatically regard Ms. Rowling's work as "satanic," because it has to do with "witches." Naturally, most of these people have never read the books nor seen the movies... nor are they ever likely to do so. At least there is a possibility of some kind of dialogue about it on your side of the pond. Apparently we here cherish ignorance and eschew logic, because to do otherwise contradicts "faith." It's all knee-jerk reactions instead... much like some of the posted responses here, even if they are from the opposing view.

Digital_Identity has said it all. I couldn't agree more. All this hesteria over a ficitional little boy. Does the church feel that threatend by all this they need to capatilize on Harry Potter. I was born and raised Catholic, made my way to Paganism at an early age. Why? Take a good look at what the church is. Rules, Money and Burn in Hell if you don't conform. OH, and don't forget the bloody money basket that you pass around. Can't afford a budget? Are you Poor? Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. If you didn't build you Churches over all the Pagan sites, you wouldn't need to fix your leaky roof.I don't give money to anyone. I just love my Goddess and she loves me back. For Free

It seems to me that the majority of the people who have replied are doing exactly what they accuse Kevin Logan of doing, that is stating and promoting their own opinions – and in some cases with great hatred and bitterness.

Have we all read the same article? I thought the issue was – should the Church of England do what it seems to be doing, that is using the Harry Potter books (which incidentally Rev. Logan points out have some good points) and comparing them to incidents in the life of Jesus Christ and drawing a parallel between Harry Potter and Jesus – this comparison for those who have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus is inconceivable.

Regarding the grievances relating to the mention of Mr. Logan’s book, I think this has been magnified out of all proportion. Is he not only stating his credentials – that is – pointing out that he is qualified (after much research and study) to pass an opinion on in written form – a bit like a person called Webster who knows something about the English language and has compiled a dictionary.

Question: Are those people who have spoken against Mr. Logan’s books afraid of people reading them?

As a Christian, that is someone who has chosen to become one of the followers of Jesus Christ as opposed to someone who has been born in the UK and is not of another faith therefore adopts the name Christian to say this – a bit like saying I’m a motor car because I was born in a garage – I’m looking forward to the time (as mentioned by a previous writer) when along with Kevin Logan, and millions of others, I will enjoy the most wonderful party of all time when I meet Jesus Christ – the only one guaranteed to bring happiness, peace, joy and security to any individual who asks, and not to demand a price for doing this, nor to take it back. Being at this party is much better than the alternative and incidentally there is still time for anyone who wishes to – to come along and join in.

The Rev Kevin Logan, of Christ Church with Cannon Street, Accrington, said that JK Rowling's teenage hero has many similarities with Jesus Christ - but the author's references to paganism could lead children into danger.
The Church of England has been encouraging comparisons of Harry Potter's and Jesus' admirable qualities in order to create a modern route for youngsters into Christianity. But, speaking in his church newsletter, Mr Logan said: "Harry Potter has a wealth of virtues like loyalty, friendship, honesty, truth; the list is endless.

I asked my daughter which person she thought would make the better friend – Harry Potter or Jesus – and why.

“Harry Potter ” she immediately said. “Because he’s kind to everyone and always does what he feels is right, even if the grown ups tell him it’s wrong. He’s a nice person and he doesn’t make everyone join in his gang. Jesus is supposed to be kind and do the right things but he gets mad, makes everyone else do his dirty work for him and does horrible things to people who are frightened and don’t know what to do – like in Jonah and the Whale ”

Sounds fair enough to me.

Rev Kev goes media hunting…..well here’s a bit more on the BookSelling Pat-Buchanan style intolerant fundamental pastor who is more out of touch with modern society and science than the Pope. Makes Pat Buchanan seem positively tolerant.

“Without the full commitment of public marriage, sex is dishonest”
Cohabitors and homosexuals (and cohabiting homosexuals then) had better repent, fast. Don’t forget to leave a donation will you now......

"we steal and misuse his design"
Presumably anybody who understands and accepts evolution had better repent and believe (despite any actual evidence to the support biblical creation RevKev expects us to take it seriously)
Indeed, The Rev has written a book on this subject too, including the splendidly ignorant quote (evolution is..)“totally inadequate to explain where we have come from and how we got here”.
No it isn’t totally inadequate – it’s a lot more explicatory than any religious mumbo-jumbo Rev Kev can up with. And furthermore it’s backed by irrefutable scientific evidence.

The same Rev Kev in the LET suggested we should all give 10% of our income for God’s work (thereby making his Church considerably more wealthy, no doubt)

Maybe the lady who committed suicide under his so called “spiritual care” would have been better looked after by a qualified psychiatrist with access to proven medicine as opposed to completely unproven prayer and mumbo jumbo.

Rev Kev’s attacks on “the occult”, “fringe religions” and so-called “pagans” seems completely ignorant of the origins and purpose of Christianity. This man of the cloth is benefitting from the distress of others, plain and simple.
Richard Dawkins would sort him out.....

So, the Rev-Kev is back on his favorite hobby horse! I remember him from the days he played a part in a tragic story about a woman who he was convinced was possessed by spirits; turned out she needed psychiatric help. Hardly a good track record, Kev.

The only danger here is the rantings of Mr Logan - he doesn't deserve the reverend title. Using HP and Paganism V Christianity to further his own literary gains shows his true colours - "by their fruits will you know them"!!

BTW - I'm a practicing Druid - a religon of these isles, not one imported from the middle east - my values are not that far removed from the man that Mr Logan claims to follow. Just to educate him a little "Pagan" comes from the Roman and means "country dweller" ie one who doesn't live in a city. Bt that definition Jesus, who spent his time wandering the land and considering the flowers of the fields, was a Pagan and the Romans, who were polytheistic, were not.

Harry Potter Dr Who and a large number of hero/gods from the ancient world. Its what the christian faith has done since its conception-move into an area and use its already established ideologies
i just wish they would be honest for a change and portray themselves as the Borg they are.

So I'm not here to have a bunch of people bash at me I'm just here to set my opinion upon this article and nothing more. It is true that there are similarities as pointed out by the writer of Harry Potter and Jesus Christ. However could it possibly be that the writer is finding the similarities he wants to find? JK Rowling is a Christian she so stated herself, she wrote a book on fantasy; of light against dark, good against evil and nothing more. If she so choose to have the religious undertones then that was her own personal agenda and praise to her for doing it so well.

it can be argued both ways of a symbolic standard or just a childrens story, but that is what happens when certain people grow scared of less main-stream forms of entertainment grow popular.

Honestly, I think all this debating is silly. It doesn't matter if there are Christian undertones or not in Harry Potter.

What matters is that even though the odds were against him, fighting for what he believed in, for others when they could not, using the 'weapon' of love to fight against the wrongs in the world is the point. He was willing to give himself up to save everyone else. I think we should stop worrying about the religion in it and follow the morals in it.

Fight Evil. Read Books. Save the World.

For more info google Harry Potter Alliance.
To find others spreading love and reading around, look into Wizard Rock! It's a new music movement of love and friendship fighting against the injustices in the world like genocide, rape, citizens without rights. Join the cause!