I am glad I didn't offend you. For what it's worth, Rowling does strike me, personally, as more fundamentalist than atheist, and I also don't think Professor Rudski meant "atheist" as an insult at all. He was merely saying that her books had a superficial Christian veneer while they entirely lack any Christian content. I am aware that many atheists come from Christian backgrounds; that doesn't mean they have any particular understanding of theology. After all, there are, in my experience, plenty of Christians who don't understand theology, but think they do. (I am thinking of some unpleasant discussions my sister and I have had on so-called "Christian" boards.)
As to the rest of your post, I'm not sure this is the place to get into it, so I think I will send you a message privately. It's funny - I think I'm being *so clear* when I keep repeating "I am a practising Catholic", and yet it's not at all clear to you what I mean by that. So I will try to explain that much "out in the open".
To me, to be a Catholic means that you (1) accept the most basic dogmas of the Church, which are great mysteries, and (2) participate in the life of the Church through the Sacraments. Whether you are politically liberal or conservative has nothing to do with it. But, for what it's worth, I do find myself agreeing with the Catholic bishops quite a lot. So I am feminist, anti-war, anti-abortion*, anti-death penalty, pro social justice, anti corporate greed, and so on. The humanist message of the Church is entirely consistent with its spiritual message, IMHO. We are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ; there are no exceptions, and this life is a gift and a mystery and marvel. It should be served and protected. We are stewards of the earth and of each other, and we are meant to be the hands and feet, eyes and ears and arms of Christ on this earth for each other. We are meant to start to build God's kingdom on this earth, or we will not find it in heaven. So that's me. More privately. Whether you would call me liberal or conservative, I do not know. It doesn't much matter, does it?
More later, and thanks for your lenghty and thoughtful response.
Re: Christianity and the Potterverse
As to the rest of your post, I'm not sure this is the place to get into it, so I think I will send you a message privately. It's funny - I think I'm being *so clear* when I keep repeating "I am a practising Catholic", and yet it's not at all clear to you what I mean by that. So I will try to explain that much "out in the open".
To me, to be a Catholic means that you (1) accept the most basic dogmas of the Church, which are great mysteries, and (2) participate in the life of the Church through the Sacraments. Whether you are politically liberal or conservative has nothing to do with it. But, for what it's worth, I do find myself agreeing with the Catholic bishops quite a lot. So I am feminist, anti-war, anti-abortion*, anti-death penalty, pro social justice, anti corporate greed, and so on. The humanist message of the Church is entirely consistent with its spiritual message, IMHO. We are ALL brothers and sisters in Christ; there are no exceptions, and this life is a gift and a mystery and marvel. It should be served and protected. We are stewards of the earth and of each other, and we are meant to be the hands and feet, eyes and ears and arms of Christ on this earth for each other. We are meant to start to build God's kingdom on this earth, or we will not find it in heaven. So that's me. More privately. Whether you would call me liberal or conservative, I do not know. It doesn't much matter, does it?
More later, and thanks for your lenghty and thoughtful response.