Harry Potter- outside reading

Harry Potter - outside reading
Ashley Frost

     The Harry Potter books are brilliantly made, and there are quite a few religious themes in these books, especially themes from Christianity.  In the last book, Harry willingly sacrifices himself to die so that he may save everyone else at Hogwarts.  Harry then comes back to life, because his sacrifice was made so willingly and selflessly.  Harry Potter defeated death, in a similar way that Jesus did.  Jesus' sacrifice for all of man kind was done selflessly and willingly, and He too defeated death.  It was because of both of their sacrifices that many, many people were able to be saved.  Harry is referred to as "the chosen one"; the person that will save others from Voldemort and his reign of terror.  Jesus too is the chosen Messiah; the one that saved all mankind from sin and death.
      Another similarity between the Harry Potter books to Christianity is the overall theme of good versus evil, light versus darkness.   The 7 book series begins in a very light-hearted, warm way, but by the seventh book, darkness is very prevalent and looming.  Lord Voldemort leads the dark side, and he believes in and desires power above all, similarly to Lucifer.  He kills, lures, and destroys without a single thought.  Nothing in him is good.  Those that fight for the light side though are fighting for love, family, and unity.  Also similar to what Christianity stands for.  Although not obvious, these books can lead the reader to think about things such as light versus darkness and goodness versus evil, without realizing that they are pondering central themes of the Bible and of Christianity.