Gay Dumbledore
Last week J.K. Rowlings “outed” one of her characters, Dumbledore as being “gay.” Both Keith and I had celebrated her final installment of the Harry Potter series for the Christian themes of suffering, death, and resurrection.
But what do we make of this revelation? How do Christians who embraced the series react?
Rowlings described her books as an ongoing conversation about tolerance. Her descriptions of bigotry between Muggles and magical people and house elves and wizards, giants vs. humans, are rich in every book. So it should come as no surprise that Rowlings looked at our non-magical world and noticed bigotry against the homosexual community. She created a sympathetic character, a self-sacrifical hero, one capable of protecting and nurturing children.
Perhaps the Christian response would be to acknowledge that homosexuals are not completely corrupted individuals, that in spite of behavior they bear the image of God, that they are worth of respect, honor, and friendship.
Traditional Christian forbids homosexual expression; it doesn’t pretend that the homosexual is a worthless person.
So a Christian parent, whose child discovers that Dumbledore was written as a homosexual, might use the moment to first reaffirm God’s opposition to homosexual expression, but them to affirm that God expects us to extend God’s love to everyone.
Connie Neal’s book asked “What’s a Christian to Do with Harry Potter?” I supposed it’s time to ask “What’s a Christian to do with Rowlings?”
A few things must be noted. First, Rowlings has not given her position on the moral of homosexuality. She simply described a homosexual character (and to the dismay of parts of the homosexual community she never “outed” him in the books). Secondly, Christianity is larger than evangelicalism; Denominational paroxysms over the question of homosexuality.
I hold a traditional Christian view on the subject. But this doesn’t give me permision to judge Rowlings faith or status in the kingdom. I may consider what I speculate to be her position as wrong. But I may not dismiss her as a fellow believer.
In Divine Intention: How God’s Work in the Early Church Empowers Us Today (David C. Cook/ Victor), I write about the challenge of loving believers across theological lines in Chapter Four: “At Least We Aren’t…” Eric Bryant’s “Peppermint Filled Pinatas” also offers clues on how to love across theological lines as well.
Doctrine matters. So does love.
Great thoughts. I’m currently reading UnChristian by David Kinnaman and it has a chapter relating to this. Rowling was recently asked about this at a book reading and she said she looked forward to pissing off a few Christians. I dont mind doing that myself every once and a while but her stance is clear in public – she is anti-church.
skinner
October 25, 2007 at 9:08 am
As a Harry fan, this rubs me the wrong way. I think it’s very tragic that the love of Dd’s life became his enemy. So, why wouldn’t JKR tell us this in the book? Wouldn’t it have added to the story? Or was she simply waiting for Christians to love the book (like so many did…remember the Biblical quotes, etc.?) and then spring this on us? I think it was silly on her part. She should have outed him in the book or not at all. It seems like a stunt to me.
As a Christian, I’m just glad I don’t have a kid that reads Harry. Then I’d have to have that birds/bees talk earlier than I thought.
ohamanda
October 25, 2007 at 1:14 pm
“Traditional Christian forbids homosexual expression; it doesn’t pretend that the homosexual is a worthless person.”
You have worded so well what I have very feebly been trying to express in conversation~and I plan to use it! *THANK YOU!* (((((HUGS))))) sandi
titus2woman
October 25, 2007 at 3:40 pm
It seems to me that a significant percentage of the evangelical community rejected the Harry Potter series because of its emphasis on witchcraft and sorcery. Dumbledore’s homosexuality might just cause believers to forget their concerns about wizardry and focus on this new revelation instead.
Timothy
October 26, 2007 at 2:07 am
Timothy,
I think people have already drawn the lines they are goin to draw. Dumbore’s outing will only reinforce the convictions of those who already decided the series was bad.
Hopefully the Dumbledore revelation will provoke critical thought– not homophobia (which is an emotional, not a moral response) or apathy.
Larry Shallenberger
October 26, 2007 at 6:28 am
Well said, Larry. I can’t claim to be a Potter fan, but I have read the first two novels. Interestingly enough, it was not the sorcery that offended me, but the depictions of abuse at the hands of Harry’s foster family. In other words, things that hit closer to reality were more disturbing than the fantasy world in which the characters live.
While the evangelical community debates whether Harry is evil, good, or neutral, it does give us as parents and educators the chance to discuss the what’s and why’s of truth and morality.
Timothy
October 26, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Hey guys, i have a thought. And i really hope that the author reads this comment too, because it may come to all of you as a shock.
Harry Potter (drumroll please)……………. is a book.
It’s nothing else. It’s a fantasy children’s book that emphasizes on good vs. evil.
All of those parents who don’t allow their children to read these books will read them to oppose you. so what do you do now, now that your child has turned over to the evil, wicked aspects of the wretched, cruel, unforgiving Harry Potter?
Get over yourselves.
Banning books is retarded, you must agree. Especially Harry Potter. This watches a young amn develop into a man, along with all the character traits along with it. What do you do now that Dumbledore is gay. Throw them out? Forbid your child from remembering all the joy that came from the books? Lecturing your child about how homosexual expression is so bad?
People like you feel as if they need to talk to their children about how homosexual expression iss wrong, intolerable, and the deepest sin one can make, almost a “deadly sin”.
I have news for you. You’re the one going to hell.
john
October 27, 2007 at 1:03 pm
wow. one more thought guys, because this might come to all of you as a shock as well.
It’s a book, and witchcraft isn’t real. If you ever get offended by the use of witchcraft, i pity you. Get with reality. The Salem Witch Trials were all fake accusations, and even if someone actually tried to be a witch/wizard, they couldn’t do it. becuase it doesn’t exist. How on earth could you be offended by somethign that doesn’t exist. Mickey Mouse doesn’t exist. Wanna sue disney if he offends you?
People on the same generral terms as you sued SpongeBob SquarePants for being gay. Wow. So what if he is? I never noticed anything gay about it when i watched it with my kid. He’s just really nice guy. Too bad that’s too homosexual for our kids, huh? Being really nice.
Christmas trees were forced t obe taken down in a public airport because there weren’t depictions of every other religion in the world along with it. If that doesn’t give you a sick feelign in your stomach, nothing will. But, i guess as the best, most devout christians, you would have a problem with that too?
The point of these arguments is that you’re trying to make your child exactly like you. What if your child is gay? Will you dishone him? I find that humorous, but maybe to you, it would be the end of the world, and you would feel compelled t othrow him out like a runaway convict from the Church.
Jesus help me, but you’re all so despicable. Whether i made you angry, or maybe you want to sue me becuase you’re just a bunch of self-loving faggots, I feel i got my message across.
You wanna know the funny thing?
I’m Christian, i love the pope, and i’m not gay. I’m so blasphemic, aren’t i?
john
October 27, 2007 at 1:15 pm
How ironic is it that the people that feel that homosexuality is wrong are the civil ones with a logical argument, and the ones that support homosexuality are the ones leveling a personal attack against others merely expressing their personal beliefs. Are they attacking you for supporting homosexuality? If they are, I seem to have missed it. And you think that they are bigoted for not supporting homosexuality? The only bigoted comments I’m seeing are from those who are bigoted against church goers. How is it that you are blinded to the fact that nobody on this board other than you have made a bigoted comment? All that has been said is don’t hate the sinner, but hate the sin. I hate no homosexuals, but I also do not support the practice of homosexuality. I don’t hate those who commit adultery, but I do not support that practice. Put two and two together, the only hate-filled comments are coming from you.
Dave
October 27, 2007 at 1:34 pm
John,
Thanks for your thoughts. A few things. This is more of a “measure-twice, post once” kind of site. Flame wars don’t happen here.
That said, I appreciate your freedom to express yourself openly and honestly. You’ve obviously encountered some offensive Christians in your journey. Sorry for that.
I would caution you wrongly attributed many position to me that I do not hold.
I’d encourage you to re-read my post. The gist of the post is that Rowlings gave us a portrait of a homosexual caregiver who is heroic and nurturing– a great tool for a Christian parent to use to combat negative stereotyping that is affixed to gay men.
As far as my going to Hell. In a sense, I am, just on this side of death. Jesus stated he would build his church and the gates of Hell would not stand against it. Every serious Christ-follower “goes to Hell” to confront injustices and alienation– including those caused by hateful homophobia.
—
To all: Let’s keep it civil.
Larry Shallenberger
October 27, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Thank you! As a Children’s Minister your commentary has deeply moved me. You have spoken exactly as the Lord above would have. Christ came not to condemn the world but to save us. His entire ministry was the very essence of love and compassion. How can we, as Christians, ever expect to reach the homosexual community if we only show them hatred and condemnation? We can’t. That is not how Christ would have embraced homosexuality. He would have loved the individual and condemned the sin. After all folks, sin is sin. He doesn’t look upon it in a different light. If we teach our children to condemn homosexuality, how will they ever be effective in bringing the everliving Gospel of Christ to those who are lost? Personally, I think this will be a great teaching tool for parents to discuss this topic with their children.
Ryan
October 29, 2007 at 7:43 pm
[...] A post by Larry Shallenberger on the Gay Dumbledore [...]
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October 31, 2007 at 3:21 pm
I appreciate your take on Rowling, yet I believe you give her too much credit. I believe it to have been a mere publicity stunt with exactly the intended results achieved. Though I’ve yet to hear her comments on the subject, It seems intrinsically askew to dredge up such controversy over what is meant to be a children’s series. I hold this opinion beyond any ideas I might have to the morality of homosexuality. Cousin Dan.
Daniel
November 17, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Wonderfully put! If only all Christians (and other people) were as thoughtful and reasonable as this! You’ve put everything in perfect perspective, I think. (Oh dear, now I see that this post is old. But still, it’s one of the most reasonable statements I’ve heard on this subject, from anyone, Christian or otherwise!)
nk
March 25, 2008 at 4:27 am