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Does Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone have religious undertones?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone has religious undertones in the Christ-like figure that Harry is made into.


The comparisons between Jesus Christ and Harry Potter begin wherein Harry is described as The Chosen One. Harry was a miraculous child that survived a vicious attack from Lord Voldemort, thus defeating the Dark Lord. In The Bible, Jesus Christ is referred to as a chosen son of God to walk the Earth in God's image. In Christianity, it is often believed that Jesus is the only way Satan will be kept at bay. Jesus is also a miracle child in that he was born to the virginal Mary.


As the story of The Sorcerer's Stone progresses, a lot of myth and wonder surrounds Harry. When he meets wizards and witches for the first time, they reach out to shake his hand and thank him for the kindness he has done in ridding the world of Lord Voldemort. Jesus Christ plays a similar role in The Bible, healing lepers and sinners alike. Men and women gather to see Jesus in real life, often asking to touch his body and thanking him for the miracles he has performed.


Lastly, Harry sacrifices himself in order to defeat Lord Voldemort at the end of the book. He is resurrected from a comatose state under Albus Dumbledore's care, a character with God-like qualities. Within Christianity, Jesus was nailed to a cross and subsequently died. Later, Jesus is resurrected by God. The celebration of Easter for Christians and the final feast at the Great Hall in Sorcerer's Stone are akin to each other in that both celebrations focus on a resurrected savior.


With these examples present, one need not look far for comparisons between Harry Potter and Jesus Christ in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

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