Well, not quite, but not far off. In the Boston Globe this week, The Book of Harry.
Eisenstadt sees Dumbledore and Harry, in different ways, as Christ figures – perhaps Harry representing the human Jesus, and Dumbledore the divine. And she posits that the New Testament depiction of elements of the Jewish community is represented by the goblins (unappealing bankers) and the Ministry of Magic (legalistic and small-minded).
But I am much more attracted to a quote near the end of the article.
“Rather than decrying as wicked certain elements of the series – as far too many Christians have done – we ought to be inviting our communities into deeper appreciation of both the similarities and the contrasts between the stories and our Christian faith,” Mary Hess, of Luther Seminary in Minnesota, writes in the journal Word & World.
Somewhere in 2007, when I was not yet blogging again, I began to articulate my hopes for an Obama presidency. One foundation on which my hope for change rested was the simple symbolism of his name and skin color. I wanted to be able to hold his image before the world as a concrete demonstration that the US was changing course. He hardly had to do more than exist, I imagined, to make the world a better place.
Today that vision became real, and so much more. Barack Obama not only exists, he invites, engages, and challenges the world. He calls us all to be better than we have been. His speech in Cairo makes me feel like we are not in Kansas anymore (so to speak). We have entered a new era.
Without leadership painting a vision of the world we want it is very hard to act together toward a constructive end. Obama is laying that vision out, and the world he envisions is a world I want to live in. It is a world I want to work to create. I doubt I am alone. I think we are in the presence of true leadership.
All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.
It’s easier to start wars than to end them. It’s easier to blame others than to look inward. It’s easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There’s one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.
We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.
Ars Technica covering Catholic news? Surprises never cease. But then, when the head of the Vatican press office calls the internet “truly blessed!” how can the techies turn away. The internet connects us, and gives rise to “an omnidirectional flow of transversal and personal communications,” says Frederico Lombardi SJ.
But the Catholic eye toward the plight of the poor also reminds us…
The “problems” of the Internet are many, but Lombardi is particularly concerned with the way that something as vital as the Internet is distributed so unevenly. “From the Church’s point of view, leaving those with fewer possibilities on the margins is simply not an option,” he said. “For us, the poor and developing countries are at least as important as the wealthy, if not more.”
Apple seems to think religious folk can’t take a little ribbing by an iPhone app. In order to avoid offending religious sensibilities, Apple has rejected the “Me so Holy” app from the iPhone store.
This app lets you use the iPhone camera to place your friend’s face into a picture of Jesus. Or a nun. Or other religious figures. Is Mohammed among them? Good thing Apple does not publish comics.
I think Apple is getting seriously off course by putting itself in the position of policing what uses tools might be put to. Of course “Me so Holy” could create something offensive. But so can virtually any drawing or photo collage application. What makes religious content so sacrosanct? (Um, ok, maybe that’s a dumb question.) Are we really so thin skinned? What makes apps like “iFart” OK, but “Me so Holy” taboo?
Apple needs to back off this policing kick. It is a no-win situation for Apple and will only inspire covert shenanigans that will serve nobody. The only criteria for App Store rejection ought to be concern that an app damages the system or itself contains illegal media (child pornography and the like). Otherwise, open the doors.
Yesterday on Midday I heard an unusual prayer. A secular prayer. A prayer in layers of theater and law. But still, it was a prayer. If you have ten minutes or so, give it a listen. Tony Kushner wrote this prayer in memory of 9/11.
I have not listened to the rest of this interview with Kushner, it may well be a great show. But this prayer/play caught my attention.
One of the nice things about visiting Vienna as Advent nears is that the Christkindlmarkts start to open up. One of the more colorful is this one at the Wiener Rathaus, but there are many variations on this theme around the city. I like to grab a langos (a kind of garlic elephant ear) and Nathaniel enjoys the hot dogs and schaumbecher (a chocolate-covered marshmellow cone).
We are still working on the Feautor site that Mary brought into being during her sabbatical. It is coming along nicely. It even offers video embedding! Check out this video I found there.
Jill Bolte Taylor describes her brain to us. Vividly, since she is a brain scientist, dramatically, since she experienced a stroke, compellingly, since that stroke quieted the chatter of her left brain and left her in the “la la land” of her right brain.
Does it seem early for the Easter bunny to be hopping by? We went to a wonderful Easter vigil service at St. Kate’s last night, but walking out it felt far more like Christmas than Easter. We have six new inches of snow on the ground. And today, Easter Sunday, the snow is still falling!
