Dumbledore is Gay? What is a Christian to do with Harry Potter?
October 21, 2007 – 2:09 am by sntjohnny. Filed under Blog, General.Yesterday I was given this link here with a discussion by Rowling about the Christian elements in her books. Today I was given this link here with Rowling talking about Dumbledore being gay. I quote:
She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds “true love.”
“Dumbledore is gay,” the author responded to gasps and applause.
She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. “Falling in love can blind us to an extent,” Rowling said of Dumbledore’s feelings, adding that Dumbledore was “horribly, terribly let down.”
Dumbledore’s love, she observed, was his “great tragedy.”
The end of the article concludes with this comment, which cites Rowling but doesn’t quote her:
Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.
Now, I am not one of the Christians that has opposed Rowling. In fact, I’ve been very supportive, noting that there are definite Christian themes in the books that seem to be deliberate. I wasn’t under any illusions. I knew we’d ultimately have to wait for her to speak to the issue. For example, in this post on my forum here I say:
I have long believed that there were Christian themes percolating in the books, a belief that led me to accurately predict the fates of Snape and Malfoy (apparently unredeemable characters in the books). How intentional and deliberate Rowling was when exploring these themes I won’t speculate upon because that is something that she herself is in the best position to answer.
I also wrote a much lengthier article more fully describing why I think some Christians are muggles and some Christians are ‘Ministry of Magic’ types.
So I am about as sympathetic as a Christian can get to the Harry Potter series. Her announcement of Dumbledore’s sexual preferences strikes me as bizarre and almost spiteful. Others I have talked to can’t seem to fathom it. I mean, even if in Rowling’s mind Dumbledore is gay, anything remotely hinting to that never surfaces in the books at all, does not show up in the movies, and exists only as ‘back story’ material. There is no reason to mention it at all. It doesn’t inform a reading of the books that I can tell, and I’ve read them all about five or six times each. So what’s the point of it? It almost comes across as though she is trying to stick it to Christians. Perhaps she is unaware that some Christians actually have approved of her books?
A revelation like this one almost makes me wonder if the paganism and witchcraft in the stories really are more than mere backdrop. Working from the documents themselves, I can’t see that. Will Rowling undermine in her ‘back story’ antics everything she accomplished in the series itself? It would be ironic to say the least.
Needless to say, I will be watching Rowling even more closely than I already have. I hope she takes the time some time to explain why on earth she felt that Dumbledore’s sexuality was relevant in the first place, let alone why she felt compelled to mention it.
In the meantime I have to put up with bloggers such as this, this, this, and this. Not cool. And this. Ok, that one is kinda funny. I guess this one is, too. I guess I agree with this one and this one.
The note that Evangelicals will be annoyed that you see in the original article and some of the blog entries fail to take into account that there have been Christians who have supported her. I wonder if that is a bridge I smell burning.
10 Responses to “Dumbledore is Gay? What is a Christian to do with Harry Potter?”
I am only posting to give one opinion. I doubt wholeheartedly that Ms. Rowling was spiting anyone. She gave that tidbit about Dumbledore, just as she gives tidbits about all characters to “fill in the blanks” for her fans. She has mentioned, on occassion, that she looked forward to being able to do just that. Now that Harry’s story has it’s “definite conclusion”, she is free to tell us the details of other characters that shaped the story without ruining the details of Harry’s life. No spite intended, likely just a characteristic of Dumbledore she has been keeping in her mind all along. Remember, these are HER characters that she has had as a part of her story for many years. I doubt she cares to change them to spite anyone- especially knowing how much she loves them all and poured her heart into each of them.
By Naviti on Oct 22, 2007
Hi Naviti,
Thanks for your comments. I will just say to all of your points… “Perhaps…. perhaps…”
I will be watching for Rowling herself to address the matter.
By sntjohnny on Oct 22, 2007
I’m not entirely sure what you mean when you say that you “have to put up with bloggers such as this…”
I’m re-reading my blog entry and failing to see what is in it that you would find so troublesome. I can only assume, based on the rest of your comments, that you’re upset with some of the commenters in that thread who mentioned that this will just give some Christians more reason to hate the books. I have to ask, however, how is that statement in any way wrong?
Sure there are plenty of Christians who don’t have a problem with the Harry Potter series just as there are plenty who accept the Theory of Evolution or a woman’s right to choose an abortion if she feels its necessary, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of Christians out there who will seize on any excuse they can find — real or imagined — to rake Harry Potter over the coals with. Your support of the series notwithstanding.
By Les on Oct 24, 2007
Hi Les, thanks for posting. Honestly, I don’t remember why I linked to your site. I feel like that was forever ago. I remember that I was reacting to some sites that seemed to be ‘gloating’ but can’t remember if your post was one of them.
I wish I could give you a better answer. I guess that means I have to apologize for listing you when other bloggers would have been better examples of irritants.
Thanks for dropping by my blog!
By sntjohnny on Oct 24, 2007
“Her announcement of Dumbledore’s sexual preferences strikes me as bizarre and almost spiteful. ”
Spiteful? Boy, you really must have a bug up your ass about homosexuality.
By God of Biscuits on Jan 20, 2008
No more than you do about God, God/Biscuits.
This wasn’t just about homosexuality. Note, even homosexuals are on the record as not being happy about it. They think that if Rowling had really wanted to throw a nod to homosexuals then she would have had Dumbledore ‘come out’ in the series itself.
This sort of post hoc insertion by the author just seems weird.
As for my personal views on homosexuality, I’m a Christian who holds to the authority of the Bible. Of course I’m going to object to homosexuality. I object to other things as well, such as pride, lust, stealing, and murder.
If Rowling had come out and said that Dumbledore was actually a serial killer, would you have said I have a ‘bug up my ass’ about murder?
By sntjohnny on Jan 22, 2008