Harry Potter
Is Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe an atheist? Yes. In an interview with Esquire magazine, Radcliffe risked the wrath of fans and box office prospects for the new Harry Potter film by declaring himself to be an atheist. The buzz around the new Harry Potter movie, 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince', is growing strong in anticipation of its US opening on July 15.
In a pronouncement that will anger and frighten the religious right, the 19-year-old Radcliffe said he did not believe in God. The Christian right has long been suspicions about Potter's supposed "anti-Christian" message. Radcliffe's admission will do nothing to ease the concerns of those religious zealots who fear the Harry Potter phenomenon.
About his religious belief, Radcliffe said:
"I'm an atheist, but I'm very relaxed about it. I don't preach my atheism, but I have a huge amount of respect for people like Richard Dawkins who do. Anything he does on television, I will watch."
Reluctant to talk religion in the past, after admitting his atheism Radcliffe remarked: "That's half of America that's not going to see the next Harry Potter film on the back of that comment."
JK Rowling's novels featuring the Harry Potter character played by Radcliffe in the movies continues to threaten and anger many Christians. Tales of the schoolboy wizard are taken very seriously by some Evangelical Christians. One of the largest Christian groups in the country, Focus on the Family, denounced the books as "witchcraft".
With not a little irony, the Church of England published a guide advising youth leaders to use Harry Potter to spread the Christian message, as the characters face "struggles and dilemmas that are familiar to us all".
Professor Richard Dawkins, a leader of the New Atheism movement and author of the best-selling book "The God Delusion", is no fan of Harry Potter. Tales of witchcraft, in so far as they invoke a notion of the supernatural, are "anti-scientific" and violates the naturalistic world view advocated by Dawkins and fellow atheists.
Indeed, no clear thinking atheist would subscribe to the magical world view of Harry Potter and co. Yet then again, no clear thinking atheist would advocate that the series of children's books be burned, banned or otherwise maligned. Such book burning and book banning activity is the sole domain of Christendom, where clear thinking is frowned upon, and silly superstition on par with the magical world of Harry Potter is confused with the truth.
Thank you, Daniel Radcliffe, for speaking the truth. It is time for atheists to come out of the closet and confront religious superstition and bigotry once and for all.
Be brave; be strong; be an atheist!
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Comments
Does it really mater what his personal No-Religious or Religious beliefs are or aren't? For with the world full of different beliefs ones individual views on their own beliefs is just that, their own. What another person believes is their right as a individual. We should never judge another person one how or what they believe. For almost all beliefs around the world it is taught that unless we have walked in the foot steps or shoes of another then wee shall not judge them. For me, it makes no difference if he believes in God or the Man in the Moon. I look at the person not who or what his beliefs are or aren't.
RedHawk you make good points.
I think it is important for atheists to come out of the closet because they have been and continue to be the victims of hate and prejudice.
It is important for others to see that good and decent people embrace atheism.
What do an actors beliefs matter anyway? Believe what you want, in America at least that's the law of the land. I believe there is a God. If you don't that's your choice, and its no skin off my soul. Thats your issue.
Are you sure Dawkins feels that strongly about Harry Potter being "anti-scientific"? It's fiction as far as he's concerned. Hell, he was in Doctor Who!
"Indeed, no clear thinking atheist would subscribe to the magical world view of Harry Potter and co."
I don't have to believe in the supernatural aspect of HP to appreciate the storyline, themes and imaginative elements involved. There's a difference between believing something to be true, and seeing it for what it is but still enjoying it's value.
I think it's a sad day when atheists are not atheists unless they can't enjoy a fantasy story for what it is.
"Professor Richard Dawkins, a leader of the New Atheism movement and author of the best-selling book "The God Delusion", is no fan of Harry Potter. Tales of witchcraft, in so far as they invoke a notion of the supernatural, are "anti-scientific" and violates the naturalistic world view advocated by Dawkins and fellow atheists."
I'm an atheist and a big fan of Dawkins' works. I think he is free to dislike the Harry Potter saga or any other fiction writing, but to suggest that the "anti-scientific" argument of the books is a valid reason seems silly to me, as it implies atheists (evidently used in this context as a synonym of rational thinker, but that's another discussion) can't separate fact from fiction.
Am I a "bad" atheist if I enjoy a work of fiction that is not scientifically correct? Evidently not. Atheists can enjoy and be fans of Harry Potter, Superman, Shrek or whatever, just like Christians are allowed to enjoy Greek Mythology. There's no need to beleive it is real.
I'm a theist (youth pastor actually), but I'm going to see the movie for sure. I also would never use HP movies to try and convince (manipulate) students to believe anything. It's a great story with struggle and dilemma that we face for sure, but that's good for all people. We have a community where all are welcomed (religious, non-religious, straight, gay, etc). We are serious about what we believe, but our community of love is our focus. We dont do alter calls, we don't look down on things, we aren't anti-evolution, we don't pick family planning clinics, we know that there is something to be learned from everyone. We have people from, seriously, all walks of life. We believe that Jesus seriously redefined "who's in, and who's out"... and that the current Xian religious movement in the world reversed and nullified the radical rethinking that Jesus did. Also, we don't believe the focus is on "going somewhere when we die", but on here. I apologize for the Xian bigots.
Speaking of bigotry and superstition:
"..book burning and book banning activity is the sole domain of Christendom, where clear thinking is frowned upon, and silly superstition on par with the magical world of Harry Potter is confused with the truth."
History corrects you, sir. The early Christian church was under the persecution of the Romans and had their books confiscated and destroyed, so no, it hasn't been only Christendom. Unbalanced zealots of any worldview have had less than pleasant times. Take Ian Mckellen, for instance, who publicly admitted to ripping out portions of the hotel's bible while staying in hotel rooms.
To the rest of the editorial; Radcliffe gains from playing in stories which teach values his Pastor Dawkins says don't exist in the universe. He's hardly "brave" for being inconsistent. And Dawkins may as well be the voice of Aslan in the Narnia films...
I don't get my political advice from Jane Fonda, though I watch her movies. I don't expect to get my religious advice from Daniel Radclif though I'll also watch his movies.
Actors are really good liars; it's what they do for a living. They are not generally really good deep thinkers as any time spent in deep thought takes away from the roles they get paid for
I like Harry Potter, because it's a good story. As an atheist we can entertain thoughts, ideas and stories without accepting them.
I agree with most of the posters here - can one not enjoy the entertainment of fantasy without being duped by a "notion of the supernatural." Doesn't this protectionist attitude suppose that we are not the freethinking individuals that we are (as atheists)? I'm a bit offended.
Wow, what a teaming pile of crap this article is. Most of the "facts" are wrong. The many generalizations are wrong (as has been pointed out in other comments). And then Micha exposes his true self in this comment: "I think it is important for atheists to come out of the closet because they have been and continue to be the victims of hate and prejudice."
I have no issue with Micha as an atheist. No, the problem here, is that Micha is part of the school of retards who think that anyone who disagrees with their philosophy, worldview or choice of energy drink is "hateful". My wife thinks it's pretty silly how much time I spend playing video games... but I don't think she hates me b/c of that.
Playing the "hate" card is playing in the realm of ignorance and anti-intellectualism. All these bloggers think they are being intellectual and scientific and realists and what not... then they show their true colors by shouting down any opposition with the word "hate".
Let there be peace among us all.
I doubt Dawkins is a major fan of the Potter series but I'm fairly certain he is vehementally against it (as some Christians are). It is after all fiction and no one is crediting Potter as being gospel-truth, unlike religionist who believe their own brand of fiction trumps all others.
Commentators are correct to point out that Christianity is not the sole source of bigotted censorship in world history; though it is probably true to say it is the most widespread and prominent (though Islam comes a close second and gaining all the time).
It's a shame that this oversight has served to malign a very real victory here: that a brave young man has stood up before the world media, as well as millions of fans and stated "I am an Atheist" in a world of supertition and hatred this man has the courage to believe in himself.
To which I say bravo young Radcliffe, you've done us proud!
<<<CORRECTION!!! In my rush to "send" my comment I missed out the crucial word "NOT" from of one of sentences. I'd be obiliged if the webmaster deleted my prior comment in place of the following ammended version ;-p >>>
Harry Potter is a fictional tale and the fact that some people use it in any kind of belief makes no sense whatsoever. I enjoy both the books and the movie and I've never ever "believed" in them. I think it's insane that anyone would. There is a very bold, clear line seperating all fact from all fiction and honestly I think anyone taking the tale to heart needs a reality check.
Secondly, everyone is free to believe in whatever they please.It's your own personal decision and we shouldn't be judging one another. Fact is, we're all human. I really don't see how one person's belief affects another person.
NO HE IS NOT AN ATHIEST!!!!!! I KNOW FOR A FACT HE IS NOT AN ATHIEST!!!! PLEASE PPL DO NOT BELIEVE THIS LIE. HE DOESN'T LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN MUSIC 24/7 BUT BELIEVE ME HE IS NOT AN ATHIEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone who would say "no clear thinking atheist would subscribe to the magical world view of Harry Potter and co." is a pompous ass who thinks way too much of themselves. The novels are fiction and fantasy at that having nothing to do with real life...
I'm an atheist and I love the Harry Potter series, as well as the Lord of the Ring trilogy. The assumption that atheists don't enjoy reading tales of the supernatural is bogus. Most of my atheist friends enjoy some series of supernatural stories, Star Wars, especially. The difference is, atheists acknowledge fiction as just that. Fiction. It's entertaining. It's not taken literally.
PUES A MY SINCERAMENTE NO ME GUSTA ESO DE QUE DANIEL SEA ATEO WS ALGO RARO PORQUE NO CREO QUE SUS PADRES LE HAYAN ENCEÑADO ESO O SI??? GUENO NO SE PERO DE TODOS MODOS ME PARECE LINDO Y TOTAL ES SU VIDA NOP???
I'm a Christian and I read, and re-read, the Harry Potter series. I'm in love with it.
And so what if he's an athiest? I have to admit when I first read it I was a little shocked, but I still like him and I'm still gonna watch the movies...so what?
That's because he's been around all this sorcery too long and he should think and question on who put him on this earth and who created the earth and other things.
I'm a proud Christian and Harry Potter fanatic.
I was saddened when I read this, but Dan is a fantastic actor, no denying that.
Dont you thonk all of this was kinda extreme? I mean I dont realy care if hes christian or not and many people over reacted to this and its not such a big deal hes an amazing actor and thats what we should discuss his acting not his religion.
I am also an atheist. I tell people I am an atheist, and I tell them that it is like saying I am a christian. You wouldnt freak out if I said I were a christian, would you?
Evangelical christians are annoying to say the least.
Most 15 to 25 year-olds claim to be atheist and it has been that way for a decade or two. That is the cool thing to be and now that that has become the boring norm, you'll see a swing back to religion for young people in the next decade. It' happened a couple of times in the 20th century and is happening again. Atheism is boring now. I'm unimpressed.
I'm and Atheist, and i really enjoy the HP series. I think it's funny people care about weather or not Daniel agrees with their point of view. I think the Dawkins comments here are a bit silly. To think that Atheists lack imagination is dumb, but then, i don't pretend to know what Mr. Dawkins does and doesn't advocate beyond biology and Atheism.
I don't believe that Dawkins was being quoted above. And while I don't speak for him I think it safe to assume that the writer was saying that Atheists do not subscribe to any world view based on the supernatural. Not that they don't enjoy fiction.
So what? Just because he is an atheist doesn't mean he is a bad person. Was this really worth making a whole article about?
Atheist are not people who don't believe in God or follow his moral conducts,but instead they are just people who haven't received God's gift of Faith yet.
Atheist are people that live in the real world and we like fantasy to but we take it as that fantasy and thats why is differen from as we read a book and do not take it is true moral like religions people do and about that young people are atheast I been atheist after I turned 25 and have been atheist since then and would not be back ever I proud off
hi daniel i m a huge fan of ur's but i want you to come out of atheism & accept christ ,as he is lord & saviour of our souls. and being a fan i want your soul to be saved by god . so plzzz do think over it.
I am a Christian, and I was neither frightened nor offended by this news. I find it sad that Dan believes in something false, but that is his personal choice, and I do not think any lesser of him. God still loves him.
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