The lived theology of the &lt;i&gt;Harry Potter&lt;/i&gt; series

Apostolides, Anastasia; Meylahn, Johann-Albrecht

doi:10.4102/hts.v70i1.2713

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Moreover, the 'Harry Potter theme' has also been used as a driver for tourism, ranging from the promotion of visits to localities used for filming to the creation of tourist attractions and festivals devoted to the Harry Potter saga. The universe of Harry Potter has become an element of popular culture and thus has great appeal for many people (Alderton, 2014;Apostolides & Meylahn, 2014;Kidd, 2007).…”

Section: Harry Potter As An Explanatory Mythmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Muggles be Autistic?

Christensen

2021

JEA

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This paper explores the tension between perceiving autism as a spectrum of traits or as a core. A spectrum is defined as a tension between two extremes. A core, on the other hand, is defined by an essence or a pervasive structure. I present the views of three autistic women that try to establish autism as a core, in which people with autism are separate from the rest of humankind and not extreme versions of humanity, the consequences of their statements are that there are no extreme versions of autism. Autism as a ‘core’ manifests itself in behavior (e.g. whether you hug others in distress or not, an example put forward by the women), which allows them to reevaluate the diagnoses of fellow autistic humans. I argue that the worldview of the three women is exemplified by their use of examples, and that what could be considered as ‘extreme examples’ on a ‘human spectrum’, might represent ‘ideal examples’ in their view of the ‘autistic spectrum’. Thinking about autism as a spectrum with its own examples allows us to understand the social dynamics of broadening the autism criteria. Furthermore, this article discusses how extreme examples can be used to create new wholes when spectrums are being broadened to the point of bursting.

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Section: Harry Potter As An Explanatory Mythmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can Muggles be Autistic?

Christensen

2021

JEA

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“…struggle with discourses that are problematic on a personal basis or a social basis, and to realise that the situation may have the potential to be dealt with in an alternative manner. This type of potential transformation is of interest to practical theology and how this transformation may affect the living out of people's everyday lives (see Apostolides & Meylahn 2014 on how the Harry Potter fantasy novels are lived theology). One such space is the imagination.…”

Section: Sacred Spacementioning

confidence: 99%

South African fantasy: Identity and spirituality

Apostolides

2016

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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South African society is grappling with the challenges of post-apartheid expectations within a ‘rainbow nation’. As a result of this rainbow nation, many people have to deal with fragmented identities and spiritualities. This can be particularly true for adolescents who are living out their lives in multicultural schools with multiple discourses. In this article, it will be argued that fantasy narratives, especially those written by South African writers from a South African context, may help heal the fragmented identities and spiritualities of school-going adolescents.

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“…Several researchers (Apostolides & Meylahn 2014;Ganzevoort 2011Ganzevoort , 2015Priner 2009) argue that popular culture in the form of film is a sphere where a resurgence of religion is most evident. Of particular interest is the fact that the form of religion that surfaces in the media is not necessarily the same kind or form of traditional and institutional religion.…”

Section: Film As Popular Culture and Lived Religionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The media genres that are functioning as sources of moral orientation, are narrative and fictional (Hjarvard 2008:21). Apostolides and Meylahn (2014:3) argue that fantasy as genre of film could be a relevant response to the relevance crisis of the church. Fantasy assists people to imagine an alternative reality and not necessarily to escape reality -rather to make greater contact with reality.…”

Section: Film and Religionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Film as medium for meaning making: A practical theological reflection

Cloete

2017

HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies

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The reflection on film will be situated within the framework of popular culture and livedreligion as recognised themes within the discipline of practical theology. It is argued that theperspective of viewers is of importance within the process of meaning-making. By focusing onthe experience and meaning-making through the act of film-watching the emphasis is not somuch on the message that the producer wishes to convey but rather on the experience that iscreated within the viewer. Experience is not viewed as only emotional, but rather that, at least,both the cognitive and emotional are key in the act of watching a film. It is therefore arguedthat this experience that is seldom reflected on by viewers could serve as a fruitful platform formeaning-making by the viewer. In a context where there seems to be a decline in institutionalisedforms of religion, it is important to investigate emerging forms of religion. Furthermore, theturn to the self also makes people’s experiences and practices in everyday life valuableresources for theological reflection. This reflection could provide a theoretical framework forespecially empirical research on how film as specific form of media serves as a religiousresource and plays a role in the construction of meaning and religious identity.

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The lived theology of the <i>Harry Potter</i> series

Cited by 5 publications

References 9 publications

Can Muggles be Autistic?

Can Muggles be Autistic?

South African fantasy: Identity and spirituality

Film as medium for meaning making: A practical theological reflection

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