Harry Potter

Canceling authors: The debate over who owns our stories
(RNS) — In the age of fan fiction, the age of memes, the age of mashups and YouTube compilations, we no longer take for granted that there is a single, fixed narrative — one that belongs to the author, by virtue of him or her having invented it.

‘Harry Potter and the Sacred Text’ creates spiritual experience for fans of secular series
INDIANAPOLIS (RNS) — The chance to discuss ‘Harry Potter’ from a spiritual standpoint is what brought hundreds of fans to a live taping of ‘Harry Potter and the Sacred Text’ last week in a sold-out auditorium at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library.

How the ‘Harry Potter’ books are replacing the Bible as millennials’ foundational text
(RNS) — Engagement with the Potter texts online brought millions to the World Wide Web, which in turn has indelibly shaped our approach to self and belief.

How fan fiction gave millennials power over their spirituality
(RNS) — The internet has transformed our consumption of texts — even sacred texts — into malleable pieces that can be reimagined, reinvented and owned in a new way.

A pigeon, ‘Episcobaby’ and ‘Flat Jesus’ walk into a church convention
(RNS) — As the Episcopal Church’s 79th General Convention ends, many will remember the nine-day meeting as much for the memes as for the motions that passed.

What do Christian protests about Harry Potter books teach us?
(The Conversation) On Monday (June 26), Harry James Potter — the world’s most famous wizard — will celebrate his 20th birthday. Some Christians have been resistant to Harry’s charms from the start.

Aftermath wisdom from Mister Rogers: ‘Look for the helpers’
(RNS) In times of disaster, take the advice of Mister Rogers. Look for the helpers.

Survey finds British children and adults are biblically illiterate
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Three out of 10 British children have next to no understanding of the Bible and their parents aren’t that knowledgeable, either.

Fifty years later, C.S. Lewis’ legacy shines in US, not his homeland
(RNS) C.S. Lewis may be the most popular Christian writer in history, but his influence is far greater in the U.S. than in his native Ireland. A conference on the 50th anniversary of his death will examine why.