Is JK Rowling a Christian?

Answer: Maybe

Disclaimer: It is not our role to determine whether or not somebody is a Christian. We just use our discernment based on the evidence we have found on the internet to come to a likely or best-guess answer. Our answers do not actually determine who is or is not a Christian and it is ultimately between the person and God. Not us.

Joanne Kathleen Rowling is a renowned British philanthropist and author known for writing the popular “Harry Potter” series that portrays a budding sorcerer mastering his skills. JK Rowling was born on July 31, 1965, in Yate, England. 

“J.K. Rowling” is actually her pen name, based on a publishing suggestion. Publishers felt that her Harry Potter series would not sell well if readers knew that a woman wrote a wizard’s tale. So, Rowling chose to use the abbreviation ”J.K.” Rowling’s had no middle name, so she added the ”K” to pay homage to her grandmother who was named ”Kathleen.”

Rowlings attended Wyedean Comprehensive School and College and eventually left in 1982 in favor of the University of Exeter in England where she studied French to please her parents. In 1987, she earned a bachelor’s in French and the classics. Shortly after graduating, she began working for Amnesty International as a researcher, and she continues to donate to them to date.

The philanthropist struck gold with the Harry Potter series. She went from being jobless and living on state benefits to being the first writer to become a billionaire. She later wrote six more books in the series, all of which were eventually turned into movies. Both books and movies were hugely successful, and hit the number-one spots in their respective categories in sales, breaking numerous records.

She has won many literary awards, was made an OBE in 2000 for services to children’s literature, won a BAFTA in 2011 for her Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema, and was awarded the Freedom of the City of London in 2012. She was appointed a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the queen’s 2017 Birthday Honors.

No doubt the billionaire author has been in the headlines for a couple of reasons. Most notable is her book Harry Potter which is viewed by some people as a promotion of witchcraft. This uproar has stirred a series of debates questioning the religion of the writer. If you are also curious about the religion of the billionaire writer, this article will soothe your curiosity with relatable evidence to justify the religious stance of JK Rowlings.

Is JK Rowling Religious?

Rowling’s Harry Potter series portrays the quest of the main cast called Harry Potter in ascending to the apex of the witchcraft world. The young Harry Potter attended a school for wizards called Hogwarts, perfected his skills then battled Lord Voldemort. This play has been on the front banner of most religions, each expressing the awkward promotion of witchcraft. These criticisms made the writer reluctant to talk about her religion, avoiding the topic at the booming rise of her play.

Religion often involves cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that have spiritual meaning to members of a particular faith. It can encompass a range of practices, including sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy places, symbols, trances, and feasts.

While this is a basic definition, there are various understandings of what religion is. Not all religions are centered on a belief in a god, gods, or supernatural forces.

JK Rowling’s religious inspiration becomes more apparent in the final book in the series, with the apparent death and resurrection of one of the heroes. This story arc has obvious parallels to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. 

The Potter series has always had morality at its core, with Rowling stating that she hopes the triumph of good over evil can be applied to the real world. While we are, thankfully, not under attack from evil magic users in our reality, Rowling hopes Harry Potter and his friends can serve as a good example of courage in the face of adversity and trying to do the right thing.

In 2007, Rowling described her religious background in an interview with the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant: 

“I was officially raised in the Church of England, but I was actually more of a freak in my family. We didn’t talk about religion in our home. My father didn’t believe in anything, neither did my sister. My mother would incidentally visit the church, but mostly during Christmas. And I was immensely curious. From when I was 13, to 14 years, I went to church alone. I found it very interesting what was being said there, and I believed in it. When I went to University, I became more critical. I got more annoyed with the smugness of religious people and I went to church less and less. Now I’m at the point where I started: yes, I believe. And yes, I go to church. A protestant church here in Edinburgh. My husband is also raised protestant, but he comes from a very strict Scottish group. One where they couldn’t sing and talk“.

She has been criticized as an atheist at different times but the award-winning writer after gaining fame came to the fore and acknowledged that she is a Christian.

In a 2008 interview with the Spanish newspaper “El País,” Rowling said, “I feel very drawn to religion, but at the same time I feel a lot of uncertainty. I live in a state of spiritual flux. I believe in the permanence of the soul.” As with every believer, Rowling has encountered trying moments but her faith is undoubtedly tied.

Does JK Rowling believe in God?

As with most writers, inspiration is a key element. Rowling draws inspiration from several sources, one being her belief in God. She has occasionally experienced doubt about her religious faith. In a British documentary, “JK Rowling: A Year in the Life,” when asked if she believed in God, she said:

“Yes. I do struggle with it; I couldn’t pretend that I’m not doubt-ridden about a lot of things and that would be one of them but I would say yes.” When asked if she believed in an afterlife, she said, “Yes; I think I do.”

Is JK Rowling a Christian?

Rowling attended the Church of Scotland while writing Harry Potter and her eldest daughter, Jessica, was baptized into that faith. 

“I go to church myself”, she told MTV in 2007, “I don’t take any responsibility for the lunatic fringes of my own religion”. 

In 2000, when asked if she was a Christian by journalist Max Wyman of The Vancouver Sun, she replied: 

Yes, I am, which seems to offend the religious right far worse than if I said I thought there was no God. Every time I’ve been asked if I believe in God, I’ve said yes because I do, but no one ever really has gone any more deeply into it than that, and I have to say that does suit me, but if I talk too freely about that I think the intelligent reader, whether 10 or 60, will be able to guess what’s coming in the books.

As a Christian, the philanthropic writer celebrates and participates in all religious festivals, from Christmas to Easter. She doles out complimentary messages on her social media account to her fans each festive season.

In a conversation on Twitter in January 2015, Rowlings tweeted “I was born Christian. If that makes Rupert Murdoch my responsibility, I’ll auto-excommunicate.”

American evangelical Christian groups have consistently attacked Rowling’s Christianity, the accusations ranged from saying the series featured depictions of witchcraft that were incompatible with Christian beliefs to accusing Rowling of writing Satanic propaganda.

Is JK Rowling Baptized?

The award-winning author was raised by Anglican parents and later solidified her faith and was baptized in the Church of Scotland congregation. While writing Harry Potter her eldest daughter, Jessica, was baptized into that faith. “I go to church myself”, she told MTV in 2007.

What did JK Rowling say about Jesus Christ?

JK Rowling is a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church. The doctrine of the church sees Jesus as “the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, the savior, and redeemer of humanity, the Word of God who was made flesh and dwelt among us in the world”.

The writer does not speak too freely about her religion, so it is rare seeing her talk about Jesus. In 2007 in an interview with MTV after the publication of the last book, she said, “To me, the religious parallels have always been obvious, but I never wanted to talk too openly about it because I thought it might show people who just wanted the story where we were going.”

Though conservative about her religious inclination, Rowling colors her writings with several tones of teachings from Jesus Christ. Her religious inspiration became more apparent in the final series of “Harry Potter,” with the death and resurrection of one of the heroes, which is similar to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Final Thoughts 

JK Rowlings has been a writer since the age of six. Her parents were impoverished. Nevertheless, she wasn’t perturbed at clinching fame but her series, Harry Potter, brought her limelight and made substantial donations to charity in the form of book royalties.

Rowling’s small, humble beginnings as a single mother turned into international recognition may seem impossible, but her breakthrough can be attributed to her persistence.  

JK Rowling, although reserved on her religious stance, stated in several media that she is a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church. She disclosed that she is a Christian and has expressed the same in her series; painting them with religious themes.

Think we were wrong? Write your reasoning in the comments and prove us wrong!