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In my opinion, one tends to interpret what one reads according to one's world-view.
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Absolutely, Mithadan. And I also agree that Tolkien's own Christian sensibilities seep into the work throughout. How could they not?
It's an interesting point about Tolkien's goal of a "ripping good yarn" that he himself would enjoy reading. Excellent point, and I think that's the bottom line.
Elenhin, the religious philosophy of the LotR was not apparent to me, either. I think it's because it really is a ripping good yarn not intended to be spiritual in any specific way. The Silmarillion is utterly different, it's a very mystical work. Christian.. that's a hard case to make.
Religions almost universally agree on ethics. Ethics are remarkably similar from one religion to the next. The differences tend to be in the explanation as to why, the philosophy.
To demonstrate that the LotR is specifically Christian then requires not a listing of Christian ethics, which are common to most if not all religions, but a demonstration that the LotR's religous philosophy is definitively Christian in the ways that Christianity differs from other religions.
Tough to do, since it really doesn't refer to Christ (which is the main difference between Christianity and Judaism), and straddles the line between Mono- and Polytheism as Mithadan mentions. It can be done, but usually by referring to the LotR as an allegory. Which Tolkien staunchly refuted, not because he wasn't religious, but because that wasn't what he wrote it for.
With a narrow monocle, a keyhole point of view, a Hindu or Buddhist can point to the reincarnation of the Elves as demonstrating the LotR is
Eastern in it's philosophy, as reincarnation is stoutly refuted by the Catholic Church (I can't speak for the various Protestant views). With a similar keyhole point of view, we can point to specific similarities to Christianity. But it has to hit all the main buttons to call it Christian.
Even if we could find all those key points, for either Christianity or Eastern religions, that would still misdirect away from the intent of Tolkien's work. (Though it might be a fun blue-sky theories to toy about.)
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One does not have to look very hard to find such criticisms (even contemporary ones - a church website recently warned parents against letting their children read Tolkien).
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This is one reason in most places I've stayed out of the discussion. It's similar to the situation between some Hindu sects and Buddhists. Some Hindus feel the Buddha was a manifestation of Krishna. The Buddhists don't agree, but this conclusion causes such a convenient spirit of cooperation that it's best left alone.
Generally, I appreciate the common ground that we all like the Lord of the Rings, for all our various reasons. But I couldn't resist such an intelligent thoughtful (and polite) spiritual discussion.
-Maril
[ February 08, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]