The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - What is the fascination with religious topics?

Bill Ferny · 11-02-2002, 08:58 AM

Not discussing the religious influences on Tolkien would be incredibly naïve. Religion permeates the human condition. Even those who say they have no religion, are stating a religious doctrine. Even those who claim there is no God, are stating a religious doctrine. Likewise, every religious doctrine, whether its positive or negative, carries with it a distinct behavioral pattern and a distinct world view that affects one’s interactions with the world, most notably one’s labors.

One might ignore religion, but one will never be able to escape it. There is nothing wrong with discussing an influence on an author’s labor, such as that author’s religion. Is there a problem with discussing the sociological influences of post-WWI England on the writings of JRRT? Is there a problem with discussing the influence of mythology or the Sutton Hoo find on JRRT?

But, perhaps, like Cazoz says, I’m just trying to sound better read, or pretending to be a literary critic who loves to find allegories and references. I honestly didn’t know I was doing this. I thought I was just discussing a work of literature that I truly loved.

I agree that one shouldn’t place in the story an idea that the author never intended to place there. Some theologizing on this board has gone in that direction. However, if there’s an obvious theme or idea that arises from a Christian or Catholic dogma, and is underpinned by hard evidence, such as the example given by HerenIstarion, it should be fair game for discussion and debate.

Religious threads get ugly and get locked. Many people take the opportunity to preach their brand of religion, and aren’t really interested in the specific topic. They have to be right about their beliefs, and must argue until they are blue… hmm… in the fingers (?), and they will force their views into the most unlikely of places. That’s unfortunate, but to make these people an excuse for belittling any discussion about religious topics in LotRs is just a “sub-conscious” (I really don’t think there’s anything sub-conscious about any of this, I’m just trying to be facetious) effort to ignore religion.

Dear Moderator: Like most threads about religion this one ought to be closed or moved. A thread about threads doesn’t seem to have any bearing on the books.

11-02-2002, 08:58 AM	#7
Bill Ferny Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bree Posts: 390	Not discussing the religious influences on Tolkien would be incredibly naïve. Religion permeates the human condition. Even those who say they have no religion, are stating a religious doctrine. Even those who claim there is no God, are stating a religious doctrine. Likewise, every religious doctrine, whether its positive or negative, carries with it a distinct behavioral pattern and a distinct world view that affects one’s interactions with the world, most notably one’s labors. One might ignore religion, but one will never be able to escape it. There is nothing wrong with discussing an influence on an author’s labor, such as that author’s religion. Is there a problem with discussing the sociological influences of post-WWI England on the writings of JRRT? Is there a problem with discussing the influence of mythology or the Sutton Hoo find on JRRT? But, perhaps, like Cazoz says, I’m just trying to sound better read, or pretending to be a literary critic who loves to find allegories and references. I honestly didn’t know I was doing this. I thought I was just discussing a work of literature that I truly loved. I agree that one shouldn’t place in the story an idea that the author never intended to place there. Some theologizing on this board has gone in that direction. However, if there’s an obvious theme or idea that arises from a Christian or Catholic dogma, and is underpinned by hard evidence, such as the example given by HerenIstarion, it should be fair game for discussion and debate. Religious threads get ugly and get locked. Many people take the opportunity to preach their brand of religion, and aren’t really interested in the specific topic. They have to be right about their beliefs, and must argue until they are blue… hmm… in the fingers (?), and they will force their views into the most unlikely of places. That’s unfortunate, but to make these people an excuse for belittling any discussion about religious topics in LotRs is just a “sub-conscious” (I really don’t think there’s anything sub-conscious about any of this, I’m just trying to be facetious) effort to ignore religion. Dear Moderator: Like most threads about religion this one ought to be closed or moved. A thread about threads doesn’t seem to have any bearing on the books. __________________ I prefer Gillaume d’Férny, connoisseur of fine fruit.