[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Lal

Pinpointing an instance of particular behaviour and then analysing it to say that this marks a parallel with a point in the bible or a tenet of Christian faith is unavoidably 'claiming' it as Christian.

Well, this is quite a general statement; someone who is actually a non- or anti-Christian (whatever that means) could write something more or less similar. To claim that it is something Christian, knowing the background/intentions of the writer, it is quite a stretch.

And pity isn't a religious feeling, its a cognitive process.

Although I agree this is a bit off-topic, could you please expand on that idea? As far as my understanding of Christianity goes, pity is to be given regardless what reasoning says, and out from the heart.

But I don't agree that pity is lacking in our world, in fact its alive and well, but most of us don't expect anything for it nor make a show of it

I didn't say it was lacking (completely); rather that the level we encounter is a far cry from Frodo's.

Don't know, but Tolkien's inspiration isn't either/either Christian or Norse, it's a lot of things, not least English fairy and folktale, which is filled with instances of pity, usually a lesson where a hero stays his hand filled with pity for the injured wolf (or other scary creature), and later on finds said creature rescues him or turns out to be a princess etc.

Then I am curious in what folklore does pity save the world? And to keep on the Norse line, since you made a powerful argument concerning possible parallels, what sort of moral values does it promote? I would generally have the same questions about other belief systems in which you could find genuine/signifcant parallels.

Christopher's thoughts, not his father's

Yes, I stated so at the begining of my sentence; I do believe they represent a rather valid idea.

There is no garden of Eden, no serpent, no tree of knowledge.

Well, there is Valinor and Melkor tempting people with reasoning and gifts. As far as the Fall is concerned, it is attested in the Letters (#131 deals at large with it) and hinted at in the Silmarillion:

Originally Posted by Of Men, Silmarillion

But it was said afterwards among the Eldar that when Men awoke in Hildorien at the rising of the Sun the spies of Morgoth were watchful, and tidings were soon brought to him; and this seemed to him so great a matter that secretly under shadow he himself departed from Angband, and went forth into Middle-earth, leaving to Sauron the command of the War. Of his dealings with Men the Eldar indeed knew nothing, at that time, and learnt but little afterwards; but that a darkness lay upon the hearts of Men (as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor) they perceived clearly even in the people of the Elf-friends whom they first knew.