[Sir Kohran]

Now this is a very interesting point. I've thought about this often yet have never been able to put my thumb on it. Thanks for making it clear.

As a 'semi-Christian', I've always been slightly disturbed by the general atheism of Middle-Earth's people. Whilst there certainly are references to higher powers, there's no 'belief' in them - the people never pray before battle or anything of the sort. Despite often being in great despair they never seem to even think of putting their faith into anything greater than themselves. There are a few points - Frodo's use of the name of Elbereth, or Damrod's shouting for the Valar to turn the Mumakil away from him - but these are essentially little more than cries for help, soon forgotten once the situation is resolved (never by divine means, it seems) unless there is cause to say it again. There's no feeling of worship or spiritualism.

I think this ties in with the big complaints against Harry Potter by certain religious groups - I think the real reason it is rejected by some religious people is the complete lack of religion or divinity in any way, in a world of witchcraft and sorcery - demonic activities. Ironically the being that comes closest to being God is Voldermort - he appears unkillable and is possibly the most powerful character in the books. The world of Harry Potter features the devil but no god - and the thought of a world with Satan but without God is frightening.

I find this lack of religion very strange, especially considering Tolkien's Christian point of view and the very Christian themes in his work. Could someone shed some more light on this?