Would the Middle Earth saga be considered a religion in of itself?

[Bêthberry]

*sits conversationally on the bank of the Withywindle, chewing a long piece of grass and watching the water flow*

This is an interesting comparison, Child, but I have one question about the Christian cosmology. When did Satan, who was originally the highest angel, rebel? I'm not sure where this is in the Bible, but Milton has lots to say about it. This would mean that this world is as prone to error as Arda.

But another point is that, in Christian ethics, God works to turn even evil to good. Isn't this the reason why Gandalf warns Frodo not to harm Gollem?

To my mind, even acknowledging Tolkien's stipulations against allegory (a genre which I think is not applicable to LOTR), there is a consistency of moral vision in LOTR with Tolkien's own Christian values. LOTR is a story about transcendence in a fallen world. Thus, I would not see the "Middle Earth saga" as a separate religion.

*nods cordially*
Bethberry

[ June 12, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ]