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

[mark12_30]

Bethberry:


You wrote:
"This is my query: is it possible to find spiritual insight in a narrative which one does not'worship'?"

Oh, totally. Consider the works of George Macdonald, for instance. http://www.johannesen.com/OnlineGMD.htm

I don't worship MacDonald's short story "The Golden Key". http://www.ev90481.dial.pipex.com/golden_key.htm I don't take it as canon. I don't treat it as "The Sword Of The Spirit."

But is it ever full of profound truths. It is one of my favorite pieces to read, and reread, and reread, and go one layer deeper. George MacDonald IMHO does the best treatment of death-to-life that I've found in any fiction.

Do I gain spiritual insight from it? You betcha.

I also love "The Castle" http://www.johannesen.com/TheCastle.htm From that I learn more, and more, about worship.

And did I/ do I gain spiritual insight from Tolkien's work? You betcha.

Although I gotta admit sometimes I stifle a chuckle sometimes hearing LOTR/ Silm called "canon." Just funny. But I can deal. I;ve got to be careful who I say that around, though. :-)

So... is it possible to find spiritual insight in a narrative which one does not'worship'? Yes. Most definitely.

Peace, --Mark12_30

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]