The Lord of the Bible?

[davem]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

I know that it has at times embarked on diversions away from the original post, but can we at least please get back to discussing Tolkien and his works.

It seems satire is out of place here, so if I may explain my position.

1)I think it coud be argued that 'Pink Elephantism' is no more irrational or ridiculous than any other religion & is as deserving of dis/respect as any other. Perhaps we could have a list of 'religions deserving of respect' & 'religions open to mockery' along with the criteria by which they are to be judged to be one or the other.

2) I think, if examined objectively, it will be found that LotR contains/confirms elements of any & every religion/belief system/world view that has, does, or will ever exist. This being the case I consider the 'discovery' of Christian elements in LotR to be supremely irrelevant as a topic as one could find Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Pagan, humanist (& very probably Pink Elephantist elements) in there because you'll find whatever you look for.

3) If LotR is to be considered a 'Christian' work it has to be proved that it is not an 'anything else' work, or at least that it is a more 'Christian' work than it is an 'anything else' work. To me that has not been done & we've been at this for more years than I care to remember ...

Originally Posted by Raynor

It seems to me that your statement disregards the source of the work. I am curious, if the pope would have been the author of this story, and if he declared it is catholic, would you still express your doubts about it?

Well, I wouldn't just accept it as a fact. I'd want to know in what sense he considered it to be 'Catholic'. You seem to be saying that as a Catholic wrote the book it is a Catholic story. In what way is LotR 'Catholic' to a non Catholic reader?

Forget who wrote it, forget all Tolkien's statements. Just look at the story itself. What would make an open minded reader of no faith think 'This is a Christian book'?