[aragornreborn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Does JRRT therefore deliberately equate simple pagan naturism with good, and grandiose man-made constuctivism with bad? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Well, since Tolkien was a Catholic, I highly doubt that he wanted to equate pagan naturism with good. Nevertheless, I'm sure he was trying to make a statement about religous pomp as opposed to simple worship.<P>He quite possibly perceived grandiose, man-made religous overtures as foolishness (thus letting that manifestation in Middle Earth fall on the Numenoreans who worshipped Melkor).<P>I do think, however, you were right when you said that Tolkien favored simple worship (minus the pagan naturism ). Tolkien probably felt that simple worship is a better, more pure expression of praise and admiration. Instead of constructing elaborate structures and performing intricate rituals, thus drawing the attention away from the divine and upon the human, simple worship is man humbly reaching out to God and praising Him.<p>[ October 09, 2003: Message edited by: aragornreborn ]