Brilliant literature is brilliant literature - people will naturally appreciate what is good or excellent, whether they ar Christian or Jewish or Hindu or Atheistic. I don't see anything wrong with Christians being attracted to Tolkien's work even if "they believe in a completely different mythology". [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] They probably just like it because it is superbly written.
Tolkien has stated that he never intended any allegories or symbolisms, but it is observable that his works reflect his Christian values - goodness, moral uprightness, mercy, et. al... All these things that we label as "Christian" aren't exclusive to the Christian faith. For example, goodness is always appreciated; it is upheld by all societies that people must be morally upright; selfishness and greed are never admired. It is not only the Christian "mythology" that believes in a supreme deity, fallen angels and divine saviors.
It may be a hasty generallization to say that Christians use Tolkien's work to get their message accross. I don't really see how this is possible since LOTR has absolutely nothing to do with Christ or the Bible, no matter which perspective you view it from. Readers may feel free to try to interpret the text in any which way they would like to, but there are few if no direct, perfect Christian metaphors or analogies to be found. Insisting that there are would make those analogies inconsistent
(Just an unrelated note: Not all Christians are crazy about LOTR).
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:50 AM January 17, 2004: Message edited by: Kaiserin ]
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
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