LOTR vs. Religion

[DaughterofVana]

Interesting opinion, Rumil. There are flaws, but interesting. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>If I respoded further it will all be personal opinion stuff, which I think should be avoided lest unresolved argument ensue <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>*Grin* Well said. Rumil, PM me if you'd like to discuss this further. Besides, I've heard it all before.<P>On topic (for once):<P>Here's what one of my betters, Legolas, said in another thread... if I may be so bold to repeat it.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Tolkien basically said "Gandalf is not Jesus" in a passage I've just noticed. (!)<BR>Letter No. 181:<P><BR>quote:<BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR> There is no 'embodiment' of the Creator anywhere in this story or mythology. Gandalf is a 'created' person; though possibly a spirit that existed before in the physical world. His function as a 'wizard' is an angelos or messenger from the Valar or Rulers: to assist the rational creatures of Middle-earth to resist Sauron, a power too great for them unaided. <BR>[...]<BR>Thus Gandalf faced and suffered death; and came back or was sent back, as he says, with enhanced power. But though one may be in this reminded of the Gospels, it is not really the same thing at all. The Incarnation of God is an infinitely greater thing than anything I would dare to write. Here I am only concerned with Death as part of the nature, physical and spiritual, of Man, and with Hope without guarantees. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>It goes just with the Gandalf=Christ, but I suppose it can be compared with any aspect. Though what I like about this thread is that it's not debating whether there is intentional allagory in LOTR, but the search of such and talking about it. <P>There is also a similarity between the Valar and the Hindu Gods, but only a small one.<P>-'Vana<p>[ February 17, 2003: Message edited by: DaughterofVana ]