Are you a better person? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Assasin · 01-31-2005, 05:20 PM

I think watching Sam and Legolas and how loyal they are makes me want to be like them. I think I am a better person. I am more quiet, and listen more to other people. And I notice a lot more things. (Not that that has to do anything with being a better person.)

yavanna II · 02-01-2005, 03:58 AM

wELL, the LOTR changed my life in this: I tried to study English further, then I became obssessed with it, and eventually ended up researching on the Net some Olde English.

Now I'm serious: after reading the LOTR I became more studious, for I heard some older geeks saying it's an allegory of Britain, and all that stuff. I also ended up trying to be a better Roman Catholic, which, sadly, has been disrupted because of that Da Vinci Code...

I don't know why, but after learning that the author of my fave books was a devout Roman Catholic, I have desired to deepen my faith... and I'm reviving it now.

Lalwendë · 02-01-2005, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yavanna II

I don't know why, but after learning that the author of my fave books was a devout Roman Catholic, I have desired to deepen my faith... and I'm reviving it now.

That's quite a significant influence! I think for me LotR had a slightly opposite effect in the end. I would have identified myself as a definite Christian until I was about 15, but from reading LotR I was diverted onto reading more about the 'old' religions, and the more I read, the more I realised I was on the wrong path (not wrong per se, just wrong for me, you understand).

But who are these "older geeks" you speak of, yavanna II? I am intrigued by the idea of them. Are they wizened spectacle-wearing folk clutching circuit boards instead of the mythic swords they desire? Do they cling to their original Star Wars toys as though they were ancient relics? Or hark back to the early days of the Space Invader machine with a misty fondness about their eyes?

Am I an "older geek" too? Halfway to the great fan convention in the sky...

yavanna II · 08-19-2005, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

But who are these "older geeks" you speak of, yavanna II? I am intrigued by the idea of them. Are they wizened spectacle-wearing folk clutching circuit boards instead of the mythic swords they desire? Do they cling to their original Star Wars toys as though they were ancient relics? Or hark back to the early days of the Space Invader machine with a misty fondness about their eyes?

Am I an "older geek" too? Halfway to the great fan convention in the sky...

Maybe... depends on the difference on our ages... I'm 15... but it doesn't mean you're an "older geek" just because you treasure your dad's Star Wars relic... I'd classify that as just "geek".

Actually the "o.g."s I was referring to were my mentors... my forty-something Chem teacher is one... he used to ramble on about how cute Legolas was in the movie and how he loved rereading the Sil... another is my great DAD... who bought me all the books I have desired [and some I really didn't ask for...]

They were the ones who told me JRRT was a Catholic... and they were the ones who gave me a really tough scolding after learning I bought a Da Vinci Code , rambling on about how a nice Catholic girl who practically grew up in a Cath. school ended up reading that.......

Bêthberry · 08-19-2005, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

That's quite a significant influence! I think for me LotR had a slightly opposite effect in the end. I would have identified myself as a definite Christian until I was about 15, but from reading LotR I was diverted onto reading more about the 'old' religions, and the more I read, the more I realised I was on the wrong path (not wrong per se, just wrong for me, you understand).

That's quite the statement of Tolkien's influence, Lal. I really ought to direct Mr. Underhill's attention to it, for his interest in the thread LOTR and your Weltanschauung , which has a slightly different take than Fordim's question here.

Beren87 · 08-20-2005, 01:29 AM

For me, too, Tolkien has influenced me in a religious fashion.

By my early teens, I was already a very devout atheist (as I have since remained), however, I had the downfall of being extremely confrontational. Something I can't just chalk up to youthful defiance, either. Finding Tolkien, and becoming informed about his life, played a large part in my becoming more sensitive to other people in relation to religious desire and need. Finding this site, especially, introduced me to people I could respect on an intelligence level who were of one faith or another. Respect for faith was something an atheist since birth has a difficult time with.

Tolkien also exposed me to a different outlook in another way. The enviromental views found in his writings are almost demonizing towards technology, something I would have trouble understanding without his influence. I'm quite the proponent and technology, obviously, and generally regard it's expanded use without too many qualms. Reading Tolkien has brought me a great awareness of nature, one that would have took a lot longer to develop.

01-31-2005, 05:20 PM	#1
Assasin Wight Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a desert. Posts: 142	I think watching Sam and Legolas and how loyal they are makes me want to be like them. I think I am a better person. I am more quiet, and listen more to other people. And I notice a lot more things. (Not that that has to do anything with being a better person.) __________________ Death is as light as a feather, duty is as heavy as a mountain.

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02-01-2005, 03:58 AM	#2
yavanna II Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in my own little world Posts: 142	wELL, the LOTR changed my life in this: I tried to study English further, then I became obssessed with it, and eventually ended up researching on the Net some Olde English. Now I'm serious: after reading the LOTR I became more studious, for I heard some older geeks saying it's an allegory of Britain, and all that stuff. I also ended up trying to be a better Roman Catholic, which, sadly, has been disrupted because of that Da Vinci Code... I don't know why, but after learning that the author of my fave books was a devout Roman Catholic, I have desired to deepen my faith... and I'm reviving it now.

08-20-2005, 01:29 AM	#6
Beren87 Master of the Secret Fire Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Between fire and ice, death and life Posts: 2,241	For me, too, Tolkien has influenced me in a religious fashion. By my early teens, I was already a very devout atheist (as I have since remained), however, I had the downfall of being extremely confrontational. Something I can't just chalk up to youthful defiance, either. Finding Tolkien, and becoming informed about his life, played a large part in my becoming more sensitive to other people in relation to religious desire and need. Finding this site, especially, introduced me to people I could respect on an intelligence level who were of one faith or another. Respect for faith was something an atheist since birth has a difficult time with. Tolkien also exposed me to a different outlook in another way. The enviromental views found in his writings are almost demonizing towards technology, something I would have trouble understanding without his influence. I'm quite the proponent and technology, obviously, and generally regard it's expanded use without too many qualms. Reading Tolkien has brought me a great awareness of nature, one that would have took a lot longer to develop.