Would the Middle Earth saga be considered a religion in of itself?

[Legolas]

As this thread was mentioned in the chat, obloquy, burrahobbit, and I noted that there are no 'unique' lessons out anymore, and for that reason, everything that attempts to provide insight is only reiterating what we've all been taught (in Western civilization, anyway) was right since we were children. I don't call it insight, but just a reminder.

As for Lord of the Rings - these aren't all the themes displayed by the story, but some examples...
Don't ever give up.
Friends make it easier along the way; stick by them.
Greed is no good.
Sacrificing one's self to a greater cause.

How many of us didn't know of these lessons? Granted, there might be deeper things to be taken from the novels, but nothing we haven't been told before. It's just heartwarming to read a story that confirms these truths to be that - truth.