The Ring of Saruman? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mänwe · 06-04-2006, 02:44 PM

To raise Bethberry's point pertaining to 'sin' in the trilogy as a lost word because ther being no 'original sin'. There being no religion, I would counter that point by raising the existence of the Istari and the Valar.

Are we to dismiss the Valar as 'Gods' and Eru as 'God', who created Middle Earth in his likeness and to his design. Thus the inhabitants are following his 'protocol'.
And the Istari are messengers of the Valar, thus could be seen as priests. They extol the virtue of the Valar and that of 'goodness', this is a religion, its leaders the Valar. Therefore ultimately 'sin' is certainly a word that can be used. Would you agree?

06-04-2006, 02:44 PM	#30
Mänwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: May as well be the Arctic Circle Posts: 283	A quick post. To raise Bethberry's point pertaining to 'sin' in the trilogy as a lost word because ther being no 'original sin'. There being no religion, I would counter that point by raising the existence of the Istari and the Valar. Are we to dismiss the Valar as 'Gods' and Eru as 'God', who created Middle Earth in his likeness and to his design. Thus the inhabitants are following his 'protocol'. And the Istari are messengers of the Valar, thus could be seen as priests. They extol the virtue of the Valar and that of 'goodness', this is a religion, its leaders the Valar. Therefore ultimately 'sin' is certainly a word that can be used. Would you agree? __________________ "I am, I fear, a most unsatisfactory person." - (Letter #124 To Sir Stanley Unwin) Last edited by Mänwë; 06-05-2006 at 02:13 AM.