September 24, 2002

To the 'Christian' Hobbit
Richard P.

Hello there Christian Hobbit. I have read your post with a kind of continuing and growing amusement and sence of, well, almost insult.

Now, it seems to me that your a very devout Christian, there's nothing wrong with that, I'm not going to condemn you for it. I, on the other hand, am a devout atheist, based on my experiences in life and from what I have found out through my job and through what I see as evidence of science. I hope that you find nothing wrong with this.

Right, now thats out of the way, onto Tolkien.

For arguements about, shall we say, how Aragorn is like a Christ figure, I'd refer you to my article of September 3rd, titled Kingsfoil, Allegory and Religion. You could then perhaps respond to my thinking on that, and I could gain a better understanding of what your view is. As far as I understand it, your arguement is that, because Aragorn (along with 1000's of other characters in literature and film) can be related to a few lines in the Bible, this makes him a Christ-like figure?
I would extend this to also take in characters such as Earendil and Elendil, and especially Isildur.

Now, as to your comment about some people saying that LotR is actaully "just epic fantasy", and is not related to Christianity at all. Perhaps you are talking to me a bit here? Again, I'll refer you to the article I quoted above, writen by me, just to clarify my point on this.
I feel that there is no blatent Christianity, or Catholicism in Lord of the Rings. Yes, Tolkien was subcosiously affected by his life, and again, I discussed this before. Perhaps you didn't read my article, and so haven't had the opportunity to argue my points?

Lastly, I'm not sure if your comments at the end of your article;

'In the bible it does say that "non-Christians" are "the enemy" and "are ungodly...wretched sinners that need to be saved," as you so eloquently put it. For non-Christians can take you down the path of unrighteousness, and lead you to eternal damnation in hell. It was God who also had cities destroyed, and people killed in the Holy land, who were not christians at all, by Joshua; do to their wickedness in God’s eyes. The wickedness included idol worship, sexual pleasures, and anything that is considered a sin. (If you don't understand, read the book of Joshua, in the Old Testament )

If God were to do what he used to do, as he did in the time of Joshua to David, there would not be many cults like Mormons, Christian Scientists, false religions like Muslims, and Buddhists, or atheists.'

is a reflection of your own view, but frankly I find it a little repulsive. I have read the Bible, and for a start off, your quoting mainly (probably entirely) from the Old Testament. It is to my understanding that Christians follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, which is the New Testament.
Tolkien then, should have, if Christianity is as forward in his writings as I think you are trying to insinuate, a view of this New Testament religion. This is about forgiveness, love, attonement and sacrifice. My arguement is that these religious and moral values hold true as the foundation of most of todays major world relgions. So creating a catholic (universal) appeal and meaning; but in no way a Roman Catholic one.
All of your articles seem to suggest that unless we are Christian we are unable to truly see and understand what Tolkien is talking about; and there I think you are wrong.
If you want to read Christianity into LotR at every step, thats fine by me, however, when people come back refuting and arguing your points, maybe, instead of quoting a load of Old Testament scripture which confuses the Hell out of most of us, why don't you come back with a coherent and sensible arguement?