Posted: July 04, 2000 at 05:27:31: by shadowfax
: Tolkein was a devout Catholic, but in all of LotR there is no evidence of any kind of organised religion practised by any of the numerous races. Did he deliberately decide not to complicate matters with this, or is LotR partly intended to be a very in-depth moral parable (as I believe the bible to have originally been meant to be)? I incline towards the latter view myself but would welcome any other views or insights.I think you can find some references to this in his letters. Especially those to his friend Father Murphy. Tolkien did not want to introduce specific religious practices as such would either make the story too much of a Christian parable, or else drive a wedge between the boch and religion. Tolkien critices C.S.Lewis over his handling of religion in the Narnia books, where religious ceremonies and symbolism are much more present.
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