Any Lord of the Rings fans?

[William]

I admit that I have seen the Peter Jackson films but only read "Fellowship of the Ring". Jackson left out the Tom Bombadil part, which was a little disappointing, but I can see why it would have been too strange for some modern viewers.  I find myself thinking about the story though. Because the whole thing is about have a small group of people who set out to challenge a great evil in a very determined way. It's a fantasy film, but it's inspiring and I'm sure many people here know things about Tolkien's Christian faith. Obviously it's escapist entertainment but it speaks to our need to confront injustice and maintain hope. 

[romansh]

On 11/11/2024 at 7:03 AM, William said:

I'm sure many people here know things about Tolkien's Christian faith.

Tolkien had lived in my bit of Birmingham (before my existence). I have read the books many years apart and have seen the films. Great fun but I philosophically disagree with viewing the world in shades of good and evil. 

[William]

1 hour ago, romansh said:

Tolkien had lived in my bit of Birmingham (before my existence). I have read the books many years apart and have seen the films. Great fun but I philosophically disagree with viewing the world in shades of good and evil. 

Well, as with any fantasy story, I see it as a useful allegory.  I do think there are virtuous and non-virtuous actions, even if a fantasy villain is an exaggerated version of people who do cruel and harmful things.  Doing unnecessary harm, abusing people, being cruel to people.  I'm comfortable labeling those behaviors as evil. I can't see into anyone's minds and I take it as a given that every person has the potential to be more virtuous than they might be behaving if they have a soul.  If they have autonomy then they have the potential to journey back toward non-violent, kind behavior and they are developing spiritual simply be existing in the world.  But some people are very devoted to doing much harm and something has to be done to stop their damage as much as possible. So, for convenience I will say, "Look. This person is doing evil and it is good to stop them from damaging innocent people."

On the topic of LOTR, it is a fun story. I mean, it is in our nature to enjoy stories about brave heroes.  I think so anyway. 

Edited November 13 by William
brevity

[romansh]

6 hours ago, William said:

I'm comfortable labeling those behaviors as evil.

On Boxing Day 2004, an underwater landslide released a tsunami killing almost a quarter of a million people. Was that action unnecessary or evil?

Is your "given" accurate? Are your assumptions for the allegory accurate?

Edited November 13 by romansh