SaggyWoman
Active Member
Follow the yellow brick road.
Streets of gold?
Streets of gold?
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Is the Wizard of Oz an allegory promoting liberal theology?
- Thread starter Tim
- Start date
SaggyWoman
Active Member
We represent the lollipop guild.
the lollipop guild.
the lollipop guild.
Is that JW?
the lollipop guild.
the lollipop guild.
Is that JW?
Maybe, but think of it as a (liberal) allegory for a moment or compare it to Pilgrim's Progress. Except with the liberal / humanist spin, the pilgrims (Dorothy et al) find out God (Oz) is a fraud.
Yellow brick road - narrow way.
Good witches / bad witches - battle of good & evil.
Poppy field - losing the way in vices & such.
Emerald City - Heaven.
Hmmmm......Fun.
That's what they said about Alice in Wonderland, too.....
Yellow brick road - narrow way.
Good witches / bad witches - battle of good & evil.
Poppy field - losing the way in vices & such.
Emerald City - Heaven.
Hmmmm......Fun.
That's what they said about Alice in Wonderland, too.....
It's not at all clear to me what you're driving at when you ask whether the Wizard of Oz as an allegory promotes "liberal" theology. If your interpretation is correct it represents Anti-Christianity. Are you suggesting that everyone who doesn't share your exact beliefs is anti-Christian?
I used the term "liberal theology" because of some of my past experience attending liberal denominational meetings as a representative from our local church. In fact, at one of these meetings, a woman cited the very things I've mentioned from the Wizard of Oz movie as an illustration for her point--we ought not bother God for all our needs--the kingdom of God is within us, i.e. we already have the brain, heart and courage we need.
That seems sort of the opposite of faith and trust to me. Man-centered, typically "liberal theology".
Probably half the people on this board think I'M a liberal--so, no, I don't use that term for everyone I disagree with.
As far as Baum's intent in writing the story, I don't know his motives, and I doubt he would be completely forthright if he had an axe to grind against the Christianity practiced in his day. But being a children's author myself, I know that a lot of what is in your heart comes out in the text, especially thematic issues in the story.
Finally, we have to consider the influence of Hollywood on Baum's story. Significant changes were made, including the power of the wizard to actually help those who sought his help. Hollywood made the Wizard more of a buffoon than Baum did.
Tim
P.S. btw,Yes, I still enjoy watching the Wizard of Oz, just like I still enjoy reading "Moby Dick" even though Melville himself admitted it was an "wicked book". Anybody want a thread on that one?
That seems sort of the opposite of faith and trust to me. Man-centered, typically "liberal theology".
Probably half the people on this board think I'M a liberal--so, no, I don't use that term for everyone I disagree with.
As far as Baum's intent in writing the story, I don't know his motives, and I doubt he would be completely forthright if he had an axe to grind against the Christianity practiced in his day. But being a children's author myself, I know that a lot of what is in your heart comes out in the text, especially thematic issues in the story.
Finally, we have to consider the influence of Hollywood on Baum's story. Significant changes were made, including the power of the wizard to actually help those who sought his help. Hollywood made the Wizard more of a buffoon than Baum did.
Tim
P.S. btw,Yes, I still enjoy watching the Wizard of Oz, just like I still enjoy reading "Moby Dick" even though Melville himself admitted it was an "wicked book". Anybody want a thread on that one?
