I have to say the same thing regarding there isn't anything that rates it low enough. As a peace of literiture, it is a good work. But it was never ment to be a an allegorical work like Narnia. There were groups who sadly and to there discredit of stating such, and even the one writen by the vise president of Focus on the Family stated in the preface of his book - though J.R.R. Tolkien never intend it to be an allegorical work God superintended it to be. (Give me a bit I have to find the book in my library to give an exact quote)
Mr. Tolkien wrote the books first at an attempt in writting and then morphed into what he hoped would be consided one day a mythology for Europe. The reason he stated in his documentary from History Channel where Europe have lost much of their original mythology over the centuries of and theirs is now a merger of many cultures.
Being honest Every kid I personally knew in school who read this (like myself) went from it to Dragon Lance novels and other variations, as well as Dungeons and Dragons. Most of the Witch Covens I knew of (since I was looking into them at the time) recommended those books as a first read. And in NW Arkansas I spoke to some youth groups that were having trouble in a one on one (since I know the pastors and youth leaders real well) and found the majority of them from whom some of the problems within the group were comming had started dabbling in witchcraft due to going to the movies and watching it as a youth group. This was the reason I was asked to speak with them since many of the signs the youth pastor was explaining with regard to the youths problem pointed to the possiblity of witchcraft.
There is actually a witch camp (like a Christian youth camp) in Sulphur Springs, AR. where I lived that was opened for three weeks out of the year. They ran an average of 200 to 300, many of whom I personally know attend churches and those same parents (avid members) were sending their kids to this camp. Can you guess what other book than Harry Potter they used to help kids become engrossed and excited about the spiritual power of magic or the craft as they call it.
Mr. Tolkien Himself declares in the older novels this was no a work made to show religious veiw, allegories, or moral standards but simply my has at writting a great mythology.
If anyone wants I can scan that document (since I copied it to refute those who claim it is a work like Narnia) where He states this in the preface of the first novel of the trilogy.
I have actually read all of His work from the Hobbit to the Samarilia 11 times and the Trilogy (The Lord of the Rings) 22 times from the age 17 to 21.
It is a good work of high literary degree but please do not advocate Christian values to it that were never intended to be given other than that of common good. Otherwise we can do the same thing with Harry Potter and the Dungeon and Dragons books and Teen Witch books as well.
Writting fast so forgive the mispellings and punctuations please.
Sorry - just venting
FLAME]
