Religion in Middle Earth?

[Ferretz]

Most fantasy settings have their gods and pantheons (some even have lists after listes of gods and goddesses), but in Middle Earth, the theme of religion seems to be avoided somehow, despite Tolkien himself being a deeply religious man.

Of course, you have the Valar and the Elven devotion to the stars, but what I've been wondering about is how religion is handled in the setting. Are the Men of Wilderland religious at all. If so, in what way?

Also, and if I remember it correctly, Tolkien himself said that his books were not to be a religious parable, but people still write books about how it is linked to Christianity. On Amazon, you find titles like "Finding God in Lord the of the Rings" and "The Gospel According to Tolkien".

I myself is very non-religious, to say the least, but I still love the setting. Even though I'm an atheist, I try to recreate as much of the "Tolkien feel" that I can. So my other question to the forum would be if the LMs and players out there try to add the Tolkien's Christian virtues into your campaigns? And if so, in what way?

-Eirik

[Beleg]

I believe that one of the Other Minds editions had an article covering the idea of religion in Middle Earth, sadly I cannot remember which, so you'll just have to read them all

Of the top of my head though, the only 'religion' I remember reading about is that the Numenoreans practiced to some degree when they made offerings at the top of the big hill (wow, I suck at remembering useful stuff), as well as when they began to follow Sauron's teachings. It's also possible that peoples such as the Easterlings and Haradrim have some form of religion, but I don't know anything about it. In general Tolkien did keep religion out of it, unlike his friend C S Lewis who was always very obvious with his metaphors in the Chronicles of Narnia, though it is still possible to find Tolkien's faith in the books. Then again, if a Christian tries hard enough they can find God everywhere
I know I manage it quite easily.

[Ferretz]

Well, I can't put my finger on it, but I find the books a bit "preachy" at times, but I guess one should consider that the time when they were written. But I like the books (although I can't stand the Narnia books).

-E.

[Valarian]

There were a few threads on the subject on the old forum. I think they boil down to ... it depends

Worshipping the Valar: http://cubicle7.clicdev.com/f/index.php ... topic=3932
Shadow & Sin: http://cubicle7.clicdev.com/f/index.php ... topic=3438

Only slightly connected, but a good post anyway.
20 Questions: http://cubicle7.clicdev.com/f/index.php ... topic=3878

[Elf_NFB]

The only time an organized religion is ever written about is during the time when the Edain lived in Numenor. One example is when the Numenoreans honored Iluvatar at the summit of the Meneltarma. This happened three times through the year (Spring, Mid-summer, Autumn).

Another example occured after Sauron was captured and taken back to Numenore. Sauron eventually ingratiated himself in to Ar-Paharazon's court. Sauron managed to convince the Numenorean king that the only way to immortality was through Morgoth. A temple was constructed and sacrifices made.

Some places had a sense of the spiritual, but not any outright HOLINESS.

[Otaku-sempai]

Religious practices in the North seem to be pretty informal--mostly in the form of festivals held at key points of the year (Midsummer; Yule; etc.). I have the impression that the Woses practice some form of Paganism or Druidism and I can easily imagine some isolated instances of cults based on animal totems (a bear-totem for Beornings, for example). Servants of Sauon might try to pervert such cults into Morgoth worship.

Beyond Morgoth cults in the South and East, you have a free hand to imagine other practices. I would think that religions based around Nature-spirits and Forest-gods would be fairly common in both the East and South. In the Far East, this might take a form similar to Shintoism. I would probably borrow from the practices of the Emishi people (hypothetically related to the aboriginal Ainu people of Hokkaido) in director Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Princess Mononoke (Monokoke Hime). In the South, I might take a lead from the folk-tales of Africa and India. Some beliefs might be based around imperfect understanding of the Valar and lesser Ainur.

[Tolwen]

Most fantasy settings have their gods and pantheons (some even have lists after listes of gods and goddesses), but in Middle Earth, the theme of religion seems to be avoided somehow, despite Tolkien himself being a deeply religious man.

For the "other" regions there have been some good posts already. In the lands influenced and ruled by the Númenóreans (i.e. old Arnor and Gondor), there is - at the time of TOR - no "worship" as we know it from the real world and countless RPG's. According to Tolkien, the Númenóreans only had one priest - the king. He made the spiritual contact to Ilúvatar on behalf of the people.

Following this, there is no clergy and church in the Northwest in the late Third Age. You find this (organized religion) only in the South and East. At best it is ignorance of people who do not know better, but most of the time (especially in this time when Sauron is strong again) it is a religion where Sauron is the ultimate god and his clergy ensures compliance from his subjects. An evil theocracy if you so will.

Cheers
Tolwen

P.S.: Reading Other Minds is always a good idea

[Beleg]

I knew you'd show up Tolwen

De-railing ever so slightly, is there any news on when the next issue will be out? I'm giddy with anticipation

[Elf_NFB]

P.S.: Reading Other Minds is always a good idea

Agreed!

[Robin Smallburrow]

Ferretz

Religion is, like magic, everywhere but subtle in Middle-earth. Remember that Tolkien was Catholic- IMHO his Catholicism pervades his writings - thus treat the Valar and the Maiar like how the saints were viewed in Europe in the Middle Ages. The best resource for this is lindefirion:

www.lindedfirion.net ( I think)

Also understand that there is no obvious religion in Gondor etc. because the king is also high priest

Robin S.