i wasn't necessarily going to write anything today, but then i stumbled upon something that just begs to be the subject of opinion (in this case, mine). first of all, i should preface this discussion with the information that i do not judge a person for their religious beliefs whatsoever. Robert Heinlein said, "One man's religion is another man's belly laugh," and quite frankly i think that states it best. there are a lot of beliefs out there that might sound utterly ridiculous to you, but somebody is willing to stand up and say, "Yes, that's exactly what I believe!" with all the conviction of a little child explaining the imminent arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. who's to say what's right and wrong? that depends, of course, on the individual beliefs, and i'm not about to attempt to have a healthy and open-minded discussion about world religion on the Internet. i'd rather try to give myself a circumcision with a pair of nail clippers.
what? been done already? oh, well then... moving right along.
i should also preface this discussion with the fact that i'm a big fan of Tolkien. you know, Middle Earth? hobbits? those movies that swept the Oscars? i'm sure you've heard something of the author of that material, and i am one of those people who likes him. a lot. i enjoy reading quality fiction (that's right, there were books written long before those movies were released), and Tolkien fits my definition of "quality." some might even say that i like his work a bit too much. again, much like religion, that would be in the eye of the beholder (reference to the D&D beast of the same name only mildly intended... after all, where do you think much of what has become popular fantasy and roleplaying came from? that's right, people like Tolkien and Howard, but i digress).
i know quite well the difference between the Valar and the Istari. i also know the difference between Sindarin and Quenya (if i've lost you already, don't sweat it... knowing these things won't likely get you a date or a better credit rating). my point is, i might know more about Middle Earth and Tolkien lore than the average person on the street. agreed? great. let's move on.
"but Greyfang," (what kind of name is that, anyway? hush, that's a completely different topic, let's try and stay focused people!), "what does Middle Earth have to do with religion?"
excellent question! i'm glad you came to class today. my answer to that is:
i have no idea. honestly. what one has to do with the other (besides Tolkien's admitted influence from Catholicism, of which he was an avid believer) is quite beyond me. however, there are some who believe that Tolkien's Middle Earth is more than just well-written and explicitly-detailed fictional genius. some, in fact, believe that not only are the Elves of Middle Earth worthy of emulating on a spiritual level, but that they are actually reincarnated Elves. Elves. from Tolkien's Middle Earth. a fictional race of creatures living in a fictional universe created by an Oxford English professor...
absorb that for just a second.
still with me? cool.
allow me to introduce Tië eldaliéva. once you get past their affection towards Elves (their luxurious hair, delicate alphabet, and smoothly flowing spoken languages), you just might spot something rather bizarre.
these people claim to believe, and thus attempt to prove, that Tolkien's works are not fictional at all, and that they are actually Elves, either in spirit or in some form of "reality."
i know it probably sounds like i'm trying to make fun of these people. i'm not. my guess is that these are people who already have an immense amount of experience being made fun of by those around them. i can only assume it'd take a lifetime of being bullied before you convince yourself that you're really a reincarnated Elf who used to live in Mirkwood Forest, because you feel a true "connection" to the books.
look... the books were and still are quite popular. those of us who read and enjoy fantasy have a tendency to be a little different anyway... maybe a bit more creative? open-minded? or just downright nerdy? however you look at it, many people over the years have felt a connection to Tolkien's work, and understand that the Elves were (superficially, anyway) the coolest race on Middle Earth (personally, i'm a Dwarf man myself, but that's better left for another day as well). they had magic, they had awesome combat abilities, both ranged and melee, and they were functionally immortal. heck, they were sexier than vampires! everyone who read Tolkien felt a distinct sense of peace and beauty when it came to the Elves of Middle Earth. you know why?
BECAUSE TOLKIEN WROTE THEM THAT WAY!
look, Star-People or whatever you refer to yourselves as, i'm not trying to rain on your parade. you want to make Elvism a religion? you have every right. knock yourselves out. you want to spread the good word of Elvish intentions on the 'net? sure, why not? have at it. but when you post a statement like:
"Also, much to our surprise, there is also some exploration of the very real possibility of Elven genetics or biology, or in other words, Elf blood or DNA, due to legends of Half-Elven peoples."
you have to realize that you sound rather ridiculous. the legends of Half-Elven people? and, pray tell, from whence do these legends of Half-Elven people originate? oh, yeah! from Tolkien! so, because Tolkien (or should we just call him Eru Ilúvatar from now on?) said they exist... in Middle Earth!... there is a "very real possibility" that Elves exist in reality. sure... that makes sense, how silly of me to miss such a display of logic and evidence as this.
i genuinely hope that the Star-People find happiness in their beliefs, and maybe one day they even find their way home to Valinor to join in singing the Second Music of the Ainur. i really do. and, until then, i hope they find comfort and kinship with those who believe as they do.
