Narnia/rant

[Schlobin at aol.com]

Those who find my views too strident can skip this post, because this 
one is going to be a doozy...!
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Well, I was totally appalled when I first read the article.

First, books, movies etc. should try to be true to the spirit of the 
original works...

Second, I am appalled at marketers -- enough already! Yes, I would 
love a fuzzy, plush Aslan for my kids, but not at the cost of dumbing 
down the message, which is Lewis' message.

Third, you cannot separate C.S. Lewis from his religion, nor should 
we!
I think the Christian allegories are very apparent in the Narnia 
Chronicles, but I read the Lion of Judah and I also read Mere 
Christianity and Surprised by Joy, and probably more significantly 
Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength. Lewis 
was a very strong Christian and felt very deeply about his faith.

That doesn't mean the plush Aslan has to have a bottom that you push 
that says "I'm really Jesus" or anything, but to try to disconnet the 
stories from the faith that inspired it feels wrong to me.

Of course, all the Inklings (I even read Taliesin Through Logres) are 
heavily influenced by many sources and I find their works very, very 
pagan, and as a pagan, I like that. But Lewis and Tolkein (despite 
singing Viking songs in the original while drinking beer) were 
Christians, and their Christianity was a major influence on their 
work. To deny that is to deny reality, and to be disrespectful of 
authors who (imho) have given us a wonderful and rich tradition.

I was appalled (I'm appalled a lot) when the film version of the 
Hobbit had Bilbo calling on God, when God was never mentioned in the 
books. That's wrong. Tolkein was also a Christian, and maybe he felt 
that his books would be more accessible (perhaps lead people to God) 
if God were not explicitly mentioned. It made me really angry.

So does the idea that Lewis' books should be "separated" from 
Christianity. I gather that one of Lewis' stepsons is a radical 
Christian minister and wants to separate the books from the radical 
religious right (those who oppose HP). I can understand that, but if 
I were to talk with him, I would suggest to him that rather than 
separate the books from Christian ideology, he should explain what 
Christianity means to him (and my guess is that bigotry and 
intolerance are left out of his version of Christianity).

So, anyway, I hope for communities that can honor and embrace many 
traditions publicly (rather than having no religions/cultures 
traditions mentioned) rather than having a sterile environment where 
no one's beliefs can be mentioned.

For example, in our shelter/agency, we try to celebrate all the 
winter holidays (Christmas, Chanukah, Solstice, Kwanzaa), lunar 
holidays such as Ramadan and Tet, and whatever other holidays we can 
come up with. This allows people who observe those holidays to 
celebrate them, and sends the message that all traditions will be 
honored. We also try to respect those who embrace no spiritual 
traditions, and understand that they may have a particularly 
difficult time when most people are celebrating some holidays.

Rant, rant, rant

susan