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Originally Posted by Angela  Pardon me for putting in my 2 cents, Radical, to this question addressed to you. "Lord of the Rings" and "The Holy Bible" are both works of fiction, made up by people. To base a discipline of worship on either is equivalent -- there are moral guidelines that could be discerned from LoR, just as there are in ThB. Therefore, you could say they would both be useful -- for social order, moral imperative, friendly gathering, comfort -- whatever. If a LoR follower came to you proselytizing about how you are required to recognize his mighty power or be doomed to burn in hell forever, you would rightly consider him to be delusional. Christian god -- same thing! |
I never questioned the validity of a religion devoted to the study and practice of ideas in the Lord of the Rings, so long as belief in it provides positive utility for society.
Let me turn this question around on you. Let's say you are a believer in this Lord of the Rings church, and your belief in it brings you happiness, which, in turn, inspires happiness in those around you. You do not attempt to convert others to this church, as you understand your faith in it has no underlying scientific basis other than the fact that it brings you happiness, and that others' belief in it would not necessarily bring them the same happiness. Now say a sceptic enters the picture, and begins to question your worth based on one belief that you understand is quite silly, and yet still brings you happiness. He starts proselytizing about how your beliefs are a detriment to society, and that you are only hurting society by believing what you do. What purpose does this serve, other than to appease the ego of said sceptic? How is he adding anything of value to this person's life?